UnMuted (Sequel to Mute)

*13~

I decided to take a shower, even though I took one two hours ago.

I thought blankly the entire time until the water got cold. Dinner went on normally; JJ was too busy inhaling his spaghetti to even notice how quiet his parent was being.

"Slow down, King," Lauren says. Her and Ariana sat on either side of him while me and Mom occupied the other side of the table.

"So, Y/N, whaddya wanna do for your birthday?" Mom asks. "Oh, heh, forgot about that," I chuckle dryly.

"How can you forget your own birthday?" Ariana asks with a small laugh and I shrug. "I've been busy with work and spending time with that cool kid there that it slipped my mind," I eat a forkful of spaghetti.

"And making stories!" He says before getting gently scolded by his grandmother in which he apologizes before eating again. "And making up stories," I confirm fondly.

"Is there anything you wanna do?" I shrug, "I didn't do anything for my last birthday."

"What about this one? All your loved ones around you while you blow out your candles. Doesn't that sound nice?" I shrug again, "I'ma keep it 98 plus two, the last good birthday of mine was when I turned 7 and weeks later, my family's dead," I continue eating, not ignoring how quiet everyone got.

They were still quiet when I finished and got up to wash my dishes. "I'm turning in early. G'night, y'all," I kiss JJ on his forehead, "Bueno noches, mijo."

"Bueno noches, Mamá," he grins and I mess with his hair before leaving to go upstairs. I sigh deeply, flopping onto my bed and putting my hands behind it.

My mind always go to dark places around this time. I never looked forward to my birthday. Over ten years ago, I had an exciting party that I don't even remember. Two weeks later, Julio commits a murder-suicide while I colored in a book I got for my birthday.

After that, I never did anything for that day.

Just then, someone knocks on my door and I allow them entrance. I was a bit  surprised when Ariana comes in, looking a lot like she did when we were younger.

I sit up and put my elbows on my knees as she shuts the door behind her. "Ari, you tried for years, it's no use," I say sadly. "But it's different now. We're not damaged kids anymore. We don't have to run anymore."

"No, you don't get it," I huff, getting a bit frustrated. "Do you know why I hate Christmas?" She asks after an elongated and tense silence. I shake my head. She takes a seat beside me and runs her fingers through her long, slightly curly hair.

"When I was ten, I always wanted to see if I got what I wanted. My dad caught me and beat the shit out of me and my mom tried fighting him off, but...," she takes a deep, shuddery breath.

"He pushed her and she hit her head. Later that day, she died from brain damage. I couldn't even go see her because I was so badly hurt and I was hiding out at his brother's house, who was... ten times worse," she stares off into space with a haunted expression.

Tears fell from her eyes as she tries to fight them. "I hated Christmas for years and I especially hated it when you left and didn't spend it with me and our baby. But once he was old enough to appreciate Christmas, I stopped hating it. Now, it's my favorite holiday," she wipes her face and sniffles.

I give her some tissues I had on my nightstand and she thanks me before cleaning herself up. "JJ was the best thing that's ever happened to me. And now he has both parents in his life," she smiles.

I just stare at her as she spoke. Never, in all of the years we've known each other, has she shared that with me. She told me her dad was abusive, her mom was a pushover and her brother was just as scared and ended up running away.