Keeley's birthday wasn't her best, but it certainly wasn't her worst. The day passed relatively uneventfully after her conversation with her dad. She received numerous birthday greetings—texts, Facebook messages, and Instagram posts—from many people, but only a few in-person wishes. Aiden even sent greetings from Sweden.

After her dad dropped her back on campus, the only people who acknowledged her birthday were Erica and Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim, feeling generous, treated her lab assistants to pizza. Valentina, Keeley's roommate, was asleep by the time she arrived home from her hospital shift, so Keeley missed a face-to-face birthday wish. It wasn't a big deal; birthdays seemed less significant as an adult.

Finals passed in a blur. Keeley couldn't believe she only had one semester left before becoming a geneticist. She was so close she could taste it! She had overloaded her last two semesters to afford taking the summer off for research, making this the first summer since grad school she wouldn't be studying. It would almost feel like a real job.

True adulthood loomed. Having been a student for so long, she wasn't quite sure what it entailed. The combination birthday/end-of-semester celebration at the movies with her friends was the only thing sustaining her through finals. She approached them with a wide smile.

"What are you so happy about?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because she's free for the summer, idiota!" Valentina chided him, partly in Spanish.

Ryan, a medical student, complained about the lack of summer break and the pressures of rotations, residency applications, and licensing exams. Frustrated, he abandoned English and launched into a rapid-fire Spanish rant.

"Is she okay?" someone asked.

"Medical students are never okay," Jennica laughed. "Trust me, I've lived with one."

"Technically, I'm part of the medical school too," Keeley reminded her. "Val's life is much more hectic than mine, and it's only going to get worse. I'm almost done, but she still has her whole residency ahead of her."

Valentina dramatically feigned weeping, and her friends offered consoling pats.

"I'm sorry I brought it up," Ryan said, stifling a laugh. "Come on, let's get snacks. My treat."

"You're an angel, Ryan," Valentina sniffed.

Valentina couldn't afford snacks or even the movie, but Jennica paid for her ticket. Not having a job significantly impacted her finances.

"Let's get a jumbo bucket of popcorn to share," Jennica suggested. "You can get whatever you want, Keeley, since it's your birthday. I'll share my Twizzlers."

Keeley eyed the menu, torn between nachos and chocolate-covered cookie dough bites. She sheepishly asked for both, and Ryan agreed, given the special occasion. They also ordered sodas, making transporting the food to their seats a challenge.

The movie had a weak villain, but the funny moments compensated. Keeley most enjoyed making snarky comments with her friends and indulging in a week's worth of junk food. Even the nacho cheese stain on her jeans was worth it; those cookie dough bits were amazing. Why weren't they sold anywhere else?

Keeley thrived on spending time with loved ones. Hanging out with friends was her ultimate stress reliever.

After the movie, they discussed the film as they left the theater.

"I saw the villain's twist coming," Jennica sighed.

Ryan shrugged. "Yeah, we all did. At least the henchmen were realistic. 'I don't even like working here; they're so weird' is a believable reaction to a gun being pointed at you."

"I liked that realistic touch," Keeley agreed.

"I don't understand why you guys like these movies," Valentina complained. Superheroes weren't as popular in Peru as in the United States.

"So you only came for the snacks."

"And to see you! You're always with Cameron," she pouted.

"And you're always at the hospital," Jennica countered. "It's because we don't live together anymore. I barely see you as it is."

Valentina scowled, speechless. Her friend was right.

"Don't worry; we'll have lots of fun at the bachelorette party next month. Right, Keeley?"

Keeley hadn't started planning yet. She was in trouble. How far in advance did one need reservations?

"Right!" she said hastily. "Who did you want to invite?"

"You two, Cameron's sisters, two sisters-in-law, and one of my actress friends. That's eight," Jennica said.

That wasn't too many; Lydia's bachelorette party had been twice the size. Still, Keeley needed to start planning.

"Thanks for including me in the conversation, guys," Ryan said sarcastically. They had been so engrossed in their girl talk, they'd nearly forgotten him.

"Sorry, Ryan!" they chorused, then exchanged glances and burst into laughter. Friends were truly wonderful.

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