A Game of Cat and Mouse

T W E N T Y E I G H T

Annie woke up the next morning feeling exhausted but happy. It felt like everything in the world was right.

She just loved birthdays. There was something about celebrating the day someone came into the world with nothing but pure happiness in your heart that made her smile. Even if it wasn't her birthday, she couldn't help but be ecstatic.

Plus, her birthday was quite possibly the only day she felt normal. Because it was the only day she didn't mind attention, actually welcomed it with a smile on her face. Today was no exception.

"Happy birthday to you," a soft, sweet voice began to sing.

Annie opened her eyes to see the sunlight cascading into her bedroom. Perkins crawled up onto the bed, stretching his short legs before curling up against her side. Annie's eyes moved toward the door where her mother, father, and brother were creeping inside with giddy smiles on their faces. Her parents detested their own birthdays but always made a big deal out of theirs. Especially Annie's, as it wasn't only a celebration of her birth but her survival. Plus, James had started to hate his birthday too so they all enjoyed making a big deal out for the only person who enjoyed them.

"Happy birthday to you. We love you, sweet Annie. Happy birthday to you," Evelyn sang while she and the rest of the Riddles walked into the room. Her mother sat on the bed and rested her hand on Annie's leg while her father followed behind. James went to the other side of the bed.

"Happy birthday, Annalise!" Her mother exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her tightly and squeezing hard.

"Mum, you're choking her!" James exclaimed with a laugh before joining in on the hug. "Happy birthday, sissy. You're finally twenty-one."

"Thank you both," Annie said with a huge smile that went from ear to ear. Finally, the two of them pulled away and Tom leaned in, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead and a much less suffocating hug.

"Happy birthday, my little princess." Her father's voice was smooth and low. It was quite possibly the most comforting sound in the world, at least in Annie's mind. Well, maybe it was second to Elio's now.

"Thanks, Daddy."

The day went by in one, happy blur. First, there was breakfast, which was thankfully not cooked by her mother because her mother was a horrible chef. The one time she'd attempted to make Annie's birthday waffles was the time when three of them ended up having to be healed by her Father before Perkins had to go to the vet because he accidentally ingested a piece. Though she would admit, that was certainly a memorable birthday.

Needless to say, they had a cook for a reason.

Annie spent the rest of that morning dolling herself up for the special day. She took a relaxing bubble bath while Perkins purred and played with stray bubbles. Then, she let her brown waves dry naturally while she doused them with several products. Finally, she put on a bit of makeup, including some mascara and gloss. The look was finished with a white bustier sundress with lacy cap sleeves, some white flats, and tiny gold hoops. Annie looked at herself in the mirror before smiling. She felt pretty. She felt like a woman. Not just a girl.

Annie wondered what Elio would say if he could see her now. You're so beautiful, topolina, his voice whispered in her head. She smiled as she imagined him cupping her cheek and kissing the lipgloss off of her. Oh, Merlin, Annie, you're going crazy. Smiling at nothing and imagining voices.

Annie had never considered herself a beautiful person. She thought she might have been pretty but she also thought she was rather plain, especially compared to her mother. Evelyn was known for her style and ethereal beauty. Annie wasn't really known for anything other than being sweet or cute. It didn't exactly help her confidence.