my favorite girl

vii

N

/

I'm so happy Momo came to my party.

I always am whenever she does. Well, not exactly always.

On my 6th birthday, I only invited her because mom and dad made me do so.

On my 7th, I invited her because I loved the present she gave me the year before. (I only hoped she'd bring something even better that year.)

On my 8th, mom and dad didn't have to remind me to invite her, anymore. I remembered, myself.

On my 9th, she couldn't come. She had an audition for dance.

I was so lonely when she didn't show up, but I didn't tell anyone.

This year, I still told her she's invited, even though I knew she already knows, anyway.

I always tell Momo it was my mom who wanted her there, just so she wouldn't find out it was actually me.

I don't even know why I thought I needed to keep her from finding out. It's not like it's a big deal. So what if I want her to come to my party?

(So what if I'd feel lonely if she couldn't make it again?)

"You made it!" I tried to stop myself from exclaiming in excitement.

But clearly, I failed.

Momo smiled at me as she stood by the front door. She reached out and held a gift out in front of me.

"I feel bad for not showing up last year. You missed one present."

I didn't tell her I wasn't just inviting her for the presents.

Instead, I joked, "You should've bought me two for this year, then."

Momo laughs, her hand reaching up to scratch the back of her neck.

"You're right. I guess, I'll just buy you three for next year."

"What makes you think I'd still invite you for next year?"

I expected for Momo to laugh at my joke again,

But she didn't.

I hadn't expected for Momo to smirk smugly at me, gaze turning into some kind of knowing stare,

But she did.

And she mumbled deeply, tone teasing, as if she knows one of my secrets, "I'm pretty sure your mom would."

Was I that obvious?