Admiring From Afar (BkDk)

22 - 'Birthday'

"And you're still not there
You're still not there"

Deku POV
The doorbell rings and I excitedly answer it. I greet auntie and uncle before Kacchan. I look behind them to see nothing, no Aku. I take a deep breath and carry on.

"How have you been Izuku?" Auntie asks with a smile as I smile back.

"I'm doing well auntie, thank you for asking." Aku said she'd be here, where is she?

Everything seems to be in slow motion as I look around the room for the one thing missing, her. I stand in front of the dining table at my mom's house patiently waiting for the doorbell to ring. Mom is talking to Auntie and Uncle and Kacchan and I are awkwardly standing next to each other. We're all waiting for Aku to show up.

It's currently the summer before our second year, July 15th to be exact: my birthday. I look over at the clock to see it's already 8:36. The party started over an hour ago. I take a deep breath as I stare at the door patiently. I walk down the hall with a single tear falling from my eye.

"Izuku wait." Kacchan calls after me.

"I just want to be alone." I say back through tears as he grabs my arm and brings me to the bathroom. I feel the sinking feeling in my chest as my breathing becomes unsteady as I try not to fall apart right then and there.

"I know something is wrong with you, what is it?" He whispers

"She said she'd be here." I say hopelessly through sobs.

"I understand that she's late to most things, but I never thought she'd be late to this." I heard Auntie not so quietly whisper to uncle from down the hall.

"I had enough of her stupid excuses for not showing up to this kind of shit." Kacchan said with an eye roll.

"I don't mind, I understand that she's busy." I say with a nervous smile.

"That can't be true." He mutters as I try to smile. We walk back into the room as I try not to cry again.

Mom put my favorite tape in the player and it brought a smile to my face and then a frown. I made it for her, though I doubt she's ever listened to it. But it's not a big deal.

Auntie and uncle are laughing with my mom as the tears start to stream down my face again. What do I even say? I can't cry this much in front of all the people I care about. Well, all but one. The one who means the most to me, is the one who didn't show. I just wish she was here.

"I'm worried about her, maybe something happened?" Auntie said quietly to the room. My mom nodded in agreement as uncle began to worry as well.

"We can go look for her, we'll return soon." Uncle said with a sad face as he and auntie left the room with upset looks. Kacchan rolled his eyes as he was dragged with them.

"Why do I have to leave because my sister is an inconsiderate bitch." Kacchan says as they walk out of the front door. I hear the car start and watch as it pulls out of the driveway.  I hope they find her. I know it sounds truly horrible, but I do hope something happened. Something that would explain why she isn't here, why she isn't here with me.

I look back at the clock to see it is almost nine o'clock at night. Worry floods my body as the Bakugous have yet to return. It seems strange they wouldn't leave a message after being gone this long. Maybe something really is wrong with Aku.

"I'm going to see if I can get ahold of your father." Mom said before leaving as well. I let out a sigh as I sit down in front of my birthday cake, alone. The music tape finally stops as it runs out of tracks.

10:27 PM.

I'm still halfway hopeful that she will show, so I'm waiting for her. She said she did say she would call if she couldn't make it. I quickly check to my phone to see I have zero missed messages and call. I take a deep breath as I continue to sit patiently. I should've known she wouldn't show. Everyone told me not to expect much from her but I do. She must have a reason. I'm sure once I can talk to her, everything will be explained and I can move on.

11:49 PM.

She's still not here and for some reason I'm not even surprised. She never shows up for me anymore. This isn't the first time and sadly I don't think it'll be the last. I hate how long it took me to realize. Even though everyone has told me not to trust her again, I can't help it.

She either doesn't remember or just doesn't care that today is my birthday. But she's still not here with me. And neither is anyone else.

I sit on the floor cross legged by the phone. It's been hours since everyone left, it's now 2 AM. The candles burned out a while ago and dripped all over the cake, not that I care much about that. Actually, I don't care at all.

I know I'm supposed to understand why she isn't here, but I don't. I wanted around for her but I should've known she wouldn't show.

I guess I'm just the fool who spent his birthday by himself. I can't believe she's not here still, more of I don't want to believe it. She said she'd be here.

I never asked for anything more, I never wanted anything more, than one happy birthday from her. She must really not care if she's not showing up.

What do I do since she didn't show?

I then receive a call finally, this time from Kacchan. I answer quickly and I hear a muffled voice on the other end before I hear him.

"I found my sister, she says she's sorry she couldn't come but she didn't feel well." He says with annoyance in his voice.

"I'm sorry too." And that was the end of the night. I went to bed shortly after with a tear stained face and a wimpy smile. At least she's okay.