She woke to the sounds of "Happy Birthday" and the smell of wax melting. Groaning, Alysson grabbed the comforter and pulled it up and over her head, creating a warm cocoon.
"Wake up, Birthday Girl."
"Go away, Benjamin."
"Nope. Not gonna"
Alysson felt the blanket sliding out of her grip and closed her eyes against the glare of sunlight streaming in through her bedroom window. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" she grumbled.
"Eleven fifteen. Time for you to get up."
Alysson opened an eyelid to look up at her best friend and said, "Time for you to go home."
Instead of replying to her surly remark, Benjamin grabbed her hands and feet and began to drag her out of bed.
"Would you stop it! What the hell's gotten into you?"
"Go get in the shower, get yourself all prettied-up or whatever it is you do in the mornings, and get your ass back in here. I've got a surprise for you."
"Why can't I just have it right now?"
"Because. Now go get your ass in the shower. And be quick. I've got plans."
Alysson sighed and tossed a glare over her shoulder as she headed towards the bathroom. "This better be good."
Benjamin smiled, said, "Of course it is," and then winked at her before turning and walking back into the living room, filling Alysson with even more curiosity.
"Where are we now?" Alysson asked. So far, they'd gone to her favorite restaurant, shopping, and to an afternoon double feature. After that, they'd gone to their favorite bar, where she'd had maybe a little too much too drink, as she was feeling quite relaxed. It was now somewhere around 10 p.m. and a light summer rain had begun to fall, filling the air with its fresh, clean scent and helping to cool off the temperature a little bit, too. She loved the rain, and she had a feeling they were somewhere out in the open, but she couldn't tell as Benjamin had insisted she put a blindfold over her eyes for this last part of her birthday surprise.
"You'll find out in a minute. Be patient, woman."
"Oh, shut up."
Benjamin grabbed Alysson's hand and slowly began to lead her away from the car. As they walked, her toes grew wet, and she couldn't help but become more and more curious as to their whereabouts. Finally, after about five minutes worth of walking, they stopped and Benjamin removed her blindfold.
Looking around her, Alysson saw that they were at the river with a soft rain falling around them. Glancing at Benjamin, she barely noticed the umbrella and picnic basket in his hand. "Why are we here?"
Benjamin simply smiled as he set the basket and umbrella down. He straightened, turned toward her, and grabbed her hand. Alysson gasped as he pulled her to him, flush against his body. One arm wrapped around her and the other came up so that his hand could softly stroke the side of her face. "Have I told you yet today how beautiful you are?"
"No." Oh. So that's what this was all about she thought to herself; the only time he ever told her she was beautiful in that tone of voice with that look on his face was when he wanted to fuck her. Not that she was complaining, it just helped to explain a lot.
"Well, you are. And I hope you've had a good birthday."
Alysson smiled and said, "It hasn't been too bad. But there're still a few hours left of the day, and I have nothing to do."
Benjamin raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh, really? Well, I know this guy, who thinks you're really pretty and would really like to get to know you better, if you get what I mean."
"Hmm. I think I do. And where is this guy? Who is he?"