𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 ;

livres et anniversaires

the day began quietly for alana. she woke up to the soft morning light filtering through her curtains, a rare smile gracing her lips. it was her birthday, and she had decided to spend it in her own company, away from the usual hustle and bustle.

she made herself a simple breakfast, the house silent except for the occasional creak of the floorboards. she felt a sense of calm as she moved through her morning routine, savoring the solitude. her family had left early for a weekend trip, trusting her to enjoy her day however she wished.

after breakfast, she curled up in her favorite armchair with a book she'd been wanting to read for months. the hours slipped by unnoticed as she lost herself in the story, the outside world fading away. the quiet of the house wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, each turn of the page bringing her deeper into the narrative.

around mid-morning, as she was settling back into her armchair, she heard the front door open and close. she looked up, surprised, as her dad walked in, carrying a bright pink gift bag.

"happy birthday, sweetheart," he said, his voice warm and filled with love.

"dad! i thought you were going with mom and the boys," alana exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face.

"i was," he replied, "but i figured you might want some company today. plus, i brought supplies for a little father-daughter fun."

alana's curiosity was piqued as he set the gift bag on the coffee table and began to pull out various items: face masks, a set of colorful makeup, and a collection of her favorite chick flicks and tv shows, including gossip girl.

"what do you say we spend the day pampering ourselves?" he asked with a playful wink.

she felt a surge of affection and gratitude for her dad. "that sounds perfect," she said, hugging him tightly.

they started with the face masks, each applying a layer of the cool, soothing cream to their faces. her dad made exaggerated expressions as he spread the mask on, making alana laugh so hard she almost smeared hers. they waited for the masks to set, talking about everything and nothing, enjoying the rare opportunity to bond.

"do you think this will make me look ten years younger?" her dad asked, his face covered in the bright green mask.

"at least," alana giggled, wiping a tear from her eye.

next came the makeup. her dad, ever the good sport, let her experiment with different colors and styles on his face. she carefully applied eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick, giggling at the final result. when it was her turn, he did his best to replicate the techniques she'd shown him, and they both ended up looking like characters from a colorful, whimsical dream.

"you look beautiful, dad," alana said, trying to keep a straight face.

"and you look absolutely stunning," he replied, striking a pose that made them both burst into laughter.

they spent the rest of the afternoon watching gossip girl, her dad surprisingly invested in the drama of the upper east side. they lounged on the couch, sharing a bowl of popcorn and exchanging commentary on the characters' outrageous antics.

"i can't believe serena just did that," her dad said, shaking his head. "blair is going to be furious."

"i know, right?" alana replied, her eyes wide with excitement. "this show is such a rollercoaster."

as the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over everything, alana decided to treat herself to another slice of cake. she had picked it up from her favorite bakery the day before, a small indulgence for her special day. the rich chocolate flavor melted in her mouth, a sweet contrast to the simplicity of her day. she felt a peaceful contentment, a rare feeling she wished she could capture and hold onto forever.

the tranquility was interrupted by a sudden, distant sound. she looked up from her book, straining to listen..it sounded like fireworks?

curious, she set her book aside and walked over to the window.

what she saw outside made her heart skip a beat. in the fading light, she saw amir and monerah in the small park across the street, holding sparklers and laughing. the sight of them together had once filled her with a pang of jealousy, but over time, she had grown to accept their happiness. it was clear they cared deeply for each other, and she had come to terms with it.

they turned towards her house, their faces lighting up as they saw her at the window. amir raised his sparkler high, and monerah cupped her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice.

"happy birthday, alana!" they shouted in unison, their voices carrying across the quiet street.

tears welled up in her eyes as she opened the window, the cool evening breeze brushing against her face. she waved back, her heart swelling with an unexpected warmth. they had remembered her birthday and gone out of their way to bring a bit of joy to her quiet day.

she watched as they continued to wave the sparklers, the bright lights dancing in the twilight. the sight of amir and monerah, happy and carefree, filled her with a bittersweet sense of closure. she realized that despite everything, she still had people who cared about her, and that was enough.

as the last of the sparklers fizzled out, she blew them a kiss from the window. "thank you," she called out, her voice barely more than a whisper, but she knew they heard her. the peace she had felt all day deepened, enriched by the unexpected kindness of her friends.

alana returned to her armchair, picking up her book once more. she felt lighter, as if a weight she hadn't fully acknowledged had been lifted. she took a deep breath, savoring the moment. her birthday had turned out to be a day of quiet reflection and unexpected joy, a perfect blend of solitude and connection.

just as she was getting comfortable again, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. she glanced at the screen and saw a name that made her eyebrows shoot up in surprise: tylan. the boy infamous for his big, wild parties, who always seemed to be the center of attention, was calling her.

with a mix of curiosity and hesitation, she answered. "hello?"

"alana! happy birthday!" tylan's voice was warm and genuine, a pleasant surprise.

"thanks, tylan," she said, still a bit puzzled. "what's up?"

"i just wanted to say happy birthday and let you know how amazing you are," he began, his tone sincere. "i know we don't hang out much, but i've always admired you from afar. you're smart, kind, and you've accomplished so much already. you're someone who stands out in the best way."

alana felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment and pride. "that's really sweet of you to say. thank you."

"no, really," tylan continued. "i mean it. i've seen how hard you work, how dedicated you are to everything you do. you have this quiet strength that's really inspiring. and, not to mention, you're absolutely beautiful."

her heart fluttered at his words. "wow, tylan, i don't know what to say. this means a lot."

"you don't have to say anything," he replied, his voice softening. "i just wanted you to know that you're appreciated. you deserve to have the best birthday ever."

tears welled up in her eyes again, this time from the overwhelming gratitude she felt. "thank you, tylan. this really made my day."

"i'm glad to hear that," he said warmly. "if you ever want to talk or hang out, just let me know. happy birthday again, alana. take care."

"you too, tylan. thank you," she said, her voice filled with emotion as she ended the call.

she sat there for a moment, staring at her phone, trying to process the unexpected conversation. tylan's kind words echoed in her mind, adding another layer of warmth to her already full heart.

the evening passed in a blur of pages and contentment, the house growing quieter as the night deepened. as she finally prepared for bed, washing off the remnants of makeup and face masks, she couldn't help but smile at her reflection in the mirror. it had been a day unlike any other, filled with laughter, love, and unexpected surprises.

snuggling under her covers, alana felt a warmth in her heart that she hadn't felt in a long time. she drifted off to sleep with a smile on her lips, dreaming of the bright sparks of the sparklers and the joy of knowing she was cherished.