Qoute:"A smile can hide pain, and a celebration can hide betrayal."
Morning sunlight slowly entered Claire's room through the curtains. Claire opened her eyes slowly, still feeling the heaviness in her chest from last night's argument.
She sat up on her bed and looked at the calendar on the wall.
"Hmm… it's March 10. It's my birthday," I said to myself.
"Another year," she whispered to herself.
In her past life, this day used to be special. Her father would prepare a small celebration, buy her gifts, and tell her how proud he was of her.
But now… everything felt different.
Then someone knocked on the door. It was Nanay Flora.
"Claire, hija," said Nanay Flora.
I opened the door.
Claire immediately knew who it was.
"Come in, Nanay Flora."
The door slowly opened and Nanay Flora walked in, holding a small tray.
On it was a small cake with a single candle.
Nanay Flora smiled warmly.
"Happy birthday, hija," said Nanay Flora.
I was surprised and hugged her.
"You… remembered?" I said.
Nanay Flora chuckled softly.
"Of course. How could I forget the birthday of my favorite girl?" she said.
"Thank you, Nanay Flora," I said as I hugged her.
Nanay Flora placed the tray on the table.
"Make a wish."
Claire stared at the candle for a moment before closing her eyes.
"I wish… this day I'm going to be happy and make sure no one hurts me. I wish I become brave in my life," I said to myself as I blew the candle.
Nanay Flora clapped happily.
"Now eat before it gets cold."
Claire smiled faintly.
For a moment, she felt like she wasn't completely alone.
When I arrived at school, our classroom was closed. When I opened the door, I was surprised.
"SURPRISE!" they shouted.
Claire jumped in shock.
Amber and Lila were standing there holding balloons and cupcakes.
There was even a small banner that said:
**HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL BESTIE CLAIRE RIVERA THE SEXY GIRL**
Claire blinked in surprise.
"You guys… what are you doing? You're making me blush," I said to them.
Amber crossed her arms.
"What? You thought we'd forget your birthday?"
Lila smiled warmly.
"We never forget the birthday of our friend," said Amber.
"You're our best friend, Claire," said Amber.
Claire felt her chest warm.
"Thank you… I really didn't expect this."
Amber handed her a small box.
"Open it."
When I opened their gift, it was a bracelet with my name on it.
"Look, we're a trio now. We also have one," said Lila.
"Thank you, best gift ever," I said as I hugged them.
Kiro approached us.
"Claire," he said.
We looked at him.
"Happy birthday," he said as he handed me a gift.
"Thank you, Kiro," I said.
Before I could finish what I was going to say, another voice interrupted.
"Am I late?"
I looked and was surprised. It was Inigo.
He walked toward Claire with a small box in his hand.
"Happy birthday," he said.
Claire looked surprised.
"You know it's my birthday?"
Inigo scratched the back of his neck.
"Well… Amber told me."
Amber grinned proudly.
"You really are something, Amber," I said.
"Why? He's your boyfriend anyway, so he has the right to know your birthday," she said. Kiro then went back to his seat.
Inigo handed her the gift.
Claire opened it.
Inside was a simple but elegant necklace.
"It's beautiful," I said.
"You didn't have to," I said.
Inigo smiled.
"You shouldn't have bothered. It looks expensive," I said.
"It's your special day today, so you deserve something expensive," he said.
Across the hallway, someone was watching them.
Serena.
Her hands clenched tightly.
Vanessa whispered beside her.
"Looks like Inigo really likes your sister."
Serena's eyes darkened.
"Not for long," she muttered.
"They don't even look good together," said Cindy.
"True. What does Inigo even like about that Claire? You're prettier than her," said Vanessa.
"I know," said Serena.
"Look at that body, it looks chubby," said Cindy.
"Girls, let's go to the cafeteria," said Serena.
The three of them left.
Serena was sitting in the cafeteria with Vanessa and Cindy. Her fingers tapped slowly on the table while her eyes looked cold.
Vanessa leaned closer.
"So… what's your plan for tonight?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
Serena smirked.
"Claire thinks today is special just because it's her birthday," she said. "Let's make sure it becomes the most embarrassing day of her life."
Cindy giggled.
"I like the sound of that."
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"So what do you want us to do?" said Vanessa.
Serena leaned forward and lowered her voice.
"First, we spread rumors," said Serena.
Cindy raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of rumors?"
Serena smiled cruelly.
"Tell everyone Claire is flirting with both Inigo and Kiro. Make it sound like she's playing with them," said Serena.
Vanessa laughed.
"Wow, it's a perfect idea," said Vanessa.
"I love it, let's make her life embarrassing," said Cindy while laughing.
"And second… the party tonight," said Serena.
Cindy looked confused.
"Isn't that supposed to be her birthday dinner?" said Cindy.
Serena rolled her eyes.
"Please. That party is for me. Everything belongs to me, especially Inigo," said Serena.
Vanessa's eyes widened with excitement.
"So when Claire arrives…" she said.
"Everyone will ignore her," Serena finished.
Cindy clapped her hands.
"That's evil. I love it," she said.
Serena took out her phone and typed a message.
Vanessa leaned over to read it.
"Wear something elegant tonight. It's your birthday after all."
Vanessa burst out laughing.
"You're telling her to dress fancy?" said Cindy.
Serena smirked.
"Yes. Because the theme tonight is casual," said Serena.
Cindy covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"She's going to look ridiculous," said Vanessa.
Serena leaned back in her chair, satisfied.
"And that's not even the best part," said Serena.
Vanessa tilted her head.
"There's more?" said Vanessa.
Serena nodded.
"When she arrives, Vanessa, you'll 'accidentally' spill a drink on her."
Vanessa grinned.
"Oh, I can definitely do that," said Vanessa.
Cindy asked curiously,
"And then?"
Serena's eyes sparkled with cruelty.
"Then I'll pretend to help her," she said.
Vanessa chuckled.
"You're really good at acting innocent," said Cindy.
Serena shrugged.
"I've had a lot of practice," said Serena.
Cindy leaned closer.
"But what if Inigo defends her?" said Cindy.
Serena's expression darkened.
"He won't," said Serena.
"But if he does…" said Vanessa.
She smiled slowly.
"I'll just make him believe Claire is the problem," said Serena.
Vanessa nodded.
"Tonight is going to be fun."
Serena looked out the cafeteria window where Claire was walking across the school yard with Amber and Lila.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Enjoy your birthday while you can, Ate Claire," she whispered.
"Because tonight… everyone will see what kind of person you really are."
While Claire, Amber, and Lila were walking, Claire said goodbye to them.
"Girls, I'll go ahead now," I said.
"Okay Claire, take care and happy birthday," said Amber.
"Enjoy your time with your family," said Lila.
The three of them said goodbye.
Claire stood near the school gate waiting for her ride.
The sky was turning orange as the sun slowly set.
She looked up at the sky.
"In my past life… this birthday was the beginning of everything going wrong. My father forgot this day and made my birthday a joke. Instead of celebrating my day, they celebrated the day Serena won the contest. But today I will make sure no one can hurt me, especially you Kiro and Serena. I will make your lives a living hell. Slowly I will destroy your lives until you both go crazy," I said to myself.
Her eyes hardened slightly.
"But this time… things will be different."
Behind her, Kiro was watching quietly from the hallway.