I hate everything about birthdays. The whole concept of celebrating a day you had no control over is silly. Why not celebrate the one who gave birth to you? Or the one raising you? Yeah, birthdays are ridiculous and I've always hated them. But when your birthday comes around, you have to pretend to be excited because woah, you're alive still ... Or something like that.

Today just so happens to be the week-before-birthday mark and I could feel my best friend's gaze on my back. Roxas was one of those people who got really excited about birthdays. When one of his friends had a birthday coming up he'd plan a party and get a gift ... He'd go through a lot to make sure his friend had the best birthday ever. No one minded how excited he got, after all who doesn't want a special day dedicated to them?

Me. I don't. That's who. Being the center of attention normally doesn't bother me, but when I have a group of people singing me that bloody song - horribly, I might add - it just ... I know they're being nice and I should appreciate it, but I'd much rather order a pizza and watch a movie with Roxas than go to one of the clubs and dance and drink until I puke up the cake I undoubtedly ate earlier that day. Its happened before ... Twice.

"You want something, Rox?"
"Axel, your birthday is soon." I almost cringed at the sing-song tone he had in his voice. Yep, he was going to ask me what I wanted to do, what I wanted and what type of cake I'd like to have.

"Yeah, I know."
"What do you want?"

Now, is that a trick question? What are you suppose to say? What are the price maximums and minimums? Could I ask for $900 to pay my rent, or would that be way too much? What about my cable bill? That's $100, or is that still too much? Why do people always say: "I don't want anything," but they really do? They're in the same dilemma as me, I bet.

Now nine times out of ten my mind would go blank at that question, but I had been thinking about my answer since the first, and I was prepared ... And tempted to ask for rent money, but I think $900 is too much. Birthdays are for things you want, but not necessarily need, right? So I could ask for anything within reason. Too bad the game I was looking forward to didn't come out for another two months. Okay, maybe "prepared" was an exaggeration. I had thought about shit I wanted, but the next day I no longer cared.

"Axel?"
Oh yeah. He's still here.
"Yeah?"
"What do you want?"
"Nothing."

Crap. This conversation will be familiar to everyone. It's like a script that has been programmed into our minds from the very beginning. Oh. Wouldn't that be something? Finding out that certain speeches and traditions have been programmed at birthday? Actually I think that's a thing they teach in anthropology, you know, the whole nature vs nurture ... Uh. Right, back to topic.

The conversation is familiar. I said nothing, he'll say: "Come on, there must be something you want!" and I'll say nothing again because I don't want to appear greedy when the facts are that I do want something, but I'm too much of a chicken to say it. But I have hinted through-out the previous month about what I wanted, sort of. This really depends on what you consider a hint. "Hey, I like that shirt" or "I love those jeans" are hints in my book, and that's what I did. We can ignore stupid facts like me already owning the shirt and jeans because I bought them myself because my point still stands. I said "I like" and then the item a few times.

"... Why do you keep zoning off?"
"I'm thinking about what I want."

Not exactly a lie now, is it? Okay, serous time, what do I want? There are no games that seem interesting, I don't want to pick up another book until I've finished the one I have going. This is hard, maybe I should just ask for money. Wait, isn't that what adults ask for? I'm going to be 21, that's an adult in the eyes of the law.

"Money."
"Money? Really?"
"Yep."
"I can't just give you money, I want you to be able to look at it."

Last year Roxas got me a Fatal Frame t-shirt and I wore it as much as I could, the year before that Roxas got me a baby seal plush and I slept (sleep) with it, so I get where he's coming from. All his gifts have been amazing, and I keep them all very close. Maybe I could take out $5 from the money and hug it or something. Whatever. Shrugging and turning away from my best friend, I decided that money would be perfect, but if he wanted to pick me up something else, he could decide what.

"If you really want to, pick it out yourself. After all you did pick out the shirt and seal, remember?"
"Do you still sleep with Spirit?"

This is why they invented cell phones. They work perfectly for when you have to pretend to be busy to get out of a conversation or awkward eye contact ... Or when you're in the waiting room and you don't want to look like a loser. Right now I was playing Fruit Ninja and ignoring Roxas' question.

"I'll take that as a yes. So, what do you want to do?"
"Nothing." Oh here we go again.
"Come on, you must want to do something!"

Now this is where I could make my birthday how I want or how I think other people would want it. I don't think Roxas would get mad at what I want to do and if he felt like it was too easy we could always make the food pick-up and he could drive to the place and get it instead of delivery. I also know that Roxas isn't a huge fan of horror movies because he scares so easily, so he would also be watching something he didn't want to watch just to please me and that's usually all Roxas tries to do. Hm. Chinese food and movie, club and drinking. Wait, didn't I say pizza before? Damn.

"I want to order ... stuff, and watch Netflix with you."
"What? Is that all?"
"Yeah. Horror movies though ... Maybe anime ... namely Soul Eater."
"... And what do you want to order?"
"Pizza or Chinese Food, haven't decided that yet."
"Who do you want there?"
"Just you."
"Just me?"
"Yup."
"Cake?"

Okay, so remember when I said I hated everything about birthdays? I exaggerated again. Cake is one of the good things that comes out of celebrating a day you have no business celebrating. Especially since the invention of ice cream cake. Dairy King also lets you pick or make your own. I can't tell you how many times I've gone onto that site and made my own cake, just to close the order and crave ice cream for the rest of the day. Worth it though.

"Same as always. You pick it though."
"This really all you want to do?"
"Yeah. Larxene usually holds a birthday lunch the day before birthdays anyway so if they have anything to say they can do it then, or after."
"So we're singing happy birthday a day before?"
"No. I swear I'll walk out if you guys start singing."

I didn't walk out. Roxas started and everyone followed and I didn't walk out, but I did sink down in my chair and I'm pretty sure people had a hard time separating my face from my hair. I didn't think it was possible to blush that hard. Larxene ended up singing loud and out of tune on purpose and Marluxia managed to get people who didn't even know me to sing along. I really do love them, but they're assholes. ...I'm lying about that last part. Sort of.

Anyway, I guess Roxas told everyone about my request because they all brought something with them. I got a lot of cards, some with money in them (I have enough to pay my cable bill now, ha!) Marluxia gave me roses like he did every year and included the fake one so it would last forever, I got another book that I've been tempted to read ever since I opened the bag, a shirt that everybody thinks suits me perfectly, but only because it says: "I will not keep calm and you can fuck off," I don't see how it suits me at all. I'm always calm (lying again). Larxene got me a ... questionable adult toy that I may or may not have already used.

The gifts, cards, money and birthday wishes were great and remembering their faces when I opened their gift and the hugs I received after ... I'm still in a very plesant mood. The minute I woke up I smiled, which will be a nice memory. The day I turned 21 I woke up with a smile on my face. It's only nine right now, and I know Roxas won't be around until five, maybe six, so I get to do whatever I want.

I'm in bed. I woke up an hour ago, but I'm relaxing. I did get up to go to the bathroom and open my curtains and window, but I returned to my warm bed and now I'm just looking out the window, listening to the sounds of the birds and the breeze. It was one of those really nice cool days ... "Napping days" is what I call them. I still haven't figured out what I plan to do until five.

Actually, that's not entirely true. What I plan to do is make breakfast, have some herbal tea, watch an episode of SpongeBob, take a shower, get dressed, watch more SpongeBob because Vexen bought me season one, and go out for lunch. So I really only need to plan out another five hours. I think I'll get pizza for lunch and have Chinese food for dinner. Hm ... I could pay my cable bill while I'm out and head to the mall and pick up some other things I need. Yeah, I think that will be my day. Birthdays don't give me an excuse to slack off. Oh, look at me lying again.

Getting out of bed was harder the second time, but I managed to make my French toast and tea and eat it all during Spongebob. I don't care what anyone says, that show was sold as a children's show but it was meant for adults. After that I ended up showering, and that went better than expected, I even used the gift Larxene got me again. I'm still trying to figure out if it would be creepy to thank her again for it.

I'm hoping Roxas doesn't mind that I'm wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I know we agreed to just do food and movies, but I don't want to make it seem like it's just another day and I've forgotten that he's been making this special. Ah, I'll change into a button up and throw on a waist coat when I get back, those things make you fancy no matter what.

I got off the bus a stop ahead of my destination because I had a feeling everyone else on that bus would be getting off there and I didn't want to walk in the bus crowd. This way I could browse the shops leading to the mall. I've always loved looking into the shop windows, window shopping is one of my favourite things to do, and my Amazon wish list is huge. I wish I had noticed this Chakram necklace a week ago. Whatever, it's only four months until Christmas.

Paying bills is a love-hate thing for me. I love it because it makes me feel like an adult. Like look at me, I'm doing awesome grown-up stuff, but I also hate it because I end up having less money for other stuff. Plus the stress that comes from being worried you may not have enough to pay for things that you don't actually need is amazing. The worst thing that would happen if I didn't pay my cable bill is ... well, I couldn't do my school work, but there is a library for that. Wait, why do I even have cable? I have a cell phone so I don't need a home phone, I have Netflix and I have libraries. I paid my cable bill, and I'm probably going to pay next month too.

It's only 11, but that's late enough for lunch. I have a lot of choices though, it seems everyone sells pizza now. I don't eat much on my pizza, it's usually cheese only, but sometimes I like to get crazy and order chicken and pineapple. I'm a rebel, I know. The only place I like those two ingredients on pizza is Pizza Pezsy, so that is where I'm going. They also sell Dr. Pepper.

It was five minutes after four when I got back home. I put the stamps on the letters that had been sitting on my desk for two weeks and I walked to the corner mailbox and mailed them, after that, I put the milk, ice cream and pop away and put the bathroom supplies in the bathroom and after all of that only 15 minutes had passed. I ended up watching more SpongeBob and petting my cat, Shadow. I'm tempted to take a nap, but I also want to continue watching SpongeBob, and Shadow is still sleeping on my lap and moving would disturb him.

I'm not sure how long I was staring at the main menu, but I was pulled back to reality by the sound of Escape the Fate coming from my pocket. Another birthday text I'm guessing.

"Let me in."

I looked down at Shadow and said I was sorry before moving him onto the pillow beside us. He gave me a look, but he went back to sleep like nothing happened. Yawning, I buzzed Roxas in, opened my front door and waited for the blond to appear. I decided that we'd watch an episode or two of Soul Eater, an anime we were both into and on the same episode, "The Strangers" - a horror movie, and "The Collector" - another horror movie. Those are the only movies and shows I had planned out, I also decided to let Roxas pick a few things out too so we'd both enjoy the night. Oh, and Chinese food.

"Happy birthday, Ax!"
"Thanks. Need a hand?"
I smiled as Roxas entered my apartment and set the cake and a box down. A box ... It appears Roxas did get me something else ... Wait, maybe not something "else", perhaps there is no money in the card. In any event, I'm excited. I tried to get a look at the cake, but Roxas managed to pick it up and go into the kitchen before I could get a look at it. I think the letter "A" is marked on it though. Wouldn't be surprising considering my name is Axel.

"So, what first?"
"Soul Eater?"
"You didn't watch any last night, right? We're still on the same episode?"
"Yeah, same episode."

I couldn't help the smile that formed. Roxas and I are close. Really close. We go on Skype every night and watch Soul Eater together, and after we're done we plan on watching another series. We started watching TV series' together a month after we met and found out we shared a love of animated things. Our first series we watched was Invader Zim and that was five years ago. As you can imagine, we've gone through a lot of shows, and we still have some on-going. It was nice sharing an activity like this with someone, and I loved knowing that Roxas enjoyed it as much as I did.

"I'll make popcorn and get drinks while you set up?"
I nodded and walked into the living room. There wasn't really much to set up. Pushing the "ON" button on my Playstation and loading up Netflix I listened to the popcorn popping and the sound of Dr. Pepper pouring into two glasses. Clicking "Next Episode," I paused fast and turned to the couch.

"Shadow."
He didn't even move at the sound of his name. Sliding his pillow over and sitting down, I leaned my head against the back of the couch and shut my eyes. The porch door was open and the breeze was coming through. It wasn't as cold as it was this morning, but it wasn't hot either. It was still a "napping day". I stretched my body out and hummed happily. Napping days always bring a special feeling to stretching, like you get more tension out or something.

"Ready?"
I looked over and nodded at my best friend. Taking a handful of popcorn and pressing the "X", we watched as the beginning of the episode started to play. The popcorn tastes perfect, and the Dr. Pepper looks nice and refreshing ... I have a feeling tonight is going to be really fun.

"Want me to come with you?"
"Yes!"

I laughed and shook my head. We had just finished watching "The Strangers" and "The Collector," it was seven and we were both hungry. Roxas said pick-up was best (like I said he would), and I could tell he was scared about going himself. "The Strangers" was a pretty shit movie, but the plot was spooky to think about, and "The Collector" was great all around, so I could sort of see why Roxas was freaked out. He didn't even have to ask me to come with him, I could tell by the lip biting.

Now I'm a good friend, so I didn't yell "boo" at Roxas while we were in the elevator, or walking to his car ... I did touch him and scream when we got to his car, but in my defense I did not say "boo" so it's different. He wasn't too thrilled and I could tell he wanted to swat at me, but I ran to the other side of the car before he could.

"Ow!"
I looked at Roxas and pouted. I may have moved away in time, but I forgot I was going to spend ten minutes in a car with him. Looking out the window and watching the houses and shops pass by I felt a weird sense of tranquility. It was like the feeling you get when you're very young and ready to sleep, but you're being driven home from shopping so you have to wait. You're in the car with a parent or sibling and you feel perfectly okay. I enjoyed this feeling, and I felt disappointed when we arrived at the Chinese food place.

Getting out of the car and walking inside, I inhaled and felt the hunger that I had ignored come back to life. Glancing at the menu, I ordered my food and took the container. Roxas and I had discussed who was paying, and I put up a small fight to save my pride, but in the end Roxas was the winner (loser?) and got to pay for dinner. I was glad this place did the one to four item trays instead of ordering everything separately and waiting an hour for it to be done. I was hungry and I couldn't wait to get back home to eat.

I could tell Roxas felt the same. He did a weird sort of running, power walk, walk thing to his car with me quickly behind him. Getting in the car and setting the food on my lap, I put my seatbelt on and tried to ignore the smell coming from the bag. If I was a superhero my weakness would be lemon chicken.

"You have an idea of what we're going to watch when we get back?" I asked Roxas, I had to get my mind off of the food. I was thankful we didn't take the plastic forks that were offered to us.

"What about "El Dorado"?"

I nodded and grinned. "El Dorado" managed to be in my top five favourite movies and I could (and have) re-watch it multiple times.

"Coming?"

Looking around, I took in the sight of my apartment building. When did we get here? I heard my stomach growl and knew that it really didn't matter when we arrived. Getting out of the car and walking back to my place, I unlocked the door and went into the living room with our food while Roxas got forks and refilled our cups.

Finding "El Dorado" on Netflix and clicking "x" again, I sat down and set our food up so Roxas' container was by him and mine was by me. I had to resist the urge to start eating with my fingers. Watching Roxas enter the room and sit down made me smile. I felt my smile grow as he handed me my fork.

I put the containers in the trash and washed the forks while Roxas set up whatever it was he was setting up. I knew it was the cake because he came in the kitchen and got it, but it had been five minutes and he still wouldn't let me come out. I could just peek around the corner, but waiting was more fun. Clicking my tongue and glancing at the clock, I whined and called Roxas' name.

"Yeah, hold on. Almost done."
"What are you even doing?"
"You'll see!"

I was starting to feel very excited. I was going to open my present first and get cake and then we were going to watch another movie before we got ready to sleep. Of course sleep wasn't close (It was only 8:40 after all), but we were going to get comfortable and pull out my couch and just watch Soul Eater for the rest of the night. The whole day had been great, and this evening was turning out to be exactly what I wanted. Hell, I might even get Roxas a thank you card that's how awesome it was.

"Alright, come on!"

I gasped as I entered my living room. Balloons (mostly red) were everywhere and some were even floating. Laughing and shaking my head I sat down at my dining table and looked around for the cake. It seems Roxas wasn't going to let me see it until the time came to eat.

Looking at the box that was placed in front of me, I took the card and opened it. I laughed as I read the joke and wiggled my eyebrows at Roxas as I took the scratchcard and $20 out of the envelope.

"Thank you."
"Open the box!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Taking the box in my hand, I raised my eyebrow and took the wrapping paper off. Taking the shirt out of the box, I held it up and laughed as Zim appeared. I laughed even harder at the "You're lying!" under him.

"This is awesome. Thanks, Rox."
"I remembered how when one of us said something the other didn't like we'd always shout that in his voice ... I got myself one too."

I laughed at the memory and shook my head again. We were (are) ridiculous. I set the t-shirt over the chair and was about to toss the box aside when I noticed a smaller box.

"Is this mine too?"
"Yeah."

I picked the box up and shook it. Shrugging and opening the box, I blinked at the necklace inside.

"Did you know I was looking at this?"
"Yeah. I was getting your cake and noticed you from inside the shop ... I was still giving the details so I couldn't say "hi" and you were gone when I came out. I walked over and looked at what you were looking at ... I figured this was it. If it isn't I can go back and get the Hello Kitty set."

Looking at the chakram necklace, I shook my head and looked at Roxas.
"No, this is it. Wow, thank you."

Putting then necklace on and setting the boxes down, I watched Roxas shut the lights off and go into my bedroom.

"Happy birthday to you ..."
Oh no.
"Happy birthday to you ... "
I'm blushing. I can feel myself blushing.
"Happy birthday dear Axel ..."
Huh, what do you know, Roxas isn't that bad a singer.
"Happy birthday to you."

Laughing and trying to hide the blush, I looked at the cake and smiled at the "Happy Birthday Axel!" that was written on it. Looking into the flame of the candles, I blinked and shook my head. Blowing the candles out and leaning back I looked around and waited for the lights to come back on.

"What did you wish for?"

Looking at Roxas when I could see again, I shrugged and winked.
"If I tell you it won't come true."

Cutting a slice of cake for Roxas and myself, I hummed at the chocolate fudge and vanilla. I could already tell it was going to taste amazing. Taking the first bite made me hiss. I forgot it was ice cream cake, and biting into ice cream made my teeth hurt.

Bringing our bowls to the couch, Roxas and I set up Invader Zim and started to watch it. I could tell Roxas was lost in the show. Smiling and glancing at the candles I shrugged and looked back at the TV.

It's a funny thing really. I hate birthdays, but they remind you of different things. Every year, starting from the time I was 11 years old, my only birthday wish was to be happy. Today, my 21st birthday, I didn't make a wish because I had everything I wanted, and "Please let me be happy" was no longer a wish, but a reality.