Echoes of a Silent Beat

Chapter 18: Feasts and Farewells (for now)

After hours of making me wait again, Lexie finally arrived! I couldn't contain my excitement as I dashed outside to meet her halfway down the street. We were on a mission to pick out some delicious chicken, and I couldn't wait to let her choose her favorite flavor.

"Lexie!" I called out, waving enthusiastically as I spotted her approaching. "You made it!"

She grinned back at me, "Of course! I wouldn't miss your birthday for the world."

As we waited for our order, I felt a bubbling excitement inside. My birthday was just hours away, and I was about to celebrate it with Lexie, who had become such an influential person in my life. It felt like a dream come true. God is real, guys, and He loves me!

With the chicken in hand, we made our way back to the dorm. We stopped by the campus gate to pick up Nicole. Together, the three of us headed back to the dorm, laughter echoing down the hallways.

Dinner was a delightful mess of chicken, fries, and good company. We had a blast, with Nicole and Lexie cracking jokes while Angel and I tried to contain our giggles. As a movie lover, I took charge of picking the film, and we settled in for a cozy movie night.

"Alright, movie night extravaganza!" I announced as I dimmed the lights and pressed play.

Nicole had to head back early due to her curfew, which was a bummer, but we made the most of our time together before she left. We were still buzzing with energy and joy, and after Nicole said her goodbyes, the three of us continued our celebration.

As midnight approached, we began to wind down. Angel had already settled into her spot on the bed, Lexie had cozied up on the sofa with a blanket, and I had arranged myself on the floor with a makeshift pillow and blanket. We turned off the lights, creating a serene atmosphere that was perfect for drifting off to sleep.

Just as I was about to get comfortable, scrolling through my phone, an alarm chimed unexpectedly. The sudden noise made me jump slightly. Angel peeked her head from the bedroom, her voice a soft whisper, "Happy Birthday, Trish!" She was trying not to wake Lexie, who had already fallen asleep on the sofa.

Lexie, who must have heard the commotion, stirred and popped her head up with a bright smile. "Happy Birthday, Trish!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with warmth and excitement.

My heart swelled with gratitude and joy. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at these two remarkable beings in my life. Seeing them celebrate this together without any hint of awkwardness, was the best gift I could have received. This was truly turning out to be one of the most memorable birthdays ever. Despite the simple setting, the laughter, love, and shared moments made it profoundly special.

As the excitement settled, with sleepy smiles and warm hearts, we drifted off to sleep, eagerly anticipating what the next day would bring, even though it would be our last together.

The next day, my actual birthday, was surprisingly ordinary. We went through the day like any normal day, with me mostly packing my things and getting ready for my departure the following day.

"You're 22 now!" Lexie teased with a playful grin.

"You turned 22 earlier than me, you have no right to tease me," I shot back, bantering playfully.

But as I packed, I couldn't help but reflect on the upcoming changes. "My graduation is just around the corner..."

"Yeyy!" Lexie cheered, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'll miss watching you practice late into the night at the school canteen," I admitted with a touch of nostalgia.

"Don't worry, I'll get you a guest form. We can still hang out there!" she assured me with a playful wink.