Happy Birthday

During the next few days I kept thinking about the man, wondering if I have made the right decision or not.

Could it be that he was in fact the old owner and that I misinterpreted Ren's reaction at the park? What if I took away somebody else's dog?

But then what did he mean by 'You're making a big mistake'? Was that meant to be a threat? Is he going to come back to get Ren? Or was he simply mad at me?

I couldn't figure out the mystery on my own but also didn't want to share it. The risk was too high that my parents or Sora would encourage me to give the dog back. And then I'd be left with no choice.

I've only had this dog for a few days but something inside of me screams at me to keep Ren by my side.

How can you grow this attached to someone in such a short time?

Either way, today I can finally ease my mind a bit because today is my birthday.

Well, it's the day before my birthday but in my family that's practically the same thing. We have always celebrated the evening prior, like it somehow holds a bigger meaning than the actual day itself.

I cannot lie, I'm very excited.

Tomorrow, when I wake up, I will be 20. A fully blown adult. Ready to tackle the world! Or at least what's left of it.

"Are you okay? You look like you're thinking of something."

Sora is sitting next to me on my bed, watching me with careful, big eyes.

In celebration of her best friend's birthday she had decided to ignore the lockdown law and sneak over so we could celebrate together. I really appreciate that gesture, considering she could get into pretty big trouble.

I turn to look at the girl. "It's hard to feel like partying when your country is falling apart."

"It's not that bad, you're overreacting."

As to underline her statement, she puts her head onto my shoulder. The butterflies in my stomach start getting wilder.

"It's not great right now but that won't last. Soon we'll be back to normal."

"How can you be so sure?"

She shrugs. "It's what I want to believe."

Sometimes I wish I had her optimism and that ability to focus on herself when everything else gets too much. I'm always fully involved in everything going on around me. I hardly get time to rest.

We sit there for a bit, each with our own thoughts, enjoying the silence.

Then I gather all my courage together and take a strand of her red hair between my fingers. I play with the strand and watch how the color reflects in the light of floor lamp.

She looks at me surprised but doesn't pull back.

"Thank you for coming over, it means a lot," I whisper, not wanting to break the moment.

Sora smiles softly. "Of course. I'd do anything for you."

My insides pull together.

Is this it? Could this be the moment I have been waiting for? Years of friendship that I would love to risk for just one kiss.

I have been dreaming of kissing this girl for way too long. Maybe tonight is the right night.

I see how her face is slowly coming closer.

My heart starts beating faster as I lean in a bit and-

The door opens.

"It's getting pretty late. You should go home soon."

I stare at my mom in disbelief. She looks at me confused, unaware of what she just interrupted.

"Okay Mrs. Von Stein. I was about to leave anyway," Sora replies politely and smiles at her.

My mom nods and leaves without closing the door.

Once she is down the stairs, I turn to Sora.

"I'm...sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

The girl winks as she leans in again, this time less hesitantly.

Our faces are now only millimeters apart and I can feel her hot breath on my skin.

Those soft lips, that are just waiting to meet mine.

But just as we are about to kiss, Ren appears out of nowhere and jumps onto my lap.

And considering Ren is a huge grown dog, I fall back onto the mattress.

"Oh my god. Get off of me!" I try to push him away but Ren refuses to move.

"Ren, you asshole. You're too fat!" I keep pushing without any success. The dog just stares at me with his piercing blue eyes.

Sora laughs and then bends over to kiss my forehead.

"I'll see you on Monday, okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

I can't hide it, I'm pissed.

I was this close to kissing her. THIS close!

Finally, the dog releases my legs and hops down onto the ground.

I quickly get up. "Wait-" But Sora is already gone.

⤐

The next morning I am still annoyed beyond comparison. First my dog, then my mom...maybe I should return both to the shelter.

But no, those thoughts are inappropriate. Neither knew what they were doing and if it's meant to be, I will get another chance of kissing my crush.

I step out of the shower and grab a towel to dry myself off.

Usually I would be happy about my birthday being on a Saturday but since I can't leave the house, I know that I will most likely suffer from boredom. In college I'd at least have friends to hang out with.

They would buy lunch for me, joke around and make sure I'm having a good time. But I will have to wait until Monday to enjoy any of that.

I put on a pair of sweatpants and a shirt before I contemplate blow drying my hair.

But who cares? It's not like I'll have to impress anybody.

I hum a funky melody as I walk back to my bedroom.

It doesn't matter. Today it's just me and my parents.

I push open the door.

And the half-naked guy standing in my room who could easily pose as my doppel ganger.

Wait, what?