Chapter 1

On my twenty-fourth birthday, my boyfriend, James Sterling, and my two childhood friends, Chris Grant and Lucas Ford, said they'd give me a surprise I'd never forget.

They bought four tickets for the amusement park.

When it rained, the umbrella was only held over the other four.

When we got to the restaurant, the waiter stopped me. "Sorry, Mr. Sterling's reservation is only for four people. We can't add any extra seats."

There were five of us in total.

They brought Lily Winters inside with them, leaving me standing alone outside.

Later, when the landslide struck, they only shielded Lily and rushed her into the car.

Before the car door slammed shut, I heard someone say, "Everyone's here. Sit tight."

This time, I didn't wait for them anymore.

*****

My birthday began with me standing behind them.

At the amusement park, Lily was surrounded by the three guys. James reached out to shield her, while Chris and Lucas stood beside her.

They walked ahead, laughing and talking.

I lagged for a moment, and when I finally caught up, there was no place left for me.

James was my boyfriend, and our families had already decided we'd be engaged. Chris and Lucas grew up with us, and since we were kids, we were good friends.

Back then, the four of us were always the perfect fit, no matter where we went.

Then Lily came along.

Strangely enough, whenever something needed to be prepared ahead of time, there were always only four.

I stood behind them, watching as they settled into their seats. I heard the best seats up front had to be reserved a month in advance.

So, they'd had it all arranged ahead of time.

Once again, I was left out.

When it started raining, they instinctively grouped.

There weren't enough umbrellas to go around.

Rain trickled down my hair and slipped into my collar, so I wiped my face. Through the curtain of rain, I watched as James tilted the umbrella toward Lily, leaving half of his own shoulder exposed to the downpour.

Suddenly, I didn't want to force myself to fit in anymore.

It was about time I let go of something I was never really part of.

It wasn't until it was time to leave that they finally turned around to look for me.

"Sophie, where did you go? Come on, we've got a table at the restaurant, and we're going to sing you Happy Birthday," James called out.

"We've been planning this surprise for so long. I promise, you'll never forget it," Chris added.

"Come on, we're all waiting for you," Lucas said.

I looked at those familiar faces, and for a split second, my heart, which had already gone numb, actually fluttered again.

They did remember after all.

Today was my birthday.

I followed them to the restaurant, only to be held back at the entrance by the waiter. "Sorry, Mr. Sterling's reservation is only for four people. We can't add any extra seats."

I stood there, frozen.

Lily looked from me to the others, then lowered her head. "Looks like I miscounted."

She was a computer science major, top of her class.

But somehow, she still messed up counting. She couldn't even get to five.

The warm yellow light from inside spilled out, falling on my soaked sleeve. Before I could say a word, someone was already getting impatient.

"How much longer do we have to wait? I haven't eaten since noon," Chris complained.

Lily's eyes welled up with tears. "Sophie, maybe I should leave, so you all can enjoy your meal."

I was the one left standing outside, but somehow, everyone ended up fussing over Lily.

James glanced at me, his tone easy and familiar, as if he were discussing some trivial little matter. "Sophie, you're such a good sport.

"Yeah, haven't you been talking about dieting? Hang out here. We'll be done in no time."

I didn't say a word.

They didn't bother to wait for my response.

The glass door slid shut in front of me as the waiter led them inside.

James pulled out a chair for Lily, Chris bent down and spoke gently to her, and Lucas smiled as he took the menu.

Not a single one of them glanced back at the door.

I stood there for a while, my phone still in my hand, not thinking to put it away.

Before I came, I wondered what they'd planned.

Would they have my name on the cake? Would they pull the same old trick, hiding my presents until I got all worked up, like when we were kids?

Now, at that table sat my fiancé, my two friends for over a decade, and Lily.

Everyone had their spot, except for me, the birthday girl.

I wasn't even allowed to enter, and I couldn't go and ask if there was a cake for me, because the moment I opened my mouth, they'd think I was putting Lily on the spot.

The waiter was still standing there, looking uncomfortable. I moved aside from the entrance. I didn't want to make a stranger feel awkward because of me.

I pulled out my phone and called Mom.

"Mom, you said that when I turned twenty-four, I could choose to stay here or head over to the Sanders Group Mhitwore Branch to work and grow, right?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

I stared at my disheveled reflection in the glass and finally said the rest. "I've made up my mind. I'm going abroad."

After hanging up, I put my phone away and turned to walk into the rain. "Happy twenty-fourth birthday, Sophie."