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CHAPTER 23
Annie
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIAN 
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        EVERYONE IS HAPPY. Ginny approaches me and Julian and embraces me with a big hug.
        “Oh my god I can believe he’s real. And he’s even hotter in person.” Ginny says, looking at Julian up-and-down. “Hey, he’s my boyfriend.” Julian’s eyes shoot at me and I just smile at him. Ginny grabs Julian’s hand to shake it. “Hi Julian, I’m Ginnifer.” And just then, Winnie comes over to us holding a birthday cake singing Happy Birthday. After Winnie sings, she places the cake in front of us on the table and I say, “Make a wish.” Julian looks at the cake and then back at me. He closes his eyes and blows out the candles and everyone applauds.
          “What’d you wish for?” Liam yells out from across the room.
         “It wouldn't be a wish if I told you.” He says laughing and looks back at me and winks.

<>The Violet Hour by; Sea Wolf
                                      
         We were all laughing, eating, and enjoying one another’s company during Julian’s birthday. Julian stands up holding his camphene glass.
         “I just want to say how eternally grateful to you all and especially to Annie, the most beautiful part of loving a guarded girl is this: when she lets you in, it’s because she needs you. She stopped needing people a long time ago. It’s because she wants you. And that, that is the purest love of all. So I’d like to propose a toast, my beautiful Annie, I’m the happiest me when I’m with you, and I couldn’t ask for enough. I love you.” Julian says as we do cheers and I smile at him. After the party was over, Julian and I went for a walk around the hospital holding hands.
         “Annie, I meant what I said, I couldn't ask for enough.” Julian says and comes a little closer to me, “Thank you.” Julian says and kisses my forehead. He pulls away smiling and says, “Come on, we’re getting out of here.” my laughter echoes the halls.

<>Because Of You by; Ashley Clark

        The beach is empty. In the fading glow of twilight, the waves roll up to the rocks in sweeping curls of white foam. The sand glistens like wet steel. The grass bends low in the briny night wind. Always changing, yet always the same. I wonder if the beach ever looked like this since the beginning of time. Staring up at the starry night sky, waves crashing against my ankles. I turn around and look back at Julian who is standing a few feet away from me wearing a sky blue see-through dress shirt and white pants.
         “I don't wanna go back.” I say and look back at the sky. “So you're glad you came?”
         “Aren't you.” I ask looking back at him. “Yes.” He whispers. Suddenly, I slowly start to dance as I walk over to Julian who is laughing. I walk up to him and giggle.  “You. You are something else.” “Wanna go back.” I ask and Julian puts his arm around my back and makes me fall onto the sand and he falls on top of me. “Not yet, I just want to be the guy who's been to the beach with a girl in a blue dress.