Emily was the most unassuming guest at Charlottes birthday bash. The two of them were studying together at the same college.
Charlotte sent out a big invitation, asking anyone who could make it to come, but a lot of the girls were heading back to the countryside for the weekend. Emily, quiet and modest, decided to take her chance.
She didnt go out much, and shed just turned eighteen, just like Charlotte. Still, she didnt feel like celebrating her own birthday with friends
She didnt really have any close pals, and her parents had urged her to stay home, spend the evening with the family, together with her grandma and granddad.
So thats how it ends up birthdays at five, birthdays at eighteen, she thought sadly.
Sure, Emily loved her relatives, but she didnt understand when she would finally become an adult, independent and all that.
When would some bloke finally notice her gentle beauty and shy charm?
Emily dreamed of romance, but she was too embarrassed. She wasnt as flamboyant as Charlotte, nor as outgoing as their friend Sophie.
The other girls dyed their hair, dressed fashionably, sometimes even a bit daring, especially when they were out on the town, which earned them a few remarks from lecturers.
Emilys outfits were always picked out by her mum, and her knitted sweaters came from her grandma.
Shed get annoyed that her granddaughter didnt really wear her clothes.
And Emily simply couldnt bear to step out in grandmas old-fashioned cardigans she only wore them at home, and that too in winter.
On the night of Charlottes party, the boys and girls from college turned up twelve lads in total.
When the dinner wrapped up and the dancing started, Emily slipped out of her flat and sat on the bench by the lift shaft.
No one even noticed shed left. She was shy around the unfamiliar lads, and, frankly, nobody paid her any attention anyway. That probably hurt the most.
She glanced at her watch.
Probably Moms worrying now I should be heading off. I promised I wouldnt be late, she thought.
Just then a boy emerged from the stairwell. He wasnt one of Charlottes invited guests.
He took a seat on the bench at the edge and stared sadly at the windows of Charlottes flat on the second floor. From there, lively music and laughter drifted up.
Are you from there? he asked Emily abruptly. She nodded toward Charlottes window.
And hows she doing? Dancing? Having a good time? he asked again, his eyes a little downcast.
Emily gathered enough courage to answer:
Cant you hear? Theyre having a blast
Exactly, thats what birthdays are for, the boy replied. Ive just been moping on my own. Didnt even have a proper celebration just tea and cake with the family, like a nursery rhyme.
Emily raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Same here. Are you her friend? she asked, nodding toward the windows.
Sort of. Id love to be, but she barely notices me. She didnt even invite me to her birthday. Were neighbours, you know. She sees how I treat her
The boy fell silent. Emily let out an understanding sigh, then blurted out:
Dont worry. Im feeling the same way. Whats the point? Nobody even sees us. I walked away and no one noticed. Guess Im an invisible person people just dont care whether Im there or not
Come off it, the boy tried to soothe her. Youre right, there are people like us. Unlucky, maybe
No, not unlucky. Just unnoticed, lowkey. Maybe thats a sort of advantage. Theres a kind of freedom in it.
You think so? the boy, whose name was Paul, asked. And you are?
Emily.
They lingered a while longer, listening to the music and stealing glances at the windows, hoping Charlotte would pop out and invite them to join the dancing. But no one called them over.
It was nice meeting you, Emily said politely. But I really should head home. I promised I wouldnt stay out too late.
Let me walk you part of the way, at least to the bus stop, Paul offered.
Emily and Paul strolled through the park, chatting and smiling at each other without even trying.
Paul suddenly realised how his attention seemed to lift Emilys spirits the faint flush on her cheeks, the tiny dimples, the way she brushed her long lashes away when she caught his surprised gaze.
He started joking, recounting funny anecdotes from his younger days, just to hear her bright laugh and spend a little more time together.
When they reached the bus stop, Emily thanked Paul and said goodbye, but he lingered, not wanting to leave until she got on the bus. She missed the first bus by a whisker and ended up on the second.
Boarding, she waved at Paul as if they were old friends. He stood there for a while, unable to move, enchanted by the sweet girl with expressive eyes and those little cheek dimples.
Paul turned and walked back toward his flat, then realised hed really liked Emily and wanted to see her again. He hadnt asked for her number or address was that proper? It felt awkward.
The next morning Paul woke up, sprinted over to Charlottes building, hurried up the stairs and rang her doorbell.
Charlotte opened, frowning a little.
What are you doing here again? Im not going out with you, Paul. I told you that.
No, I Paul blushed. I actually wanted to ask for your flatmates number. She was here yesterday. I need to give her something She left it on the bench. Could I have her phone, please?
Whose? Charlotte asked, puzzled.
Its Emilys.
Emily? Which Emily? Charlotte thought for a moment. Ah, Em right! Hold on a sec.
A few minutes later Charlotte handed Paul a scrap of paper.
Heres her number. Shes quiet, isnt she? When did she just get here? Charlotte smirked, closing the door.
Paul clutched the note like a lucky charm and raced home.
All day he rehearsed what to say, his nerves jangling. By early evening he finally called Emily.
He asked her to meet up again and promised to treat her to icecream. To his delight, Emily gladly accepted.
Her voice over the phone sounded even softer, even sweeter or at least thats how Paul imagined it.
They met in the park, shared icecream and learned a lot about each other. Their personalities and interests turned out to be a surprisingly good match.
Now its my turn to invite you somewhere, Emily said with a grin as they said goodbye. Next time lets skip the park and go to the cinema. Up for it?
From then on Emily and Paul were inseparable. They went to films, museums, and after a year they started travelling together, already being spoken of as the engaged couple.
Two years after they first met, they got married.
Emilys mum complained that her daughter was marrying far too young. Her grandma, on the other hand, chimed in:
Good on you, love. Youve found your fate and settled down. No more hopping from one lad to another. With a bloke like Paul, youll be in good hands. Hell look after you like a child. What more could you ask for?
Their classmates teased, Look at the quiet one, shes the first to get hitched. And Pauls beaming like the sun.
Both Emily and Paul glowed with happiness. Theyd found in each other understanding, care, and the love theyd always dreamed of.
Years later, theyd still smile when they thought of that bench by the lift the spot that brought them together for life.
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