I stood in front of her door, my head spinning more than I cared to admit. The alcohol had taken over, but I couldn’t make myself leave. Not when I was so close. I wasn’t supposed to be here, not after everything that had happened, but I couldn’t let her birthday go by without doing something.

I knocked. Harder than I meant to. My hands were shaking, and I almost stumbled when the door opened. She was standing there, frozen, her eyes wide in surprise. The moment I saw her, everything else disappeared.

“Happy birthday,” I slurred, my words thick and slow. I could feel the alcohol in my veins, clouding my thoughts, but I had to say it. Had to see her, even if I didn’t deserve it.

She didn’t say anything, just looked at me with those eyes I knew so well. I could see the confusion, the hesitation, but it didn’t stop me from stepping closer.

“I… I didn’t wanna miss it,” I mumbled, my voice faltering. It sounded weak, even to me, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to be the asshole who let her go on without hearing me. “I’m sorry,” I added, though I wasn’t even sure what I was apologizing for.

I tried to focus on her face, but it was blurry. Everything was blurry. My thoughts felt distant, like I was reaching for something I couldn’t touch.

But I couldn’t walk away now. Not when I was standing here, just a few feet away from her. She was here. She was real. And I— I wanted to say everything I’d never said before.

But the words didn’t come. Instead, I just stood there, waiting for her to say something. Anything.