Raindrops Book 1: Cry 16 Flashback 3

"Happy birthday" a voice said quietly, my shoulders shaken for me to wake up.

I opened my eyes slowly, allowing them to adjust to the light, before looking around for the voice.

My eyes rested on my mom, her face smiling excitedly. Her green eyes shone and the wrinkles and creases that were usually present were smoothed out.

Slowly, I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, before it sunk in

"It's my birthday," I said excitedly, and throwing my arms around my mother, I sighed.

"Thanks, mom"

She chuckled slightly, and then released me.

Slowly, she picked up a plate from my bedside table and placed it in my hands.

I smiled at her as I stared down at the chocolate cupcake with a single candle flickering slightly on top of it.

"Thanks mom" I said again, placing the plate that held the cupcake back on the bedside table. I sat up straighter and crossed my legs before gazing back up at my mother.

"So where's Lolita?"

My mom tousled my hair with a feigned frown.

"You don't want me here, huh?" she said and started poking my sides. I breathed out and shot up from the bed laughing, with my mom chasing me to tickle me some more.

She caught me and pulled the both of us to the floor, before resuming her tickle fest.

"Mom," I said between laughs "get off."

She laughed and sighed, sitting on the floor next to my exhausted body "your sister will be here any second."

As if on cue, Lolita's head popped around the door frame.

She smiled when she saw me and mom on the floor, then sauntered in and flopped down next to us

"Happy Birthday," she said, slowly pulling me into a hug.

I smiled and squeezed her, earning a squeal, before laughing and letting her go.

She rolled her eyes at me and revealed a small wrapped box

"Ooh what'd you get me?" I asked greedily as I tried to grab the present from her hands. Succeeding, I stuck my tongue out at her and she smiled, quietly waiting for me to open it.

"What is it?"

"Go on," she said mischievously.

I eyed her suspiciously and glanced at my mother, who did nothing but shrugged and smiled knowingly.

Ignoring their reactions, I tore at the wrapper, Lolita cringing slightly because she's one of those people that always saved the wrapping paper.

I hastily pulled off the rest of the wrapper to reveal a small necklace-type box and I smiled, glancing at Lolita briefly before opening up the case.

Inside was a small silver necklace with a heart pendant.

"Awww," I said quietly as I lifted the necklace from the case.

"Mom, do you mind?" I asked as I handed the necklace over to my mom, who seemed delighted to help.

"See I got one like it," she said as she revealed the silver necklace she was wearing beneath her s.h.i.+rt.

I smiled and pulled her in for a hug.

After a moment, I let her go and smiled, picking up the heart pendant and resting it in my palm

"Thanks lollipop," I said, earning myself a slap on the shoulder.

I laughed as Lolita fumed and folded her hands across her chest.

"Don't call me that."

"Okay girls, go get ready for school. You leave in an hour," my mom said as Lolita got up and stretched out a hand to help her up.

They both wished me a happy birthday once more, then slowly left my room.

The cupcake on my desk caught my attention so I walked slowly towards it. I sat on the bed, crossed my legs, and picked up the dish that held the cupcake.

The candle flickered slightly as I stared at it and slowly, I closed my eyes.

Then I made a wish.