Sommerstall Academy

Chapter 34

Florence

I'm home alone again. Not that that is weird but I'm actually skipping school. That's the unusual part.

Well, not so much unusual since it's a tradition, of sorts. You see, it's my birthday today which makes it the one day a year my parents allow me to skip school and spend it with them. It's how we always did it. Always but this year.

This year, when I happily emerged from my room, expecting to see my mom make us pancakes (all part of the birthday ritual), I was met with an empty house. I was surprised enough to have called my dad which turned out to be a great mistake since he was busy at work.

"What is it," he asked. "I'm about to go into a meeting. Why aren't you at school," he added confused. His harsh tone startled me enough to lie and tell him I was at school and that I had a free period.

I knew then, my parents forgot my birthday.

The sad part is, I'm not even surprised. I only regret having found out after school has already started since I'll now be spending all day by myself. It's unusual for my parents to forget something though, they're usually better at keeping up the façade.

Either way, here I am, opening Instagram because I got a notification. It's pathetic how desperate I am for anyone whatsoever to have thought of me even though it's probably not even a message.

It's in fact not a message but a story. I don't usually care but since it's from Elija, I click on it.

I'm greeted by a meme, presumably self-made. It's a picture of some guy with a highly offended face with the text "When it's her bday and you wanted to use it as an excuse to hug her but she doesn't show up at school" To which he commented, "Yeah, fr". He even mentioned me!

I nearly squeal. Don't blame me but after the morning I've had, this is amazing, no matter how bad the meme is. He wanted to hug me? Is it too late to go to school? I still have thirty minutes until the last period ends.

I decide to simply text him instead.

Me: sorry for that

I hope it doesn't come off as dry but I really don't know how to text someone.

Elija: You should be.

Elija: Jk, of course. Why aren't you here, though?

Me: I usually spend my bdays with my parents

Elija: Okay, I can accept that hahah makes sense

Elija: How's it been so far?

Me: Fun

Elija: What are you doing?

Me: pretty sure you're not supposed to be on your phone

Elija: why do I feel like you're avoiding my question? What's going on?

Elija: No lies.

He added a period. Now it's serious. Also, how does he know me so well even over text, honestly!

Me: Okay, technically, my parents aren't here

Elija: Where are they?

Me: at work hahha

Elija: no offense but that sounds like a boring tradition.

Me: It's not part of it. I guess we're not doing anything this year but I didn't know until school has already started so I couldn't come anymore.