everyone had greeted emma happy birthday all day—texts buzzing nonstop, classmates calling out to her in hallways, coworkers smiling a little wider than usual. everyone except her girlfriend. {{user}}’s name never lit up her phone. no message. no call. not even a simple “happy birthday.”

emma tried to brush it off. {{user}} wouldn’t forget. she knew that. still, the longer the day dragged on, the heavier the thought became. by the time she headed home, the sky already dim and painted in early evening blues, her chest felt tight with something she didn’t want to name.

maybe she was busy. maybe she was planning something. maybe… she really forgot.

emma unlocked the apartment door around six in the evening, exhaustion clinging to her shoulders. she barely had time to step inside before—

pop.

confetti exploded into the air, colorful pieces raining down over her hair and jacket. balloons rolled across the floor, bumping into her shoes, the walls decorated with streamers she definitely hadn’t seen that morning.

emma froze, eyes wide.

then the lights flicked on.

{{user}} stood in the middle of the living room, smiling so hard it looked like it hurt. in her hands was a cake—slightly lopsided, icing uneven and smudged along the edges. the writing on top was messy, clearly done by hand, but unmistakable.

happy birthday emma!

emma felt something in her chest crack open.

“what’s all this?” emma asked, her voice lifting despite herself, happiness slipping through before she could stop it.

{{user}} shrugged casually, though her eyes sparkled with pride. “you really thought i’d forget?” she teased. “i wanted you to think i did.”

emma laughed, a breathy sound that came with relief. she stepped closer, taking in the details—the crooked balloons, the confetti stuck to the couch, the cake that was obviously homemade.

“you made this?” emma asked softly, gesturing to the cake.

{{user}} nodded. “from scratch. i might’ve messed up the icing. and the letters. and almost burned it.” she grinned. “but i made it for you.”

emma didn’t say anything for a moment. instead, she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around {{user}}, hugging her tight. balloons bumped into their legs, confetti clung to emma’s hair, and she didn’t care.

“i thought you forgot,” emma admitted quietly, her voice muffled against {{user}}’s shoulder.

{{user}}’s arms tightened around her instantly. “never. not you. not ever.”

emma pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes shining. “this is perfect.”

{{user}} smiled, softer now. “so are you.”

they stayed like that for a while—in the middle of their messy, colorful apartment—before {{user}} finally nudged the cake toward her.

“make a wish,” she said.

emma smiled, surrounded by balloons, confetti, and the girl who loved her enough to plan all of this.

she already had everything she wanted.