Chapter 1

"Hooray! It's my favorite song. Anyone wanna dance with me?"

As soon as the intro sounded, I jumped to my feet and exclaimed in delight.

The deafening music went on, but no one responded to my words.

As I turned around, I saw Lily sitting on Jonathan's lap on the sofa in the corner of the room.

They were kissing hungrily like two fish thirsting for oxygen with their mouths glued together.

"For God's sake, you two! Can't you stop for just a minute? It's my birthday today!" I angrily waved my fist at them.

Sadly, the loud music drowned out my voice.

They were still sucking face as if they were the only ones in the room.

 

Dejected, I turned my head. The excitement I had when I just heard the song was already gone.

I swayed my body gently with the melody.

Today was my 25th birthday, so I invited several college friends over for a party.

Unlike what I had pictured, no one danced and celebrated with me.

My party was just another occasion for these lovebirds to make out.

'Whatever, I'm not the only one single.

Jessica doesn't have a boyfriend, either,' I comforted myself.

 

I tried to concentrate on the music and my dance moves.

But my gaze still inevitably fell on the two couples.

Now it seemed kissing wasn't enough for them.

Jonathan started to reach into Lily's clothes.

On the sofa at the other side of the room were my bestie Rebecca and her boyfriend Donny. They had been together for four years.

I thought they should start hating each other now.

But when I turned my head, I saw Donny holding Rebecca's hand and speaking to her with affectionate eyes. While he was talking, he pecked her fingers as if they were some kinda candy.

 

'Dammit!

I wanna get outta here, seriously.'

Just then, staff walked in to carry out the next activity according to the plan.

A three-layered pink gradient cream cake was pushed in.

A staff member lit the birthday candles.

Then he smiled and said, "You can make a wish now, Miss McCarthy."

My friends finally stopped making out and gathered around me.

"C'mon, Jasmine," said Jonathan.

"Hurry! Wish for a boyfriend!" Rebecca teased.

"Shut up!" I laughed and rolled my eyes at her.

 

Overjoyed, I took a deep breath and blew out the candles.

"Happy birthday!" everyone said in unison.

"Thanks, guys." I was a bit touched. When I was about to continue speaking, Zander went down on one knee before Jessica, a bouquet in his hands.

"Jessica, I had a secret crush on you since a long time ago. Would you be my girlfriend?" he asked.

Slack-jawed, I fixed my gaze on Jessica.

She was flushed with excitement.

"Of course. I've been waiting for you to say it," she said joyously and took the bouquet.

Zander immediately stood up and took Jessica in his arms.

Everyone cheered and clapped.

 

Turned out all my friends found their loved ones. I was the only single!

By the time I realized it, I had downed two bottles of beer in my seat.

'Why is my 25th birthday party like this?

I mean, of course I'm happy for them. But why couldn't they shift their attention from their lovers to me even just for a second?

It's my birthday...'

Lost in thought, I tilted my head back and finished the third bottle of beer.

 

"Hey, hon." Rebecca leaned in and wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

'Fourth bottle of the day,' I said to myself.

After taking a sip, I turned around and looked at her.

"We all love you. You know that, right?" she beamed and whispered in my ear.

"Um-hum." I felt better. At least my bestie still cared about me.

"But I hope you can find a boyfriend ASAP." Rebecca gave me a wink.

I followed her gaze and saw Zander and Jessica cuddling.

Rebecca blinked and continued, "I don't want you to be the last virgin among us."

"That's not gonna happen!" I chugged the beer in a rage.

 

When I got home, it was already midnight.

I gently opened the door, trying not to wake my family.

To my surprise, there was a young man wrapped in a towel on my bed.

'What the heck?!'

Figuring it might be an illusion, I immediately ran out of my bedroom.

I closed the door and took a deep breath.

When I was about to push the door open, my phone vibrated.

I promptly picked up.

"Sweetie, the gift's in your bedroom. You like it?"

My mom's excited voice came through the other end of the line.