A cough tears through the room from my dad, who stumbles from the force, raising a handkerchief to his mouth as he walks from the room, excusing himself. “I’m going to get a drink.”
And now we’re all alone …
Adrianna is studying me, an intensity to her gaze that I don’t quite understand. “Are you excited for your party? To celebrate with all of your best friends!”
“Yeah,” I exhale, lying.
My best friend is my dad. That’s how it’s always been. I have friends at school, ones who are coming tonight, but I don’t think they’re coming solely for our friendship, more so to attend a lavish birthday party.
I often think I’m far moretheirfriend than they aremine. I’d rather the night just be my dad and me playing Mario Kart in the game room downstairs, devouring popcorn and ice cream.
But this is tradition, throwing an over-the-top private birthday party—or at least, it has been since my mom passed six years ago. So, a party it is.
“Good. A girl likeyoudeserves to be”—she struggles to find her final word—“celebrated.”
That same uneasiness that gnawed at me earlier returns. But I brush it aside. She seems nice and has given me no reason to distrust her.
“Besides, a house like this should beseen. Cherished. Just like the pretty art hanging on the walls, it’s far too exquisite to be kept hidden. Beautiful things should be doted on and spoiled with attention.”
“Right,” I murmur uncomfortably, adjusting in my seat.
A gut feeling—that’s what this is.
Something isn’t quite right with her and the things she’s saying. I just can’t put my finger on it.
Maybe I’m being too harsh because of the way my dad was looking at her. Maybe I don’t want him to move on from my mom just yet or try to replace her. Maybe I just want to spend my birthday alone.
“You’re very pretty,” I tell her, trying to fill the silence.
She smirks. “Thank you.” Studying me, she softly grabs my chin, tilting my head up and turning it side to side. “We can get you there. With time and a little help.”
I wasn’t really asking for that, and I like to think I’m pretty in my own unique ways. “O-okay.”
I’m not sure what else to say.
Thankfully, I don’t have to come up with anything because my dad walks back into the room right as the doorbell rings. Our guests are here.
Somehow, in the span of my five minutes, my entire view on the party has changed because here I am, excited for it if it means I can get away from Adrianna.
“I’ll get it!” I pop up from my seat, pulling my face from her grasp, and rush out of the room.
“She’s so excited!” I hear my dad whisper behind me, and my heart warms all over again.
Maybe the party won’t be so bad after all.
Unfortunately, the night proves all of my worries true, especially when my future stepmom accidentally spills my birthday cake all over me when she trips, plastering my face with buttercream.
After a lot of tears and an outfit change later, I rejoin the party, having a decent time the rest of the night.
Eventually, everyone goes home, and I finally have my house and my dad to myself. But then Adrianna returns moments after her goodbye, a duffel bag in her hand.
She’s staying the night, and in the worst turn of events, she stays the night after that, and the next, and the next.
Days turn to weeks, which turn to months.
In the blink of an eye, she becomes a permanent part of my life, and when my birthday rolls around the following year, I even get a gift I’m not expecting …
No party.
