Dielive [ENGLISH]

NINE

MY HOUSE was crowded with people decorating for my birthday. Balloons, ribbons, and colorful flowers were everywhere.

In the evening, guests arrived. Amber, Lily, and Cavin kissed me and gave me a birthday present. They were dressed up.

"You look so beautiful," I teased Amber.

She laughed. "I have to! It's a popular kid's birthday party at school! There must be a lot of cool guys coming! How could I miss that?"

Their attention was diverted to Will's group. Will came with his cool basketball team. He walked towards me and gave me a square maroon gift. He also gave me a rose.

"Happy birthday, Nad," he said.

"Thank's, Will," I replied as flatly as possible, but still politely.

"Do you have plans tomorrow?"

"Um... I..."

I looked away, among the crowd, someone more important than Will caught my attention.

I squealed. "Jason!"

I walked over to him, leaving Will behind and I didn't regret it one bit.

Jason was wearing a blue suit that glistened slightly in the light.

He smiled, hugging me. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks," I said.

"Lady Jane's here?" he whispered and chuckled.

"You seem to be very in love with Lady Jane, huh?" My eyebrows raised.

Jason laughed again. I looked around the room. Mom had just come in with Phil.

"Oh, there they are!"

I pulled Jason along with me to Mom and Phil.

"Hey, Mom," I said, hugging her. Her belly was getting bigger. I thought she was going to give birth soon.

"Happy birthday, Sweetheart."

"Thanks, Mom." I bit my lower lip. I figured yelling at her that time wasn't a wise thing to do at seventeen, so... "I'm sorry, Mom for yelling at you that time."

"Oh, Sweetheart... My sweetheart..." She covered her mouth and put her hand on her chest. I was sure she was going to cry any minute. "You don't have to apologize... I've forgiven you."

She hugged me again. I glanced at my friends. Good. Now I was a spectacle. I quickly let go of Mom's hug before Amber took a picture of us and uploaded it to her Instagram story.

"Sweetheart, look at this, it's a present for you... Phil and I bought it when we first arrived in Chicago. It was actually Phil's money," she laughed a little, "oh, it's Postman's new album and his fourth Sherlock Holmes novel."

"Who's Postman?" Jason interjected.

"Jüri Pootsmann," I corrected, frowning. "Thanks, Mom."

Phil nudged Mom's arm. "Jane, why did you reveal the contents of the present?"

Mom laughed sheepishly and handed me a rectangular box.

"Thanks, Phil," I said awkwardly.

I didn't hug her and just smiled. It reminded me of our agreement. This was my last day in Chicago.

I was restless again. I immediately looked for Dad. He was chatting with my friends, I hugged him from behind.

"Nad!" he screamed.

"Dad, I..." my words were cut off. I wanted to say so badly; I don't want to go, Dad. However, saying it would only add to Dad's suffering. Dad would definitely have a hard time letting me go. So I kept it to myself. When I turned to look for Jason, Lisa Cane entered the room.