"Tell me something Nairobi Cortes, do you love Luis Mendoza?"
"Mendoza" I repeated, giving some thought and responding "Even the name gives me butterflies"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I felt Nico's tail pass by my hands as he does a long stretch. I turn my head towards him as I scratch his little head, purring in reply.
Today was my birthday.
As much as birthday's sound amazing and wholeheartedly beautiful, having those who love and care for you by your side, it doesn't make me feel that way.
Because dad died on my birthday.
And that's why I hate the day I was born.
I didn't think much of it, instead, I began getting ready for school. I applied toothpaste to my toothbrush and began brushing my teeth, hearing a knock on my door as I did my best to call out a 'come in'.
My mothers head peeks in as she walks over to me, hugging me from behind as she kisses my forehead "Happy birthday"
I spit the toothpaste from my mouth and washed it with water "Thanks mamá"
She grabs my brush and begins brushing my hair. I knew if I told her I can do it she would refuse, so I accepted it. Her hands going through my hair each time she brushes it.
"So..." she began "How does it feel to be a year older?"
I shrug "Nothing different. If anything, it seems boring"
She begins to braid my hair from the side "Is there anything you want in particular?"
"No, I'm fine"
"Hm" she hums as she ties my hair away from my face "Maybe you should stay today, it's your day after all"
I walk over to my drawers and began picking my clothes out "I want to go to school. I don't want to be behind"
"But you told me last night you were ahead of all your classes"
I began changing, avoiding eye contact "I want to stay out of the house today"
"If-" she pauses, looking down at her hands as she fiddles with them "If you want me to pick you up, I'll be a call away okay?"
"Mhm" I hum as I grab my backpack and sports bag "I won't have breakfast today, I'm going to be late"
She nods and follows me out the door. I give her a quick kiss in the cheek as I began walking to school.
"I'm surprised she didn't bring it up" I thought "Either way, she never did like to talk about it"
My body soon gets picked up from the ground, making me drop my sport bag as I let out a yelp. I look down and recognized the beat up blue converse.
"Happy birthday Nai!" Luis sang as he swings be side to side
"Luis, so help me if you don't put me down-"
He quickly does so as he hands me my bag "So how many punches do I have to give you? Twenty? Five hundred?"
