Flickers

Chapter 18

You can’t be nice all the time
You should have something you want
Even if you get tired of your gaze
It’s worth it

- Greedyy, IU

Seventeen.

One more year and I'll shed off the title of being a young girl, one more year and I'll soon be in legal age, soon to be stuck in a foreign body that is borderline child and adult.

It was Monday, it was the worst day of all week where everything starts again. Like a robot that is programmed, you are working your stiff muscles and forcing yourself to enjoy a week of almost metal torture.

"Happy birthday Angelica!" My classmates sang to me, my close friends in this class decided to tell our teacher which in turn told the whole class to greet me with a happy birthday.

To be honest, I wanted to slap their mouths for doing that, I don't like being the center of attention. I can only thank them and heard a yell from the back.

"Sir! It's her birthday so why don't you end our quiz and give it as her birthday gift?" The others in the back laugher while I rolled my eyes.

Another teacher entered, famous for his monotonous voice as I lose focus on what he was lecturing about. Of course, the people in the back didn't think they've made enough trouble and decided to sing happy birthday again earning a sigh from our teacher and glare from me. I wish I could stuff their mouths and never let them sing again.

I grew tired by the end of it, I was expecting something special to happen, it was ridiculous to held hope for something magical to just appear. I knew that very clearly but I just can't help but hope, it was my birthday and every birthday girl/boy will think that their special day is supposed to be different- to be exact a good difference.

"Happy birthday ange! Where's your handa?" Faith hugged me and I almost choke on my drink.

(AN: It means food that is ready for a certain occasion and in this case, for Angelica's birthday)

"In my home, we have bread and coffee there, you can take all you want" I joked, I can see the slight surprise in their eyes but I ignored it.

(AN: Bread and coffee are usually served to people who come to the night vigil for the dead)

It still hits that I can never hear my father greet me a happy birthday, that his mere presence in my special day along with his karaoke skills pang me. But I'm moving on, I'm coming to terms with his death, and I knew he wouldn't like it if he sees me sad on my special day.

"Ange, someone wants to see you" Meryl giggled and I look behind her back to see Eric. He waved at me as I did the same as him and when I look back, my friends already left our spot.

He walked in my direction, his eyes steady and filled with my reflection. I heard him heave a big breath and still before he reached in his pockets and gave me a bracelet.

It was a simple silver-grey bracelet, it dazzles my sight even more with gold itself. As it dangles around my wrist, it sang a melodic tune with its fine lustrous bells that chime with a flock of a hand.

"It's beautiful" I said in awe, it was truly. It was even more so when I see the happiness shimmering off his pupils which earned a grin from me.

"Thanks" I giggled, I should be the one saying that but I accepted it nonetheless.

"Happy birthday ange" he whispered, like a lover's whisper to his fancied one.

He may be a small single stone that managed to caught up in me through a storm but when he falls, it causes ripples in my heart that I know I won't ever forget and regret.

Thank you for celebrating my birthday, Eric. I can only say inside me, not daring to say it out loud.

Soon, we all head home- my home, mom already ushered my friends inside and we all gathered into a tiny space where a table filled with celebratory foods lay on top. Some of them were even shy but I pushed them through, their fangs have been diluted by the presence of my mother, and shortly after that, they began to sing happy birthday once more.

And this time, it was a happy tune.

***
Chapter 18 is up!

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