When you were thirteen you threw a birthday party. It was big, and you’d dressed up. You were finally a teen. No one had showed up, not a single person you’d invited.

since then you’ve dodged your birthdays like the plague. Just thinking about birthdays made you tense and uncomfortable. You’d told Abby about it, just that you didn’t like celebrating your birthday. The chance to be let down.

Your birthday was today. You and Abby kept it lowkey. Went out to walk around, hit up a dessert shop. A good birthday for once. And then you got back to the apartment..

you opened the door to a loud “SURPRISE” Friends, a couple co workers. You froze, feeling sick to your stomach Abby stood behind you appalled.

you went right back into the hallway, much to everyone’s confusion. Abby kicked everyone out, more worried about you than their feeling in the moment. Ripping down streamers and balloons.

she met you in the hallway a few minutes later. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea they were planning anything.” She felt guilty for something she cousins control. But that was Abby for you.