You weren't in the right place of mind when you met Riff, when the one friend you'd made in New York City had dragged you to a dance. It's almost like Riff noticed it in you, saw himself in you, saw his own pain, reflected back to him, in you. You'd moved away, far away, arriving in New York, to get away from everything. Start a new life, leave your old one behind. Leave behind the pain that was caused there.

Riff had quickly taken you in, as his own, introduced you to all the Jets and their girls. For the first time in your life, you felt like you had your own family. A family that you chose, that cared for you, that actually showed you love. It didn't take long for you to fall head over heels for Riff, he showed you love that you had never received. He looked after you, more so than he did himself, even.

"Baby doll, it's your birthday," Riff hums, his arms snaking around your waist as he pulls you towards him. "You gotta throw a party or somethin'." You were so against the idea, all your birthday's before had been miserable. Always forced to invite your family, play the part they wanted you to play. This year, you'd decided, no birthday.

He could see your hesitation, could understand why you were so against the idea. But it was different now, you were in a new city, with new people. You had a different life, you'd left your old one behind. "Dollface, you don't gotta do anything you don't want. You don't gotta invite them, just the people you wanna celebrate with." Riff speaks softly, his hands on your back gently caressing the skin. "You don't gotta be sorry for leavin' and growin' up, it's your birthday. I wanna make it special for ya, throw ya a nice big party full o' all the people you know."