Chapter 9: Birthday

Chapter 9

Allie 's forehead frowned as she turned off all the lights in the Guttierez house. Enzo and I did not go home at the same time today because he said he would finish a lot at his club.

That's fine too. And at least, he will have time to understand this feeling that grows in his heart when Enzo is nearby. When Enzo was nearby, it was as if he could not think clearly. Kaloka.

When he entered the house, he was still nervous. He was not used to being so dark. He remembered the horror movie he and Enzo watched. When the light turned on, a ghost suddenly appeared in front of the woman. Shet . I hope that doesn't happen to him.

He slammed the switch on the wall. Allie closed her eyes tightly and then pressed the switch. It was as if he felt hot air on his face. Instantly, the scary feeling disappeared. She knew this smell.

Allie immediately opened her eyes. Her eyes widened as she watched Enzo. He slowly smiled. Enzo was wearing a Doraemon party hat and was holding a cupcake with a candle on top.

"Happy birthday, Little," he softly said.

Behind Enzo are Tito Miguel, Tita Lily, Avi, Ashleigh, and his four other friends.

"You said even if it's just us, you're fine, aren't you? So, happy birthday, Allie!" smiling Avi greeted him. Ashleigh greeted next.

"Here's the first installment of your birthday cake. Make a wish, Little."

Allie realized that Enzo had called her "Little" twice. That was more than enough birthday gift to her.

Allie closed her eyes and instead of asking she uttered a faint thanks to God.

When he looked up and looked around at the few people who were here today, the heat enveloped Allie's heart. These are the people who are important to him. She didn't need millions of people. She only needed them.

"Thanks, Renz," he said softly to Enzo.

He placed his palm on her head and gently ruffled her hair. It handed him the cupcake. Enzo grabbed his palm then they went to the dining area.

"Who thought of that?" he asked.

Ashleigh answered. "Captain Enzo, of course."

When Allie put the cupcake on the table, she immediately hugged Enzo. He felt one arm around his waist.

"Thank you, Renz. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Someone tickled Allie's ear when Enzo's hot breath hit there. He tightened his grip on it then closed his eyes. Slowly, she was realizing why she was feeling this warmth whenever she was with Enzo.

She was falling for her friend; for the person who was always there for her.

That's why when he was with Enzo, he felt he was whole. Allie knew that a large part of her was lost when her mommy died. Enzo did not fill it.

Instead, he was holding her whole heart. She wasn't even aware she gave it to him. She just found herself missing it because it now belonged to him.

When he lost his grip on Enzo, he hugged Aunt Lily and the others one by one.

Then Allie turned the three-tier cake on the table. Eighteenth birthday niya. Maybe others, want a fancy party. But he is happy with this. Simple but with him are the people who are important to him.

"Here's your official cake, Allie," Enzo said.

Now she was back to being "Allie" to him. Hmp.

They sang a birthday song to him. After singing Allie closed her eyes and asked.

I hope, wherever my mom was, she could see me right now. So she could know that I am happy and doing fine.

He bit the icing on the cake and none of it was smeared on Enzo's cheek. His gaze deepened on her. He was surprised when it silently imitated him. He rubbed the icing on the bridge of his nose.

"Payback," its simple promise.

Thus, the icing fight begins.

Allie looked up at the sky and then the wind blew. It is past twelve in the morning. First day of being eighteen years old.

He observed the full moon. She could not stop her tears from falling. This is the last.

"Mom, I'm eighteen years old. Even though our dream birthday party didn't go through, I was still happy," he said softly in the air as if he was really talking to his mommy. Allie was blown away by the wind. She wiped the tears from her cheeks but there was no effect because her tears were still falling one after another. "It's my first birthday without you, Mom. I hope ... I hope you're here now."

When she remembered her companions on her birthday, Allie smiled despite the tears in her eyes. "But I have companions, Mom. I am not alone. I can. I am happy. It was difficult in the beginning but I was able to. Your son is strong, eh. I can handle everything. Even if it hurts once, I can handle it. Hopefully, Mom , you are happy there. I hope ... I hope you hear me. I hope ... at least for a moment, I will hug you again. I hope ... I can even say goodbye to you. "

Allie bit her lower lip. He could not speak anymore because his throat was blocked. He just cried when he cried. After a few minutes his eyes also got tired. He wiped his cheek and then the wind blew.

"I think I'm starting to fall for him, Mom. No. He has my heart already." Allie shook her head and smiled a little. "It's just scary because I don't know if I feel right for him. We're friends. We've known each other since forever. Then suddenly, I felt like this. What if not work out? What if He only thinks of me as a friend? I don't want our friendship to be happy because of my feelings for him. So, Mom, even if it's hard, I'll just hide my feelings for him. I want him to stay by my side forever "Even if it means staying as his friend forever ... even if my heart wants more."

Allie closes her eyes firmly. He thought there was a different padlock on his heart. Every time he puts on a padlock he hides how he feels for Enzo. He threw away the keys. He will never open it. He will not let go of this feeling.

Allie did not realize how long she had been here in the Guttierez garden. He was content with the silence and staring at the sky.

He was startled when he felt something rest on his shoulder. When the smell coming from the jacket smelled good, he knew Enzo was the owner of it. He looked at what Enzo was wearing in his jacket. It turned out to be his Tennis Knights' jacket.

It sat beside him. When he looked at it, he saw that it also looked up at the sky. He could not read any emotion in its eyes. But somehow, it seemed as if his body was screaming sadness.

Allie did not take Enzo's palm on her own and gently squeezed it.

Padlock. Don't open it. Stay as his friend. Padlock. Don't break it. Don't , he mantra in mind.

"Renz ..."

"Hmm?"

I think I love you already. But you can't, eh. I'm scared. I do not want to ruin anything we have. So even if it is difficult, I will stop. I hope, sometimes, I can tell you how much I love you. "Nothing."

Field.

"Little ..."

"Yes?"

Enzo was blown away by the wind before answering. "Nothing."

Allie tightened her grip on Enzo's palm. But he felt, it did not reciprocate his grip on its palm.

Allie leaned on Enzo's shoulder. She was feeling so cold a while ago. Not anymore.

WHEN he heard the flat breathing from the woman next to him, Enzo slowly turned around. He gently pulled the hair that covered Allie's cheek and pinned it to the back of her ear.

For Enzo, this day was probably one of the happiest yet saddest days of his life.

Enzo nodded to Allie. When it moved he stopped moving. Allie did not wake up. He started walking while the girl was lifting. He brought it to its room.

Enzo laid Allie down on her bed. He kissed it and kissed it softly on the forehead. He stroked Allie's cheek and closed her eyes tightly.

"I'm sorry, Allie. I'm sorry," he said softly.

He didn't want to hurt her. But in the end, he has to.