weight. Not only had she just wrapped up her final exams, but Johnson had insisted she come over for a few days before he

parked outside. She noticed two unfamiliar girls lounging near the entrance, dressed in vibrant, almost theatrical outfi

into a tight hug, lifting her briefly off the ground before setting

h a soft smile, heart swelli

laughter. Johnson's friends were already there, lounging across the couches with beer

up, walked over, and gently took h

ull her up. The room suddenly fell silent b

irthday

he boys, off-key and loud, sang with genuine joy, clapping and swayin

amiliar girls reappeared and casually walked into Johns

laced by a twinge of irritation. She glanced around, but no one else seemed to find i

door open and n

came the cho

loons hung from every corner, streamers danced across the ceiling, and the

ut strong arms pulled her in Johnson's. "Come o

never not once been celebrated like this. Growing up, birth

igner perfume, a pair of heels she'd admired months ago, a custom-m

in walked a man in flowing robes, car

round the room like a blanket. The group sang once

son, her heart full

's just a little token of my love. I'd bring d

sts had left, Lisa and Johnson lay side by side in the dimly lit

lt so loved,"

than this," he replied. "T

im. At least,

her final project demanding most of her time and energy. Gone were the spontaneous visits to Johnson's.

missed her desperately. He called more, texted more, begged her to co

I have to finish

weekend? This

I pro

he w

y, everyth

ckpack slung over one shoulder, exhaustion etched into

s on the phone with som

hnson," Jane said, her voice flo

a f

hn

p. "Johnson? Wait tha

ut for my business? The one aski

ea

Said he loved how ambitious I wa

art began

ou go?" C

ste. It was a double date. He said his friend's girl was celebrating her bir

ked out of her lungs. She staggered

? No, no. It can't be th

art pounding. Was this just a coincid

ng, her ph

baby, how w

creen for a long mom

ied casually, forcing n

minutes, but the word

uldn't hold

fully, "do you... do you

le

d too long. Her grip o

sa, I didn't think you'd find out

her stom

ith someone. I didn't have a date, and I've been asking you to come

ifying going on a date with some

I didn't even like her. She's not

on my behalf. You held her hand, sat across from her while

nking straight. I just didn't want to go alone.

everythi

hung

e hall, needing air, space, clarity. She tur

g back. "I was just coming to ask you s

eyes

as J