The streamers and wrapped up presents laid out on the table make me smile. They are almost enough to make the stifling air stop suffocating my lungs. Almost. I don’t bother trying to open the windows, it wouldn’t make a difference. I sigh and for the umpteenth time in the last two weeks, I wish we lived in a house with a garden instead of a tiny apartment. Or, that I could at least go out, and run. In France, people are allowed to go out for a run, but not in Spain. Unfortunately, I find myself in Spain, and as the coronavirus has spread so quickly here, the country is in full lockdown. However, I soon push the thought away. It would only make being trapped here, worse.
I glance again at the presents trying to guess what they are. To be honest, I initially didn’t have much hope this would be a good day (who would, spending their birthday locked up in a tiny apartment without all you love?). However, things seem to have brightened up. I am going to do a video call with my family and camp friends. The latter of which, I am especially looking forward to. It’s the first year they have taken the initiative of doing something for my birthday. Plus, baking the birthday cake with my mother should be fun.
The house is slumbering, so I quietly return to my room. I grab my laptop, and peruse the slides I need to study for the end of year French exam. Yep, I am still having it in June. Unfortunately I don’t have any external exams this year, so unlike those with A Levels and GCSEs I still have exams. At least, I am on vacation and don’t have additional schoolwork to do, —just study. I am thankful for that, because apparently, the teachers think that because we are at home, we are going to slack off, and so, send double the amount of work they normally do. Still, that doesn’t stop me from wanting to cry out in frustration. I shake my head, and try to focus on studying but my eyes drift through my bedroom window,to the gleaming sunlight streaming in. I have an overwhelming urge to just sneak out and… breathe. I also can’t help but think I’m going to be pale as a ghost when the quarantine ends. Oh well, at least I won’t have to take vitamin supplements anymore and will be able to actually breathe!
With a frown I force my eyes towards my laptop. I groan thinking may be I should take the day off when the phone intrudes my thoughts. I snatch it from my bedside table, and grin. Caro, one of my best friends calling from Paris. Yes, I might not be celebrating my birthday in Copenhagen, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a bad birthday. Not at all.