July 7th

April 24

It was my birthday today, but I saw no point in having a party or anything like that. My only friend was Mika, and either way, my parents wouldn't have allowed it. I had to sneak out the window in my room. They kept making it harder and harder to sneak out, but I still managed to pry a few of the boards covering the window loose, making it possible for me to get out. I pulled out my flip phone, which my parents had no Idea I had, quickly dialing Mika's number, which I'd memorized for emergencies. I walked further away from my house, waiting for Mika to pick up. "Hello?" I suddenly heard her quiet voice say through the phone. I laughed. "Mika, come on. I told you, you have to speak up when you're on the phone, or I can't understand what you're saying." I heard her shy laugh through the phone, smiling at the sound. "Even though I can't see you right now, I know you must be looking adorable as always." 

"Shut up, that's not true, and you know it." She said in response. "No, actually. What I do know, is that any guy would be lucky to have you as their girlfriend." replied, almost sensing her embarrassment. "So, any chance you could meet up with me by that ice cream shop on Main street?"

"Oh, uh, yeah, sure. I'll be there in a few minutes." 

"Alright, see you then." I said, hanging up and making my way through a bunch of thistled bushes and trees to the city. I walked for quite a while, until I finally reached Main street. I saw Mika standing there, waiting for me. Her beautiful wavy purple hair reached just to her back, and was done up in two low twintails. I wide smile spread across my face as I approached her. "Just like I said, adorable." She blushed as I said this, looking away. I pulled a thick roll of cash, bound by a rubber band. "What type of ice cream?" I asked, taking a single 10 dollar bill from the roll. "Raspberry, obviously." She said, laughing. "You should know this by now." I nodded. "Just checking." I walked inside of the small ice cream shop, Mika following close behind me. I ordered a raspberry ice cream cone for Mika, and we walked back outside. I wandered behind the buildings, into a dark alley, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Mika was still trailing behind me. I leaned my back against the wall and took a single cigarette out of the box, searching in my pockets for my dark red lighter. "You sure you don't want one?" I asked Mika, holding out the cigarette. "Yeah, I'm good." She said timidly. "Alright, suit yourself." I placed the end of the cigarette in my mouth and felt in my pockets for the lighter again. When I didn't feel it in the front or back pockets of my jeans, I began to panic slightly, before realizing it was in the pocket of my black zip-up hoodie. I lit the cigarette, inhaling and blowing out a puff of smoke. "Are you sure that's a good idea, though?" I heard Mika ask. "Ha. As if I care about that shit. We're all going to die at some point, plus my life is already shit, so I'm going to enjoy it while I can." I muttered bitterly in response. "Worst fucking 14th birthday ever."