Call it Fate, Call it Karma

Invitations

It was by the morning of my twentieth birthday when I finally decided I needed to make things right with Fab. Albert and I quickly organised a small party just for close friends (which I didn't have very many of) and friends of said friends...it just didn't feel good inviting Nick and Nikolai and leaving Fab to spend the night on his own, even if he probably wouldn't have wanted to come. I missed him terribly and I hoped that he'd forgive me.

"Are you sure you want Fab to come tonight?" asked Albert, a quizzical expression on his face. "Isn't it gonna be awkward as fuck?"

"I need to make things right, Albert." I told him. "Can you just please make sure he comes?"

Albert shrugged his shoulders, looking quite unsure. "I can try."

"Thank you. It means a lot," I gave him a quick hug. "...really."

Albert left to go pick up the guys and get some booze while I stayed at our apartment, scrambling around to make sure everything was perfect for my party. I honestly don't know why I bothered perfecting everything, when I knew it was just gonna end up getting trashed, but it gave me something to do instead of resulting to any bad tendencies. I'm surprised Albert never left me on the doorstep of a rehabilitation centre.

When I was satisfied enough with the living area, I sat down on the couch to take a breather. A letter on the coffee table caught my attention. I picked it up and saw that it was addressed to me. I quickly ripped it open to read a heartfelt letter sent by my mother, who had no idea of my drastic downfall, the poor thing. I'd begged Albert not to tell her.

After almost crying at the nice things she'd written, saying how she and my brother missed me and that they hoped I'd have a great birthday, a few hundred dollar notes fell onto my lap from inside the envelope. I gasped, seeing that they added up to about $500. After making a mental note to call her and thank her, I quickly put most of the money in the money jar with the label 'RENT/GROCERY MONEY' on it Albert and I had set on the kitchen counter when we first moved in. Albert had been working more than I had recently so I was hoping that the cash could make up for it.

Looking down at myself, I squealed at the fact that I was still in my dirty clothes and had forgotten to dress up a little. I quickly ran into my room and slipped on a black, white collared, knee length dress...one much similar to a dress Wednesday Addams would've worn. I then quickly put on some makeup. Not enough to look like I tried too hard, but enough to cover up my vampire-like appearance.

I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. I looked pretty decent, and I felt good about myself for once. It had been a while...

A knock on the door made me take a deep breath in and prance over to it. I pulled it open and in walked Nick and Nikolai.

"My guys!" I smiled from ear to ear as I pulled them both in for a tight hug.

"Happy birthday, lady!" exclaimed Nick, raising a badly wrapped present in the air. "Man, you look good!" The last time they saw me was a few weeks earlier when Albert invited them over an attempt to cheer me up when I'd reached another one of my monthly low points.

"Thank you, Nicky!" I said. "I've missed you guys!"

"We missed you too!" Nikolai said with a soft smile. "You feeling better, yeah?" I quickly figured Albert must've told them.

"Yeah! I'm finished moping around like a sad soul. Only took me a couple of years," I laughed. "...but we can talk about that depressing shit later. Come on in!" I nodded, stepping aside. "I told you guys not to get me anything, but I see you've defied me!"

"We couldn't help it!" Nick pouted. "Where can I put this? You'll open it later, right?"

"Of course I will!" I laugh. "Kitchen counters fine."

"Sweet," he nodded, walking over to the kitchen. "This is from both of us, by the way."

"I can tell by the wrapping." I snickered. "Thanks, guys. Where's Albert, by the way?"

Nick glances over at Nikolai, who's made himself comfortable on the sofa.

"He's getting the booze with a, uh...friend." Nikolai explained.

I started to chew on my bottom lip, clasping my hands together. "Would that friend happen to be little Fabrizio Moretti?"

"Yes." he nodded, looking a little nervous for me.

"Oh, good!" I clapped. "Do you think I'll be able to patch things up with him? I've missed him."

Nikolai shrugged. "Well...he agreed to come after a bit of persuasion, so I guess he's giving you a chance."

"I can't wait to see him!" I said, joining him on the couch and patting a spot next to me for Nick, who gladly trotted over to sit next to me.

"Is it cool we invited a few more people?" Nick asked. "They won't be coming 'till later though, 'cos we wanted to chill with you first."

"That's fine!" I nodded. "And aww, that's so sweet of you guys!" I wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders and pulled them in, kissing them both on the cheek.

"Man, I don't get how you two did it." Nick said when we pulled away. "Ignoring someone for two years is a pretty fuckin' long time."

"Yeah, now that I think of it...how fucking childish!" I chuckled. "I really hope Fab thinks the same thing..."