Chapter 7 Seven

The third month of the year held a special place in Lisa's heart. March 15th her birthday. This year, it carried even more weight. Not only had she just wrapped up her final exams, but Johnson had insisted she come over for a few days before heading back home for the holiday. He said he had "something small" planned, but knowing Johnson, small could mean anything.

Dragging her suitcase up the front steps of Johnson's apartment, Lisa smiled at the familiar sight of his friends' cars parked outside. She noticed two unfamiliar girls lounging near the entrance, dressed in vibrant, almost theatrical outfits. They glanced at her but said nothing. Lisa blinked, brushing it off. Probably friends of his guys. She stepped inside.

"Lisa!" Johnson called out, emerging from the hallway. He pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her briefly off the ground before setting her back down. "Happy birthday, baby," he whispered against her ear.

"Thank you," she replied with a soft smile, heart swelling at the warmth in his voice.

He took her suitcase and ushered her inside. The living room buzzed with chatter and laughter. Johnson's friends were already there, lounging across the couches with beer bottles and game controllers in hand. She sank into the couch beside them, relaxing.

Then one of the guys, Mark, stood up, walked over, and gently took her hand. "Come on, birthday girl."

Confused but smiling, Lisa allowed him to pull her up. The room suddenly fell silent before a chorus of voices broke out in song.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Lisa laughed, a hand to her mouth as emotions welled up inside her. The boys, off-key and loud, sang with genuine joy, clapping and swaying. In that moment, she felt seen special. Her cheeks hurt from smiling.

But as the last note of the song died away, the two unfamiliar girls reappeared and casually walked into Johnson's bedroom. Johnson trailed behind them without a word.

Lisa's brow furrowed. What were those girls doing in his room? Her joy flickered, replaced by a twinge of irritation. She glanced around, but no one else seemed to find it strange. Curiosity or maybe suspicion gripped her. Without a word, she followed them.

She pushed the door open and nearly screamed.

"SURPRISE!" came the chorus of voices.

She staggered back, heart racing, eyes wide. The room was transformed. Balloons hung from every corner, streamers danced across the ceiling, and the bed was piled high with gifts wrapped in shiny paper and glittery ribbons.

Overwhelmed, Lisa stumbled back out the door, but strong arms pulled her in Johnson's. "Come on, baby," he said, grinning. "This is for you."

She dropped to her knees, tears streaming freely now. She had never not once been celebrated like this. Growing up, birthdays were simple, sometimes forgotten. This... this was magic.

The others gathered around her as she slowly opened her gifts a designer perfume, a pair of heels she'd admired months ago, a custom-made necklace with her initials, and more. She gasped with every box.

Then the door creaked open again and in walked a man in flowing robes, carrying a harp. Lisa blinked. A harpist?

He began to play, soft angelic music that wrapped around the room like a blanket. The group sang once more a slower, sweeter rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Lisa turned to Johnson, her heart full. "How did you...?"

He smiled, brushing a tear from her cheek. "It's just a little token of my love. I'd bring down the world just to put a smile on your face."

Later that night, after the mini party had died down and the guests had left, Lisa and Johnson lay side by side in the dimly lit room. She traced circles on his palm as he stared at the ceiling.

"I've never felt so loved," she whispered.

"You deserve so much more than this," he replied. "This is only the beginning."

She believed him. At least, she wanted to.

The holiday passed in a blur, and soon Lisa found herself back at school. The semester was intense, with her final project demanding most of her time and energy. Gone were the spontaneous visits to Johnson's. Even late-night calls were replaced with bleary-eyed texts and voicemails she barely had time to check.

Johnson, on the other hand, felt the distance like a physical ache. He missed her desperately. He called more, texted more, begged her to come see him. But every time he brought it up, she responded the same way.

"Babe, I can't. I have to finish this proposal."

"Can we do next weekend? This week's a mess."

"Soon, I promise."

And he waited.

But one day, everything changed.

Lisa returned to her dorm room late one evening, her backpack slung over one shoulder, exhaustion etched into her bones. She paused at the door, hearing voices inside.

Her roommate, Clara, was on the phone with someone Jane, she gathered.

"...So I met this guy, called Johnson," Jane said, her voice floating through the cracked window.

Lisa froze.

Johnson?

Clara's voice perked up. "Johnson? Wait that name sounds familiar."

"You remember the flier I sent out for my business? The one asking to connect with new clients?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, he texted me after that. Said he loved how ambitious I was and wanted to meet in person."

Lisa's heart began to thud.

"So did you go?" Clara asked.

"Yeah, we met at Quid's Restaurant. He was cute, but kind of short for my taste. It was a double date. He said his friend's girl was celebrating her birthday and he didn't want to show up alone, so he asked me to come with him."

Lisa felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. She staggered back, gripping the edge of her desk.

My birthday...? That day? No, no. It can't be the same Johnson. It can't.

She stayed quiet, her mind racing, heart pounding. Was this just a coincidence? Or... was Johnson lying to her?

That evening, her phone buzzed.

Johnson: Hey baby, how was your day?

Lisa stared at the screen for a long moment before answering.

"It was fine," she replied casually, forcing normalcy into her voice.

They chatted for a few minutes, but the words felt hollow, distant.

Then Lisa couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Johnson," she said carefully, "do you... do you know anyone named Jane?"

Silence.

The kind that stretched too long. Her grip on the phone tightened.

"I... I..." Johnson stammered. "Lisa, I didn't think you'd find out that fast. Look, yes. I know Jane."

Lisa felt her stomach drop.

"One of my guy's girls had a birthday and begged me to come along with someone. I didn't have a date, and I've been asking you to come see me, but you haven't. So I just went with her. It was nothing."

"Are you, are you seriously justifying going on a date with someone else?" Lisa's voice cracked.

"It wasn't a date! Not like that. I didn't even like her. She's not my type. I was just doing a favor."

Lisa's voice rose. "You took another woman to a restaurant on my behalf. You held her hand, sat across from her while everyone thought you were a couple. Do you hear yourself?!"

"Lisa, please. I know I messed up. I wasn't thinking straight. I just didn't want to go alone. You weren't coming. I swear, it meant nothing."

"It meant everything to me."

She hung up.

Her vision was blurry as she stormed down the hall, needing air, space, clarity. She turned a corner and nearly collided with someone.

"Oh! I'm sorry," the girl said, stepping back. "I was just coming to ask you something. Do you know Johnson Williams?"

Lisa's eyes widened.

It was Jane.