My bestie and I

Having a best friend was the best thing that had ever happened to Risa. He was this cool, gentle and understanding guy, exactly the kind of guy she needed as a friend.

He made her feel the love she had always wished the other kids gave to her. This particular one made sure he was with her in her joys and sorrows.

It all started on her birthday.

****

"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, Happy birthday, Happy birthday to you!" They all sang for her.

Risa opened her eyes smiling, they remembered it very early this year.

"Aww, thanks guys." She grinned at them.

Danny came forward holding the small sized strawberry cake.

"C'mon, c'mon, blow the candles, make a wish and let's eat!" He said impatiently.

She rolled her eyes, "Such a foodie."

Her mother came to her side of the bed and pecked her head.

"Happy birthday honey." She smiled. She brought a wrapped gift and handed it to her.

"Ah, thanks mom!" She hugged her.

Danny grunted, "Can we eat the cake now?" He pouted.

Ruth glared at him, "Keep quiet!" She snarled.

He folded his arms and said some things to himself.

Risa giggled, "Before we slice the cake, you give me my birthday present." She grinned.

Danny grunted and brought a book from his pyjamas, it was a pink and blue colored diary.

"Happy birthday to the most annoying sister in the world." He rolled his eyes.

"Danny." His father drawled and glared at him.

"Fine, fine, I take it back." He laughed.

"Silly boy." She said.

"It's a diary Risa, make sure you write all your thoughts and wishes in it. Oh, always keep it locked."

"Remember, anything you write in there is a secret." Danny nodded.

"Okay, thanks Mom."

Ruth trudged forward, "Happy birthday." She handed her a small necklace.

"Aww, thank you so much guys." She hugged them.

"Now, we eat the cake." Danny sighed.

They all laughed out.

The cake was put in front of Risa.

"Make a wish first." Her father said, Danny nodded.

She closed her eyes.

'I sincerely wish that today, I'll finally get what I've been waiting for all my life. A friend to love and understand me.' She wished in her heart.

She blew the candles on the cake and they all clapped.

Her mother sliced the cake and each person got a slice.

"Mmh... Strawberry, my favorite." Danny licked his lips.

"Your mother is the best baker in town." His father said.

"Yeah, Mom, you're the best." Risa threw her hands in the air.

"Okay, Risa, go get ready. Ruth and I will go make breakfast."

"Yay. Mom, mom, please could you cook chicken pot pie and cornbread? Those are Risa's and I favorite meal." He looked at his mother with puppy eyes.

Her mother looked at her, "You want those too?"

She looked at Danny, who pleaded with his eyes.

"Okay Mom. You can prepare those." She smiled heartily.

They all left the room leaving her to herself. She hot down from her bed and skipped around her room.

"Yayyy! It's my birthday!" She squealed.

"Risa keep it down, will ya?" Ruth fired.

"Oops, sorry." She covered her mouth and ran to her bathroom.

...

"C'mon out Risa, it's time for breakfast!" Danny called.

She quickly descended the stairs and went to the dining room. Breakfast had already been served and the rest of them were already at table, eating.

"Sorry guys, I was just writing down some stuff." She smiled softly.

She joined them at the table.

"Mom, I'll like to offer a Thanksgiving today at the evening mass." She looked at her mother.

"A Thanksgiving huh? I don't think I'll make it dear." Her mother said.

"Oh, it's okay. The rest of you will join me, right?" She looked at them with hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, we will." Ruth answered on their behalf.

"Then it's settled." Her father said and munched his chicken.

"Thanks guys." She smiled.

***

"Guys, c'mon now. It's time for mass, we should all get going." She called.

Danny descended the stairs in a hurry.

"Okay, let's go."

"Where are the rest?" She arched her brows.

"We are here." Ruth and her father strode down the stairs.

"Phew! I thought you guys wouldn't come." She smiled nervously.

"C'mon, let's all go by car." Her father said.

Danny skipped out of the house. They all got to the car and got in.

They drove to church. There was so much laughing and singing in the car. Danny talked about his future birthday party and how he dreamt of the Mayor's son attending his birthday party.

Risa rolled her eyes, "The Mayor's son?" She scoffed.

"Uh-huh. We're gonna rock the city!" He grinned foolishly.

"You have wild imagination darling." Ruth rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"We have arrived." Their father announced. He parked his car at side of the church.

The entrance hyms were already being sung.

Risa gasped, "We're late!" She jumped out of the car and rushed towards the church.

She quickly got inside, to her disappointment, the front pews were already filled. She hated sitting at the back of the church.

"Argh!" She said quietly. She tried using her eyes to fish out for a front pew.

"You can sit here." A deep voice said beside her. She faced the direction of the voice. It was a guy.

She quickly sat beside him and made the sign of the cross.

"Phew!" She sighed in relief.

She turned to face him, "Thank you." She smiled at him.

He returned the smile, she felt a blush creep up her cheeks and she looked away.

The mass continued till it was time for her birthday thanksgiving.

She offered it with her family and a few of the church members who supported them.

The mass was ended and the members began to rush home.

She was about leaving her seat.

"Happy birthday."

She turned, it was that same guy. She smiled.

"Thank you."

"More uh... years to come." He laughed softly.

She laughed nervously, "You don't know me, yet you are giving me birthday wishes."

"Mmh... You sat beside me, of course I am supposed to wish you a happy birthday."

She felt flattered, "Hehe, thank you." She blushed.

"My name is James." He stretched his hand out for a handshake.

"I'm Risa." She shook his hand.

"Your name is cute just like you."

Her face was beginning to turn cherry red. Her heart skipped several beats.

"You're so kind." She smiled.

"Ah, it's just me.* He shrugged.

"Risa, c'mon, it's time to go home." Danny said.

She turned to James, "Bye."

"I hope to see you again." He waved.