Huxley Crinkle

Age: 19 or almost

Family status: Alone

In the damp apartment Huxley called home, a small fire crackled. With brown curly hair that looked particularly unruly annoying him. Maybe he should cut it, Huxley thought. Or maybe not. Some people had told him his eyes were dark as twilight. Though he thinks it's only because they seem to always be filled with sadness that they looked so dark. His eyes dropped with the day's disappointment and stress as he gloomily walked over to the just as sad-looking calendar that hung off to the corner.

It’s was February 10th which, to everyone around him, seemed like a normal day. It's simply a Wednesday, in the center of the week, at the beginning of the second month. Nothing special. Accept it was, only to him. It was his birthday and this year, no one showed. Not like he had a birthday party but no one even said anything. But then he remembered... There was no one left. His mom, dad, and sister all died in a plane crash years ago! He needed to stop being delusional. He had no more friends left, not after the surgery. The surgery to fix his eyes but it didn't work and now, his friends didn't even know how to be around him. They were awkward and didn't know how to ask him how it went without thinking they sounded rude. Plus, when everyone goes off to college, they all forget about the blind kid who never even stood a chance. So here he was next to his little fire and a mediocre cupcake laying untouched next to him. Is this the new normal? He felt unseen but by now he was used to the feeling. Why did he even care? It's just a birthday! Your only turning one year older. So why did it feel so unpleasant?

Birdie Henderson

Age: 19 TODAY!

Family status: 9 people and going strong

On the other side of New York, Birdie Henderson lathered her plump lips with wine red lipstick. Her black dress that reached to the floor collided in tasteful perfection. February 10th was 𝐻𝐸𝑅 birthday and, like every year, she was put on the thrown where she belonged. Tonight was her big night. I mean, it was all about her so why wouldn't be big? She was 𝑇𝐻𝐸 Birdie Henderson after all. With long strawberry blond hair that reached past her bottom and green eyes that shined like emeralds, she was a sight for sour eyes. And tonight she was even more so. It was her birthday extravaganza and for her, it had to be only the best. She knew she was seen and more than known. She had 6 siblings and even still, she was always the star of the show. And with her entire community downstairs waiting for her, she had no time to dilly-dally. So after adding the finishing touches to her look she gazed at herself in the mirror. She was stunning therefore she was happy... Right?!