First, there was Claire.

She stood by my side when the world was up in arms against me.

Her laughter and positivity was inspiring not just to me but to other people as well.

Claire had high hopes for our relationship.

After what happened today, I doubt if she regards me highly.

***

I couldn’t hide in the bathroom forever.

I bet they were all wondering where I am.

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to suddenly come to mind but it doesn’t really apply at this moment.

There are people waiting outside.

It would be rude to just disappear.

I quickly washed my face and I went back outside.

Vanessa was talking to Kenny and Alicia and they all turned to look at me.

Kenny had a frown on his face, Alicia smiled at me and Vanessa stared.

Her expression was a mixture of worry and love.

“Rose, its time to blow the candles” my dad said excitedly.

He was smiling at me and my guilt doubled in intensity.

We all had to go back inside to do the customary singing of Happy Birthday then I’ll blow the candles and make a wish.

Almost everyone looked happy and I did my best to be happy as well.

It was hard because I was in agony.

As they sang, I focused on Vanessa who was standing in the middle of the room.

She was trying to sing along and doing a bad job at it.

When they were finished, I blew on the candles and made my wish.

They all clapped, my dad came up to me and embraced me.

He wiped the side of his face and he got teased for that.

“I’m just happy guys,” he told the crowd.

“My girl’s all grown up,” he added and they teased him some more.

Then it was my grandparent’s turn and grandma told me she’s proud of me and she loves me no matter what.

I couldn’t help but cry because I know she’s struggling with it the same way I did when I couldn’t understand what I was going through.

Also, guilt and worry were gnawing at me.

Before the guest went back outside, my father took out his camera and called Vanessa and Kenny to stand beside me.

He wanted to duplicate my birthday picture when I turned 15.

With him holding the cake while I was sitting between Kenny and Vanessa.

Dad asked Uncle Johnny to take the picture.

Kenny tried to imitate his expression and it was hard not to laugh at what he was doing.

But what the camera couldn’t capture was despite the smile that Vanessa and I had on our faces, we had changed dramatically since we were 15.

Back then we were best friends.

Now, we are in love with each other.

Afterwards, most of them went back outside except for Vanessa and I.

We remained seated close to each other.

“I’m sorry Rose,”

These were the words that came out of her mouth and once again, I felt the emotions rising in my throat.

I swallowed hard.

“What are you sorry for?” I said to her and looked in her eyes.

“Are you sorry that you love me?” my tone was challenging.

I didn’t mean it to come out that way but it did.

Vanessa shook her head.

“I was never sorry for loving you,” she answered.

There was a brief pause before she spoke again.

“I’m sorry it took me this long to tell you how much I love you,”

With that, I closed my eyes and made my wish.

When I opened them, Vanessa was smiling at me and I smiled back.

“What are we going to do now?” she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders in response.

“Honestly, I have no idea.” I replied.

The End