Page 236 of The Harbinger

Caroline… right.

The names swirled in my mind like dice in a game of chance, tumbling and jumbling in a chaotic dance. Maybe they’d land correctly, or maybe not - it was anyone’s guess.

Caroline flipped her hair over her shoulder with a huff. “I was just asking a question.”

One. Two. Three.

I plunged my fork into the chocolate cake, letting the richness of the cream and cocoa envelop my taste buds. “Seems like you were trying to make a statement.”

Caroline snarled in response, then stalked away to stand beside another cousin, nibbling her cake with a scowl.

“How are your studies coming along? I heard you’re learning Russian. Why did you choose that?” Aunt Misty’s voice cut through the awkward silence, filling the void of conversation like a skilled musician.

I coughed, having inhaled a crumb, then took a long swig of water. “I want to go there,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. But I couldn’t help shooting a sideways glance at Lex, who engrossed herself in her cake.

“I developed a love for it while I was away,” I added, hoping to steer the conversation away from my aunt’s prying mind.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, but your uncle is a tight ass.”

“Hey, now. Europe is expensive with their small portions and luxury hotels,” he said, putting his used paper plate in the trash.

“Come off it already.” She dismissed him with a wave as my grandmother stepped in.

“How do you like your cake?” she said, sitting down on the other side of me.

“It’s delicious.”

“You say that every year.” Her smile reached her eyes, and then she sipped her lemonade. “You practically begged for your birthday cake.”

“I can see why.”

She gave me a peculiar look, and we sat in silence as the rest of the crowd carried on in idle chit-chat, barking laughter, and fights about college football.

“How does it feel to be twenty-one?” she asked, breaking the silence.

I shrugged. “Not much different than twenty, to be honest.”

“Wait until you hit thirty.”

I laughed. “I have a while until then.”

She leaned in closer. “Just wait until you’re my age. Then you’ll feel it.”

“I’ll make sure to prepare myself.”

As the night wore on, the party began to wind down. People began to make their way out one by one, wishing me a happy birthday as they left. Grandma and Grandpa were among the first to depart, giving me a hug and a kiss before heading out the door.

Aunt Misty and Uncle Todd were next, taking their time to say their goodbyes and offer their well wishes. The cousins followed suit, with Angela and Sophia both giving me hugs and kisses, telling me how much fun they had, and wishing me a happy birthday.

But Caroline was different. As she walked past, she didn’t even bother to say goodbye, let alone wish me a happy birthday. Lex scowled at her as she left, but I just shrugged it off. Despite the awkwardness and my cousin’s attitude, I enjoyed my party.

All in all, it had been a good day. But there was one thing missing… there was always one person missing. Sacha.

The streetlights flickered on, casting an orange glow across the quiet neighborhood as I shut the door behind my departing family members.

“Wow, it got dark quick,” I said as I met my mom in the kitchen.

She chuckled. “Time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?”

---