- What is it? - Kris said in a slightly demanding tone.

- a birthday message from a... - you thought the next word for an instant - ... Acquaintance.

You were right, it was too soon to consider that guy like a friend but still, you felt bad saying you were mere acquaintances.

- Doesn’t seem like it to me - he pouted - you smiled...

- i didn't - you objected shoving your phone in your pocket - let's go inside - you patted his forearm and smiled, taking him off guard. He sighed and grabbed the cake before pushing you inside the house.

- I thought you were angry - he said while taking his coat off and walked to the table where you were placing the forks and the knife for the cake- at me...I’m sorry...

You meditated your answer for a second before taking a deep breathe...

- I guess i was ... At first ... When you chose that girl over me I felt humiliated and...

- Wait - he interrupted you - I didn’t want you to feel that way... I would never hurt you...at least not intentionally. 

"But you had" you silently remarked but brushed the thought away.

- And for the record - he stepped closer to you -you will always the most important girl... No matter what. - he was close, too close, he had lowered his face to match your-Those girls got nothing on you...

Again, the lustful face appeared on his face, freezing you right in your place, your heart jumped out of your chest when he leaned closer again, this time more aggressive, aiming for your lips making you shut your eyes close and he Stopped less than an inch away. You felt his breathe on your lips but he suddenly moved away and placed his lips against your cheek, which instantly turned bright red and felt like it was on fire.

When he moved away you saw a mocking grin appearing on his mouth but it was shallow, fake.

- Happy Birthday - he said pulling you into a hug. Whatever was happening that day, it was going to give you a heart attack. Your knees stayed to shake and everything was pink colored. You even though about slapping yourself, just in case it was a dream. But he broke the hug before you could do so. It was brief even though it seemed like it lasted for so long.

- t-thanks... - your voice cracked involuntarily and he chucked walking towards the table placing the cake out of the box.

The brief awkward silent was broken by the sound of the door opening letting your brother in.

- sis, Kris’ car was parke…oh! Hey! – he looked at Kris with the usual admiration but something else that only them could understand, like a silent conversation between them.

- you owe me big time – the younger boy finally said and kris nodded.

- Did I miss something? - you raised an eyebrow and they shook their heads no. You chose to not argue about it.

- ok! – kris placed three candles and lighted ‘em on before taking one of his silver rings off and sliding it on one of the candles – make a wish.

It caught you off guard and a lot of ideas crossed your mind at the same time but at last you decided for the one that convinced you the most.

“I wish my love comes true”

You pleaded and blown the candles as Kris and your younger brother clapped.

The cake was cheesecake, to be exact, and it had strawberries on top. You remembered that you told Kris that you wanted it on your past birthday but didn’t believed he’d remember it as of today.

After eating almost half of the whole cake by himself; your brother went to bed saying he was too tired because of the practice. You and Kris stayed in the living room; the atmosphere was quite awkward around you both as neither you or him dared to speak, fearing that it may lead to talk about what happened earlier. Of course was trying to kiss you, even though you were a little bit naïve, you could understand as far as that.

- Ah…this… - Kris finally mumbled – about earlier…

- stop! – you raised your hand and your voice came out louder than you expected – you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.

You kept staring at the floor to avoid looking at him.

- I want to… - he replied and took your hand, your body flinched at the contact. He thought about removing it but didn’t dare.

You nodded before gulping and prepared your mind for what was about to come.

- I … - he gazed at you; making you look at him against your will – I…

Your eyes got wide out of anticipation as he scanned your face and tried to clear his thoughts, you assumed he was because of the way he bit his bottom lip and his hand was slightly shaking. But he suddenly sighed and removed his hand from yours.

- I think I got too carried away… - he breathed out, his voice coming out like a whisper and he moved away from you – I’m sorry I didn’t want you to misunderstand.

- I didn’t misunderstand anything! I know that… - you stopped at the sight of his eyes pleading at you to stop, like saying that you shouldn’t keep talking or he’d had to part ways with you. Your eyes started to sting and you had to gulp your pride down – I know that you weren’t serious, okay? Why did you get so serious…all of a sudden? – you nervously laughed, staring at the wall next to you. The last thing you wanted was him noticing you were about to cry.

His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists tightly when he looked your eyes getting moist and your eyebrows trembling, same as your lips that were forced into a smile.

- Then it’s good – he finally said as he ruffled your hair as if you were a kid in an attempt to soothe the emotional blow he just gave you – I have to go…

Without saying something else he stood up and walked out not looking behind or his feelings would have wavered. Once he got on his car he kept staring through the windshield for a few seconds before smacking the steering wheel several times out of frustration.

“How could I continue when you make an eager face like that” he growled.

Meanwhile, you walked to your room and immediately got in bed, crawling into a ball. Once more, you felt humiliated, angry and sad; all at the same time. It was too much to even cry about it.

“I need something to distract me” You thought and the message you received earlier popped on your mind. You took out your phone and logged in before starting to type down something.

You: Thank you!!! :D Didn’t think I’d get a message today.

You literally threw your phone to the end of the bed and covered yourself completely with the blanket. A notification arrived five minutes later and you wondered if he was always online or something.

User9011: So you really don’t have any friends…

You gasped.

You: Of course I have! But I only use this account for school related business

You tried to quote him, earning a weak smile from him that, of course, you didn’t see.

User9011: Forget it! I take back my message…Unhappy birthday.

What happened minutes ago with Kris flashed in your mind and your fingers typed and pressed “send” before you could think about it.

You: Well, I hope you are glad it certainly was unhappy.

When you read it again you couldn’t help but facepalming yourself. Not getting an answer in the next 5 minutes started to make you anxious as Kris-related thoughts invaded your mind again.

Leo was trying to find the right thing to say, since he wasn’t used to deal with girls, other than his sisters. It took him about ten minutes and a roll on his swivel chair to come up with something to say. By that time you were back into fetal position and covered with blankets.

User9011: There’s no such a thing as “unhappy birthday” because it’s the day an irreplaceable person was born into this world; Isn’t that more than enough to be happy?.

You read it slowly and couldn’t help but smile while Leo was embarrassed at his own choice of words; softly smacking his head against his desk with a shy grin on his face.

You: wow… thank you very much.

User9011: No problem. Don’t make fuzz just because of a guy

You: what? Why are you saying that?

User9011: because 90% (or more) of girls’ problems are related to guys

You: well done, Sherlock

“I knew it” Leo muttered as he turned off his PC and grabbed his phone before he lay on bed.

User9011: Well, I have to sleep. Don’t forget to go to the office tomorrow…

You: Yes, sir. Thank you, again.

User9011: Enjoy the rest of your birthday.

You looked at the clock and it was 15 till midnight, you didn’t realize the time passing by so fast and then your body began to feel tired and your eyes closed right after you placed your phone on the nightstand.

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