Birthday presents...

Danica climbed the stairs up to the towers slowly clutching an envelope, but she barely noticed because she was thinking. It's my birthday... I can't believe I just realized it! Wow... I'm 14. 14! Sweet... I'm so dumb why didn't I think of this before? She'd only remembered when she'd gotten an envelope with her name on it. She'd ripped it open to find a card with a birthday cake that said "Happy 14!" It was signed by her sister.

"At least she they remembered..." she said drily. It was the only piece of mail she'd gotten, not even a "How are you?" from her family. She'd been close to Theresa, her sister. They were best friends, very close in age. Theresa was 15, she was 13. And when was Theresa's birthday? She'd have to send her a card back... or even before that a thank you note!

Danica looked up when she realized there weren't any more stairs. Then she noticed the achy pain in her legs. She turned around. "Wow... lotta stairs..."

Up in the top of the tower, she looked out a window. "Happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me... happy birthday dear Danica... happy birthday to me..." She sang softly to herself. It wasn't the happiest birthday she'd had, it was, in fact, far from it, but it was calm, and she had a beautiful view.

Her favorite by far was her 13th, when Theresa had planned a surprise party and invited all of Danica's friends. She grinned, remembering when she'd walked into her house and screamed as people jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE!" She'd been happy then... she hadn't told anyone that she could control light... only Theresa, and Theresa could keep a secret.

Danica traced a birthday cake with her finger on the stone in front of her as she gazed out into the sky. 14 candles... she made a wish, and blew them out...

Still lost in thought, Danica heard a cough and barely kept herself from jumping and whirling around to see who it was. Pretending she hadn't head, she looked out of the corner of her eye and saw Mimosa Bird behind her. Great. Just great. Another freak to make me feel even better. Still ignoring the girl, she stared out the window.

What does she want? To rub in my face that this is not a good birthday? Oh, wait, she probably doesn't even know. Maybe she'll leave if I ignore her... or maybe she'll say something dumb... most likely she'll say something dumb. But I just don't feel like saying something mean back. Danica shifted her wait onto the other foot and rested her elbows on the window, and her chin on top.

She wanted Mimosa to go away, really. But she also wanted to know what she was up here for! Danica decided that if Mimosa didn't say something first, and soon, she would have to...

Argh, she said something. Now I have to say something back. But what? 'Hi?'That sounded too friendly. 'What do you want?' Wayyyyyyy too dumb. Danica made a face out the window as she saw that. I vow I am never going to say that of my own free will to anyone. In her mind, she shook hands with herself on it.

Ah, I'm so weird! I shake hand with myself... focus, Danica, remember, we're trying to figure out what to say to Mimosa? Well, it's been quite awhile since she said hi, maybe she'll leave. Nope, she would have left or said something else.

Danica turned around slowly, arms crossed. "What?" she said, sounded a tad bit annoyed. At least she'd had gotten the right tone.

Patch things up? Where are we, in an old movie? Danica rolled her eyes and opened her mouth, but then shut it. She's being nice, Danica! she thought to herself. I should... be nice back. It would be nice to have an actual friend... but she... argh. She truly hated Mimosa. Truly. But... no. She didn't. She never hated anyone.

Danica sighed... and slowly nodded. "O...kay. I'm, you know, sorry, I guess... for being kind of mean." Kind of mean? YOU WERE REALLY MEAN IDIOT! "I mean... really mean. It's just how I am... I don't ever mean it." That was true, she never did. But I am definately not doing all the apologizing here! She owes me one... even if she was provoked.

Danica smiled shakily. "I guess... you're forgiven." Gosh, that sounded dumb. "I don't know where I thought of saying 'forgiven,' but I guess you know what I mean..."

She was quite glad Mimosa had apologized too... she did not want to waste an apology on nothing. "So... I guess we're not really 'friends' now, but... we're on speaking terms, right?"