Title: A party of one
Author: Ree
Theme: Preseries - birthday party
Genre: general/Angsty?
Version: Anime/Manga
Rating: G

I asked for their stories and this is what they told me. I can't guarantee they're the truth, you will have to ask Takeuchi Naoko, to whom they belong to.

A party of one

The table was set with a small cake with twelve candles in the middle, and two small gifts were set near the edge. Laying in front of the cake was a small note. Ami stared at the table even though it had been set the same way for the past six years. Deep down in her heart, she held on to the hope that something would change, that her Mom would be sitting there.

The first year they had moved here, Mom had succeeded in being home for her birthday. They had a small party, nothing like the ones she had had when Dad was there. All of her friends from her school would come just to hear the stories he made up. He was as good at drawing with words as he was with a pencil and paint brush.

But all that was distant memories, hidden behind a wall of tears that fell on her seventh birthday; the first birthday she celebrated alone.

Looking at the cake, she felt a tiny smile push out. Mom had baked it. The icing wasn't perfect, and the lettering was slanted. 'Mom must had stayed up late this morning.' Touching the bow on one of her presents she debated on staying up really late to open them when Mom was home. She could hear her in her head, clucking and scolding about how children needed lots of rest. Giving in to the voice in her head, she reached for the smallest one of the two. Opening it she found an exquisite silver necklace.'I must be growing up, at least Mom thinks so.' She remembered how she used to try and play with her mothers fine jewelry only to be scolded. Then Mom would tell her that she would get a good necklace when she was old enough. Leaving it on its cushion, she picked up the second. It was obviously a book. Carefully removing the paper, she flipped the book over so she could see the title. Her eyes opened wide, and her hand shook. Her calm was broken. It was a cookie recipe book. Her mind flew back to when they would make cookies together, hoping to surprise Dad with how good she could cook. Mom didn't have time to cook with her anymore.

Ignoring the wetness on her cheeks, she dropped the book next to the necklace. All that was left was to read the note and eat a small slice of cake. Then this mockery of a birthday party would be done. Cutting herself a small slice of the chocolate cake, she picked up the note as she picked at her cake. She read it all the way through before she realized that it wasn't the normal note. Her hands were shaking as she set her fork down and reached for the cookbook. Following the notes instructions, she flipped it open to her favorite cookie, and slid the note inside. Walking to the calendar, she saw the bright red circle. Picking up the black marker, she made a smiley face inside of the circle. Holding the marker close, she felt a happy warmth filling her. She and her Mom had a cookie making date.