Unbinding Love by Joy Joshua

This day made me long for a home outside the walls of my house. Where I don’t have to pretend like I don’t exist, that everything is okay and that I love the silver tiara that is currently seated on my head. It’s funny how everyone surrounding and cheering me on did not notice my tears put out the candles before my breath found the courage to do so.

Birthdays for other sixteen-year-olds was a total bliss but not even the lavish party thrown for me could drown my sorrow. I shove a large piece of cake into my mouth, moaning as the sweet velvet hit my taste buds.

“You sound like a dying whale” my brother’s voice interrupts my inner turmoil making me groan. The last thing I needed was someone witnessing my mini breakdown. I love my brother very much, but this was bad timing.

“Go away Thomas” I push him away slightly even though I know it’ll have no effect on his huge frame. This only makes him move closer to me before wrapping his arms around me.

“You know I hate seeing you like this” He said into my hair while being careful not to tip over my tiara.

“Don’t make this awkward Tom. I’m just a birthday girl trying to eat all this cake” I said and shove a much larger piece of cake into my mouth.

“Has Drew wished you yet?” he asked. My heart sank already knowing the answer was in the negative. I’m sure my brother didn’t want to upset me, but I couldn’t help the sadness that spread across my chest.

“I’m sure he hasn’t. That best friend of mine is an idiot” he scoffed, glancing over to where he was sitting on the couch with Cassie. Both were holding hands while trying to open all her presents which was laughable really because they couldn’t get the gift wraps off that way. They looked rather stupid to me.

“He’s with the better twin. It’s not like I expect him to” I said and shrugged.

“You’re the better one” he told me with a stern look “You deserve better anyway, that punk certainly does not deserve you”.

“Thank you, Tom” I said, finally returning his hug “But I need you to leave me alone under this table and go mingle with all the businesspeople mum invited. You know she’ll get mad if you leave her side for just a minute”.

“I hate that you’re right. This feels more like a business meeting than a birthday” He looked down at the plate in my hands with a frown “Try not to fill up your entire tummy, I have something planned later for just the two of us” he kissed the side of my head making me sigh in contentment.

“I know” I told him laughing “The big balloons I saw in the gazebo gave it all away”.

“You just can’t ever be surprised, can you?” he patted my head before finally leaving under the table making me wonder how he stayed that long under the table without having cramps in his legs.

I stuffed another cake into my mouth and looked to the couch where Drew was kissing Cassie which made me look away when the familiar hurt in my chest made itself known. It would’ve been better if Cassie weren’t my twin sister so I wouldn’t have to watch her with the boy I was in love with.

Birthdays sucked, or maybe it was just mine. I got up from under the table when I ran out of cakes only to bump into someone. Mum. My eyes widened when the last bit of cake I was holding smeared her designer black dress. I waited for the inevitable.

“You should’ve remained under the table where you belong” she screamed getting the attention of all the guests around. “Try not to let anyone see you, God knows what a sore sight you are” She said, before walking off, her heels making a clinging sound when it kissed the floor.