Chapter Text
Her heartbeat tapped at her ribcage as if even her vital organs knew how dire the situation was, knocking on wood to compensate.
Anya fixed her eyes on Desmond; he was currently sitting across from her, chewing thoughtfully on his eraser as though libraries were actually meant for studying. (They were, she knew that, and would have been happy to obey the laws of the universe if it hadn't decided to set the temperature of her feelings to broil.)
She risked a peek into Damian's mind.
"Use the information from (a) to estimate the slope of the tangent line--"
Nope. Not doing that. With a sigh befitting a star actress from one of Becky's dramas, she flopped onto the table.
Damian was unimpressed with her flair. "What's your problem?
She put on her best puppy eyes. "Do you know what day it is tomorrow?"
"Obviously."
Anya perked up a little. He rolled his eyes in response.
"Our entire grade knows what day it is tomorrow, because every year your incessant enthusiasm ensures we don't forget. Let me get back to work."
Anya huffed. "My problem," she began, "is that everyone has forgotten. Becky hasn't made any plans to go on a shopping spree like she usually does. Uncle Franky told me he's going on a date that night. Mama and Papa somehow BOTH have work. I--"
She felt small. She felt like she wasn't important. She felt like little Anya Forger again, always overlooked in the orphanage. Her lip quivered.
"--I wondered if... Maybe you wanted to do something."
His gaze locked with hers. Deer in the headlights.
"Sorry, Forger. I have a big exam next week, and I can't risk flunking..." At least he had the grace to look guilty.
Anya deflated. Her last beacon of hope drowned.
"That's... That's okay--" She stood up and gathered her books, pleading the hot tears that threatened her eyes not to fall.
"Anya, wait." She heard the panic in Damian's voice as she turned away. She refused to look at him.
"It's fine. I'll just do a Spy Wars marathon with Bond. We'll make popcorn and hot chocolate-" A sniffle choked her words. "And I'll have peanuts for dinner."
If she stayed here any longer, the humiliation would be unbearable. She booked it out of the library just as the dam holding back her traitorous emotions broke. Tears streamed down her face freely now, evidence of the fragility she liked to pretend wasn't there.
Damian swore loudly. The librarian hushed him.
Anya woke up the next morning with a headache. Great. She made her way to the kitchen and downed a glass of water with some pain meds, hoping it would somehow clear up the twist in her heart too. Yor appeared out of nowhere and gave her a light hug.
"Happy birthday, sweet girl."
Anya was glad that her mother had finally figured out a hug strength that didn't crush her ribs, but the knowledge of Yor's absence tonight throbbed more than a too-strong embrace ever could.
"Thanks, Mama."
Loid walked into the kitchen. "I made you French Toast with homemade whipped cream. It's in the fridge."
Despite herself, Anya's stomach flipped with excitement.
"Thanks, Papa."
Loid gave her a hug. "Make the most out of today. You only turn seventeen twice." He said it dead-pan, but when he pulled back Anya noticed the twinkle in his eye.
She shook her head with a smile. "Whatever." Perhaps it was enough of a birthday gift that he hadn't returned her to the orphanage after learning she lied about her age. In fact, all the family's identity reveals had happened the day after her birthday last year.
She'd briefly wondered if it would make everything feel different on her next birthday, assuming they decided to keep her around. Apparently it did.
Loid dropped her off at school like it was any other day. Anya searched for Becky's limousine to no avail. She supposed she'd just see her in class.
Her first period was science. Connie initiated an off-key rendition of happy birthday, and everyone chimed in. After class, Connie gave her a hand drawn card. Arnold gave her "ectoplasm" slime. Tertius gave her a golden bracelet, and Freddy brought a pass to the local bowling alley. She felt a slice of comfort; at least some of her friends cared.
Language studies dashed any joy she managed to gather in science. Damian wished her a curt happy birthday and said nothing else. He was acting so weird.
"Stay out of my head, Anya. Stay out. Seriously."
Anya frowned at him.
"Geez, I will. What's your problem?"
Weird was normal for the scion, but this was an unusual kind of strangeness. When he didn't want her hearing his thoughts his mind would simply go blank. He never explicitly told her not to listen. She'd respect his wishes of course, but he didn't say much to her the entire period. She felt a little lonely.
"Ah... Damian?"
He finally looked her way.
"What?"
She plastered a smile onto her face. "Good luck studying for your exam." Anya quickly left, so those stupid tears wouldn't fall. Out of all her closest friends and family, Damian's avoidance hurt the most. He knew what it was like to have your father miss your birthday. She planned something for his, to bring his smile back. She would make him pop up cards and chocolate cupcakes. He'd respond with extravagant gifts and little smiles that made her heart race. That's what he did every other year.
It must be a really important test.
Yor and Loid had at least promised they'd do a nice dinner on the weekend. She shouldn't complain. She really shouldn't.