Happy Birthday (Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 2

Episode 6 years ago

Happy Birthday (Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 2

So I've stepped out of bed and my roommates are all surrounding me with big grins on their faces. I pull on my amused mask face. I've become used to that, that pretence. A girl's gotta survive. I've gotten tired of being singled out all the time. I push my phone deep under the pillow. " Hmm won't you leave that phone? " Beatrice clucks and observes me with a mix of pity and disgust . " You better tell your parents to change your name from Jinx because they have jinxed you with so many things I don't know. Your village people have jinxed you with that phone . " Airily dismissed by Ngozi's sister , still the only one lying on her bed. " This girl won't graduate until after two years, i tell you. I've never seen you read a school book, Jinx . Always novels and your phone. What's your talent , nothing." She settles down more comfortably in her bed. Satisfied with her speech. I say nothing. That is and has always been the rule for me to have friends. Say nothing always, always let them have the say, smile and be grateful that they are even talking to you. You would think they didn't know the psychological issue that I was having because of the abortion of the first ever pregnancy for the boyfriend but they actually did. And they had mocked me all through my depression this semester.

" Stop it, it's ok now " Beatrice, the secret spiller, drawled , but the hypocritical attempt at keeping up the ceremonial atmosphere was not too subtle as she looked secretly pleased at the usual swipe at me by Charlotte, Ngozi's sister. I tried to look even more undisturbed at the bashing, and more excited at the ritualistic dousing with water that was about to begin. " Birthday Girl !! " Someone tipped a bit of cold water down my back and I squealed in the signature girly manner that is common in girls and dashed out. My pretend smile now generated into a good attempt at fake laughter as the girls attacked with bowls of cold icy water and slammed them on me with force , having fun as I tactfully led them to the general bathroom where the water would be less damaging . I tried to be normal and enjoy the socializing but I couldn't help but see the scorn and sneers I had been accustomed to all semester, behind the smiles.