Bite The Bullet

my birthday

I wake up on the couch in my living room. The couch my mom hates, but I love. My dad bought this couch. He bought it as a surprise for my mom. She hated it from the moment she saw it. It's one of the only things I have left of him. The night before my 7th birthday on his way home from work a car drove through a red light and hit him. He died within an hour. I never got to say goodbye. I only have occasional reminders of him now. Like this couch.
I walk to the bathroom and wash my face and brush my teeth. It's my birthday today. I don't look older. I walk to my bedroom and stand in front of my closet for a while. I have a lingering hope that one of my friends will drop by, so I want to look nice today. I end up pulling on a skater dress, a cardigan, and some over the knee socks. I grab my phone and check for messages. Nothing. Well hey, It's still early. I go to my radio and turn it on. I dance around my room for a while acting like an idiot. I get bored pretty quickly, so I walk to my mom's room and see if she left me a present or anything. I find a small box sitting on her bed. I open it excitedly. Even though I am now 16 years old I still act like a kid every time I open gifts.
I pull a short chain necklace out of the box. It's a silver chain with a small panda charm on the end. My mom knows pandas are my favorite animal. I smile and put it on. Thanks mom. My stomach twinges and I remember how hungry I am. I swallow and try to fight back the dizziness that is overtaking me. I walk to the kitchen and get a glass of water. I sip it slowly. A trick one of my best friends in middle school taught me. Whenever you feel hungry, sip water. It actually helps a little.
I finish the whole glass and walk back to my room. I sit on my bed. Not sure what to do. I sit and wait. Hoping something will break the silence. Then something does.