The Impeccable Infinity

Chapter 27

I hate surprises. I always have, and I'm pretty sure I always will. That's why, when I was caught between numerous surprises this morning, I felt totally and utterly uncomfortable.

I woke up early this morning so I didn't have to wake to anyone screaming and reminder to me that it's my birthday, as if I didn't already know that. I also didn't want to be the last one to wake up and walk downstairs to streamers, gifts, and cake. I know it sounds ungrateful, and I know that there's probably not going to be any celebration like that anyway, but I still wanted to play it safe.

I put on a dress for the sake of the day and attempted to do my makeup, but for the most part I kept everything simple. Birthdays aren't necessarily my favorite things. The thought of becoming a year older upsets me, and to tell you the truth, scares the living hell out of me.

I checked my phone and waited to see if it would blowup with birthday wishes, but the first surprise of the day came when a text appeared across the top of the screen. A text from Alex.

I stared at my phone and read the letters carefully, trying to decipher every little word. I don't need him to upset me on my birthday.

Hey Haley. So, I know we haven't talked in a few days and I just wanted to ask you some things. First, why would you just walk out and leave me at the party like that? Was it to embarrass me? Because it worked if that was your little plan. And second, all of those things I told you were a joke. If I said anything about the two of us being together, it was just a joke. But thanks for acting like you did and ruining my night, I'll just leave you alone now.

I reread it over and over again, trying to find the part where I did something wrong. I don't see what I did. He's the one who left me at a crazy party with a bunch of strangers, one where some creep pushed me to a wall and kissed my face and cause me to have a massive panic attack.

"Hey! Happy birthday!" Mute shrieked, pulling me into a hug and twirling the two of us around. I put my phone in my back pocket and buried my face into his shirt.

"Haley, are you okay?" He asked, looking down at me.

"Mhm," I mumbled, my face still pressed into his shirt.

"Then why won't you look at me?"

"I'm fine I promise."

I looked up at him and tried to give him a fake smile, which only led to my eyes tearing up and my lip quivering.

"No, no, no, sweetheart! Don't cry on your birthday!" He whispered, pulling me towards the couch to sit me down.

I took a breath and began to feel better as I remembered that I have Mute; someone who excepts me for as I am and actually cares about me.

"What happened?"

"Remember that party I went to? The one with Alex?"

Mute nodded, but winced when he heard Alex's name. I know he hates to hear his name because it reminds him of a time when we weren't talking to each other. If I could take back that part, I would. I never met to hurt Mute as much as I did.

"When you picked me up I forgot to tell Alex I was leaving and he got mad at me for leaving him there alone."

"But you were having a panic attack. It's not your fault."

"Yea, but I forgot to tell him. And once I saw you and realized that you were there late at night to come get me when I really needed you-" I trailed off as I realized I was beginning to hint at how I felt about Mute. He knew too, because his smirk grew larger after every word I spoke.

"I just didn't tell him and he said some rude things to me."

"Like what?"

"Just telling me how I embarrassed him and that everything he said he didn't really mean."

Mute began laughing and I looked at him confused. My eyes shot around as I studied his face for a reason to why he was laughing at my pain.

"Sweetheart he met those things, trust me."

"How do you know?"

"Because how could someone not mean those things?"

I smiled at him as he blushed and looked around to avoid having a moment. I find it annoying how Mute shows so much emotion, yet hates having a meaningful instant with someone. It's like he does everything to lead a person on, and then once he gets to the climax of it all, he just gives up and the moment's ruined.

"Since we're the only ones awake, why don't I give you your gift?"

"How did you get me a gift? You just realized yesterday that my birthday's today."

"No I didn't. I played dumb so you'd be more surprised for your gift now," he said with a wide grin on his face, obviously proud of his decision.

I laughed as he gave me a small, baby blue box with white ribbon around it. I carefully undid the knot at pulled the piece of ribbon off and took the top off of the box.

Inside was a small silver bracelet with a charm on it. I flipped it around and undid the clasp, handing to Mute to place it around my wrist and clasping it while readjusting the charm on the front.

"Thank you so much. I love it!" I whispered, watching the light bounce off of the brightly polished silver.

"Did you look at the charm yet?"

I tuned my wrist over and grabbed the charm between my fingers, running my index finger over a small shape inscribed in the metal. It's just like my necklace.

"This is just like the necklace my mom gave me," I said, touching the cold metal of my necklace with my fingers.

"That's why I got it. I wanted it to be like your necklace because I know how important it is to you. I hope I'm not pushing my boundaries by getting the same design your mom got you but-"

"I love it!" I screeched, cutting him short. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close while he wrapped and arm around my back and moved his head towards my shoulder.

I closed my eyes and thought about how thankful I am for such amazing people in my life. Mute did one of the most thoughtful things anyone's ever done for me, and the rest of the family has been there for me through everything since I've moved here.

Mute pulled out of our embrace and looked down at his hands while his face burned bright red. I could tell he wanted to tell me something, but him being the shy and introverted one he is decided to say nothing and just smile to himself.

"I'm going to go get some water," he said, his voice slightly cracking. I laughed and nodded while he got up and left.

When I couldn't hear the sound of his footsteps anymore, I pulled out my phone and went back to the text from Alex. My thumbs hovered over the keypad and I thought of what to text back. I don't know how to tell him that I'm sorry but also never want to talk to him again.

Instead of writing anything, I just did what I thought would solve everything. I pressed my thumb to the colon button and then the parenthesis button, forming a smiley face. I felt satisfied as I hit 'send' and put my phone back in my pocket.

It's not that Alex isn't a great guy, and it's not that I'm gong to take anything he said personally, but it's more that I don't feel like I deserve to be treated the way he treated me. It wasn't true or real, and nothing like the way Mute treats me. What Alex did was an act, a way of showing dominance and control over the new kid. The way Mute talks to me and treats me is the way that I should be treated, not like how most guys would, but more of an understanding and loyal way. But if I had to choose between the two, Mute would win by a landslide. He knows what I went through, and he knows my demons and struggles. And even with all of that knowledge, it doesn't change his opinion of me one bit, which is why he's the only person I trust and can't live without.