Ever since you were little, you had been let down. It started out small. You'd ask for candy and be told yes only to find out they forgot to grab it or they'd say 'maybe next time' only to be told 'next time' again leading you to become reluctant to ask for anything at all. Then it was trips. One on one time at a spa with your mom to out of state trips with your family that never seemed to happen until you were away and they went out together leaving you in college or at work in another state. You learned to say 'It's fine if we can't-' or 'It's fine if you can't get me-' over and over again. You always tried to hold out hope though. You knew better. God, did you know better.

Simon had figured out it was your birthday today despite your best efforts to hide and ignore it on base. He told you the other night in the common rooms with Soap and Gaz that you four should go out and make a night of it. Said, "Celebrate these things while we can, you know?" You reluctantly agreed.

Your stomach twisted in knots the entire day worrying they'd forgotten. You wanted to go, but you weren't going to message them and ask because what if they said something came up? Then you'd just look dumb, again. You were stuck in a loop on your phone, trying to occupy yourself after your shift. You couldn't get anything done worrying about it, and the later it got, the more that bitter reluctant 'you knew better' replayed in your head tauntingly, reminding you to stop putting faith in people.

Then, a text popped up from Simon.

"Can you be ready in 30? The boys and I are down for whatever you're feeling, just lemme know."