A/N: Written for the Advent Calendar Challenge, Day 15 - Write about a party.
Rei's Eleventh Birthday Party
Her eleventh birthday was easily the worst celebration she'd had. The only upside to it was that she'd been released from the hospital.
It was a small blessing. Neo hadn't come out of his room all day, busy studying or doing something on the computer. And Rei couldn't go inside. There was a step there. Amusing before when she'd trip over it. Cruel now that wheelchairs couldn't deal with them.
Hideto had come over to celebrate. Or so his mother had said. But he'd shut himself away with Neo for most of the day. After they'd sat awkwardly: Rei on her wheelchair, Hideto on a chair from the kitchen (though she had offered a couch). Rei had tried to start up conversation. Hideto had been polite, but distant.
Guilt-ridden, Rei knew. But, from her perspective, it was frustrating. Eventually she left for a glass of water. And by the time she got back, Neo had snatched him. Or he'd fled to Neo.
And their parents were at work. So all she had was the cake her mother had made the day before. "For your brother and friends," she'd said. She'd even made it extra big and Rei's favourite: strawberries and whipped cream.
She stayed in the kitchen once she realised the living room was empty. She stayed there, stared at her cake, and sniffled. She might have even let a few tears fall. No other friends had come. Maybe they thought she needed time. Or they thought she was some sort of freak now that she couldn't walk. They'd said they weren't coming when she'd called, but she'd been hopeful. Someone would change their mind, surely. And if they didn't, there'd be Neo and Hideto. There was always Neo and Hideto.
Except both of them were in Neo's room. Leaving her alone.
She wound up finishing the entire cake herself. Even though she knew she'd be sick for days afterwards. And that she had enough trips to the GP or the hospital lined up without that. And she'd have to bother someone to help her on to the toilet if she came to that.
Or maybe she was hoping it would come to that. Then someone would be beside her to help. Or to clean up.