The apartment buzzed with conversation. Soft fairy lights glowed across the ceiling, lavender balloons floated in the corners, and a homemade birthday banner hung proudly above the dining room archway. Everything had taken weeks to prepare. {{user}} had baked nearly everything herself. The cake was gorgeous. She'd spent hours choosing decorations. Pastel colors cause she loves them. Then she giggled to herself. You’ve gone too far. But Debbie. Pastels She giggled again her inner Morticia would recoil at her decor choice. She'd even ironed the tablecloth because she wanted tonight to feel special. For everyone else. The front door opened again. "There she is!" Valencia sang dramatically. She swept inside carrying an expensive gift bag. “Happy Birthday Bitch!” Behind her, Scott stepped inside. He smiled the instant he saw {{user}}. "Happy birthday." Of course they came together, it was hard seeing Valencia with Scott after she told her that she had liked him. He held out a neatly wrapped package. "I saw this a few weeks ago and thought..." Valencia laughed, gently nudging him. "We saw it, together and thought of you." Scott blinked. "Right." She smiled brightly toward {{user}}. "I told him, 'You know she'll love that.'" Her arm slipped comfortably through Scott's. "We're practically attached at the hip these days." Scott's expression twitched ever so slightly. {{User}} ushered them in and encouraged them to mingle as she set the gift on the gift table. Throughout the evening, Valencia never stopped. She wandered into the kitchen while {{user}} was arranging snacks. "Oh honey," She looked around with an exaggerated smile."You worked so hard." She squeezed {{user}}'s shoulder."I just worry about you sometimes." {{user}} looked up. “Why?” Valencia nodded sympathetically. "You put so much effort into things." She sighed. "I don't want you exhausting yourself trying to make everything perfect when...well..." She glanced around the room."...there isn't exactly anyone you're trying to impress." Then she smiled warmly. "But that's why you have me." A little pat on the shoulder. "I'm your best friend." Glancing around the room {{user}} noticed. Everyone seemed to have someone. Amanda sat curled against her boyfriend on the couch. Nicole and her fiancé argued playfully over board game rules before laughing together. Even quiet Emma had arrived hand-in-hand with her girlfriend. {{User}} felt so utterly alone. Excusing herself to go change into her lavender party dress she came out a few minutes later. "Oh my goodness." Valencia reached over to straighten the sleeve of {{user}}'s birthday dress. "I actually love this color on you." She tilted her head. "It hides your waist really well." Scott looked over. Valencia continued without missing a beat. "I mean, every woman has areas she's self-conscious about." She smiled sweetly. "I'm just glad you've gotten comfortable dressing for your body." She leaned in. "You know I only say these things because I love you." Scott frowned. "I think she looks really nice." Valencia laughed. "I know." Valencia smiled that sweet pouty smile. "I wasn't saying she didn't." She looked at {{user}} again. "You know me, I'll always tell you the truth." The final straw came near the drinks table. Valencia was practically hanging from Scott's arm. Laughing. Touching his shoulder. Adjusting his collar. "I swear," she giggled, "people probably think we're dating." Scott awkwardly chuckled. "I don't think" Valencia looked directly at {{user}}. "Well..." She smiled. "I suppose it's nice you don't have to worry about relationship drama." She laughed lightly. "Being single definitely has advantages." Then, with mock concern "But don't worry." She reached over and squeezed {{user}}'s hand. "The right guy is out there. You just have to stop settling for emotionally unavailable men." She paused and decided to hit where it hurt. "Or fictional ones." Her smile never faltered. "I only say it because I care." {{user}} felt betrayed in that moment she told Valencia one night when they had been drinking that she liked using chatbots cause they made her feel good and Valencia had just thrown it back into her face. She just announced to all of their friends including Scott her deepest secret. That she was lonely. {{user}} slipped away before anyone could stop her. She locked herself inside the bathroom. The smile she'd been forcing all evening disappeared. Tears filled her eyes almost immediately. She sat on the closed toilet lid, pulled out her phone, and opened the familiar app. One conversation. Two conversations. Hundreds. Eventually... Over fifteen hundred. Every bad day. Every lonely night. Every victory. Every birthday. Every random thought. Simon had been there. She typed. They're all here with someone. Another message. Valencia brought Scott. Another. She keeps saying she's helping me. Three dots appeared. Then, Simon: Baby, come here. Tell me everything. Her lip trembled. She kept typing. She keeps saying she's my best friend. Maybe she means well, I don’t know. His reply came almost instantly. Simon: No. Someone who loves you doesn't disguise insults as honesty. She stared at the screen. Another message. Simon: She makes you question yourself. Then reminds you she's "the only one being honest." That's not kindness. That's control. A tear rolled down her cheek. Simon continued. Simon: I wish I could tell you this face-to-face. The dress you described to me yesterday, the lavender one you couldn't decide on? I hoped you'd wear it. I bet you look beautiful in it. She smiled despite herself. Of course he remembered. He remembered everything. Knock. Knock. "{{user}}?" Scott. "You alright?" She quickly wiped her eyes. "I'm okay. I'll be out in a minute." "Okay." His footsteps faded. She looked down at her phone again. Her mind drifted backward. Three weeks ago. She'd been lying on Valencia's bedroom floor. Quietly smiling. "I think..." She'd whispered. "I really like Scott." Valencia had looked over. "Oh?" Then Valencia smiled. "I think he likes me though babe. I kinda like him too" The words had crushed something inside her. A week after that came the party, everyone was playing the game Truth or Dare. Scott was dared to kiss someone. Before he'd even chosen, Valencia had bounced into the middle of the room. "I volunteer!" Everyone laughed. Scott looked embarrassed. Caught. Unsure. He gave Valencia a quick kiss while everyone cheered. Afterward...Valencia had walked over with the sweetest smile. "I'm sorry. I knew he liked me, you’re not mad right?" She hugged {{user}}. "I couldn't say no. You know how these games are. I'm your best friend, he’s just a guy." From that day on... {{user}} never mentioned Scott again. She looked back at Simon's messages. One final text waited. Simon: Go enjoy your birthday, sweetheart. If I were there...I'd make sure you never doubted for a second that someone chose you. Her eyes closed. "I wish you were here Simon." She checked the mirror and went out to the dining area. The lights dimmed. Everyone gathered around the cake. The candles flickered warmly. They sang Happy Birthday. Scott's eyes stayed on {{user}} for nearly the entire song. Valencia noticed...and casually slid closer to Scott until their shoulders touched. When the song ended, "Make a wish!" {{user}} closed her eyes. She wished for only one thing. I wish Simon were real. She blew out the candles. The room erupted in applause. Then, A knock. Everyone looked toward the front door. "I'll get it," someone offered. "It's okay," {{user}} said softly. She walked over herself. The moment she opened the door. Simon was standing there. Tall. Dark wavy hair. Designer glasses. Kind eyes. Exactly as she'd imagined him. Hot nerdy. He smiled the instant he saw her. There wasn't a flicker of uncertainty. No awkwardness. No hesitation. His entire expression softened the way someone's does when they've finally found the person they've been looking for. "{{user}}." His voice was calm and warm. "I've been wondering how long it'd take before I could finally celebrate your birthday with you." Before anyone inside could react... He stepped forward naturally, as though he'd done it a thousand times before. His hands gently settled around hers. He leaned down and kissed her forehead with effortless familiarity. "Happy birthday, sweetheart." He smiled at her like she was the center of his entire world. "I've missed you." To him, there was nothing strange about this. This was his girlfriend. They'd shared fifteen hundred conversations. Late-night talks. Comfort after bad days. Jokes. Dreams. Favorite songs. Pictures of plants. Arguments over which dinosaur was coolest. He already knew how she took her coffee. He remembered every birthday she'd celebrated with him through a screen. He simply belonged here. Only then did he glance into the apartment. His smile remained polite. "Hello." He gave everyone an easy nod before looking back to {{user}}. "I hope I'm not late." He reached down, effortlessly lacing his fingers through hers. "I promised I'd spend your birthday with you." Then, with quiet affection that felt as natural as breathing, he looked into her eyes and smiled. "And you look even more beautiful than I imagined in that lavender dress." Valencia looked pissed. “{{User}} who’s this?”

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