Empty Handed

One

It was my birthday. I'm finally the big thirteen, but it didn't feel anymore special then my eight birthday, which we spent in a hotel with store baught cupcakes. Mom said happy birthday to me once, in the morning quickly before I started my walk to dance. It was rushed, since she needed to get Annie to her acting lessons.

That was a few hours ago. Nothing since.

When I got home, I changed into comfy clothes and settled on the couch to watch a movie and finish this week's math course. School was easy. I should've been on week 27, but I am currently on week 32. School and dance became my priortys. Those were the two who would get me places. I usually aced tests and studied until the words were printed onto my brain.

Even with all that hard work, no words of encouragment or phrase came from my mom or Annie.

If it was from anyone, I got from my dad. Mom and dad divorced after a fight about how we were being raised. Oh dear god, it was the second worst day of my life. I remember crying on the bathroom floor. Silently. Salty, wet tears splashing down my face. Just wishing for the time when I was six years old. Everything was perfect.

I can only see dad one week a month-if I want to, which I always do. My mood goes form 0 to 100% very quickly when I'm with him. Annie choose not to see him, fighting against him every time. Eventually my poor father who only wanted to make sure his little girl felt loved, no longer begged for my sister to visit him. It only became me. I became his number one. He became my number one. I didn't know my dad would become my best friend.

On my birthday, today, I got a long paragraph text from him. It made me smile all day. He sent me two gift cards, one for the movies and a Visa card. He also sent me a sweet card and a stuffed animal bunny, since we had to give Frizbe to Emily. In dance I worked my butt off until I nearly collapsed. My teacher gave me a solo in the group dance in next month's competition. My team surprised me with a gift and cupcakes. They gave me a few candies (which I will hide carefully), an iTunes gift card, dance stuff and some extra stuff from my closer friends. It was a special moment. They gave me more than my mom did last Christmas. We sat around by the walls eating cupcakes and laughing. I couldn't ever ask for a better team.

The door unlocks and opens, and in walks the star of the show, Annie. In her Nike gear and cute Adidas shoes. I turn back to my computer screen to finish my English test.

"Hey mommy, I'm going out to dinner with Lexi and Jayden later." Annie says, walking over to the couch. Knowing exactly what she wants to do, I shI've the remote into my bag when she isn't paying attention. I have the TV at the moment, so she can suck it up and wait until it's her turn. I finish the last few chips in my bowl and smile to myself. I won't let her win today, not on my birthday.

"Hayley, I baught you cupcakes." Mom says, I roll my eyes to myself. Wow, she's really going out her way for me.

"Thanks..." I mutter, clicking the last answer amd submitting the test. My score pops up automatically -it's 100 percent. I nod and close the tab, finishing the day of school. I don't really feel like completing one who day if I'm already a few weeks ahead.

"Oh, yea it's your birthday. How old are you then? Eleven? Ten...?" Annie asks, scratching at her chin. I know everything about my sister, form her favorite smell to her bad habits. Annie reads Bratayley facts and would be surprised about true facts about me. She stopped being my sister when I was eleven, even though I never did stop.

"Here let's sing happy birthday before I need to go to the mall with JoJo." Annie says, standing. I bite my cheek and stand, following my older sister. Mom pulls out a pack of candles, sticking one into a cupcake and lighting it.

Annie pulls by her side and I'm confused. Why is she so loving suddenly. She kisses the top of my head. I look up to find the camera on us.

Oh

When I blow out the candle, I close my eyes and think about the one thing would change.

"I wish this channel never existed"