Antwoord - Joost Klein

38.

I don't know why I woke up having this tingling sensation in my stomach from excitement. I guess I thought that my boyfri- I mean Joost would maybe do something to make this day special for me.

I was used to every year spending it alone or with work occupying my day, but I had wished for this year to be different since I was surrounded by someone special, who usually always made sure that everyone felt loved and included.

However, that was not the case. I woke up earlier than Joost as usual but felt the need to wait for him to wake up, to maybe surprise me or do something as simple as wish me 'happy birthday'. I got none of that.

I laid there for an hour waiting for him to wake up and when he did all he said was 'good morning' and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Just like every other day that we had woken up together. Nothing special.

I felt stupid for setting my hopes up high for nothing to happen. It wasn't his fault that he didn't do anything, he wasn't entitled to it since he wasn't my boyfriend. Even if he was, it was his decision to do something not mine.

Joost walked out of his bedroom on the tour bus, leaving me in his bed. I felt that little excitement bubble up again knowing that he would maybe come back in here with a special gift or surprise. I mean it was Joost, he clearly loved giving me surprises.

When Joost came back he pulled a pair of shorts on and a T-shirt over his head. He stood there with his hands on his hips looking down at me with a questioning look.

"What is it?" I smiled, feeling my whole body waiting for a gesture to happen.

"Well, are you coming?" Joost asked me.

"Where?" I asked.

"Downstairs? We have to eat breakfast before we will start the day as usual?" He dumbfoundedly explained to me.

Nothing. No gesture or surprise in sight. Simply just breakfast with Joost.

It was fine. It was like any other day where I would enjoy eating alongside him for breakfast. There was nothing special about this day anyways, or at least to Joost there wasn't.

"Oh..yeah" I felt disappointed even though I had no reason for it. It was such a small thing that I shouldn't feel so heavy about. My own expectations were higher than what I got, and that was no one's fault.

I slipped out of bed joining Joost in the doorframe. He was right behind me as I started walking down the stairs. His hands were on my shoulders but nothing special or any special treatment that I wasn't used to.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Three men screamed as we entered the kitchen area.

The edges of my lips went wide as I got that tingling sensation back. They had decorated the whole kitchen and dining area with flowers, banners, and balloons. There was a spread of my favourite recipes I had made with Teun on the table. But what made it feel special was that they remembered, and they went out of their way for me.

"I can't believe you did this for me" I smiled so brightly at every one of the three men.

"Because you're worth it, Ellie" Dylan told me.

I was so close to crying from the sweet gesture. I was even thinking about giving them all a tight squeeze but decided against it, so I simply just smiled at every person.

"It's your birthday?" I heard Joost mumble from behind me and as I looked back, he looked just as surprised as me. He didn't know.

"Uhmm yeah" I shrugged not wanting to pay attention to the feeling of pain in my chest knowing that one of the most important people to me on this bus had forgotten my birthday.