Page 51 of Petite Fleur

It's in the freezer; it's a gluten-free, vegan strawberry cake with vegan cream cheese icing. It cost far more than I should have spent, especially knowing I'll be eating it alone, but I only turn 21 once, right?

I knew I'd be spending my birthday alone anyway.

It's tomorrow.

Saturday.

I know the whole group will go to some campus party or bar hopping like they always do.

I anticipated that; I didn't count on any of my friends to want to be there for me, and I've accepted it.

"No, you're going with us. We're going to have dinner and then bar-hop after midnight for your birthday!" Sean says.

Wait, he remembered?

Literally, any of them did?

Part of me is flattered; the other part knows this is just an excuse for them to party. "I can't." I say quietly.

I have $5 in my bank account, and the only cash I have is a crumbled $20 at the bottom of my purse, and I refuse to assume any of them will pay for me.

I know that's not how this friendship works.

It’s never worked like that for me. Sure, I’ve seen Carlie pay for Sean a few times and vice-versa, but never for me.

Sean rolls his eyes at me, crossing his arms across his broad chest while he stares down at me. "Like we'd let you pay during your own birthday." He says it's somehow obvious.

I've been friends with Carlie since I was a kid, and she's never paid for anything for me.

I've also been in this group since I was 18, and every year, they've skipped over my birthday like it was nothing.

I don't know how he expects me to assume the group would ever pay for anything for me.

"That's really nice and all, but I have some pretty good plans." I lie.

Really, I'm just not comfortable letting them pay for me.

Carlie laughs, scoffing at me. "Yeah, right. You're going to go home and sit in front of the TV. You're going." She insists.

“What about all those assaults? I don't want to go out if it's dangerous.” I mention. Honestly, while it is true, I also need a good excuse to get out of this.

Sean rolls his eyes and waves a hand at me dismissively. “Nobody will touch you when you're with us.” He promises.

Crap.

Quick, Maeve, think of something else!

Something…anything!

Shoot, why is my mind blank right now?

“Oh, quit being a big baby, you're going.” Shelby almost snaps impatiently.

I guess I'm going out tonight.

Chapter 18

Leon Aldon