“Why must you guard yourself so, Serena?” Karin asked, in a tone that bordered on the irritated, as she and Ruby did their best to make her birthday enjoyable.
They had suggested going out, grabbing a bite and then drinks.
If only they knew how old she was!
“I guess that, sometimes, even when you’re surrounded with people - people you know and care about, you feel lonely,” she didn’t know how she let that slip in such a bleak tone, while trying hard not to show just how sad she truly was.
“Did you ever feel lonely in Ben’s presence?” Ruby asked teasingly.
Serena pouted at that and then shook her head negatively, “It’s not the same thing.”
“Care to elaborate?” Karin let out in a half taunting half serious tone. “How is he, a man who’s taking advantage of you for all intents and p
