Never and Never

1. Tomorrow is my Birthday

I log out of my computer as the time reaches 10 pm. I slide the draw inside and still hear the clattering of bowls and plates from the kitchen. I smile as one of my customers says good bye while heading the door to exit. I count the money and drop it in the cash drawer and lock it with the spare key I have. I check the drawer by tugging at it to check whether it is properly locked or not. For 23 years old I am running my restaurant successfully with my best friend come partner Gemma.

"You ready to go?" Gemma asks me as she wraps her scarf around her neck.

"Yeah. Would you mind taking my bag please?" I plead as I wear my hand knit. I pull the beanie until it covers both of my ears.

She huffs in annoyance and grabs my bag as I said. I turn off the lights and head outside. She locks the main door once we both step out.

"Darlene's and Gemma's" she holds her hands out dramatically. She is so proud of us.

"You said it yesterday" I roll my eyes at her. She nudges me playfully since she hates eye-rolling.

It has been only a couple of days since we started the restaurant. My parents were very excited when we proposed about the new restaurant. Both Gemma's and my parents agreed and gave us the initial money to start it, even though I refused to get the money from my dad.

We walk hand in hand in the snow like the two little girls. The snowflakes cover every inch of the street. My boots are half buried into the snow. A gush of chill breeze hits me and I wrap my hands tightly around my jacket like my entire life is dependent on it, since it is the only shield I have to protect my petite body. Winter in January is much freezing than December. Gemma is blowing cold air from her mouth pretending like she is smoking. Her purple colored hair sways back and forth with every move she is taking.

"Don't eye rape me" Gemma teases me. I blush and my cheeks turn scarlet. Since I didn't respond to her question she begins to tickle me.

"Gem. Stop it" I laugh. "Gem I swea..." my words cease when she tickles me more. Once she stops I inhale the air that I need for my lungs.

"Still ticklish eh?" she hugs me sideways.

"Some things never changes" I blurt out and Gemma stops in her tracks.

I mentally slap myself for those slipped words. She wraps her hands around my body to comfort me. A single drop of tear escapes my left eye as I think what I have done to deserve a friend like her. She was the only one who supported me when I accidently crashed my dad's car for the first time. She was the only one who supported me when I got rude comments from the boys during my high school. She was the only one who encouraged me that I wasn't an average girl and that I deserved a date on my prom night. She was there whenever I felt bad and gave me support that I could be stronger, that I could forget my past and move on. But the truth is I can't. She will never understand that pain.

We stop by a fashion shop since Gemma loves fashion. Everything she does is trendy. She flips on clothes and gives me a weird look. I turn around to see but there is no one behind me.

"What?" I ask and she shrugs simply. I don't understand what her problem is.

I look for some pajamas, crop tops and sweatshirts. I pick three pajamas with floral designs. One is with yellow, one with green, one with baby pink. Two crop tops are in my basket. One is with full sleeve and one is sleeveless. The one with full sleeve is crimson and the one without sleeve is dirty white. I reject the sweat shirt since it is huge and I don't wear them. Simply they aren't my kind.

Gemma is picking some colors for her hairs I guess, since she is looking in the mirror matching it with her hair. As I take a look at the shop, there is a tug at the end of my skirt. I look down to see a little girl around 4 years watching me.

"Hey sweetie. What is your name?" I ask and the little girl blushes.

"Marlene" she says and shows her sweet little smile.

Gemma's attention turns to our side as she eavesdrops from the distance.

"What do you want?" I ask her politely.

"It's my birthdawy todawy" she giggles. I smile at her pronunciation of day as dawy.

"Oh. Happy birthday sweetie" I hold my hand out for her to shake and she shakes it shyly.

When Gemma strides towards us Marlene watches her hairs in awe. Gemma notices it and flips her hair stylishly. From the look of her I know she fancies Gemma's hair. Since Marlene doesn't have long hairs like Gemma, she pouts. I laugh at their exchanges.

"Your hairs are purple" Marlene says like it is one of the wonders of the world. The cuteness and the astonishment in her voice make me to smile even wide.

"It's going to be pink from tomorrow" Gemma groans. Normally Gemma isn't the kind of person to change her hair color frequently. She changes her hair color only during special occasions.

After the immature banter with little girl and Gemma, I decide to check out. We reach our flat and I make myself a cup of coffee. I am still not over the cold outside. Once I finish drinking my coffee I make my bed and lay down. She turns off the light and joins next to me.

We didn't mind sharing bed since we are together since our childhood. Gemma wraps her arm around my waist and I occupy my space in the bed.

"Tomorrow is my birthday" she says and I feel vulnerable. I now understand that she has been struggling to remind it to me. But it is not the worst part. The worst part is that when she said those words that made my heart leap on the floor.

"He is coming home tomorrow".

*******

Hey this is my second story. Introduction is short.