Chapter 8

Gabe: Happy Birthday! :birthday-cake: emoji

Ameline: You remembered. :grin: emoji

Gabe: I did, how does it feel to be eighteen? Ready to take over the world?

Ameline: I don't have that on my to-do list for today. I still feel the same as I did last night. No, wait. I feel like I've been robbed of my present.

Gabe: What does that mean?

Ameline: At eighteen, Dad gave Isadora and Cedric a brand new car. It's supposed to be the only car they will ever get from him. Instead of that, I got a hand-me-down from the stepmother.

Gabe: Why?

Ameline: She deserved a new car, not me—her words. So, she got my birthday present.

Gabe: That's fucked up.

Ameline: We share the same sentiment.

Gabe: How are you going to celebrate?

Ameline: I'm not sure because she feels like going on a ride along I-5 to test drive and enjoy her new car.

Gabe: You want me to pick you up?

Ameline: You'll come for me all the way to Bainbridge Island?

Gabe: Of course. You deserve to celebrate your birthday with style, not in your house while someone else enjoys your present.

Ameline: It's okay. I have homework and a test.

Gabe: We can do something over the weekend.

Ameline: Dad is going to be here.

Gabe: Unless you convince them to take a road trip to California. Then your brother will have to be in charge of you, and you can come to stay with us.

Ameline: How am I supposed to convince them to do that?

Gabe: :shrug: emoji

Ameline:That's not helpful.

Gabe: I can be helpful. Let me figure it out, while I hire someone to key the new car while they're on their road trip.

Ameline: Don't be mean.

Gabe: She deserves that . . . but maybe I'll do something better. Spectacular. :wink: emoji

Ameline: Should I be scared?

Gabe: Nope. You'll be fine. Trust me.