They Booked Me a Bungee Jump. I Booked a Flight.

Chapter 2

I'd barely gotten home when the lock turned. All four of them came in. Julian led the way, his expression dark. Noah and Lucas followed, flanking Sophie. Her eyes were red, as if someone had done her a terrible wrong.

"Claire, are you angry with me? I didn't mean to hurt you. I really wanted to celebrate your birthday."

Julian stared at me where I rested on the couch. "Claire Sutton, why did you leave the chat? Sophie's been crying the whole way home."

Noah also frowned and spoke up in accusation, "Do you know how guilty she feels? Stop acting like a child."

My emergency heart medication sat on the table. No one noticed it. No one noticed how pale I was, either. They just assumed I'd bullied Sophie.

"It's my birthday. I didn't want to go into a haunted house."

"I promised we'd celebrate," Julian said impatiently. "Sophie wanted to try something else. Was that worth sulking over?"

"Exactly," Lucas said. "We tried to make it up to you. You act like we owe you everything."

Sophie sniffled and took my hand. "Claire, maybe I should leave. I don't want you to fight because of me."

Julian turned at once to comfort her. They looked more like a couple than he and I did.

I watched them, my chest aching.

He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Stop this. I've booked a restaurant to celebrate your birthday."

I said I didn't want to go. He took hold of my wrist and brought me anyway.

At the restaurant, Julian and Noah sat close to Sophie, laughing. The menu went to her first as well.

They ordered eight spicy dishes and two seafood dishes, none of which I could eat.

Before I could choose something for myself, Noah asked the server to leave cilantro out of Sophie's food.

"You even remembered I hate cilantro," she said.

I set down the menu. Julian used to ask what I wanted to eat. Noah remembered I couldn't eat spicy food. Lucas saved me the best seat. Now Sophie chose the food and where everyone sat. The four of them chatted as though I weren't there.

"The roller coaster was amazing," Sophie said. "Next time, let's try the giant swing."

"Sure. We'll go in a couple of days," Julian answered without hesitation.

Noah opened the ticketing app. "I'll get express passes."

Lucas was checking the guide. "Sophie sure is brave. Unlike some people, who freak out just going into a haunted house."

They clinked glasses. I drank water in silence. My doctor had told me to avoid spicy food while I was taking heart medication. The last time I'd accidentally eaten some, Julian had carried me to the ER and stayed by my bed for two days. He had forgotten all of that.

I rose with my purse, ready to leave.

Then the lights dimmed all of a sudden.

A server wheeled out a cake with candles.

Julian stood up, a rare smile on his face. "Sit down. Today's mostly about making up for your birthday."

Noah and Lucas guided me back to my chair. "Make a wish."

Sophie clapped. She said she'd picked the cake herself, in my favorite flavor.

My throat tightened. After four years of being forgotten, someone had finally remembered.

My hands trembled as I made a wish. I blew out the candles and took the slice of cake Julian handed me.

I took a bite.

Then I froze.