1 Birthday Girl

— Shot! Shot! Shot! — All of the girls singing at the birthday girl who was already dizzy from the first three courtesy cocktails — Well, the first one was courtesy of the bar, the other two were from the seniors guys of the rival university.

— How does it feel turning 21? Like an old lady already captain? — Jane, one of the girls from the team mocked about.

— It feels great! I love you guys so much, you're the best team I ever had. — Anabella babbled. — she felt the room spin once, and kept smiling at her friends feeling the happiest person alive, it was an incredible day, they did win the finals, that was the best gift she could get for her birthday, and celebrating at the best pub — the most close to her boyfriend's dorm — in the campus, was brilliant.

Her phone was ringing, as she was reaching for it, her friends started protesting it. — Anabella gave them an affectionate look of apology and answered at the third ring.

— Hello birthday girl.— her boyfriend said softly.

— Hello Mister Matthew.— she replied with a playful tone.— Is your shift over yet? I want to see you baby.

— It is over Anna, I'm heading to my dorm, come over, I think we need to talk.— he said calmly.

— I can't wait to talk to you mister!— she hung up before he could reply back,— he would travel the next day to his grandfather's ski house and she couldn't go due to some finals — already grabbing her things and blowing kisses to her friends who responded smiling and raising glasses at her in a mocking way.

On the way out of the pub, she bumped into a bulging-eyed boy with an unsympathetic look on his face, she apologized quickly, anxiously on her way to her boyfriend's dormitory. Her legs were moving as her muscle memory took her along the path that she did repeatedly for three years now, there was only one more block to go and she would finally have reached her desired destination, the loving warm arms of her favorite person.

As she was arriving, he wasn't at the window waving at her like he always did, and that made her heart beat faster than possible due to all the alcohol she had consumed.

It only took one knock on the door for it to open and a familiar face to outline a tired smile. Anabella approached promptly for a tight hug, Matthew a little surprised by the hurried gesture, wrapped his arms around him lightly patting his back - a gesture that Anabella deeply hated, but did not comment about it.

— Come and open your gift,— Matthew said suddenly as he unscrewed himself from Anabella and turned to his desk for a small box.

Anabella's eyes flashed in front of the small box.— not that she was expecting an engagement ring, but at least a commitment ring would be something to marvel at, after all, they had been together for three years. She took the box that was handed to her and undid the bow at once to open it quickly, finding a beautiful golden necklace.

— Gold, to match your hair.— clarified Matthew with a singing smile. - Anabella made an incredible effort not to show frustration, she liked it very much, she was just waiting for something with more meaning, preferably for her fingers.— Ring finger if possible.

— Thank you, it's very beautiful.— And it really was, she thought.— Help me put it on?

— Sure.— says Matthew promptly when she turns and hands him the necklace, he skillfully adjusts the clasp by pulling her hair back and putting forth her shoulders in the next instant.

Matthew sits on the bed pulling his girlfriend to sit next to him gently, she smiled at him and sat down.

— I'm glad you liked it. — He answers a little apprehensive.— I didn't want to discuss this issue on your birthday, and I'm sorry about that Anna, but tomorrow morning I'll be gone and we need to talk about it.

— About what?

— About Us. We are not doing well, we are not 'normal'.— Matthew argues.

— I'm not able to understand you. — Anabella replies uncertainly.

— That's exactly the problem, I don't think you can understand me, and I don't think I'm ready for a relationship either.— He speaks with a frightening calm to Anabella, her blood starts to boil, mainly because of the last statement of his.

— How are you not ready? We've been together for three years!— She replied, not believing Matthew's words.

— I don't think it's being very good for me, I'm not feeling free with you wanting satisfaction from me.— He puts it, adding after a moment.— You're not working, you don't do anything all day, I can't give you what you want, answer your messages. I think we should break up.

Anabella's blood is bubbling in her veins from so many lame excuses, irritation consumes her according to each word he provides.— She doesn't work because her sports scholarship depends on daily training and he has the audacity to tell her that.

— If you are not feeling well to show the slightest form of consideration, which, you rarely give me, I think you are right. It's over.— she says, swallowing the hot tears rising in her throat.

— I'm sorry, I really didn't want this on your birthday, but I had no other choice with this trip on the way.— He speaks calmly, as if it were nothing.— Do you need something?

Anabella's eyes narrow tightly when she responds.— Water.

Matthew hands her a small bottle that was half empty, standing on his headboard, Anabella accepts turning back and leaving in silence taking small sips as she walks away.

As soon as she puts her feet on the street, she leans against a lamppost, and vomits in front of Matthew's window, which, when she turns to see, is already closed and covered by the old curtain. With eyes full of water, Anabella continued walking to her own bedroom, each step being a horrible battle for her feet and even worse for her heaving chest, which by this point was already accepting all the crying that ran down her cheeks.

Every step forward hurt, every breath hurt, she just wanted to sleep, when she finally arrived, her roommate was gone. She lay down, wanting more than anything to sleep.

Her heart didn't slow down, her body didn't calm down, her mind didn't stop for a minute, she only managed to close her eyes when she felt the light coming to her window, sleeping soundly as the day came up.