Pinky Promise

FOUR

NATE

A few days later, after my jet lag had subsided again, I woke up sometime in the morning. It was a sunny day outside, I could tell by the annoying sunbeams that had woken me up. The evening before I had unfortunately forgotten to pull down the shutters, if I had done so I would have still been asleep now. I stared at the ceiling and stretched out my arm to reach for my cell phone. Although it was bright in my room, the light of my screen still pierced my eyes. It was August 28th, also known as the day Ana and I saw the light of day. I had some messages, mostly congratulations, which I read through all; to write back I postponed until later. With most of those who had written to me, I hardly spoke a word in real life. That it was my birthday today, they knew anyway only through the social media notifications you always got. Who could remember birthdays these days? Of all the texts, one surprised me though. My ex-girlfriend Claire had written and congratulated me, even though we hadn't spoken a word since our separation before my year abroad. Maybe Ana had persuaded her to write to me. But that was not Ana's way. Claire was just a person with a good heart, probably the only reason she had written to me after all. She was the only one I replied to, besides the guy I had an on-off thing with, in London. When my phone had vibrated and I hadn't held it properly so that it flew onto my face, I decided it was time to get up. I crawled out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Freshly showered and in fresh sweatpants, I walked into my sister's room and decided to wake her up as well, as it wasn't fair that she was still sleeping while I was awake.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I shouted and jumped onto her bed next to her.
"I hate you," she mumbled into her pillow and showed me her middle finger.
"My own twin sister says she hates me! And that on our birthday too", I played indignantly and hurt.
"You're annoying!"
"I know!"
"Let me sleep."
"So that you miss our birthday? Absolutely not," I got up and grabbed her blanket and pulled it away from her, whereupon she moaned annoyed. "Get up! Go! Go! Go!"
"I hate you," she said again after sitting up. Her curls stood off like a lion's mane. She looked at me with a tired and annoyed look and rubbed her face before finally getting up. Slurping she walked to her door and in the process tied her hair in a knot.
"Hey, haven't you forgotten something?" I asked her with arms spread out before she left the room. She turned around, smiled and hugged me.
"Happy Birthday," she finally said.
"Happy Birthday," I replied and gave her a kiss on the crown.
"Made it through another year," she said happily and released herself from my embrace. I looked at her and smiled.
"Yes", I said and tried not to sound sad.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Annie. And now go take a shower. Mom must have made breakfast by now." She showed me the tongue and disappeared.

As hoped, the dining table was already set and the coffee machine and kettle were on. I sat down at the table and took a piece of bacon. My stomach growled as loud as the coffee machine and the kettle together. I heard the voice of my mom and Luke, and shortly after they both entered the kitchen.
"Happy birthday, my baby boy! I love you so much," she said and hugged me. She also gave me some kisses on my head.
"Thank you, Mom," I replied. "I love you too!"
"All the best, Nate," it came from Luke. He also hugged me, only he left out the kisses.
"Thank you," I said. When Ana came into the kitchen, Mom immediately ran to her and pulled Ana into a hug. Just like she did with me, she showered Ana with kisses. Luke, on the other hand, was much calmer and more relaxed than Mom. And not so dissolved.
"Are you crying, Mom?" I asked her when I saw the tears on her cheeks.
"No," she lied and wiped the tears from her face. She always became incredibly emotional on our birthday. I also knew why she appreciated every birthday we had, so I couldn't even blame her. And finally, she was our mother and we were her little babies who were getting bigger and older.
"Let's have breakfast first and then presents," Luke announced.
"Uhh, presents!" Ana said grinning to me and also sat down at the table.