The Butterfly Effect

Wednesday

Today was the day. With a birthday present inside her knit oversized cardigan pocket, Ashley inhaled deeply in front of the mirror in her room. The things she wanted to say to Joey wasn't fully prepared but, like it or not, she encouraged herself to do it today anyway. A knock on her door caused her stomach to turn in turmoil. The clock told her it was already 4:35 PM.

"Ash?" Jessica's voice called out. "You ready? Come on out, Joey is leaving in one and a half hours and we don't want to make him late for his flight."

"Coming," Ashley replied shakingly.

When she exited her room, Jessica stood there with a birthday cake they had bought earlier on her palms. Ashley had already relayed hers and Harley's today's plan to Jessica and, being a superb best friend she was, she had wholeheartedly agreed to help.

Jessica groaned. "If only he hadn't come back late to his apartment, we would've still had a lot of time for this."

The best Ashley could give as a response was just a nervous, phony laugh. Jessica's eyes observed her before passing her a supporting smile then led them out of their apartment. Ashley's hands were quaking from nervousness when she knocked on the door across the hall. As it swung open, she quickly hid behind Jessica and Harley appeared.

"Hello!" he accosted with a broad smile embellishing his face then looked over his shoulder. "Joe, look who's here!"

When he stepped aside to let the girls enter the apartment, Joey, who was sitting in the living room all ready for his six-hour night flight in his Columbia University pullover and a pair of ripped wash-off blue jeans, instantly looked dumbfounded to see them there. It was either for the birthday cake or Ashley being there.

Seeing Joey sit there, a quick vision of them making out on that very couch that night suddenly flashed before Ashley's eyes that made her hold her breath, mortified. And with everyone knowing about what had happened, she couldn't help but imagine they were likewise picturing the sexual moment in their heads like she was.

"Happy birthday, Joey!" Jessica exclaimed, removing the awkward silence. "I know we're one day early, but we're not going to see you tomorrow, so... yeah."

Joey feigned a laugh, still a bit disoriented. "Thanks, Jess."

Coming over to him, Harley gave Joey a brotherly hug. "You know I'll still text you happy birthday tomorrow, but well, happy early birthday, bro."

"Thanks, man," Joey replied as he patted Harley's back.

Ashley's heart drummed faster, knowing it was her turn to wish him a happy birthday and everyone was waiting for her to say it out loud. Swallowing hard, she squealed in a strangely high-pitch voice instead, "Happy Christmas!"

A moment of silence. While everyone was staring at her, Ashley let out a faint laugh and cursed herself for talking without a clear head. All at once, Harley snorted as he almost burst into laughter, but he promptly covered his mouth with his hand. Joey's eyebrows were knitted together as he obviously held back a chortle. And Jessica, over and over again being a hero to save Ashley's face, declared as she flourished the birthday cake, "Make a wish time!"

Indistinctly chattering and clearing their throats, everyone's eyes shifted to the cake on Jessica's hands. After blowing the candles and cutting the cake, the four of them gathered around in the living room while eating pizza. Luckily, Jessica and Harley could assemble them all together into a fun conversation. They were having a convivial time despite the fact Ashley and Joey still weren't talking to each other directly. But she couldn't help stealing glances at him every now and then, yet not even once she caught him glancing back at her.