Friends and a joke.

You were waiting for your birthday. In the silence of the night, a knock sounded: your best friend was standing at the door. — Will you go out for five minutes? You stepped over the threshold. In the gathering darkness, your entire group stood in a semicircle. One of you held a cake with a forest of lit candles. Their flickering light illuminated their smiles. Your friend came closer. A chorus of voices sang "Happy Birthday!" My best friend whispered in my ear: — Make a wish... You closed your eyes, hastily making a secret wish. But you didn't have time to exhale to blow out the candles. Instead of a gust of air, there was a sharp, satisfying slap to the face. The world plunged into darkness, thick and sticky. The cake stuck to my cheeks, nose, and forehead with a juicy slap. "But he didn't even take a breath!" someone chuckled. And then - a piercing, frightened cry: — Oh my God, his hair! It’s on fire! The pungent smell of burning cream and singed hair assaulted your nose. Panic gripped your throat. You forgot everything, frantically brushing away the flames that were already scorching your skin.