I can’t believe I’m seventeen today. I haven’t planned anything for my birthday, considering how fast it went with the summer and the beginning of the school year. It is Wednesday today, another day of school, another day of hell. At least I’m celebrating my birthday today, because if it wasn’t the case, the day would’ve been plain and simple. It still is, but I’m simply happy of gaining another year now. I know, I should be more excited. Yet I’m not. 

Class is boring, as always, and overall, pretty tough. Most of that information we’re learning isn’t going to help me. It’s like learning mathematics when you’ll end up being a singer. How does that help? I don’t have a clue; I could drop off school if I wanted to, and yet I don’t feel like it. I have my friends, my boyfriend and my loved one-they wouldn’t agree with the decision. Yes, I do care about their approval, naturally. 

I’m feeling a bit sappy too. I bet Ann-Marie remembers September 2nd, my birthday, and that she’s ready to do anything only to make me embarrassed. I’d rather not get a “happy birthday” from Ann-Marie than having to deal with the drama she’d make the fastest she could the second she learned. Or remembered. I don’t feel like dressing up a special manner. First, we have uniforms, and second, it’s not my thing to do something like that.  

As soon as I enter the bus, Avery, Grace, and Addison look up at me intently. They know, of course they do. They're my friends, and I bet they’ll insist with the idea that it’s my birthday all day long. I smile shyly, waving at them as I sit next to Addison. 

“Happy birthday!” Avery wishes me as she swings her legs back and forth and peers at me cautiously, “Have you planned a birthday party? You didn’t last year because of that anemia thing, but are you going to this year?” 

“It’s a bit last minute, sadly.” I admit, shrugging it off, “I can go without a birthday party too this year, you know. It’s not so bad to miss one two years in a row...” 

“What?” Addison protests, her eyes widening as she shakes her head, “That’s way too tragic, Nory. You need a birthday party, it’s just way too sad!” 

“Really!” Grace agrees, nodding vigorously, “I say tonight at your place at eight, how does that work? You can make some big preparations; you’re turning seventeen!” 

I sigh softly and roll my eyes. The girls aren’t wrong. Yet I don’t know what to tell them. The idea of having my driver’s license had crossed my mind; I am older than sixteen, and yet I do not drive yet. I did not take any tests. Correction, my father had never mentioned it. How odd. I wonder if he forgot about it. 

“I can try to organise something, maybe.” I speak nonchalantly as the bus arrives at the school, “What do you girls have today? I think I have chemistry, physics, English and history.” 

“Arts, Spanish, geography and science.” Addison replies as she whines silently, standing up and inviting me to leave the bus before her. 

“Awesome.” I mutter. 

*** 

“Happy birthday!” Jules exclaims excitedly as he pulls me into a hug and buries his face in the crook of my neck. 

“Aw, thank you, I’m glad you didn’t forget...” I thank him, pulling away as my cheeks flush. 

“How could I? It’s my favorite day ever!” He said, outraged that I ever said that his bottom lip trembling as he pouted. 

I cackle at his cute face. He’s so sweet, I can’t believe it. I grin at him tenderly, watching around as we begin to walk to our first class. The girls are uttering besides us, not bothering to try and disturb us, which is quite kind. They know how much I like to enhance my relationship with him, to keep it better than last year. 

I don’t want Ann-Marie to barge in again. At least, with the theater club, we won’t leave him alone. I hate that I had to, yet I didn’t realize on the moment that it did that effect on him. But now I do, and I must admit that it made him upset. He’s jealous, I love it. 

And Ann-Marie believes that he’s hers. That he’s all hers, that they’re together secretly. I don’t think so, with the way he’s acting with me. She glares at us without daring to say anything, but I don’t look back. I feel her gaze weighing on me-I just know she does judge. Jules realizes and instantly pulls me back to him. 

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” I mumble as his eyes seem to tell me how much he knows, with the way I watch her with that worry in my eyes. 

Once I step into the classroom, the teacher greets me with a warm smile and mouths me a happy birthday. I sit down, secretly grateful that she didn’t sing it out loud, just like those cheerful professors in elementary school. How did she know that it was my birthday? I have no idea. I’m only glad she does wishes me it. 

*** 

At the cafeteria, I set myself on the bench and open my lunchbox, lasagna, with a water bottle as well as a brownie and some other snacks. Avery and the gang walk over, and they all unpack their lunchboxes, some of them bringing meals from the cafeteria. They all watch me quietly, having one subject on their minds: my birthday party. I know it very well, as they mentioned it earlier in the bus. 

“What?” I ask them impatiently. 

“You know what we’re all thinking about, Nor.” Scarlett blurts out, joining her hands together as she pulls out a fork to eat her spaghetti, “You gotta plan your birthday party, really.” 

“We must do something special! Something big!” Hailey declares, and everyone else nods in approval. 

“But it’s a little late to do that.” I fuss as I arch a brow and take a bite of lasagna, realizing how they’re all staring at me, their eyes shining in determination. “We can’t be sure it’s going to work!” 

“You don’t have to invite the whole class. You can just invite the gang, that’s fine. Just do something, for God’s sake!” Sandra says with a groan. 

“Okay, okay fine, I already said I was going to think about it. I’m starting to consider it like right now. You’re right.” 

*** 

I ended up accepting to their idea. I acknowledged that I needed time for myself, to celebrate my birthday. I must forget about my mother. I’m getting over it though, and I’m starting to mention it in a quavering voice. I’m alright. A few hours later, we’re in the basement, with loud music and a lot of snacks. On the ceiling are hanging balloons, along with a banner wishing me a happy birthday. 

We’re sitting together on the couch, discussing numerous things; Ann-Marie, Jules and I, the Maple Leafs and more. I take a sip of my drink and swallow it, hearkening to the laughs and the chatters. It’s making me happy to have some time with my friends, and to simply...be myself, be happy. It reassures me in some way, that I can be delighted. 

None of them forgot to buy me a present, although it was planned last minute. Avery gave me a necklace with my initials and hers, symbolizing our long-lasting friendship. Addison a cup saying 17 and reminding me of how long life is and that I should take time for myself. Sandra gave me earrings, Charlie perfume, Hailey a montage of pictures of me, Scarlett a new hoodie and Grace a plushie. 

They’re all too kind. It touches me. I’ll have to remember each of their birthdays to make sure that I treat them right in return. My thoughts wander as I gaze at them. I’m luckier than I believed I was.  

Avery comes back with Hailey after a while, holding a gigantic cake with seventeen candles on it along with a personalized message saying, “Happy seventeenth birthday Nora!” I shift to them, my eyes watering slightly as they begin singing for me, setting it up in front of me. I look at them with gratitude, after I blow on the candles, the girls applauding for me afterwards. 

“Thank you for thinking about me, I’m flattered. I’m incredibly grateful, I’m serious. I love you girls so much!” 

“It’s nothing.” Scarlett soothes me, dropping a hand on my shoulder, “We care for each other, you know. We didn’t want to miss your birthday!” 

“Where did you find the cake, by the way?” I request, surprised. 

They didn’t have much time before they had to go home. For the gifts, I’m convinced that they have planned this before and that whether there was a celebration or not, they would’ve given them. That patty was personalized, with my name and exactly seventeen candles! 

“Don’t ask!” Grace retorts, rolling her eyes playfully. 

I laugh, wondering how they managed to be on time. My worries are inexistent for now, and I’m glad that they thought about me. They are such good friends! I’ll make sure to treat them in a wonderful way.... 

*** 

“How was it?” My dad asks me gently after the girls leave, the grandparents back to the bedroom. 

“It was awesome.” 

“I’m glad you think so. Look on your nightstand, Nor-Nor, you’ll have my gift there.” 

I rush over there, eager to see what this is. I try to be the quietest I can, but I’m excited with the idea of getting another gift again. I stop at the doorway, looking down at my night table. My heart flutters in enthusiasm as I pick up a small letter, unwrapping it slowly. A paper with a schedule. I don't understand, but then I realize: my dad had scheduled driving courses, and they’re starting next week.