Hanna Birthday
Tip tappity tap. There was an extra spring in Hanna’s step today. Why? It was a special day that only came once a year after all.
Hanna hummed to herself as she walked home from work. She carried two slices of cake from a popular dessert store in a bag. By some miracle, perhaps as if ordained by fate, the store had no line and there were her favourite flavors available. Of course she picked up two slices, one for herself and one to educate Sherry on the wonderful taste that could only be found in this store.
Everything was turning up Hanna today. Of course, after all, it was her special day. Even the sun was shining brightly down and-
Suddenly the bright sunlight faded and dark clouds covered the sky. Plip, plop, and then suddenly a torrential onslaught of rain came pouring down.
Hanna rushed over to a nearby covering but it was already too late. Her clothes were drenched and her hair was soaked. Sighing, she looked at the bag she was carrying. Luckily the cakes seemed to be fine. But just how long was the rain going to last? The forecast said there would be no rain today!
It was a stroke of bad luck, but that’s all it was, Hanna told herself. Just a tiny bit of bad luck. It wouldn’t be fair to the world if her day was COMPLETELY perfect after all.
And sure enough, after about ten minutes, the rain stopped. Hanna smiled smugly. See? Just a little bit of bad luck. She sneezed. It wouldn’t do to catch a cold today so she hurried home; both to get out of her clothes and also to try to avoid any other sudden rainfalls.
She reached for her keys in her pocket and dropped it on the ground. Oops. She bent down to pick it up when she suddenly lost her footing.
The cakes! Hanna thought to herself but it was already too late. By reflex she stuck her hands out in front of her with the bag cushioning her fall. Getting up she decided to see what damage had been done and…
True to her fears, the cakes were crushed. They had survived the rain only to be crushed by Hanna’s hands.
Defeated, Hanna sighed again. She felt foolish at her attitude from before. Special day? Who was she kidding? It was just another day in the year, for another person that existed in the world. This always happened to her. Anytime she thought she was special the world seemed to cruelly remind her that no, she wasn’t. She was just an ordinary girl who thought too highly of herself.
Her elation from before gone, she opened the door and it was dark inside. Fumbling around for the light switch she wondered what other cruel surprise the world would have for her. Maybe she’d flick it on and find out the power was cut to their apartment. Or maybe she’d somehow shock herself. Whatever.
She flicked it on and was suddenly spooked by loud bangs. What was that?! She flinched on reaction before being greeted with a cacophony of voices.
“Happy birthday Hanna!!!”
Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the light. Her group of friends were standing in the doorway with streamers and confetti in hand.
Sherry was at the front and leapt to hug Hanna. “Happy birthday Hanna!”
“You already said that idiot…” Hanna replied, looking away to hide the tears in her eyes.
“H-huh?” Sherry looked concerned at Hanna’s reaction.
“Oh no… Do you hate surprises Hanna?” Ema asked worriedly from the back.
“N-no!” Hanna replied. “I-it’s just, I didn’t expect you all to do something like this for someone like me…”
“Someone like you?” Sherry frowned. “Of course we would! Today’s your special day! And you’re especially special to me Hanna!”
Hanna’s cheeks flushed.
“Stop flirting in the doorway and get in already!” Coco yelled.
“R-right!” Hanna took off her shoes and hurried in.
The living room was decorated and there was a banner saying “Happy birthday!”
Even if you didn’t think you were special, it didn’t mean that others thought that. Looking around in the room and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces reminded Hanna of this fact. Sherry grabbed her hand. Today was a special day, not because Hanna made it that way, but because they all did.