- Angie, what do you want for your birthday?
I'm lazily picking up my hair in my ponytail, holding a rubber band in my teeth.
- Think of it yourself.
- Yeah, so you can put a gift in the trash?
I put my ponytail in the mirror, looking in the mirror.
- Angel, I've already prepared a list of guests, look.
My mother walked in quietly, in a couple of days I will turn 19 and, as usual, I need to arrange a celebration. I don't want to run my eyes through the list. I look up at my mother, bite my lower lip.
- Mom... Can I invite Lisa?
A smile from my mother's face immediately disappears.
- Angie, she is not part of our circle...
- But it's part of my circle of communication!
Grisha is waving her head in my direction and in the direction of her mother.
- Grisha, by the way, persuades your mother. It will be your gift.
I smile crookedly, watch my mother's mood.
- Well, let it be your way.
Mom leaves proudly and angrily, Grisha looks at me cunningly.
- I like Lisa too.
He shrugs his shoulders, said so naturally and as if he were sure that... What do I like about Lisa?
- Text her...
- Are you going to teach me more?
I thought I was here...
Though he is right. I'm ashamed to call...
I'm dialing my chin with a thoughtful face:
- Lisa, hi. I invite you...
No, I'd rather not say hello.
- Lisa, I invite you to my birthday party. I will wait.
- Lisa, come to my birthday party on Friday at 19.00.
Oh, yes, the smiley face does wonders. It will do. I click on "send", bite my nails. And why am I nervous?
Oh, she's calling. I look at Grisha as if he will save me.
- Yes? I am?
- Angel, thank you for the invitation. But I won't be able to come.
- Why? Why?
I can hear her laughing briefly.
- Angie, I won't be welcome. You will have only the rich.
- But...
- Can I see you later? It's not a phone call.
- Come on.
- I'm not far now, so I'll be there in 20 minutes.
I'm sitting in a stupor for about 15 seconds, then I throw myself to the closet. What should I wear? It's strange, but I didn't try so hard for Lisa Sr. and Victor, and now I really want to make an impression. As soon as I see her car out the window, I almost hurry outside.
- Let's go inside, Liz.
- Angie, I won't be long, sit down.
Yeah, I remember our driving lessons right away.
- I listen to you carefully.
Today, she's wearing sportswear, a careless ponytail, but it suits her.
- I'm really glad you invited me, but I won't be comfortable with you.
- Lisa, why are you so negative about...
- Because, uh...
Um, angry again.
- Angie, I don't want to talk about it. I have a more pleasant topic.
He pulls a box out of his bag, beautifully packed.
- They say that you can't congratulate in advance, but...
Giving me a gift, I don't understand her.
- But how did you know?
- Grishka.
Ah, a petty pimp.
Lisa smiles with such a smile that I even stops being mad at my brother's long tongue.
- Thank you, but I shouldn't have.
I've been given gifts so many times, but I've never felt uncomfortable.
- I hope I enjoy it, Angie.
- Thank you...
Well, I'm like a parrot.
- Lisa, at least comes for tea.
She smiles, but with sadness in her eyes. With such a wise shade, as if she knew all the secrets of the universe.
- I have to go now.
I keep silent; I want to ask her something else, not to let her go.
- If you suddenly think about it, come.
It nods, but I know she won't come. Such people keep their word, they are calm, constant in their decisions. It's a pity. False smiles, everyone will join, congratulates. The table is already set, there is a lot of space in the huge living room, and guests communicate freely with each other, with glasses in their hands, in beautiful outfits.
I stand, smile and touch the bracelet on my hand every 5 minutes. Silver, thin, beautiful. It may not be very expensive, but I feel that Lisa gave it to me with her soul. My room is already a mountain of gifts, but I have not opened any. I'm not interested. I know that almost all of them are ticked off.
At the table there are funny speeches, toasts, and a lot of people are throwing interested looks at me. And the longer I sit with them, the more I realize that one person is missing among them. Lisa. One name, but so many thoughts.
- A moment's attention...
Victor, as always, looks stunning and today all active.
- I want to congratulate the most beautiful girl...
Next I don't listen, my ears are tired of congratulations, until my mind comes to my senses.
- I waited a long time and now...
Looking for something in his pocket, smiling. He pulls out a small box, everyone is distracted from the food and looks at it at once.
- Angie, be my wife.
I blink, put my head down, sigh.
I wasn't ready at all. Lisa was a little frowned, but apparently not very afraid to give me to her opponent. Mom smiles as if it was her who was being proposed. My lips tell me, like say "yes".
I get up from under the table, look at Vitya confusedly. I ask myself a simple question: do I want to see him every day? Sleep with him and wake up? Do I finally need it?
- No. I am not.
Vitya froze, someone's fork fell on a plate. It is better not to look at your mother at all. Daddy, as usual, is calm, it's good.
- Yes, it is she who breaks down for decency.
Someone decided to save the situation, but unsuccessfully, all silent and the tension is pressing more and more.
- I'm sorry.
