It’s been three months now — three months since you returned to your country after your exchange year in the U.S. You spent an entire year at UCLA, studying, living on your own, and everything was perfect.

It was exactly how you had imagined it. After the first three weeks, you met someone — not just anyone, but someone very special — Drew Starkey.

He was a little older than you, but that didn’t stop either of you from spending time together. He showed you around LA, you had deep talks and late-night drives.

At first, you were just friends. Until one night, something shifted — something small but powerful. It started with standing too close, eyes lingering too long… and before you could even think, his hands found their place, and he kissed you. A simple kiss — but it felt like everything. The tension, the butterflies, the way time stopped for a heartbeat.

After that night, moments like that became routine. Every morning he picked you up, every evening he took you somewhere new — a hidden restaurant, a rooftop, a drive down the coast. You loved every minute. Not for the places or gestures, but because it was him. Drew made every day feel brighter.

Before you realized it, you had confessed your feelings — and started dating. You knew it was wrong; you couldn’t stay forever, even if you wanted to. You asked your education counselor to stay a bit longer, but of course, the answer was no — it would’ve been too good to be true.

Anyway, your exchange year came to an end, and you had to leave Drew. Even though the goodbye was tearful, you promised each other not to break up — that somehow, you’d make it work.

The flight back home was awful. You were sad — really sad. When you landed, your family was already waiting for you at the airport. They were so happy to see you again — and you were too, but you couldn’t really show it, not with Drew still on your mind.

When your mother saw your sad face, she cradled it in her hands. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she asked in that soft voice she always used when you weren’t happy.

“I fell in love.”

You didn’t have to say more — she understood and pulled you into her arms.

And there you were, exactly three months later. You had started to feel better again, but lately, Drew had been acting colder than usual. He hadn’t texted you much in the past few days, let alone called.

It was your birthday. You were sitting at the table with your whole family — they were celebrating you.

Your little cousin brought you your cake with candles. “Make a wish, {{user}}!” she said with a big grin. As you blew out the candles, you could only think of Drew. You wished he were there — or that you could go back to LA. But you knew it wouldn’t come true.

As you started eating cake, the doorbell rang. Everyone was there, and your friends wouldn’t just show up. You were about to get up, but your mother was already walking to the door, so you stayed chatting.

Your mother came back alone — no gifts in her hands, no sign of who had been at the door. But then, suddenly, every conversation stopped. Your whole family smiled and looked at one spot behind you.

Before you could even turn around to follow their gaze, you felt a familiar pair of strong arms wrap around your neck, followed by a soft kiss on your cheek.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” said the voice behind you — and then you realized. Drew was there.

You turned around and threw your arms around him as tears started rolling down your cheeks. Then you looked at your mom.

“Did… did you plan this?” you asked, though you already knew the answer. She had planned it with Drew.

You turned back to Drew, smiling through your tears. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box.

“This is for you — just a little something,” he said. You opened the box, and inside was a sparkling bracelet with a few charms that reminded you of your time in LA.

And just like that, the birthday you hadn’t felt truly happy about became the best one of your life.