'Moonlight'

19

It's my birthday. Brilliant.

Probably the worst day of the year after Halloween, in my opinion.

Like I said, it's just a constant reminder that I need to be more responsible and that I'm getting closer and closer to dying.

I don't know why people celebrate it, to be honest.

Which age is the worst to survive? Which age will I get the biggest celebration for?

Probably any age, if I'm living with Stevie.

Just as the thought is on my mind, Stevie herself bursts into my room, her eyes shining with excitement as she lets out a noise somewhere between a cry of joy and a rooster crowing.

I sigh, sitting up in bed and rolling my eyes as Sharon and Lori skip into the room after her.

"It's too early, guys, come on..." I say, shooing them all away as they form a choir formation at the foot of my bed.

"It's nearly 1pm, Pierre!" Stevie retorts, making sure Lori and Sharon are perfectly positioned either side of her.

"Please, don't sing Happy Birthday," I mutter, shaking my head as they all begin to count themselves in. "Don't make my favourite singer be the person to sing me Happy Birthday this year."

"We didn't make her, she made us," Lori hisses, before they all break into a beautiful chorus of Happy Birthday.

The harmonies are very well put together, I will admit (As they always are when it comes to those three).

They end the song with a dramatically high note, which they all nearly don't manage to reach.

I giggle, applauding them enthusiastically.

"Okay, that's all the birthday celebrations that you get to have." I announce once they've finished.

They all protest at once, pulling out presents and gift bags seemingly from nowhere and thrusting them into my arms.

Stevie plops herself down at the bottom of my bed, watching me expectantly as I begin to open one of the presents, extracting a small wrapped gift from the gift bag that she practically threw at me a moment ago.

"That one's from me." she whispers, practically trembling with excitement.

I grin, tearing the paper off of the package to reveal a small white box. A piece of folded paper falls into my hands.

"Read that later!" Stevie says hurriedly, urging me to open the box.

I raise an eyebrow at her, but put the paper on my bedside table to read later as she instructed and open the box.

Stevie squeals with delight as I gasp softly, staring at the gold crescent moon pendant necklace that's sitting in the box.

"Stevie..." I breathe, carefully taking it out and holding it up to the light, watching the way the sun glints off of the surface through the window.

"I have no words."

She smiles that little bashful grin that I love so much, the one where the corners of her mouth tilt different ways because of how happy she is.

I carefully put the necklace on, my eyes threatening to well up with tears at how beautiful it is, and how beautiful the gesture is.

"Thankyou." I say quietly, looking up to meet Stevie's eyes, which are shining with happiness.

"You're so welcome," she says, her voice brimming with barely contained excitement. "I'm glad you like it."

Lori and Sharon have now sat either side of Stevie on my bed, waiting quite impatiently for me to open my gifts from them both.