She didn't know why she did it anymore.
She got up, like usual. She went to work, stayed there, went home, went to the bar, and sat down.
7:02 P.M. That was when she officially turned a year older. It wasn't uncommon, for her birthday to come and go.
She wanted to do something special, but work prevented her from doing so.
Neru, a co-worker and friend, gave her a scarf. It was nice, she liked it.
Another friend of hers, Miku (actually her cousin in high school) gave her a gift card. She was indifferent.
Her boss was still a bitch and most of her friends and co-workers forgot or didn't get her anything.
"It's okay it's the thought that counts."
She said that, but somewhere along the way, she felt like screaming.
Teto, a more social co-worker always got all these presents and cupcakes and balloons. Just because she was loud, knew about fashion, and was boy crazy.
She wanted to say she wasn't jealous, but that would be a lie. Just like all the other bullshit she spouted out since about six in the morning.
Yet, she felt better as things came by.
Her brother called all the way from New York to say happy birthday, even though it was his birthday too. He said her gift was on the way, she said his was too.
Even though he always got more than her, even from their parents, and the friends they shared.
She had gotten him a new lighter. Everyone knew he was the smoker and she was the drinker.
More relatives called, more cards came in. She felt noticed.
She had recently gotten a Facebook (after Neru threatening her), and there were so many notices.
She didn't care if her brother got more.
Now, she was at a bar, sitting and not drinking. This was odd for her she knew it as well as everyone else.
The bartender came over to her again, "Are you okay? You've been sitting here for two hours and…"
She smiled, not sure where it came from.
"Did you know it's my birthday today?"
"Well, happy birthday!"
"Thank you. I'll be going now, see you around." She didn't say it in the dead tone she usually said things in. She liked that.
As she walked home, she wondered if she could get that bartender's number.
Her friends were at her house, all of the ones she had kept. It was strange, because there was no surprise party. They were there, she accepted that.
They had cake and soda, and acted like teenage girls. Stuffing their faces, playing video games, talking about crushes and boyfriends and girlfriends…there was something about that that she had missed when she was actually a teenager.
Somehow, she didn't care that barely anyone noticed her birthday, that her boss was still terrible, that Teto would always get more presents, that her brother was the more favored sibling.
She was happy, and that was what mattered. No matter how much of a 'fail' people liked to think of her was, Haku was Haku. And no one could change that except herself.
Happy birthday Haku! And happy birthday to me! I based this off of my own birthday experience. Er...it was sorta crappy but...I hope you like?
