Sorry, Not Sorry

-28

My fingers stroke Rupaul's soft head, as I lay in bed. His soft snores create a calming rhythm here on my bed, and I'd probably fall asleep if it wasn't so early. The sun's only starting to set, and my ruffled duvet is too hot to even consider climbing under. Sometimes, I feel jealous of people in places like America where their Christmas is in winter, but even if Christmas here was in winter, it would probably still be hot. Rupaul rises up, stretching his back before jumping off my bed and disappearing into the kitchen. I sigh, I probably should go eat something, too.

While sitting in my bed with Rupaul, I had taken a few photos of him. It's hard to believe he's actually ours now. I hear a small meow from my doorway and I look down at Rupaul, staring up at me with his angry looking face. "you're so cute, Rupaul." I tell him, snapping another photo as I stand up.

"Me getting you that cat was a mistake," Mum says jokingly, leaning on the kitchen counter, "He already thinks he runs this place."

"He's used to it." I say, flopping down into my chair at the dinner table, where a bowl of salad waits for me. "Yum, Thanks mum."

She waves a hand, "mm-" She swallows her bite of salad, "No problem, honey." She picks her bowl up off the counter and sits on the chair across from mine. "Are you really sure you don't want any friends over?" She asks, digging her fork through her bowl.

"Mm." I say, "I've spent enough time with them lately, besides-"

"Besides 'they don't even know it's your birthday' I know, but how are they supposed to know if you won't tell them?" Mum says.

"I might call someone later." I say, "Delilah, maybe."

"Delilah?"

"Yeah, my co-worker." I say, "I'm pretty sure Max is out doing something." I say, "Nicole doesn't know where he is... or she didn't."

She sighs. "At least do something so they'll know it's your birthday in case they want to say something."

"Fine." I say, pulling out my phone.

"What are you going to do?" She asks.

"This." I turn the screen to face her. I'm posting a picture of Rupaul. The main important bit is the caption, though, where I wrote 'Welcome home Rupaul! The best birthday gift I could wish for!' I press post, then scoop up the last bite of my salad. "I'm going to watch some TV." I say, rising up from my chair.

"Alright then, I'm going to take advantage of my free time and get some extra sleep." Mum yawns, disappearing into her bedroom after chucking her bowl in the sink.

I sigh with a smile, flopping down on the couch. I flick through TV channels, startling when my phone buzzes multiple times. "Huh." I turn the screen on and sit up straighter. Kitty, Delilah, Emile, Katherine and Danny had all liked my post about Rupaul, and there were a few comments. 'Oh my god, the surprise was a cat!?' Delilah commented, and Kitty had said 'Happy Birthday! Definitely need to meet Rupaul sometime soon! (Katherine says Happy B-day too)' I respond with a thank you for them both and place my phone back down. And the few others who had seen and liked the post also wished my a happy birthday, but Max hadn't even seen (Or at least liked or commented on) the post...

Just as I'm starting to get worried, my eyes gazing at the TV not quite taking in what's happening on screen, my phone screen lights up with a notification. I scoop it up quickly after spotting Max's name through the corner of my eye.

'Happy Birthday.' Is all it says, but it's in our private messages, not on the comment section of my photo. I sigh, biting my lip anxiously. 'Rupaul's pretty cute.' He says next.

'Thanks, and yeah.' I pause for a second, debating over what to say. 'Where were you today?'

'Huh?' he says, 'What do you mean by that?' He seems weird today, more formal.