20th Birthday Surprise

My 20th birthday was a week ago. I had decided I wanted to go to the beach to celebrate. I didn’t want a big party this year and wanted to keep it low key. And I like the coast. Luckily we live an hour or two’s drive from it. :)

Now, my family is very close. My brothers are two of my best friends. They are both off at college, one in the Mt. Hood area and one in Boston. I was a little sad that neither of them would be there for my birthday because of last-term projects and living across the country.

The day before my birthday we got up early and drove to the coast. I noticed that we were driving slower than normal, but didn’t think much of it. When we got to Newport we parked the car and began walking to one of our favorite little cafes there. Tom had his go-pro out, but again I didn’t think much of it. We went into the cafe and got in line. I was busy looking at the chalk board, trying to decide what I wanted. Anna suddenly said, “Oh!” and pointed toward the front of the shop.

That confused me. I thought she had seen something on a poster or someone in the cafe had done something, so I started looking around,trying to see what she had seen. Our turn to order was coming up so I went back to figuring out what I felt like drinking.

I heard two people come into the cafe, and I could tell they were men. They walked up REALLY close behind me. So close that their breath was on my neck. For a second I wondered if they were creeps or simply people who didn’t have a space bubble as large as mine is. That’s when I realized something really weird. There were two strange men breathing down my back, and I didn’t feel all that wary of them. This wigged me out more than anything.

I had to turn and see who they were. I casually glanced over my shoulder to look out the window, though I was actually looking in the corner of my eye to see who in the world had invaded my space. But I recognized the first person I saw. I fully turned, staring at the two young men behind me in disbelief. Both of my brothers were there, staring at me with the hugest grins on their faces.

I was able to process that my older brother was there first. He only lives a couple of hours away. It took me longer to realize that my younger brother was in Oregon, not Boston. I stared at them for over five seconds before reacting. My brothers say it was the first time they have seen me shocked speechless. I didn’t think I was going to see my older brother until the end of June, and my younger until August.

At that point I moved in to hug them both. I did cry, but we won’t talk about that. ;) This photo was taken shortly after. And that was my birthday surprise! We spent the next day walking through old town, eating good food, goofing off, and hanging on the coast line. It was the best 20th birthday. :)

Just B. Jordan

Just B. Jordan is an award-winning author of fantasy and sci-fi. She graduated high school a year early and received her first publishing contract at the age of 18. To Ashes We Run is her most recent novel. Find it here.