Chapter 51

It was Lily’s 15th birthday, and the air was thick with anticipation. She had been bubbling with excitement for weeks, counting down the days until she could celebrate with her friends and, most importantly, with Ethan. He was 16, tall and brooding, still figuring out who he was, but Lily’s constant presence was more of a burden than a joy.

“Ethan! Come on, let’s go!” Lily’s voice rang through the halls of their high school, her bright smile grating on his nerves. She practically bounced on her toes, her long hair swaying as she skipped towards him.

“Can’t you just hang out with your friends today?” Ethan replied, his tone dismissive as he leaned against the locker, avoiding her gaze. He felt trapped by her enthusiasm, especially after the argument with Jack the day before.

“Why would I want to do that when I can spend my birthday with you?” she insisted, her eyes sparkling with joy. “You’re my best friend! I want you to be part of my special day!”

“Please, Ethan! Just today, can we forget about everything else?” She pleaded, stepping closer, her voice softening. “I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

He could see the desperation in her eyes, but his irritation only grew. “I can’t, Lily. Just… leave me alone for a bit, okay?” His words came out harsher than he intended, and he felt a flicker of satisfaction as her face fell.

“Why are you being like this?” she asked, confusion etched across her features. “I thought you wanted to celebrate with me.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to celebrate with someone who just broke my best friend's leg over a joke!" he snapped, his frustration boiling over. The other kids in the hallway paused, glancing at them, and he felt a surge of power in his anger.

Lily’s eyes widened, hurt flickering across her face. “You don’t mean that,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You know Jack was just trying to mess with you. I thought you’d understand.”

“Understand what? That you’re so clingy and can’t even stand on your own two feet for one day?” He shot back, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes, and it twisted something deep inside him, but he couldn’t back down now.

Ethan turned away, feeling a mix of triumph and guilt. He didn’t want her around; she was a reminder of everything he was trying to escape. As he walked away, he could hear her soft sobs behind him, but he didn’t look back.

Lily loved him deeply and madly, and despite his harsh words, she would never give up on him. But for Ethan, her unwavering affection was just another chain binding him to a life he wanted to leave behind.

Lily sat alone on a weathered bench in the school courtyard, her face clouded with sadness. Today was her 15th birthday, but instead of celebrating, she felt a deep ache in her heart.

She had been so excited for this day, counting down the weeks, but now it felt like a cruel joke.

Her mind replayed Ethan's harsh words: “Just leave me alone.” The sting of rejection cut deeper than any birthday disappointment. She had wanted to share this special day with him, to feel his support and friendship, but instead, he had pushed her away.

Lily wiped a tear from her cheek, frustrated with herself for letting his words affect her so deeply.

This was supposed to be a happy day, she thought, but all she felt was loneliness.

Taking a deep breath, Lily tried to push the sadness away. It’s just one day. she reminded herself, but the ache in her chest remained. She closed her eyes, wishing for a moment that things could be different—that Ethan could see her for who she truly was, not just a clingy girl but someone who cared deeply.

****

Ethan gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove down the familiar streets, the hum of the car engine providing a backdrop to the chaos in his mind. He couldn’t shake the memory of Lily sitting alone on that bench, her face clouded with sadness on what should have been a joyful day.

What was I thinking? He berated himself. He replayed the past moments in his head, the way he had snapped at her, the hurt in her eyes. He should have been there for her, celebrating her birthday instead of pushing her away.

Beside him, Sarah glanced over with a look of confusion. “Ethan, are you okay?"

He turned to her, momentarily startled by her concern. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied, but the words felt empty. His mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Lily—his ex-wife. The memories of their time together flooded back, mixed with the regret of how things had ended.

****

Lily sat at a beautifully set table in her favorite restaurant, the soft glow of candlelight reflecting off the polished surfaces. The space was empty, save for a few flickering candles and elegant decorations that filled the room with warmth. She looked around, taking in the carefully arranged flowers and the delicate table settings. It felt almost surreal.

“Is this all you planned, Lewis?” she asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. She turned to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Lewis smiled broadly, his enthusiasm evident. “Yes, it’s a special day for you,” he replied, his voice warm and inviting. “I wanted to make sure you felt celebrated.”

Lily felt a flutter of happiness at his words, but it was quickly overshadowed by a wave of bittersweet memories. She smiled back, but deep down, she couldn’t help but reflect on the past. Her birthday had never truly been special after her parents died. Each year since then had been a reminder of her loss, and though she had tried to make the best of it, the shadow of grief always lingered.

Lily looked around the beautifully decorated restaurant; a mix of emotions swirled within her. The warm glow of the candles and the elegant setting were meant to celebrate her, yet her mind drifted to the past—specifically, her birthdays with Ethan.

Every year, I spent my birthday with him, she thought, a bittersweet ache tightening her chest. And every year, it felt like I was being pushed away.

The memories flooded back: the excitement she felt leading up to the day, only to have it overshadowed by his indifference. He never understood how much it meant to me. I would plan everything, hoping he would share in my joy, but he always seemed so distant, so uninterested.

My birthdays became a reminder of how alone I felt, she reflected, the weight of sadness settling in. It was as if he couldn’t see me or the effort I put into making those days special. Instead of celebrating love, it felt like I was just a burden.

****