I watched his lonely back, unable to calm down.
James, don't look back. There will no longer be an Olivia who loves you.
My phone chimed with a midnight message. My 28th birthday had arrived. In a daze, I realized my 22nd birthday had passed six years ago.
When I was seven, my birthday wish was for my parents to reconcile.
When I was eighteen, my wish was to get into the same university as James.
But every birthday wish over the years had fallen through.
Except for that one year abroad when my wish came true.
That year, I was in Lantis. On my birthday night, I got drunk with friends, and my longing for James intensified with the alcohol.
I wished to see him, even if just once.
I don't know if the candles cast a spell that night, but I really saw James at the entrance of my apartment building the next day.
He stood under the dim streetlight, a cigarette glowing in his hand. He looked travel-worn, tired but still the person I missed day and night.
James, I missed you so much.
