H Is For Human (Garlic Is For Vampires, Book 3)

Chapter 5: Bittersweet Birthday Wishes

When I woke up the next morning, Brendon had already gone to work. I saw that he took the coffee that I made, and his gun as well. At least he wasn't playing proud. He was probably hungover. I did some work around the house and then sat in the living room with Keeping Up with The Kardashians playing in the background. I never liked reality TV shows-they were just too much.

I made myself a fruit smoothie and blended in ice and orange juice to create a Jamba Juice affect. Then I sat on the couch contemplating the actual length of Kim Kardashian's long black hair. Then my phone buzzed inside my jean pocket and I glanced at it. A text from Angie.

Dumplings tonight?

Not today.

But you said we could do it for your birthday! :(

What? I didn't feel my phone fall into my lap because I was so shell-shocked. My birthday had passed at the start of the summer and I hadn't even bothered to remember. I shivered and rubbed my hands together. Then I replied with a don't worry, we're doing this and I got up to clean the house again. How was it that not even Brendon reminded me it was my birthday when we were still talking to each other?

He had clearly forgotten, too. I sighed and then made myself another smoothie and sat down on my bed, contemplating things in my head. I fidgeted with my straw before closing my eyes to sleep. I woke up later and decided to get ready. I took a shower and then the liberty to give myself decent beach wave curls. Makeup was a chore, but I decided to cover up the fatigue with it. I found a red gloss to put on and then I grabbed my jacket when it was five-thirty. I hailed a cab to the dumpling shop where we were meeting.

Sure enough I saw Bennett and Angie sitting together drinking at a table. They saw me and I waved back, smiling. It felt good to be with my two best friends right now. I hugged each of them tightly and we finally ordered food.

"So what's the deal with you and Brendon?" Angie asked, diving into the topic head-first. I bit my straw and stirred the ice in my cup. I hadn't expected this to happen so suddenly. And I sure as hell did not have a lie to come up with.

"Nothing much," I said, lying easily through my lips. "We've been so busy with work and stuff that we haven't seen each other. No hard feelings, though." Actually, I wasn't technically lying. I was giving decent amount of truth to the whole story. Tough love, Brendon.

"Well, I'm starving," Bennett said, rubbing his hands together as a waiter brought the dumpling bowls towards our table. "Spicy sauce and egg rolls are on me!"

I enjoyed myself deeply being with my friends. I ignored the text messages from whoever was texting me and ate so much that by the time the check was coming, I was still going and my friends were rubbing their full stomachs.

"Oh wait, we need a cake!" Angie said, signing the bill and handing over her card. "I have just the place."

We left, stuffed and content but looking forward for cake. I didn't like cake much because it was so sugary, but I loved cheesecake. It had a long-lasting affect of ecstasy on me. Just thinking about cheesecake made me drool. We headed towards a cake shop that sold the best pastries and Bennett oh so sweetly bought me a small round blueberry cheesecake dribbled in chocolate with a fine crust on its sides. He stuck a candle in it and lit it with a lighter from his pocket.

"Happy Birthday to you," Angie began to sing. She had her phone in her hand and was recording Bennett as he walked towards me with the cheesecake. I clasped my hands together and grinned. Bennett joined in and stood in front of me.