Superman

The next day was my birthday. I was going to be 14. I was ecstatic about the thought of having a party with you and all my friends but what happened yesterday was still etched in my mind.

My mom gave me this beautiful sleeveless red dress that stopped just below my knees. I still think that I don't deserve the dress. It deserves someone who was beautiful.

Anna was the first one to arrive. She gaped at me then told me that I looked ugly and gay. She's a nice best friend, isn't she?

But then she ordered me to go sit somewhere and before I knew what was going on, she was french braiding my hair. She told me that she liked my hair since it was smooth and long (according to her). Bea arrived shortly after Anna was done braiding my hair. Gabby and Hannah, my other best friends, arrived next. Do you know what they all told me? They all told me I was beautiful.

I didn't think it was true though (I still don't think it's true). They were probably flattering me because it was my birthday.

Bea gave me a witch wand since I decided to dress up as Gandalf on Halloween or when The Hobbit was released. Gabby gave me a small set of fireworks. And when I asked Hannah and Anna (Ha! That rhymed) where my gift was, they both told me the same thing (or somewhat the same thing), "Being here is already my gift to you."

Well, Hannah told me that. Anna told me "You would've loved the gift I didn't bother getting you."

After a short while, my uncle told us to go to the van since we were going to leave in a few minutes.

We all piled into the van with me, Hannah and Bea sitting in the same row and Anna and Gabby sitting at the back. You were the only one missing and I was silently praying that you wouldn't forget.

And I think God answered my prayers since after a few minutes because you were running down the street towards the car. I also think that, that was one of the moments when I really believed in God.

"Happy Birthday, Zoe," you said as you made yourself comfortable in the passenger seat.

I squealed and giggled internally at that. A simple 'Happy Birthday' from you already made my day.

Anna poked me from behind and whispered, "Who's that guy in front? He looks like my Taemin-oppa."

I mock gasped and hissed at her playfully, "What do you mean 'your' Taemin-oppa? He's my hubby. Kabit ka lang, diba?"

We argued about who will be the wife of Taemin. Yes, I avoided any question about you. I did it successfully though. I have skills.

We were headed to this ice cream place that my mother showed me before. I don't remember the name though.

As soon as we arrived at the ice cream place, we all tried to sit on the couch but then there wasn't enough room for you to sit on. That's probably because we were all fat. I smiled sheepishly at you when I saw you dragged a chair in front of us and sat on it.

"I didn't know you had beautiful friends, Zoe," you said as you winked at them. They giggled and I tried not to show my scowl.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. That was probably because I was beyond frustrated.
But the second time I opened it, I choked out, "I forgot."

That was my pathetic excuse. It's one of the stupidest excuse that I've ever said.

Do you know what I would've said?
They would probably steal you away from me, that's why I didn't tell you.