— “𝒲hen I grow up… And leave this place” — he began, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cold air.

A lit cigarette flickered between his index and middle fingers. Beside them, a flashlight illuminated the room. They sat on pillows and blankets they had stolen from their beds at the orphanage, wrapping themselves in them to protect themselves from the chilly night air on the rooftop. At Matt’s feet, a small cupcake with a candle stuck in the frosting waited.

— “I don’t know…” — he smiled slightly, picking up the cupcake from the floor, which resembled a cake. — “I want to live in that part of town.”

He nodded toward the nice part of town, far from where they were.

— “I want a job, a good one or whatever… whatever gives me money. Pay for my things, not steal cigarettes.” — he said, laughing and looking at {{user}}. — “I want to get married. Have kids. Two.”

He gazed into her eyes, which reflected the orange glow of the flame he lit with his lighter. She looked so beautiful in the silvery moonlight and the warm light of the lantern.

He cleared his throat and snapped out of his reverie to light the small candle on the cupcake. Then, he held it up to her and looked at the old watch on his wrist, the only thing Matt had left of his father.

— “And… it’s twelve o’clock.” — He smiled and looked at her again. — “Happy birthday, princess.”