Neither of us said a word.
—
Aurora
The credits rolled softly in the background, and Honey’s tiny purrs were still echoing in my lap.
I didn’t even realise the movie was over until the screen dimmed and the reflection of the Christmas tree shimmered back at us. Gold lights, red ribbons… warm. Too warm.
I blinked, shaking myself out of it, and carefully stood up, cradling Honey in one arm. She meowed once, sleepily, like she didn’t want me to move.
“I know,” I whispered, pressing a tiny kiss to the top of her ginger head. “I’ll see you soon.”
Her little body vibrated with a quiet purr, and I smiled despite the ache forming in my chest. I placed her down on the couch where she immediately curled into a ball, tail over her nose. Safe. Happy. Loved.
I turned to Joshua.
He was still sitting there, elbows on his knees, hair slightly messy from the way he’d run his hand through it too many times during the movie.
For a second, I didn’t know what to say.
Thank you didn’t seem enough.
But I said it anyway. “Thank you.”
For the food.
For the movie.
For the warmth.
For the birthday that didn’t feel lonely.
He nodded once, and the corner of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to smile but didn’t trust himself to.
I turned toward the door, slipped my shoes on, and looked back once more. He was still there at the same spot, same quiet look, same unreadable face that somehow wasn’t so scary anymore.
I gave him a small wave.
He raised his hand halfway, like he wasn’t sure if I’d see it… but I did.
I walked out the door, shutting it gently behind me. I looked down at my wrist, finger grazing the beautiful charms.
Today… was the best birthday I’d had in years.
And it was because of him.
—
Two days had gone by already, and I missed…
Honey. ImeantHoney.
Yes.
I miss Honey. That cute little furball.
I walked around my apartment, sipping my tea and scrolling on my phone, taking in the sunlight that was spilling through my window.
