She leads us through the busy crowd of people enjoying their drinks and food, until the sound of conversation quiets down and we’re walking down a hallway. My stomach falls to my feet as we approach red, double doors, suddenly completely devoid of people eating.
Why aren’t we being seated with everyone else?
Where exactly are we going?
The dress, the hair, the makeup.
Before I can even question her, she murmurs four words, "Please don’t hate me," right as the crowd shouts one:
"Surprise!"
three
Cassandra
The sound is ear-splitting.
And overwhelming.
Yet, I try my absolute hardest to appear fine.
Slapping a smile across my face, I step into the room, thanking anyone who approaches me to wish me a happy birthday with the most high-pitched voice I can will my vocal chords to do.
Everyoneis here.
My parents traveled from Grangewood Creek, along with my two sisters, Lizzie and Olive, even though my mom made me feel guilty aboutspending the day alone.
My co-workers, Janelle and Frankie, are here, too, and the way this party is styled tells me they had everything to do with the planning.
Cousins from both sides of the family, uncles, aunties, and even some old friends from college dot the room as well.
I only really stayed in touch with Jenna from my college days, but it’s nice to see their faces.
I don’t expect anyone from high school to be here, so I’m not surprised when I don’t see them. My eyes involuntarily scan the room for the one person who’s been with me through it all, even though I know I won’t find him.
Of course, he’s not here.
Why would he be?
I’m nothing to him anymore, and if that wasn’t already abundantly clear, it is now.
Fourteen years together, and I can’t even get a simple text that says"Happy Birthday, Cassandra".
Some guests are worried about my well-being, constantly asking how I’m doing, while others don’t bother to even greet me and head straight for the open bar.
Hell, even I’m here for the open bar.
The room is stunning, and the canapé’s look mouth-watering. I may not get to eat my body weight in Spanish food, my stomach will be satisfied, and that’s all I could ask for.
If people weren’t aware that this was a surprise party for a party planner, they would assume I planned it myself.
The decorations are in my signature white and gold. There’s big three and zero balloons paired next to each other, along with a collage of photos from the last thirty years of my life.
I guess my colleagues know me well.
The photo collage covers an entire wall. Photos of me as a baby and a toddler with my parents. Photos with my younger sisters. Photos of my high school best friend, Bea, and I, even a photo of myself, Bea, and Harley, which surprises me the most.
Austin is noticeably absent from that photo. From all the photos, actually.
