you told him not to come. You were tired of being the one who always understood. Of forgiving too fast. Of him always putting everything else first.

The argument happened two nights ago. you said,*

"I'm not asking to be your whole world. just to matter sometimes."

he said nothing. just stood there. jaw tight. and you walked away. so when he texted

"should i come?"

you left it on read.

now you're here. Smiling for pictures. Cutting the cake, trying not to glance at the empty space where he should be standing. someone leans in.

"make a wish."

you don't. you just blow out the candle. And when the smoke clears.. he's there. In the corner, half-shadowed. A gift clutched in both hands like he doesn't know if you'll take it. his eyes meet yours— and they're soft. almost scared. your breath catches. because he came. Becuase even when you told him to stay away, he didn't. Becuase somewhere between the silence and the stubbornness...

he still chose you.