M U T E

|| 32 ||

May 8th. It's my birthday. It's also one of the most eventful, craziest of birthdays ever for me. Usually, I don't have a party. My family gives me gifts, I get to pick out what's for dinner, and my mom makes a cake. Today is different, but in a wonderful way. I wake up to Myra shaking me. 

"Wake up, Reyna! Wake up!"

I blink open my eyes and look up at Myra.

She has a big smile on her face, "happy birthday!" 

She gives me a hug, and I let out a small groan. I get out of bed. Today is my birthday, and I'm turning 17. I get ready and dress in one of my usual outfits. Myra insists on doing my hair, so I just let her. 

She styles it in the same way she usually styles her own hair. She braids a strand of hair in the front and clips it back. She does the same with her own hair.

"Now we match today. We are hair twinning!" Myra smiles big with excitement shone brightly in her eyes.

I never feel different on birthdays. Most people expect to wake up feeling like they're one year older, but I never felt any different. So why did today feel so different? 

I should still feel sixteen because it doesn't sink in until months later, but today I feel seventeen. I feel older, if that makes any sense. 

Anyways, nothing major happens till I actually get to school. I get to my locker, and it's completely decorated. That has never happened before. Myra never decorated my locker because she knows I don't like to have attention on me. 

"I did it," I hear Vienna's voice behind me. I turn around, and she continues, "I mean, I had some help. I don't think you realize how many people adore you," she smiles at me, "anyway, happy birthday." 

"Th-thanks," I say, nervously biting my lip. 

She gives me a small wave as she walks away.

"Vienna did this?" I hear Bryce's voice say.

I take out the books I need and close my locker. Then, I turn to Bryce, and I nod. He looks a bit surprised, but brushes it off quickly. We begin to walk to my first period. Another weird thing is as we pass by people in the halls, I keep getting a 'happy birthday' here and there from people that I've never spoken to. 

It felt weird. Yes, I hate attention on me, but I have to say that I don't really hate the sudden attention on me today.

* * * *

It's now chemistry class, and I'm still confused as ever. It keeps happening with more and more of people simply telling me 'happy birthday.' I just don't get it. How do they even know it is my birthday? 

"Reyna," Myra says, and I turn to look at her, "so, I wanted to get you something you don't have, but I wasn't sure. So, I want to take you to the bookstore after school, and you can choose whatever books you want. I'll pay."

I nod my head quickly, holding back a smile. I have many books, but getting more just makes me excessively happy.

CA-CHING!

It's finally time for book shopping. The store isn't far from our houses, so it was an easy 10-minute walk. I already have 3 books in my hand. I set them on the table, and read the description of each. I couldn't pick one to put back. I look at Myra.

"I want all three," I say, frowning.

"Then you will get all three," she says, pulling out her wallet. 

She picks the books up and walks right up to the counter. She pays, and we walk out with a bag holding the books. 

"Thank you, Myra," I say to her.

She smiles, "happy birthday." 

On the walk home, I tell you, there is something very suspicious about Myra. We had our book bags at her house since we were in a rush to the bookstore. She said it would be easier to set our bags down at her house. I don't know what the difference of putting my bag down at my house vs. her house, but I just went with it.

Now, she's just smiling, and I have no idea why. I don't ask, though. We get to my house, and she skips right to the door. I hesitate before opening. 

"SURPRISE!" 

I take a step back, due to shock, and trip over the doorstep, falling onto my backside. Myra laughs as she helps me up. 

"Are you okay?" She asks. 

I nod. My mom rushes up to me. She's laughing as well. 

"Well, you were definitely surprised. That means I did my job well," she says with a big smile.

I wrap my arms tightly around my mom. My heart is racing fast from shock still. This day has been way too crazy. It's a small amount of people since my friend circle is small, but that is okay. Smaller is better. All the people here are whom I really care about. I have some of my other family here, Myra, Jocelyn, the twins, my dad, Vienna and a couple of her friends, and Bryce.
Bryce comes up to me next and gives me a hug. 

"Happy birthday, Reyna," he says.

My heart races faster, and I fight the blush that I can feel on my face. I've been hiding the fact that I had feelings for Bryce. I haven't told him or anyone else. I assume they will eventually pass, so why bother telling? 

Vienna comes up to us. Bryce tenses up, but she barely notices.

"Happy birthday, Reyna. Were you surprised?" She asks me.

I nod my head quickly causing her to laugh. 

"Oh, you're so cute," she walks away with that. 

Everyone else is coming up to me, wishing me a happy birthday. I speak a little here and there. My shyness is really getting to me now. There is just so much going on. 

A few hours pass after the initial shock, I have my heart calmed down by now, and I am really enjoying myself. Right now, I am seated on the living room floor with people handing me their presents. 

So far, it is mostly books or t-shirts with book quotes. All the of the presents are great, and this whole day has been my greatest birthday. 

My 17th year of living is looking up.