June 13th arrived with a stillness that felt almost too quiet.
Kana stared at the ceiling for a while before getting out of bed. Her nurse said she needed to be up and walking around more to help circulation before tomorrow. Tomorrow, her birthday and her surgery which was the day after.
She dragged her feet to the small window and looked out. The sky was grey again, like it had been the first day she met John.
A small flicker of pain flared in her chest and she placed her hand on her chest in hopes that it would calm down. These small flickers of pain had been more persistent for the past few days but she didn't let it bother her too much.
Kana: (to herself) Just one more day…
She turned from the window when she heard the soft ping of her tablet. A Twibbler notification. Then another. Then a call.
Incoming Group Video Call: "My Online Buddies 🎉"
A weak smile crept onto her lips as she climbed back onto the bed, propping up her pillows before answering.
The screen flickered to life, first Misa, her hair a little frizzier than usual, then John, looking like he hadn't slept, followed by Liam's familiar dorm room background and Rose, adjusting her phone so the top of her head wasn't cut off.
RecklessSoul06:
Okay, are we all here?
Gamerboy115:
Liam's here in body, but his brain's still fried from physics.
Beethoven110:
Finals should be illegal.
Misa smiled tiredly.
HeartOfM:
But we survived! Just in time for someone's big day tomorrow…
They all turned their attention to Kana, who gave them a small wave.
Lonelygirl4556:
I can't believe you guys remembered…
Gamerboy115: (mock offended)
You seriously thought we'd forget your birthday? What do you think we are?
Lonelygirl4556:
Busy? Stressed? Tired students?
They all laughed, and for a moment, it felt normal.
RecklessSoul06:
Okay, okay, so here's the deal. I can't make it in person tomorrow. My English teacher dropped a huge last minute piece on me, and if I don't submit by the morning, I lose my spot on the school paper…
Lonelygirl4556: (softly)
It's okay, Rose. Really.
RecklessSoul06: (looking guilty)
I still wanted to do something. So I'm writing you something special. It'll be out tomorrow.
Beethoven110:
And I've got make-up lab hours for my missed chemistry sessions. Stupid, I know. But I'll call you again during lunch. I promise.
Kana nodded, understanding. She wasn't expecting all of them to show up anyway. Just seeing them now was more than enough.
Gamerboy115:
Don't worry. Misa and I got you covered. We'll be there, bright and early.
HeartOfM1:
And I made cupcakes. You better be awake when we show up, Kana.
Kana smiled.
Lonelygirl4556:
I probably be too excited to not be awake.
They chatted for a few more minutes about little things: the questions on their last exams, the trending Twibbler drama, what John might wear tomorrow (since Misa refused to let him show up in his usual hoodie). Laughter filled the room in soft echoes from the device speakers.
Then, one by one, they began to sign off.
Beethoven110:
Rest up, okay?
RecklessSoul06:
Big day tomorrow.
HeartOfM:
I'll see you tomorrow, okay?
Soon it was just John left.
Gamerboy115:
You doing okay?
Lonelygirl4556: (nods)
Yeah.... The whole preparation process has been hectic. It helped seeing everyone today.
He smiled, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Gamerboy115:
Are you sure you're feeling okay? And that thing we talked about back then? Is it still bothering you?
She hesitated, placing her hand on her chest again.
The flicker of pain had returned, just for a second.
Lonelygirl4556:
Yeah. Sometimes the thought comes up even when I don't want to think about it. But… I'll be fine… just a bit nervous but I'll be fine.
John stared at her for a beat longer still worried but then reassured himself that it'll be fine.
Gamerboy115:
Then I'll see you tomorrow.
Kana smiled.
Lonelygirl4556:
I'll be waiting.
Then just before he ended the call, Kana spoke up again.
Lonelygirl4556:
John… I…I love you.
Hearing those words made him smile.
Gamerboy115:
I love you too, Kana.
The call ended, and silence returned to the room, but it felt warmer now, filled with traces of voices and love that lingered in the air like candlelight.
Kana leaned her head back against her pillow, the smile still on her lips.
Tomorrow was her birthday.
Kana: Everything would be okay… right?