Yes, but not from who she expected

The day went on with more of the same, no birthday wishes, no friends around to talk to. It was if Nora didn’t exist.

When lunch finally came, Nora was feeling worse than ever. Her family had forgotten her. Her friends had seemingly abandoned her. She didn’t have the strength to go to the cafeteria, and instead found an empty classroom to eat by herself, not wanting to be seen sitting alone.

A few minutes passed, when suddenly Nora heard someone speak.

“Kind of a strange place to eat lunch, Fuckler.” Nora recognized the voice before she even lifted her head to see who spoke. It was Connie, the last person she wanted to see. Connie was easily the biggest of all of Nora’s problems, and she insisted on pronouncing her last name wrong on purpose. With her were the usual suspects, Rachael and Sydney. The three girls who seemed to make it their personal business to tease Nora. They slowly walked over to the desk Nora sat in, surrounding her.

“I see your friends decided to skip school today. Not something I would expect from them.” Connie said.

“What do you want Connie? I’m really not in the mood today so could you please just get it over with.” Nora was almost to tears at this point.

“That’s a shame. I figured you of all people would be in a good mood today. But if you insist, I’ll make it quick.” Nora gave her a confused look. She couldn’t possibly mean what Nora thought she did. Suddenly Connie pulled something out of her bag, and placed it in front of Nora. It was a cupcake. “Happy birthday Fuckler!” All three girls shouted.

Nora couldn’t believe it. The three girls who made her life miserable, the three who seemed to hate her for no reason, were the only people to remember her birthday. Nora couldn’t take it anymore. She reached over and pulled Connie I to a tight hug, and teared up on her shoulder.

“Ok, not the reaction I was expecting.” Sydney said.

“I’m sorry,” Nora said, trying to compose herself. “It’s just... you three are the only people to remember it’s my birthday. This is more than even my parents have done today.”

The three bullies looked at her, seeming genuinely sad for her.

“That’s rough girl.” Connie said, putting a hand on Nora’s shoulder. “And on your 18th too, kinda a big one to forget. Well at least now someone remembered.”

“Why are you being so nice to me anyway?” Nora asked. As much as she appreciated it, it didn’t make any sense to her. “I thought you three hated me.”

“What? Come on Nora, we don’t hate you.” Rachael said. “I mean, before today we didn’t like you, but it’s your birthday.”

“Yeah, besides now that you’re 18, we’re all basically adults.” Connie added. “Bullying seems a bit childish now don’t you think?”

Suddenly Nora’s bad day had turned into a great one. She was still upset about her family and friends forgetting, but it was hard to think about that when the last three people she would have expected it from wished her a happy birthday.

“Look, lunch is almost over, so we don’t have time to do much else for you right now, but you have a free period right before your last class, right?” Connie asked.

“Yeah.”

“Come to the gym and we’ll celebrate best we can, it should be empty at that time of day.”

“Really? But I thought you three had class at that time.”

“We can just skip. Least we can do for you on your birthday Fu- I mean, Nora.” Connie replied.

Hearing Connie call Nora by her name properly almost sent her back into tears, only of joy this time. “Ok, I’ll be there.” She said. “And thank you. Really this is the nicest thing ever.”

The three girls said goodbye to Nora and left. Nora spent the last of few minutes of lunch eating the cupcake they got her. It was even her favorite flavor, strawberry.