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“Damian! Damian! Damian, get your ass over here!”
“What do you want, Blackbell?” Damian spotted a tuft of pink hair sticking out from behind Becky's pigtails as he whipped around. “…and Forger.”
“What I want is for you to listen to me! Go to the old library behind my Daddy's company estate at 6pm after school!” Becky enunciated her words for the fourth time today, trying to direct Damian into her plan, and he was yet to take her seriously. Anya peeked out from behind her and mouthed a small do it, pleaseeee? To him, exercising her power over him. To both girls’ dismay, he refused to give in.
“As I've been telling you all day, no. Why should I listen to you? Is this another ploy to get me in trouble?” He crossed his arms and looked down upon Blackbell and Forger; both seeming increasingly annoyed at each of his refusals.
“Damian, I promise it's not an elaborate ruse to put you into a series of traps and puzzles that were very horribly set up. Don’t worry about it!” Anya bounced up and down on her heels as she talked, her hair dancing around her.
“I do not like that sarcastic tone on you…”
“Anya! You’re totally ruining our chances!” Becky elbowed Anya in the stomach to stop her from talking more, hair flying out from her pigtails as she did so. “Ahem. What Anya meant to say was, it’s not a trick or anything, seriously. Just come. 6pm sharp, all right?” Blackbell smoothed her hair back down with her hand, hoping Damian would just agree.
“Yeah, honestly, there’s nothin’ …sinister going on. Trust us with this. Please?” Anya flashed a cheesy smile at Damian, clutching her side with one hand where Becky had stabbed her with her elbow, and fiddling the red ribbons at her collar with the other.
“…Fine. I’ll go.” He sighed, ashamed of his own submission. He could fight against Anya’s charm, but not for long, and it seemed that both her charm and Becky’s persistence made for a mix quick to persuade Damian into doing whatever they wanted.
“Good! See you there, then! Remember, 6pm sharp, not early, not late! Got it?”
“I got it. Now stop talking before I take it back.”
“Deal. Let’s go, Anya. We’ve got things to do! ~” Hah! I knew it! He’ll do anything when it comes to her!
“Alright! See you there, Dami!” Anya turned her head around for a moment to say goodbye to her friend before walking away to her next period with Becky. Damian felt his chest tighten at the sight of her gentle smile as she waved her hand goodbye.
“…see you, Anya.” Damian mumbled the words, still thinking about her glittering eyes. Can’t believe I agreed to meet up at some random library… What has my resilience come to??
“No, no! You’re doing it all wrong, hearts have a rounded tip!” Becky whisper-shouted at Anya at the back of their Classical Language class.
“Why does that matter?! A heart is a heart! Why do I need to custom make the confetti, anyway?! We could’ve just bought your precious rounded-tipped confetti anyway. And why am I the only one making it? You could chip in too, y’know!” Anya threw her scissors down onto the desk, whining about Becky making her do unpaid child labor.
“Because 1, hearts with a rounded tip seem sweeter and look cuter, plus the sharp tip could give Damian papercuts, and 2, it’s only special if it’s handmade by you! Would you rather have Ewen and Emile make them?!”
“They have nothing to do with anything right now! And they’re making the cake, aren’t they?!”
“Yes, but that’s because we both know you suck at culinary! How do you fuck up potstickers, Anya, potstickers! Frozen potstickers bought from the store that all you have to do is fry!”
“Alright, alright, lay off! That was once.”
“Hmph. If you say so… Now get to cutting!” Becky folded her arms, leaning back into her chair, dangerously far at that.
“All you’re doing is being the ‘head planner/organizer’, pleaseeeeee help me. I’ve already made literally every single piece of decoration so far.” She begged her friend to show some mercy. “Look at my hands, Becky. My handsssss. I’m tired, c’mon...” Anya waved her hands wildly in front of Becky’s face, Becky turning away to leave Anya suffering on her own.
“Nope. I just got a manicure.”
“You’re kidding me. That’s always your excu- “
“Girls! Would you like to share what’s so important to discuss that you’ve been chattering about it for well over 15 minutes?”
“Hgrrrk! …No, sir.” Anya quickly hid her scrap paper and tools, hanging her head low as she spoke. “We’re sorry, continue on…”
“That’s what I thought.” The teacher swung back around towards the board, letting Anya and Becky go back to their usual dynamic. Both Anya and Becky couldn’t be more relieved that their teachers had gotten used to their antics, and they rarely got into any serious trouble anymore(even if simply removing Anya’s horrid ideas from any situation would solve their problems just as well, as she was usually the cause of all their problems).
We’re finally done! Got everything in your bag, Anya?”
“Yep, I’ve got it all.” Anya proudly slapped her bag, a smug smile on her face.
“You guys ready for today?” Ewen and Emile seemed to have slipped out of the shadows just to ask that question, startling the two girls.
“JESUS CHRIST- …oh. It’s just you two. WHAT’S YOUR DEAL SNEAKING UP ON ME LIKE THAT?! CREEPS! CREEPS! CREE- “
“Becky, calm down. And yes, we’re prepared... You guys?” Anya held Becky at the collar to prevent her from tearing into the two blondes.
“Perfect, per usual.” Ewen stood tall, clearly proud of his success. “Emile didn’t eat the entire cake- “
“What does that mean?! What are you implying?!” Emile immediately turned beet red, his cheeks flaring up at the joke.
“Relax, I’m kidding, dude. I was more worried about Anya secretly trying to sneak peanuts into it.”
“Hey! Peanuts and cake aren’t even a good combo!”
“And you know that how?” Becky stared at her peanut-loving friend.
“…Let’s just go to the library and set everything up already!” Anya stormed off, leaving the three teens to rush after her.
“Alright! We’ve got the décor all set up, the cake's being stored properly, the confetti is set to explode right as he steps in, and every speck of dust is gone in the old place! Thanks to me, of course!” Becky swirled around the place, talking more to herself rather than anyone around her.
“It’s almost 6, let’s turn off the lights and wait.” Emile looked around, checking everything one last time before he spoke.
“It’s going to be perfect! I’ve even got around two hundred-thirty-eight backup plans just in case he- “
“Becky.”
“Or if it turns out that he- “
“Becky.”
“Oh, but I lack one if- “
“BECKY! Did you hear Emile?!”
“Huh?” Becky snapped out of her trance, looking at Anya confusedly.
“It’s almost six. Come on!” Anya grabbed Becky’s arm and dragged her behind a counter after turning the lights off and seeing that Ewen and Emile had already grabbed the cake and hidden as well.
“Everybody shush! I think I can hear footsteps...” Emile crouched lower, ready to pounce on the clueless Damian about to stumble in.
“Okay, I came! What was it-” As the boy stepped inside the library, the door swung, triggering the confetti to make a loud pop! and rain down on him. The four kids jumped out, simultaneously shouting a loud ‘Happy Birthday!’, all smiling and proud of the successful surprise.
Damian looked around him, at the people covered in oddly cut heart-shaped confetti that came in an assortment of colors. They all stood around him, with two holding a navy-blue cake sprinkled with white that made it look like a glowing night sky. The golden letters on it read, ‘Happy 17th, Damian! We love you!’, with what looked like a fondant Stella star replacing the ‘i’ in his name. The ‘17’ candle’s fire was the only thing illuminating the scene.
“You... You knew?” Damian immediately felt a strong blush creep up his neck and travel to his face. The fact that his friends had remembered when it was only in the last year they all started to really come together(despite sharing most classes together since the first grade), and he had probably mentioned it once or twice in that timeframe made him feel surprisingly appreciated and even cared for. He wasn’t expecting anything at all. Damian’s last ‘Birthday Party’ had been when he was 5, with a 3-tier cake made by his family’s maids and butlers, and none of his family was present. He stared at the cake for a good minute, lost in thought.
“Dami? Earth to Dami...” Anya started tapping his shoulder, while also brushing her fingers through his hair to get rid of some confetti that had prompty buried themselves into it.
“Uhm, what?” When he came back from his thoughts, he still saw the same people surrounding him, alongside a very cute Anya way too close. Damian swiftly grabbed her hand and gently pushed her away before he could explode on the spot. “Sorry, I just- Thank you, guys. This is... really sweet.”
“Awwwh, no worries, huh, Bossman?” Ewen took the opportunity to tease Damian with an old nickname, lightly laughing with Emile by his side. “We thought it’d be nice to do something for your birthday!”
“Yeah, now that you’re an old hag.”
“It is nice,” Damian’s attention shifted from Ewen and Emile to Anya. “And you, shut your mouth, shrimp.”
“I just did something nice for you, and this is how you treat me? C’mon, it wouldn’t kill you to be respectful for once, when you always treat me like trash on the side of the road and whatnot.” Anya brought her hand up to her forehead, dramatically feigning a faint.
“You act more like Becky day by day...” He couldn’t help but smile at her attitude.
“Excuse me? You act like that’s a bad thing.” Becky protectively wrapped her arms around Anya’s neck from behind, being equally, if not more, dramatic. She then went over to turn on the lights of the library. “Also, the library was not my idea, I proposed we do it at my activity house, but this RAT said that it was too empty and we would never use the space! I mean, really? Space is a bad thing now? So, she suggested this dusty old place instead, but lucky for you, I cleaned it all up! You better say ‘Thank you’, boy, because I did it all MYSELF rather than using hired help, aren’t I just the sweetest? I know I am! It’s just a matter of-”
“Yeah, yeah, thank you, Blackbell...” He had already tuned her out the second she turned on the lights. The whole place was decorated with paper crafts, even including full-on banners and stars hanging from the ceiling. It seemed to all be made by Forger, considering that it was a somewhat shitty job, sure, but he loved it all anyway.
“So... Are we gonna eat the cake or what?” Anya could feel herself salivating already, the sweet vanilla scent of the cake practically wafting straight into her nose. She had skipped lunch for this, after all.
“Let’s sit down and eat already! I’m hungry too!” Ewen slapped Damian’s back playfully, breaking Damian’s train of thoughts and bringing him to sit down with his friends to cut into the cake.
“First, let’s sing! My voice is angelic, after all! Daddy says-”
“No.” Ewen, Emile, Anya, and Damian all spoke at once.
“...” Becky sighed. “Just blow the candles, then...” Anya hugged her friend, scared she was going to have one of those ‘rich-girl-temper-tantrums' her and Becky always saw on TV.
“Now, make a wish, Dami!” Damian hesitated before blowing the candle out, the embarrassment making itself evident on his cheeks.
“Alrighty, birthday boy, what slice do you want?” Anya stood with the knife in her hand, ready to cut into the delight.
“Just cut it.” Anya took that as a sign to cut out the slice with most of his name on it.
“I call dibs on the next one!” Emile shouted, eager to eat as he was also starving.
“No fair! I’m the one with the knife, next one is for me!” Anya’s hunger had already overtaken her, and she cut herself a wildly disproportionate size to her own small body. After everyone finally got their cake, she suddenly remembered something. “Wait, Damian! Don’t eat that!”
“What? Why?”
“Take the Stella off first!”
“...Are you telling me you put a real Stella star on this cake?” Damian looked straight at her gorgeous eyes, astonished at how anyone could be so stupid to put a real piece of sharp metal on a cake.
“...Yes?” At her embarrassingly small response she managed to squeak out, everyone at the table burst into laughter. Anya shrunk into her seat, not daring to bring her head up.
“You told me it was fondant!” Becky managed to speak, still clutching her abdominals in laughter.
“I did NOT! You have terrible memory!” Anya brought herself back up just to retort.
“What type of idiot does that? Anya Forger, that’s who! How did you get to be an Imperial Scholar, anyway?!” Ewen and Emile decided to join, as well.
“Take that back! I deserve to be an Imperial Scholar!”
“Anya, I love you, but...” I’ve just no idea how you’re an Imperial Scholar, no offense...
“Becky, not you too!”
“You’re a Dottore, Forger. That’s how idiocracy and intelligence coexist inside you.”
“I’m not a nerd, I don’t know what the hell that is, Dami! Now you take that back(If that was an insult)!”
“What?! First of, all, Forger, that’s not a nerdy thing to know, and second of all, it’s a fact! You can’t take back the truth.”
“Okay, why are we all ganging up on me?! What did I do?” Anya retreated, putting her hands up in the air as if she was getting arrested. Only Becky was responsible or Anya’s level of dramaticism in any situation.
“Put metal Stella stars into a cake!” Everyone yelled at once. They all continued to argue, laugh, and bicker for hours into the night.
“Goodnight you two! Don’t have fun without me around, alright? ~” Becky was the 3rd one to leave, her hair waving bye with her hands. She quickly disappeared as she ran off, giggling. By searching her mind, Anya knew she didn’t have to leave; she just wanted to give Anya and Damian some ‘alone time’.
“...” Anya stared at Damian.
“...” Damian stared back.
“Sorry if the party was kind of boring... We kind of just sat around and talked the whole time.” She threw her head down in shame, not even daring to peek into Damian’s mind at the moment. They really hadn’t done much, even if Anya wanted them to hold some grand event.
“It wasn’t boring, not at all. I liked getting to talk to everybody outside of school.” He didn’t look at Anya, instead letting his eyes scan the world around them. The colorful shops decorating the corner, the moon being blurred out by clouds, the lamps dimming, people going home, everything felt so perfect. He liked the casualty of everything, the way everyone and everything seemed so relaxed and carefree. “It was nice of you guys to do that for me. Even if you did try to kill me with a Stella.”
“I did not...!”
“Mmmm... You kind of did...” He tilted his head away from her as she stared at him with that dramatic upset look she’d always been prone to doing. Eventually, she gave up and let herself relax after the long day.
“I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it, that’s all. And you’re right, it was really fun. Let’s do this sometime again.” She swung her feet back and forth on the bench, looking at the ground. I kind of wish this could go on for the rest of my life. Is that greedy? It’s a little greedy.
“If we’re ahead on our studies, sure.”
“Ever the nerd, Dami.”
“Would you look at who's talking?”
“So defensive.” Anya looked down at Damian’s watch. “Gah! The time! Mama and Papa are gonna kill me… Until next time, right?” She hopped off the bench, leaving Damian sitting there.
“Until next time, shrimp.” Looking up at her, he was able to fully appreciate her features. The way her cheeks and nose burned in the bitterness of the cold, the way the lamplight behind her illuminated all the edges of her and made her hair glow, the way her lashes dipped downwards at the ends, the way the pink of her hair faded into a peachy orange at the ends and curled upwards. And of course, how her eyes shined under the moonlight. The green of her eyes went from a dark army green into an almost neon co-
“Happy Birthday, Damian.” Anya leaned down and pressed a light kiss onto his cheek. That simple action had completely derailed him, and even after she pulled away, he was still unable to move. His heart and breath were going at a noticeably faster rate, though, and he had to clutch onto the fabric of his pants to keep him grounded into reality. He could still very much feel the burn of where her lips once were, the tickling sensation of where her hair had brushed against his face, and the burn of her breath against his skin when she had muttered words that were completely incomprehensible to Damian in this state.
“H-Happy Birthday to you too?” Damian muttered, still completely whacked out of it, entranced by the laugh she responded with as she walked away. After realizing what he said, he sat there for an agonizing 2 hours regretting every decision he’s ever made in his short 17 years of life.