NEW FAMILY

To Sammy, cheers!" Henry, my ex-boyfriend, said, raising his glass in my direction. The others followed suit, lifting their glasses as well.

We were at the bar where I had celebrated my birthday for the past five years. Alexa had picked me up earlier, informing me that the others were already waiting for me there. We quickly drove to my apartment. After a refreshing shower, I changed into comfortable pants, a tank top, and the sneakers I received as a birthday gift. Then we headed to the bar.

"Cheers!" everyone exclaimed in unison, downing their glasses of vodka. As for me, I abstained from alcohol, opting for a sip of my glass of shrubs.

Smiling, I surveyed my circle of friends: Alexa, Henry, Connor, and Jumi. Memories flooded back as I recalled how I had met each of them.

Henry, my ex-boyfriend and high school sweetheart, stood out from the rest. His handsomeness wasn't conventional; it was unique. Fair-skinned, almost pale, he possessed unfathomable golden-brown eyes that contrasted strikingly with his light-toned face. Those eyes held depth and expressiveness, captivating anyone who dared to gaze into them for too long. His speech sometimes raced ahead of his thoughts. But above all, his frame and stature made him remarkable. He wasn't overly muscular, lacking the 8-pack abs or 16cm biceps that would make girls swoon. Instead, he exuded simplicity and innocence—a one-in-a-million quality that set him apart. I loved him, until he betrayed me by cheating with a former cheerleader from our high school.

Since Henry, I hadn't had another serious boyfriend—just a few flings at the club. My gaze shifted to the person sitting beside him.

Connor, sweet and perpetually in love with Alexa, had been pining for her as long as I could remember. She consistently pushed him away, claiming he was too innocent for her. Connor, with sandy brown hair brushed back and styled, had adorable doe eyes . nose that appeared a little too small for his face. The most attractive part of his face was his cherry-colored lips, which complemented his blue eyes. I smiled back, and he grinned at me.

I looked over at the petite redhead sitting close to me, a friend we had recently met at a party two years ago. She had just broken up with her boyfriend and was drinking alone at the bar where we were celebrating my birthday. We invited her over to our table and had her drink with us. She had perfectly curled eyelashes, ash-silver eyes, a cute button nose, and plump lips. I wondered why men cheated at all. She pulled her glasses out of her bag and put them on, giving her the appearance of a character used in making adult films.

Next to me on my right was Alexa, my best friend. Nothing had changed about her, except for her more defined features. Her blonde hair had darkened slightly, and she twirled her hair as she openly flirted with Connor. Her brown, seductive eyes glanced down at his lips, and her tongue peeked out from her full lips, giving him a seductive look. With what she was doing, she could pass for a stripper.

I looked at her, smirking, and nudged her.

"I thought you didn't like him," I said, looking at her as she smiled coyly.

"There's no harm in flirting with the guy. I mean, he's cute, I'm cute, a one-night stand won't hurt," she replied, gazing at him seductively, making the poor guy uncomfortable.

"Seriously, Lex, don't give him the wrong impression. You know he likes you a lot and wants more than a one-night stand with you. I know you feel the same way, but you're just afraid a guy will hurt you again," I responded, turning her face to face me.

Alexa had always been the wild one in college. She'd dated numerous boys, all of whom inevitably broke her heart. Unlike Connor, the nice and innocent type, Alexa seemed drawn to toxic relationships. I often tried to dissuade her from these unhealthy patterns, knowing firsthand the toll breakups took on her. Connor, on the other hand, was a good match for her. She could see it too, but perhaps she struggled with the idea of dating someone who wasn't as "bad" as her past exes.

I recollected when on of Alexa's exes broke up with her via text messages. She loved Jayden with the intensity of ants drawn to sugar—safe to say she was obsessed with him. Despite my warnings, love-struck Lexa wouldn't listen to me until he finally ended things. The breakup left her in a state of depression for months.

"He's just too innocent, Sam. I feel like he can't satisfy me. You know I like my men bad," she said, downing another shot of vodka.

"Enough about me, Sammy. It's your birthday, let's celebrate... to Sammy!" She raised another shot with the others, while I raised my shrub glass that needed a refill.

****************

Midnight...

I was in my room looking through some of the pictures I had left of my mom. I couldn't sleep; the others had gone home earlier. Henry dropped me off and made sure I was safe inside before driving Alexa home, while Connor took Jumi.

I thought about all the good times I had with my mom and all the gifts she had given me for my birthdays. I tried not to cry as I took a picture of her standing at the door of our house.

Then I remembered I was supposed to go there tomorrow to pack our belongings because the owner had found a buyer for the house. I sighed heavily at the thought of going through my mom's belongings; I had been avoiding it for nine years.

Well, I definitely have a long day ahead of me tomorrow, I thought as I climbed into bed, forcing myself to sleep.

"shit !! I hadn't locked the doors," I mumbled under my breath as I hurried down the hallway to lock them. January midnights in Russia were bitterly cold. I scurried back to my bed after locking the door, pulling the duvet tightly around my entire body.