The Bad Boy's Decision

Chapter 25: Birthday girls

Twenty two; it feels no different than being twenty one, much to my absolute annoyance and dismay. Granted, I expect the heartbreak plays a huge part in said disappointment but I'd at least expected to wake up this morning with a new found sense of clarity and the ability to stop thinking about Aidan-sodding-Richards. Instead, I got Anna's heavy arm clinging to my waist, having not been able to convince her I'm perfectly capable of sleeping on my own.

She all but moved in ten days ago when Aidan first left and has failed to pick on on my 'I'd much rather be alone' suggestion ever since. I get it, she's just trying to look out for me and my wellbeing but honestly speaking, I have no breathing space to think. Every day she's had me doing some wacky activity that I'm sure is a distraction tactic. Only last week did she insist I get my roots touched up because "new hair means a new you", apparently and that's nothing compared to Monday's antics. We spent the entire morning shopping for the perfect birthday outfit and ended up being poked and prodded within an inch of our lives. Why the woman at the fancy boutique felt it necessary to measure me I'll never know? Still, there's method behind the madness and I know Anna is just being the overprotective sibling she's always been.

I'm sure I'd be the exact same if the shoe were on the other foot.

"Happy birthday, honey! I can't wait to party tonight."

I'm currently stood in my kitchen sporting a shirt five times too big for me and a pair of panties I should have parted with a long time ago, all awhile balancing a talking Sally between my ear and shoulder. She called me five minutes ago, essentially interrupting me from very cautiously staring at the present Aidan left behind, and has not stopped talking since. Detailed discussions of Kelly, the HR manager at work, momentarily distracts me from the ever lingering thought of what Aidan could have possibly gotten me and although disinterested in the entire conversation, I fake interaction for the sake of my friend, who I recognise is clearly attempting to cheer me up.

"So, tell me, what presents have you opened so far?" she questions, genuinely intrigued. "Have you opened mine? It'll work wonders on your bad mood." she adds, certainly not holding back in her opinion.

"Yes, I opened it." I reply, sounding slightly sarcastic in my methods of response.

I took one look at the bag labelled Adults Toys and disregarded it for another time. Even so much as thinking about sex is enough to set my stomach off into a whirlwind of uncomfortable twists and if it's not with Aidan, it's simply not worth thinking about.

"You didn't like it?" asks Sally, unmistakably sounding hurt by my reaction.

"I didn't not like it, it's just too soon." I explain, thinking back to the bright blue, vibrating object which I can only assume is meant for 'personal use'. "It's been ten days since he left, believe it or not I don't have a particularly high sex drive right now." I joke, hoping to make her laugh.

Thankfully, it appears to work and whilst she uncontrollably giggles down the line, I allow my eyes to linger ever so slightly on Aidan's present, once again curious about its contents. Im in awe of the sheer amount of effort and skill that has gone into wrapping it and I almost don't want to open it in fear of ruining a perfectly good job. But of course, reluctancy to do so will lead to a lot of what if's and if there is anything I hate more in this world than coffee, it's regret.

"Are you okay? I haven't upset you, have I?" asks Sally, cautiously addressing the fact I've just brought up Aidan in our conversation.