A Way Back To You

13| Birthday

Definition: The anniversary of the day on which a person was born, typically treated as an occasion for celebration and the giving of gifts.

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Trigger warning: This book deals with mentions and implications of abuse, mainly physical but potentially sexual. While the latter is never descript, reader discretion is still advised.

Friday, 9:12am. With Ant.

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Ant was used to impossible situations. Today however, he felt that today's situation was particularly impossible. Ariana's play date with Brandon had gone very well. She'd been relaxed and well behaved, and Ant was pleased to know that Brandon had been a very polite little boy. Anyone who hung around his princess had to be. 

However, Brandon's visit had smacked a new issue straight into Ant's face. He'd forgotten Ariana's birthday. As it turned out, that birthday was only 3 days away, and he'd yet to explain it to her. Brandon had done some of it, telling Ari that a birthday was how old you were and that he was 5, and she would be soon too. 

He'd also explained that she would get a big party and lots of presents on her birthday, so she should think of things that she'd like. Ariana didn't want things, but she was curious. Of course Ant had covered his ass and agreed with Brandon, but now her lack of desire for anything in particular put Ant in a serious tight spot.

He didn't know what to get, and he had 3 days to figure something out. Her birthday was November 29th. It was November 26th. He was screwed! 

Ant tried to list the good things that had happened in the last few days to calm himself down, but it wasn't working. His life was going to end.

"Okay maybe you're being a bit dramatic." His subconscious protested.

Ant waved the thought off. Maybe he was. Or maybe he wasn't. Relisting the reasons for his panic did not help either.

"Never mind, your life is over." His subconscious decided.

"Oh shut up." Ant thought angrily. 

The situation was made far worse because of the fact that he and Maddy had not really spoken since Tuesday. Although Maddy had been showing up to make sure Ariana had a good day in her day care, she had scarcely spoken to Ant. He supposed he deserved that, so he hadn't complained. After all, they had some kind of unspoken agreement to never discuss any of the things that they ought to have, and Ant's completely ridiculous jealousy rearing it's ugly head had not helped the situation (or his pride) in any way at all. Unfortunately now when he really needed her input, Maddy was awol and he was up the creek with no fucking paddle. Fuck his life.

"Can you stop moaning and groaning?" Wally glared at Ant as they left their class that morning. "You sound worse than me when I haven't had caffeine for a day."

"Shut up." Ant glared back.

"Seriously, why do you look like someone pissed in your coffee?" Wally ignored his friend.

"I'm just stressed. Don't you have a class to go to?" Ant glared at him.

"Spill, why do you look like someone pissed in your coffee?" Wally repeated with a raised an eyebrow. "Did someone?"

"No." Ant snapped. "I'm stressed about Ariana's birthday."

"Oooooh when is it?" Wally yelled, drawing the attention of every other person in the hallway.