Today was my birthday. It was supposed to be the day I felt the happiest.

I woke up this morning to take a bath and brush my teeth.

What will they surprise me with today? Will it be a grand surprise? Will they pretend to forget?

Those were my thoughts while going down the stairs, but I was wrong.

There was no one here because I was alone.

My cellphone rang, so I thought, "this must be someone wishing me a happy birthday!"

I answered it once I realized Mom was on the other end.

"Son, pa and I had a sudden work call today. I hope you are okay at home alone?" She sounds busy.

The cluttering sounds in the background made it hard for me to hear her, "I have to go, son."

I heard the sound of a click and then the dial tone at the end. 

I stood there in complete shock. Could it be that Mom and Dad had forgotten?

There's no way they would. I should stop overthinking.

"Young Master? Is something the matter?" It's the housemaid.

"Where is everyone?" 

I looked around for any signs of decoration or even someone holding a present, but there was no one there besides the housemaid.

"It seems they all left this morning. Oh! But the young Miss Mew said to meet her outside once the young Master awakens!" 

I light up. Sister! She was always the one I could count on the most.

I ran out the front and noticed my sister about to climb into a black BMW.

She turned upon hearing me approach, "Blue, it's about time. Did you forget? We're heading to my audition today!"

I blink, "audition? But didn't Mew say that it would be after my birthday?" I asked.

Mew showed a shocked expression, "wait, is that today?" She looked like she had genuinely forgotten.

Her cellphone rings, "hello?"

After she hangs up, she turns a guilty expression towards me, "Blue, I'm sorry. I had gotten so busy preparing for the audition that I had forgotten. Please forgive me just this once." 

I couldn't believe it, to think I got excited about nothing!

I felt a sense of betrayal, so the throbbing in my chest grew.

Mew tensed upon seeing her brother's pouting face. There was never a time that anyone would forget Blue's birthday. Today was a first.

I felt my tears well, but I did my best to keep them from spilling. It's my sister's audition, so I mustn't be childish.

"Don't cry, Blue! I promise to make it up to you." Mew rushes up to me and hugs me close.

I held back my tears, but I think it was a first for me to feel this lonely on my birthday.

"Come on. After the audition, I'll take you for some cake and ice cream, okay?" Mew leads me to the car.

I turned to face her, "you promise?" 

She pulls my cheeks gently, "of course!"

We both got into the car, "to Aura Fashion Industry." Mew orders the driver.

"We're here. Come on, Blue, we have to meet with the manager." Mew and I stepped from the car and faced a massively tall building made of glass.

On the front, in bold letters, read, "Aura Fashion Industry." 

It was my first time seeing a building this massive. I'm starting to wonder if I've ever been anywhere other than home or school.

"Manager He, we're out front. Do you want us to meet you in the lobby? Alright, yeah, I brought my cute little brother with me." Mew was on the phone with her manager.

She hangs up and takes me by my hand, "let's head in since my manager is excited to meet you." 

We entered the massive building. Despite our family being wealthy, I had to admit that the interior of this building may be worth two of our houses combined.

Mew led me to the front desk, where a man and lady stood dealing with a line of people.

I'm starting to think that they're also models here for the audition.

A man dressed fabulously walked up to us after Mew signed in. He wore sunglasses with top-of-the-line designer clothes. 

He spotted Mew, and the two squealed upon seeing each other. I had to block my eardrums before they burst.

"It's been a while, Mew dear!" The man loudly speaks while holding Mew an inch away from himself.

Who is the odd creature? "Right! To think I'd run into an old friend from the start. How have you been, Darling?" 

"Amazing as ever! Wait, who is this cutie here?" The man named Darling peeked around Mew and was looking directly at me.

Mew grins, "he's cute, right? Hey, Blue, come here to meet my old acquaintance." Mew grabs my hand and pulls me forward.

Darling beams at me, "well, aren't you a cutie. How old are you?" 

I'm not used to strangers, so I ended up shying behind Mew when the man named Darling came close to me.

"He just turned eighteen today. Say hi to Darling, Blue."

I peeked around Mew and gave him a respectful Wai. "Don't mind him. He's quite shy." 

"Of course. Oh, I have to fly, my manager is here. See you another time! Bye, Blue!" Darling waves while leaving.

"Mew, I've arrived." A woman walked up to us. She wore a fitted suit, and her long brunette hair was in a ponytail.

She noticed me, "hm? Is this the cute little brother?" 

"Ah yes, this is Blue. We'll be in your care." Mew says this with a smile.

We went to another floor where other models were waiting for their turn to do the audition.

Once we arrived, there was a commotion at the entrance of the audition room. 

"It's him, the Ceo of Aura Fashion Industry! For him to come personally, so good-looking!"