Clarity

2. A messy birthday

The next day was a school day and the alarm eagerly buzzed at 7:15 am, just in time to get snoozed again.  At 7:23, a chirpy voice called out "Wake up honey, time for school." Anastasia hesitantly jerked the covers away from her face and groaned. Half-awake, she lingered for the next ten minutes until she finally gathered the strength to drag her lazy ass out of bed. As she scrubbed her teeth in the restroom, the happenings of last night revived in her brain. Her cheeks flushed red at the thought of it.

Usually, Anastasia would change into the first tee and the simplest jeans that she caught glimpse of. She would gather her hair up into a neat and tight ponytail. Today was no different. Looking into the mirror, she closely analyzed her outfit. As contemplation circulated her head, she silently stood gazing at her own reflection. After minutes, she grunted, "meh, unimpressive."

Rummaging through her closet, she settled for a red pleated skirt and a matching light denim shirt. Aware of the fact that this was a bold choice for someone who always dressed low-key, she reworked this decision in her head. Today, she felt like letting her hair down and setting her soul free.  It was her birthday, her day to shine. She quickly grabbed her pink backpack and hustled down the stairs.

A very pleasant but unexpected 'Happy Birthdayyyyyy' startled her when she got downstairs. Her entire family had assembled together to unanimously recite the birthday song. A freshly baked quiche lay on the table with a ketchup inked "16" on its top. Anastasia's mom always found time to prepare heavenly delicacies for her.

After a very delightful breakfast, Anastasia's dad dropped her off to school. Anastasia caught up with Jane at the entrance who engulfed her into a fire-smothering hug. She was thrilled to see Anastasia's outfit choice.

The bell rang and the two girls headed to their lockers, engrossed in cheerful conversation. Flabbergasted eyes peered at Anastasia. Was it the outfit? "They're looking at you, you're slaying girl," Jane kept on insisting. Anastasia didn't feel the same way. She knew she hadn't dressed to impress and definitely not to draw attention. "Oh crap, I should've known this wasn't going to end well for me. Only if confidence ever benefited me," she muttered out of distress. Jane told her not to overthink it. Anastasia tried hard to overlook all of this but her mind kept on taking her back to her insecurities and to why she shouldn't have worn this outfit.

Anastasia was snapped out of her regretful gloom of a mood when Jane pulled out a self-made birthday card for her best friend. Every year, she used to put her artistic skills to work, to come up with the most admirable piece of art. This time it was a card, with a three dimensional birthday cake popping out when you unfolded it. A separate letter was enclosed in a cute DIY envelope, a yearly birthday tradition that the pair had committed to.

Realizing that she had a class to attend, Anastasia briskly hugged Jane and rushed off to room 908. Hastily, she trotted through the narrow corridors. Never had she been even a minute late for class. It all happened so quickly; as she curved around the corner, she collided onto something, something sturdy and tough. Loose sheets escaped her hands and lay strewn on the floor. A gale of laughter emerged from behind. It was all a big fat mess. "Shoot shoot shoot! I'm so sorry, I'm late," she mumbled as she bent down to collect her biology assignment.

A guy kneeled down to help her but she'd already gathered every piece by then. She didn't have time to look at anyone or care about anything. SHE WAS LATE. She speeded off. "Hey, hey" a gruff voice called from behind. Anastasia couldn't afford wasting time on this nuisance. She continued moving forward.

Lunch time felt like a blessing in disguise after a continuous chain of classes throughout the morning. Anastasia ransacked her bag for her sanitizer. This was when she realized that she'd misplaced the birthday card and letter that Jane had gifted her. Seated ahead of her, Jane kept on indicating a 'behind you'. Anastasia's forehead shriveled and face incarnadined with embarrassment.

"So the birthday girl can't take care of her possessions huh?". Adrian appeared in front of her, clutching on to Jane's card and letter. A torrent of mortification oozed inside Anastasia and she turned pale. What a hodgepodge she had gotten herself into! She had bumped into the wrong guy and this was suddenly going to change everything.

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Took me long but here it is! Please leave out suggestions in the comments. Next chapter will be better I promise!