𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒 ➢ JOHNNY ROTTEN

EIGHTEEN

On her nineteenth birthday, Marion found herself lounging in her flat, aimlessly watching the telly. The day had been slow, a languid lead-up to the evening's plans. The sound of the door opening stirred her from her reverie as Keith walked in, a wrapped gift in his arms. He'd been at work all day, but his energy hadn't waned in the slightest.

"'Ello, 'ello, what's this then? A couch potato on her birthday?" Keith teased as he stepped inside.

Marion rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth despite her feigned annoyance. "Oh, piss off, Keith. Let me sit on my arse in peace."

Keith's grin widened as he approached her, the wrapped gift in his hand. "Got something that might make you shift your arse," he said, offering the present to her.

Marion took the present, her fingers working at the wrapping. "If it's another one of your shitty mixtapes, I'm throwing it out the window," she warned.

"Just open it, you ungrateful sod," Keith shot back, his grin unfaltering.

As Marion unwrapped the gift, her sceptical expression gave way to one of genuine surprise. She revealed a Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera, a treasure in its own right. "Fuck me, this is brilliant! You know me too well," she exclaimed.

Keith chuckled, pleased with her reaction. "Just want you to capture those rare moments when you're not being a total pain in the arse," he quipped.

Marion rolled her eyes again but couldn't hide her warmth for him. She leaned in and hugged him tightly. "Thanks, Keith. I'm so grateful for you, you know that?"

"Love you too, you daft thing," Keith replied, his voice softening as he returned the hug.

A knock at the front door interrupted their moment. "That'll be the others," Marion said, releasing Keith from the hug. "Brace yourself."

She walked over to the door and opened it, revealing Steve, Glen, Cook, Jordan, and Siouxsie standing on the threshold.

"Heard it was someone's birthday!" Steve exclaimed, his grin wide as he enveloped Marion in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around.

Marion, caught off guard, let out an awkward laugh. She appreciated Steve's exuberance but was also keenly aware of her desire to be back on solid ground. "Thanks, Steve! You can put me down now."

Steve complied, gently setting her back on her feet. Cook strolled in next, casually offering his birthday wishes. "Happy birthday, Marion! Got a drink for us?"

"Of course," Marion replied with a laugh. "Make yourselves at home."

"Bit cramped but we'll manage," Jordan commented as she entered the flat. Then she stopped and turned to Marion. "Where's the booze?"

"In the kitchen. Help yourselves," Marion said. "Just don't break anything, or you're paying."

Siouxsie then approached Marion and held up a homemade cake. "Brought you a cake."

Marion looked at the cake. It was lopsided, the frosting uneven, but it was clearly made with effort and care. "It's perfect, Siouxsie. Thank you."

Siouxsie moved past her to place the cake on the kitchen counter, while Steve looked around the flat. "This place is tinier than a rat's arsehole," he said.

Marion rolled her eyes at his remark but couldn't hide her smile. "Don't fancy a mob," she retorted. "More intimate this way, isn't it?"

Secretly, Marion was relieved at the limited number of guests. She knew that everyone had been keen on turning her birthday into a grand affair, inviting crowds of people for a full-blown party. But Marion had wanted something smaller, a gathering where the company was familiar.