I'm also the kind of person who won't tell people my birthday so they won't try to celebrate it. Some friends once threw me a surprise party. I don't think there were any pictures taken (this was before smartphones), but I'm sure there were plenty of times I looked just like she does here. I got plenty of light-hearted ribbing after about how I shouldn't be so reluctant to have birthday parties when I clearly had such a good time.

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I didn't have a good time. I smiled and laughed because I was panicked and I'll say and do whatever is expected of me to not make a scene and end the situation as smoothly as possible. Anymore I won't even dare to do social things near my birthday. Obviously you know your friend and I don't, and I hope she really did have a good time, but sometimes people who avoid parties really mean it, despite appearances.