14 "Birthday cake"

(Warning: This chapter can contain mentions of depression. You have been warned.)

Unknown POV:

I picked up a pen. The blood ran down my chin, and dripped onto the paper leaving small traces of dried blood around.

I didn't have much time. I didn't have much patience.

I didn't know where I would end up when I'm found.

My hand shook, the ink slowly submerged into the thin paper, but I took a deep breath and followed after the ink.

The ink puddle soon formed into words, then a letter.

I poured some hot candle wax I melted from before onto the gently folded paper, and pushed a stample on it.

I got up, and stuffed it into my pocket.

I walked down the halls, sunlight was breaking out of the windows through the cracks.

I sighed, the silence felt peaceful, yet it felt so limited and empty.

I wish it was never limited. That I had more choices. Rather than being in a shithole I must call home.

"Come on! We gotta start, everyone." The yelling was heard in the distance, a male voice said.

I stopped in my tracks. I'll continue what I did. Even if I'm dead. Because you'll take over and go there to show.

That it exists, and always will.

It's just invisible to the naked eye. And takes time to find.

Amethy's POV:

March 2nd, 2027

It's my birthday.. Cool, right?

I'm finally turning 18. Sweet 16 passed by in a blink of an eye, and now I'm going to start studying further. Shit, to think about all of that makes my stomach twist.

Of how scared I actually am.

Of growing up, and missing out on everything.

Ironic to say this when you're 18, really. Or at least, I think it is.

All this "happy" and "joyful" shit I agreed to do today because my parents wanted me to feels tiring.

I'll probably just eat cake and ice cream all day, and lurk around. There's not much joy out of it.

I got nothing that's fun. I bet all I'll do is drink cold coffee and listen to all the congratulations for my birthday.

But, ice coffee and cupcakes do sound nice. I have a thing for both.

And it's becoming quite a problem with my savings up for University.

My mom always wants me to stop wasting so much money on snacks. But I cannot do anything about it. I just love them so much that it just happens. Why? Good question, I just suck, maybe.

Maybe, if I make it home past 6, my lovely mother have bought a cake for me.

Of course, the classic. 12 cherries on top that taste dry as fuck, soft vanilla frosting topping the dry cake. But my mom loves this cake. She always orders it for my birthdays, ever since I was 15.

And do I obligate? No, but at least Sarah's cupcakes taste better. At least the sprinkles do.

He hugged me from behind.

"Happy birthday Amie." He kissed my cheek, and I smiled.

"I didn't think you'd make it." I turned, hugging him back.

"Of course. It is your birthday." He smiled.

My birthday.. Afterall.

Carter was always there for me. And I truly love him. He encouraged me to talk. He understands, but. He's quiet when it comes to talking about himself. It feels like he is hurting so much, but hides it too well.

And after the accident he just became so quiet. And I just figured to not be annoying and ask around.

"I'll treat you." He smiled, his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

"I should be the one treating you, you've worked so hard for the finals." I smiled, he just chuckled lightly.

We walked inside, and took our seats. We ordered the food, and waited.

We got it after some time, I insisted on paying and we ate, chatted and laughed.

"I'll be a little busy tonight. I won't make it to the small birthday party you're hosting, sorry." He said, taking a bite out of his cupcake.

"'That's alright. I'll bring you some cake, if you want?" I smiled.

"Oh. I'm not sure." He shrugged, and smiled after.

"Come onn. 8 PM?" I smiled.

He hesitated on answering for a split second, but nodded, smiling.

"I'll be waiting, then." He smiled.

I knocked on his door, I was holding a paper bag in my hand, inside was the cake and leftover cupcakes wrapped up in paper.

He opened after a few minutes. His hair was messy, his eyes and face looked puffy.

"Oh- I fell asleep and completely forgot. I am so sorry. I just woke up." He sighed, opening the door.

"Hey- It's okay. Is everything fine?" I put the bag down, taking off my coat.

"Yeah- Yeah. I just.. Didn't really get much sleep last night, I guess." He sighed, and I hugged him.

"You could've told me, so we could've hung out tomorrow so you would've rested."

"But it's your birthday." He kissed my forehead.

"Yeah, and?" I looked up at him, he brushed the bang off my face.

"Sorry." He smiled.

"It's okay. You want to eat together?" I smiled, he smiled back.

I grabbes the bag, we both sat down.

I pulled out the food, and gave him a piece of cake.

"Thanks." He smiled, he grabbed a spoon, and stuffed a bite into his mouth.

"Cherry cake?" He chuckled, and I chuckled too.

"Noo! It has butter it in this time!" I laughed, and so did he.

He already finished his piece already.

"You know what. You'd hate me for what I'm about to say, but I've started to grow fond of the cakes. They're actually really good." He chuckled.

"Oh my god. Seriously?" I chuckled too, nudging him by his arm.

"What? They are actually good!" He smiled.

I chuckled, and hugged him. I restes my head on his chest. He hugged me back. I felt so safe in his arms.

"Never leave me." I muttered. He kissed my forehead.

"Of course not. Never. I promise." He whispered, holding my hand.

I was snuggled up in his arms, and smiled.

"I'd hate to lose you. So please tell me if anything's up. Okay?" I kissed his cheek, and he nodded.

"I promise to." He rested his arms around mine.

And the moon shined, like a lantern lighting up the blinding darkness, through our windows.

Maybe birthday's aren't so bad. Maybe they're even fun.

Hah. Who am I kidding? It still feels so dumb and pathetic.

But he makes me happy. And I want to be happy.

Because life isn't about the biggest, hardest things, it's about who makes it bright. You don't have to be special to be happy.

You don't have to be in a song. In a book.

To deserve happiness. And it's all about who. And when.

And he's my answer to both.

(If you're struggling, please talk to someone. There will always be people who care for you, and you matter to, and who will listen to you. Some days may feel dark, but let someone also make them bright. Don't be silent. Reach out.)