The day it happened - Part 1 (Morning)

The day it happened started off like any other day, except I knew it was going to get worse as it was my birthday. The only day I hated more was Christmas. It was a Sunday and a small family gathering had been planned for later at my Aunty Susan’s house, except she wasn’t really my aunty at all (we just always called her that). Breakfast was the usual - Coco Pops (other breakfast cereals were available), coffee and orange juice. Mum never bothered to make an effort these days. She stopped bothering with anything after trying to have another child after me and miscarrying three times. I think she somehow held me personally responsible, at least it felt that way. I hated the fact I was still living at home, but I couldn’t get enough of a deposit together for my own place. My attempts at house-sharing had been disastrous- one was an obsessive guy who checked everything I did, another was a complete psycho we found on a Facebook advert, and the last one cried herself to sleep every night and drove me crazy. I couldn’t take anymore and moved back home, a complete failure. “I’ll see you a 3pm Mum,” I shouted from the bottom of the stairs as I left. No reply. No Happy Birthday Lucy. Nothing. Dad was at the garage, even though it was Sunday. It was his place of refuge, and those cars were his life. I went to see Dan, the only person I actually cared about today. “Hi sweetheart,” he said as he hugged me. His hugs were crushing but I tolerated them. Besides, his huge presence always calmed me down and made me feel safe. “What’s up?” He could tell I was not happy and dreading the party. “I’m okay, I’ll be better when it’s over,” I replied. He went over to a drawer and got out a small blue velvet box. “It’s just something little,” he said meekly, looking embarrassed. Dan, my ray of sunshine! I could have cried but held my composure. “Oh, thank you!” I opened it and inside was a cute silver heart necklace. “It’s lovely.” I kissed him softly then pulled away. “I have to go now. I may see you later depending on how I feel,” I said. I quickly left. He didn’t try to stop me.