Sparks Fly

CH18: Birthday Special

Worst bday ever! I woke up today feeling like shit over everything that's been going on in my life. If this is how it feels to be an adult, It feels like shit and makes me reminisce about childhood. I woke up early morning with mother kissing me on the cheek and wishing me a happy birthday. She then commented how adulthood begins with waking up early, so with heavy bags under my eyes I start my day with bingeing on my laptop. Usually I celebrate my birthday with an outing with Sara and end it with a family dinner at night. I cut my favourite strawberry cake with chocolate frosting and call it a day. But this time it's different, it's supposed to be.

Neil and I haven't really been on talking terms after that. I did receive a dry text message from him at 12am at night, wishing me a happy birthday. No exclamation points, no emojis. Even the day before, when I bumped into his mother and him on the lift, never have I ever been in a more awkward situation like that. Neil refused to talk on top of which all his mother could say was a hello. Even looking at her reminded me of things I didn't want to. The doorbell rings forcing me to abandon my lair and greet whoever is on the other side. Turns out it's the delivery guy with a box of donuts in hand and a small bouquet of flowers in another. I thank him and take it inside. Even if Sara is currently out of town, no way she would forget my birthday. It's been difficult to connect with her over the phone or the internet as the area has network issues. I plate a few donuts, deposit the rest in the refrigerator and return to my bingeing. This is what is called Netflix and chill for a 18 year old, Indian girl.

Since it's my b'day I am allowed to order my food instead of making healthy conscious choices. Mother says 18 is truly an age when you start to put on weight, you would have no idea where that waist went so it's important to check what you're eating. Not today mom. I order a bottle of coke with some noodles for lunch. Since it says my order will be delivered in 45 minutes I take that time for a everything shower. Starting from head to my toes, from exfoliating to shaving, hair mask and conditioner. I'd be lucky if I made it out of the bathroom before 45 minutes. Cranking up the music loud, I turn the shower on.

The doorbell rings and it's just been 30 minutes since I placed an order. Damn you! For also letting me down. I had just finished shaving and rinsing the hair mask. Currently I have shampoo in my hair. The doorbell rings again, I hastily put on a robe and cover my hair with a towel. My feet have soap in them which makes it slippery so I carefully walk the short distance to the door. Throwing it open I see Neil standing there with the bag of food. I don't bother with my food and close the door on his face but he stops my lame attempt by putting his foot in between.

"You really don't want your food?" he asks.

"Not from your hands."

"I don't think starving yourself of food is a good way to start your adulthood. They have medicines for it now."

"Go ahead, joke about anorexia with a teen girl," I scowl at him.

"All I see is a woman in front of me," he says and I hold the robe to my body tighter. "But She has shampoo running from the side of her face. I guess we all have our days." A streak of shampoo travels through my forehead and enters my left eye.

"It's in my eyes now," I shout and run back to the bathroom as it starts to burn. Once I rinse out my eye I hop back into the shower, hoping to never come back.

I step out almost an hour later in a ratty old shirt with no shorts hoping to change into something before I deal with Neil in the living room. But upon entering my room I see him laying down on my bed scrolling through his phone. He looks up from it and his eyes rake down my body, stay on my legs and come back up to meet my eyes.

"That was a long shower, were you that dirty?"

"Get out of my room," I demanded.

"You might wanna put on some clothes, the shirt does nothing to conceal your red panties that are peaking through." I stretch my shirt down to my mid thigh.

"You're such a jerk, get out I have to change."

"Nah, I like this better. I feel like it's my birthday today."

He tortures me for a few more minutes but seeing my exasperated expression he leaves but not without saying.

"Change into something pretty and don't bother changing the red panties."

"GET OUT!"

I changed into an Avengers graphic shirt kept in the back of my closet and jeans. He's sitting at the dining table, waiting for me and has plated the noodles. I take a bite and it feels hot, meaning he microwaved it. I look for the missing coke bottle, he senses it and goes into the kitchen and comes back with two wine glasses filled with coke. Bringing his glass to mine, he says,

"Here's to 18." When I don't bother picking up my glass, he takes it upon himself to lift it and clink both the wine glasses together.

"Why are you like this?" I ask quietly to perhaps myself, but he too listens and the smile on his face drops.

"One second you're all love and smiles, next you're walking out on me, you're angry at me, for what? For choosing to be next to you?" He stays quiet while the fork in his hand rotates, collecting the noodles in it.

"I like being near you, talking to you. Have you ever thought about the fact that I do this because I like you Neil. I mean I really like you," I confess to him.

"You like me?" he asks.

"It's like talking to a wall" I roll my eyes.

"Gia, I don't think of myself as someone who could be loved. I try to prove, I try to be a better son but there's no winning," he says while looking far off. I get up from my chair and sit on his lap facing sideways and take his face in my hands.

"There's no competition with us. You and I always win," I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him in.