When You Gamble Your Heart

I blew on candles that weren’t for my birthday.

I figured, why do wishes only count on days of birth? I mean, someone somewhere was definitely born today, maybe they’ll be kind enough to let me borrow some of their luck.

I need it.

I want it.

I want her.

As the smoke rose and spread out into thin air and the charred wick curled in on itself, an aroma engulfed me. It was a familiar scent. The same as the lotion she used last week. The lotion that unleashed something within me and almost caused me to make a huge fool of myself. Sniffing someone always came off awkwardly. Thankfully, she hadn’t caught me in the act.

I never thought I’d like the smell of a birthday cake so much, but it seemed fitting considering my constant wishes. If only she would notice me the way I noticed her.

It was on a Tuesday that she had smiled at me. I gave her a little wave, shy about the interaction. But it was only two days later when she actually came up to me in the halls. I tried my best not to gawk as she strolled over towards me. The cheap high school lights suddenly illuminating her like the goddess I perceived her as. Her dirty blond hair suddenly golden, her brown eyes melting me like sweet chocolate.

“Hey Juni” Her left dimple an exclamation point to her smile. She re-shouldered her back sack, sending me into a fantasy where I was carrying her books for her. May she never carry another weight again.

“Oh, hi Star!” I responded too eagerly.

Star, like the one I wish upon on a clear night. Each one an entry ticket into the raffle of romance where one day I might be hers.

“I was wondering, I know it’s a little too close to midterms, but do you think I could borrow your notes? Mine are… a little lacking… Shakespeare isn’t really my thing.” She blushed lightly, biting her bottom lip in the cutest possible way.

“Yeah um of- yes. I mean of course. I could even help you out with some of the practice essay questions if you want?” Don’t hope too hard Juni.

“Gosh that would be so perfect Juni! I just can’t seem to get this old wordy stuff and there’s just way too much I’ve spaced out on. Would tomorrow afterschool work to meet up?”

Shakespeare you ol’ fart, you might have just gotten me a date. I’ll never scoff at your bullshit writing again. “Yeah, totally! You could come to mine? My mom makes killer spaghetti on Fridays.”

Killer spaghetti? It’s spaghetti for Pete’s sake. It can’t be killer. Garlic saucy at best, maybe.

A light chuckle from the beauty in front of me almost sent me. “Sure girl, I could always do with killer noodles”

“Cool yeah, we can meet here tomorrow after school and head over to my house then.”

“Sounds good, see ya then!” And with that she turned and took off. Did that even happen?

~

I lit the birthday cake candle that night hoping it might charm her and fell asleep with the goofiest smile on my face.

~

“Okay so basically the drunk porter scene, like the guard guy, that’s all for like an intermission.” I try to explain as Star just gazes around my room. “like a break, yeah?”

She hums a sort of understanding and stretches her legs out in front of her. I would never have thought that I’d want to see more of someone’s legs underneath pants, but the fact that Star is in my room, in my house even, just frazzles me.

“And he’s basically summarizing for us all what’s happened so far, breaking that fourth wall and stuff.” I sense that she’s distracted and try to consider that maybe she’s not really here for Shakespeare.

“It smells really sweet in here. Almost like candy or cake or something.” She looks up at me and studies my face. I feel her combing every facet with her chocolatey eyes, and I hope she might look at my lips. But I’m caught between want and reality. I can’t mess this up.

“Yeah, it reminds me of someone sweet…” I whisper, watching her brows furrow. This could be my chance. I slowly try to lean towards her, our gaze locking. Before I can find the logic to stop my naïve stupidity, I gently press my lips against hers.

And then Star pulls back quickly in shock.

The look on her face fills with confusion and horror. Reality rushes at me like a stormy tide and I instantly regret my own existence.

Oh god.

~

I hope you enjoyed this short story that I wrote for a challenge. The prompt was ‘Gambler’s Grief’.

If you enjoyed, feel free to check out another short story of mine below.

Have a lovely day!