Dearest - truly flung out of space

14 - What did you call me?

I wake up to the sunbeams falling through my blinds. That's when I remember what day it is today, it's my birthday. I absolutely hate that day as it reminds me of how lonely I actually am. But even worse than this is the fact that today reminds my parents about my existence. In all those years of being in university, the least I got is a 'happy birthday' message from my father. My mother never bothered to send me anything.
I lay on my back, facing the ceiling, thinking about what today has in stock for me. Amelia wants to meet up for lunch later. She seems to be the only person who is excited about today's events.
Turning to the side, I almost want to scream out of shock. My bed is not empty, I spot golden locks falling on the pillow. Carefully, I examine the figure lying next to me. It's Carol. That's when I remember. After Carol got out of the hospital, she had no place to go. She obviously couldn't go back to Harge and Abby didn't have enough room for the both of them in her flat. Without thinking I offered Carol to sleep at my place and, to my surprise, she agreed. We agreed that I would sleep on the sofa and that worked out for the first night. But when I went to university and Carol took a nap on the sofa, she asked if I was completely insane because the sofa was utterly uncomfortable. From this day, Carol insisted that we share my bed. Not that I am complaining though. I loved to wake up next to her in the mornings, hear her slight snoring when I turn off my bedside lamp because she had already fallen asleep and just simply enjoyed the presence of her.

7am.
I get up, trying to be quiet so as not to wake up the older blonde next to me. From what I see she is still in her deep sleep phase. Her hair falls messily on her face and her lips are slightly parted, letting out some occasional light snores and hums. She's beautiful, breathtaking even.
I take a quick shower before preparing breakfast.
My phone pings, a message from Amelia. She sent the text exactly at midnight.

Amelia :)
Happy birthday Y/N!
I needed to be the first person to congratulate you on this day. I know how much you hate this day (I don't understand it though because birthdays are always so fun for me) but I still wanted to treat you well today. We'll have lunch later, in a rather fancy restaurant so prepare yourself. No complaining.
All jokes aside. Happy birthday. You're the only friend who hasn't perceived me as naive and you are always there for me. You are my personal styling person, my personal boyfriend tester, but most importantly, you are my best friend. The best friend I could have ever asked for. I don't know how I deserve you or how I had the honor of meeting you but I'm glad I did because without you, I wouldn't be who I am today.
I wish you nothing but happiness, love and health for this new year and I hope that we can spend many more beautiful days together.
Much love
your best friend in the whole world.

I tear up at her message. I really don't deserve Amelia. Unsure of what to answer, I just send her a heart emoji and get on with the breakfast preparation. It doesn't take much time before Carol joins me in the kitchen.
"Good morning, dear," she says and wipes her sleepy eyes. I smile at her.
"Good morning. How did you sleep? Just for your information, Amelia and I will go out for lunch later. If you want, you can invite Abby," I say before taking a bite from my pancake.
"What's the occasion, my dear?" she asks and takes a sip of her coffee.
"Just the usual, my birthday. Nothing special," I mumble, hoping she wouldn't hear it. But Carol would not be Carol if she wouldn't notice everything I say, even if it is barely inaudible.
She almost chokes on her coffee.
"What? Say that again," she demands and so I tell her that today is my birthday, but it's not a big deal.
"You silly thing, of course it is a big deal. If only I knew. What do you wish for my darling? Tell me whatever you wish and I will try my hardest to give it to you," she rambles. She's really cute and so I decide to pull off a quite horrible joke.
"Well, I'd love to have a new sofa, maybe a drivers license, oooh, a dishwasher would be amazing. Or a better job. Go on, you have many opportunities," I joke but quickly notice the furrow of her brows, "Carol, I'm joking. You do not have to give me something. You being out of hospital is the best present I could ask for."
Carol smiles at me and blows me a kiss.