Birthday

"Oh, Atticus, you are here!"

Mom's voice filled the whole house once she got home from her work. Atticus stood up to show respect for her. We're currently talking about school staff here which explains why there are school papers and books scattered on the floor.

"Good evening, Ma'am," Atticus greeted her.

Mom nodded. "Good evening. Do you guys want to eat something?"

I shook my head. "We already had an early dinner, Mom. I already cooked dinner for us." I said and continued copying my answer on the scratch, transferring it on a new clean sheet of paper.

"Oh," I glanced at her and saw her looking down on her watch to check the time. "I got home late tonight again!" She groaned before making her way upstairs.

"Atti, you know what? I think Oli has a secret boyfriend." I can't help but get a bit pissed.

"Mmm?" He rose his brows. "How can you tell?"

I sighed. "I caught her staying up late in the evening." I shook my head.

Mom gifted her a new phone before the new school year ends. She was so happy when she recieved it. Mom even asked me if should she give one to Oli, and I answered yes she should since Oli's teen already. I also got a new one albeit if I told mom that there's no need since my phone can still be used and still functioning.

"Stop thinking about that!" Atticus laughed. "You're stressing yourself too much about that! I bet you are stricter than your mom!" He added.

I hit his arm and looked at him in a bad way with an expectation that he'd stop if he saw it. But he reached for my cheek and pinched it instead.

"You are so cute!" He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes at him playfully. "I don't know why you became my boyfriend!" I said in a playful disappointed tone as I continued writing.

"Maybe because I'm handsome!"

I scoffed. "You think so?"

"Why? Am I not?" He pouted his lips.

I can't help but chuckle. "Tss... of course, you are, dummy!"

He goes home after that while I went to my room to study for a while and sleep. Nothing so much happened on our school days. Days flew so fast and I didn't notice that I am turning eighteen by next week.

"It is your birthday next week, Sien." Mom said as I forgot it while I am washing the dishes after we ate our lunch.

"Yeah?"

"What are your plans? Hmm... do you want to throw a party for your friends?"

I stopped rubbing the sponge on the dishes and looked at her. "Mom, I have no plans. And no, I do not want to throw a party for my friends."

Mom sighed. "But why? Are you thinking that we might don't have money for it?"

I nodded immediately. "That is one..."

"Or you are thinking that there will be no friends attending your party?"

I nodded again. "That is the second reason."

"You are wrong, Sienna!"

"Mom, I am right," I argued. "Those reasons might be just a conclusion but it's true." I turned off the faucet after I washed the dishes.

"Sien, I have a budget for it! There'll be friends of yours attending it! Trust me!" She pleaded.

I shook my head. "No, mom. Let's just use that budget for your makeover instead."

"What? Are you kidding on me?!"

"You should glow up." I leaned my back against the sink while she looks at me with irritation.

"You are changing the topic, Sienna!"

I am not. I am avoiding it!

"Mom, I'll be sleeping now," I told her before leaning to her to kiss her on her cheek.

I stiffened when I felt her arms wrapped on me. I closed my eyes as I felt her hand caressing my hair. She kissed the side of my head before losing up from our hug. She held both of my hands and looked at me straight in my eyes.

"Listen to me." She took a deep breath and squeezed my hand a bit. 'This is the only way I know where it can make you feel happy and enjoy your eighteenth existence, honey."

"Okay, I get your point now." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "But, mom, the only way to make me feel happy and enjoy is to visit Nathan that day. That is the only way. There is no other way, mom."

In the end, she gave up pursuing me to throw a party. I went upstairs and get inside our room, Oli and mine. I stared at the ceiling while thinking about what time will I visit Nathan on my birthday. It is the weekend so I don't have classes on that day. After that, I fell asleep.

To Atticus:

Hey, you are not replying to me in the past few days. Is everything okay?

I texted him before sitting on the grass in front of Nathan's tombstone. It's my birthday today! No one in the house greeted me! They are all acting weird!

I heard my phone beeped so I placed the flower I bought for Nathan before checking it.

From Atticus:

Yup

I can't help but sigh at his reply. He is really treating me cold these past few days, huh? What here on earth is wrong with him?!

"Hey, baby bro, it's big sister's 18th today! How are you doing there? I hope you really found the peace you are looking for. I love you so much!"

Albeit if no matter how hard I tried to not shed a tear, I failed. So I let it fall until I feel better. It's getting dark already when I decided to go home. I checked my phone but got no text from anyone asking where am I.

I sighed. Maybe they all knew that I am here on Nathan's grave.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you!"

I covered my mouth in shock once I entered our house. I saw the three love of my life.

Mom, Oli, and Atticus.

They are all singing a happy birthday song to me. Mom's holding the cake while Atticus was lighting the candle. Oli on the other hand is holding my hand to pulled me towards mom and Atticus since I am stuck in the door because I was surprised.

"Happy birthday, my dear Sienna!" Mom greeted me after I blew the candle.

"Thanks, mom," I hugged her tightly.

"Happy birthday, Sien!" Oli greeted and I hugged her too.

"Happy birthday, baby!" Atticus greeted me.

I hit his arm. "You're bad!"

"Really?" He chuckled. "I'm not the only one treating you cold!" He defended himself.

I rolled my eyes at him while smiling. "Whatever!"

"Let's have dinner now!" Mom announced and we all headed into the dining.

I went to my room after I ate dinner to charge my phone. I also took a quick shower before changing my clothes. I almost jumped when I saw Atticus sitting on the chair in front of my study table.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I asked him.

He immediately stood up and held his nape. "Uh... I looked for you. You suddenly disappeared after our dinner."

"Oh, yeah. I charged my phone and took a quick shower." I took off the towel that I wrapped in my hair.

It's a good thing I brought clothes to the bathroom and changed them there before going back inside my room. Or else he'll see me changing clothes!

"Happy birthday, my baby!" He draws near to me and showed me a black tiny box. "This is my gift for you." He smiled at me.

I opened the box and to my surprise, it was a... ring!

I can't help but shed a tear.

"Thanks-"

He cuts me off by leaning forward to my face and reached my lips using his. I immediately closed my eyes. He placed my hand on his nape while his left hand was caressing my waist and the other was holding my nape too, pulling me closer to him.

He bit my lower lip which made me open my mouth. I don't know how did he do it but after my mouth opened I felt him sucked my tongue.

We're both chasing our breath after our kiss stopped. He looks at me straight in my eyes while smiling at me.

"Someday..." he trailed off and chased his breath. "I will marry you, baby." He slid the ring in my finger and kissed it.