Dawn was just breaking when Yosei woke up the next morning. he exited his room on tiptoe, the house was dead silent. One thing was evident.
It had been one helluva party the night before.
Yosei found one of the guests passed out on the stairs, Ryan and an attractive brunette had crashed on the couch in the living room. Another guy was sprawled out on the kitchen table, his barefoot in a box of cold pizza. Cans and bottles littered the floor, drips in the carpet and a puddle next to the cupboards in the kitchen. Yosei questioned the puddle, as it was yellowish in color, but excused it as alcohol and not the other possibility that had swam through his head.
Then, he climbed back up the stairs, sidestepping the sleeping guy, and entered Angelo's bedroom. It was dark in the room, the curtains closed. He quietly stepped in, trying to peer through the dark and his foot tapped a can on the floor. It rolled and clinked against another can, Yosei halted. After a moment of silence, he saw Angelo asleep on top of his covers, his head cocked to one side and snoring lightly.
Yosei grinned to himself, his friend looked rather content. He went to fix the covers and put a blanket over him, "Glad you had fun, Angelo." and turned to leave. He suddenly felt a tug on his shirt and turned back around. Angelo had woken up and was yawning, clinging to his friend's top.
"Well, good morning, sunshine!" Yosei chuckled. Angelo mumbled something back, but it was incoherent. He then looked at his other hand, a bottle was still clenched in his fist. Memories of the night before came flooding back. He sighed, "Man... Yosei..."
Yosei looked at him, "Mm?"
"Thanks... for that... for planning that party for me," Angelo whispered, "no one's ever done that for me."
"Hah hah! You deserved to have a good time!" Yosei grinned back, "I'll go make something to eat for ya..."
"It must've been tough for you." Angelo murmured, "To do that for me... having all my friends who don't like you at all... in our house..."
His eyes softened, "It was for you, Angelo. I'm fine. It was no big. Now, then. Let me see what I can forage up for you downstairs." Yosei turned to leave again, when he heard a loud wail explode from behind him. He twisted back around to find Angelo quivering, tears rolling down his face. Yosei blanched, "Ang! What's wrong?!"
Angelo was clenching his fists tightly, sobbing terribly, "I hate my birthday!"
Yosei was shocked. He stood and stared at his crying friend, unsure of what to do or say. How can someone hate their own birthday? Had he done something wrong? He felt guilty, "Angelo..."
"Every year..." he began, "Every year, everyone else celebrates their birthday with cake and candles, surrounded by friends and family. They celebrate the day they were born and the day they were brought into this world. But, me... everyone, but me!" he sniffed, "For me, it's just more torture! It only reminds me of the person I killed!" he broke down.
Yosei understood now.
Just after Angelo was born, his mother died. There had been some complications and she didn't make it. For years, Angelo had always blamed himself, often saying that if he'd never been born, his mother would still be alive.
Yosei knelt in front of his friend, looking for his eyes, "Angelo... I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do..."
"Idiot..." Angelo whispered, "You fool!" He grabbed Yosei by the shoulders and shook him, "There IS something you can do! Okay? The next time my birthday rolls around, don't go and invite a bunch of people over that you have to hide from. Don't spend my birthday locked in your bedroom. I want you there, alright?"
Yosei nodded, "Okay... okay..."
Then, a grin broke through Angelo's tears. He sniffed and pulled his friend into a giant hug, "Thanks, Yoh. For everything."
"Er... no problem." Yosei patted his back nervously.
Angelo let him go and sat on his bed, smiling contently, "Okay, now I can eat breakfast. All that crying really made me hungry!"
"Hah, hah! Of course! I'll make something for you to eat. Then, we'll have to kick your friends out of the house, yeah?" Yosei winked. Angelo laughed back. As he left the room, Angelo whispered one last thing, "Yosei? Don't tell anyone about that, okay?"
Yosei smiled back, "It'll be our secret!" and left to make some eggs.
Angelo sat for a moment longer in his dim bedroom. He stood up and opened his curtains, the sun burst through the window, lighting his room in a golden glow. He grinned and stretched, "G'morning, mom... Thanks for the birthday."
Fin.
