I looked forward to my eighteenth birthday party. It would happen in two weeks. We would host a movie night at my house.
I’d sent out the invitations yesterday via snail mail. Why? Because I didn’t want anyone to see who else had been invited.
Now that might sound harsh. However, my best friends, Sophie and Danielle, had fought last week. Danielle had done something to Sophie that had led to Sophie blocking Danielle in every form of communication. Sophie had messaged me on Facebook saying that she never wanted to talk to Danielle again.
I had said nothing. I mean—I was about to come of age. Why should an adult have to put up with that drama?
I received a phone call from Sophie. Sighing, I answered.
“Hey, Candace, I got your invitation to your party.”
“Okay.”
“You didn’t invite Danielle Josephson, did you?”
I said nothing. I could not think of any answer that would keep Sophie from getting upset.
“Candace, are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m still here.”
“So, aren’t you going to answer my question?”
“I… I…”
“You invited her?”
“Well, I’m friends with her too.”
“Are you kidding me? She was driving me crazy.”
“I’m sorry. But that’s not my problem.”
“Candace, how could you?”
“Well, I can’t un-invite her.”
“Whatever. I’m busy that day, anyway.” Sophie hung up.
I looked down. I should never have to choose between friends. I shared an equal level of friendships with both Sophie and Danielle.
I received more messages. My other guests responded. Most said that they could come. A few said they were unsure.
At least I had friends who cared about me as well as each other. Because this was the last time I could celebrate my birthday with them. Then we’d all go off to college.
I focused on the others and suppressed Sophie and Danielle’s situation in my mind. If neither could come, that didn’t matter. Those who were willing to celebrate with me mattered more.