Chapter Fifty Two

Wednesday;

There was a gentle knock on my door before my Aunt pushed it open, balancing a tray laden with breakfast in one hand and a small cupcake topped with a flickering candle in the other. She flashed me a beaming smile, her eyes soft with emotion as she made her way over to my bed.

"Happy Birthday!" she cooed, setting the tray in front of me and plopping down beside me on the bed. "I can't believe my baby is all grown up," she sighed, dramatically dabbing at the corners of her eyes with her fingers, though her grin was far from sorrowful. Without hesitation, she reached over and plucked a piece of bacon from my plate.

"Auntie!" I laughed, glancing at her with mock offense. "Twenty-two isn't even a big number," I said, reaching for my toast, "Besides, I've been grown up for years now."

"I know!" she wailed, clutching her heart theatrically before swiping another piece of bacon. I raised an eyebrow at her, feigning suspicion. "Are you fake crying just so you can steal my food?"

She gasped in mock outrage, her hand flying to her chest. "What? Never!" she scoffed, before brazenly snatching one more piece and popping it into her mouth, looking unapologetic as ever.

I shook my head, unable to hold back my smile as I dug into my breakfast. She watched me with a warm expression, and after a moment, she held up a finger. "Alright, so here's the plan," she said, once she'd swallowed. "I'm taking you out for dinner tonight. How does that sound?"

I beamed at her, the familiar warmth of our little tradition making me feel both grateful and loved. "I'd love that," I said, already looking forward to the evening.

My aunt and I chatted warmly as I ate my breakfast, savoring each bite and her playful conversation. Suddenly, my bedroom door flew open with a loud bang, jolting us both upright.

"Valentinaaaaa!" Lea burst in, practically leaping onto my bed, her grin wide and unmistakably mischievous. "Happy birthday!" she sang out, bouncing on the mattress beside me. Her eyes darted around, and she gasped. "Wait! I left your gift on my motorcycle!" She slapped a hand to her forehead in mock frustration. "Be right back!"

I couldn't help but laugh as she sprang off my bed, already heading back outside with that boundless energy of hers. My aunt chuckled softly, her eyes fondly following Lea before turning back to me. She reached over and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"I have to go, honey, but I promise I'll leave work early to take you out for dinner tonight," she said, standing up and smoothing her skirt.

"If you can't make it off early, really, it's okay," I replied with a smile, popping another bite of toast into my mouth. "We can go another night. I don't mind."

"Nope." She shook her head resolutely, her expression soft yet determined. "I'll be taking you out tonight, no matter what." She gave me a final, warm smile, the kind that spoke volumes without words, then turned and slipped out of my room, leaving behind the comforting scent of her favorite vanilla perfume.

Lea soon bounded back into my room, launching herself onto my bed with such enthusiasm that the mattress practically shook. She grinned brightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she cleared her throat dramatically. "Okay, so," she began, "what I got you isn't much, mostly because I, uh, spent most of my money on cigarettes and energy drinks." She chuckled, shrugging casually. "But hey, it's the thought that counts, right?"

With a flourish, she revealed a small, carefully wrapped gift and handed it over to me. Her eyes widened with anticipation, and she gave an exaggerated bounce. "Open it! C'mon!" she urged, practically vibrating with excitement.

I rolled my eyes with a smile, tearing away the wrapping paper to reveal a familiar, stylishly vintage-looking lipstick—a Lana Del Rey-inspired cigarette-style lipstick. I laughed in surprise, running my fingers over the sleek packaging.

"I know you're obsessed with LDR, and I know you love me," Lea said with a smirk, looking immensely pleased with herself. "So I got this to remind you of us both."

I chuckled, pulling her in for a hug. "I absolutely love it. Thank you, Lea." Her quirky thoughtfulness never failed to make me smile.

Lea's gaze drifted to the cupcake on my tray, her eyes lighting up mischievously. She pointed at it, flashing a huge grin. "You gonna eat that?"

I snorted. "Go for it," I said, amused. She wasted no time, grabbing the cupcake and devouring it in just two big bites, frosting and crumbs flying everywhere.

This girl is absolutely wild—but I wouldn't change a thing about her.

Lea insisted on helping me polish off the breakfast, picking at my bacon and toast until the plate was nearly spotless. When we finished, she practically shoved me toward the bathroom, smirking. "Go on, hit the shower. I'll pick something cute for you to wear."

I rolled my eyes but obeyed, letting the warm water wake me up and wash away the last of my grogginess. After a quick rinse, I wrapped myself in a towel and padded back to my bedroom. On my bed, Lea had laid out an outfit—a soft, fitted sweater and high-waisted jeans, paired with a pair of boots I hadn't worn in ages. Not bad at all.

Once dressed, I barely had time to inspect myself in the mirror before Lea bustled back in, gesturing toward my vanity chair. "Sit, sit!" she commanded, holding up my hairbrush with an eager grin. "Can I curl your hair again?"

I nodded, and she lit up with excitement, starting to brush through my damp hair with an expert touch. We chatted as she curled each section, her focus intense. When she finally put the curling iron down, my hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, framing my face perfectly. I couldn't help but smile at the transformation. I didn't add much makeup, but I swiped on some of the Lana Del Rey-inspired lipstick Lea had gifted me, the pop of color bringing everything together.

Lea, evidently pleased with her handiwork, whipped out her phone and slid beside me, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Picture time!" She announced, holding the phone up.

We took several selfies—some smiling, some silly, and one with Lea making a ridiculous face while I tried not to burst out laughing. After we finished, we swiped through the shots, admiring our work.

"These are amazing!" I clapped my hands, unable to hold back a grin. "Send me all of them!"

Lea winked, slipping her phone into her bag. "Naturally. Now, let's get to campus and show off!"

A cool breeze hit my face as I walked across campus, grateful for the warmth of the sweater Lea picked out. It was just before ten, and the faint chill made me quicken my steps as we headed in different directions for our lectures.

Mathematical Physics awaited me, with Vargas already at the podium flipping through her notes when I arrived. I slid into my usual seat, watching as students filled the room and settled down. Vargas didn't waste any time; as soon as everyone was seated, she dove straight into the lecture. I followed along, jotting down key points and focusing on her words. When something didn't make sense, I raised my hand, and she patiently broke it down until I understood. It was one of those lectures that made me feel like I was actually getting somewhere, and I left the hall feeling more accomplished than usual.

As I strolled over to the fountain, I spotted Lea sprawled on a bench, completely absorbed in her phone. I plopped down beside her, causing her to glance up with a casual grin.

"Did you get off early?" I asked, crossing my arms to keep out the cold.

She snickered, shaking her head. "Nah, I just bailed. Lecture was boring as hell, so I made my own exit." She tossed her hair back with a playful smirk. "Guess you could say I got off early."

I rolled my eyes with a smile. "How are you not failing?"

Lea tapped her temple with a smug look, wiggling her eyebrows. "Photographic memory," she declared dramatically, then laughed. "Okay, not really. But I'm a quick study."

Lea and I decided a cozy stop at Midnight Mocha would be the perfect escape from the cold. I pulled my car out of the lot, grateful we weren't braving the chill on her motorcycle, and headed for the warm glow of the café. As we walked inside, the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked goods surrounded us, and we chose a seat by the window where we could watch the fog rolling in over the city streets.

We ordered some drinks—hot chocolate for me, dark roast for her—and a couple of generous slices of cake. Settling back in our seats, we relaxed, waiting for our treats to arrive. Lea, however, couldn't sit still; she fiddled with a sugar packet, twisting it between her fingers, her brows drawn together.

"I feel like I'm not doing enough for your birthday," she sighed, her voice laced with frustration.

I tilted my head, smiling gently. "Lea, you got me a present, sang happy birthday, took me out on Friday... You've done more than enough."

She shook her head, still gripping the sugar packet. "I took you out, and it ended with your dad slapping you. I'll never be able to forget that, you know? I feel... responsible."

I reached across the table and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "And then you whacked him over the head with a beer bottle," I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Honestly, that saved my night."

Lea's tense expression finally softened as she let out a laugh. "Okay, maybe I did redeem myself a little bit."

"More than a little bit." I grinned as our drinks arrived, filling the air with a comforting warmth.

We lingered in a comfortable silence, savoring the warmth of our drinks. The café door chimed, and my gaze shifted toward the sound, spotting Victoria as she stepped inside. Her eyes scanned the room briefly before she made her way to the counter, where Ivy, the barista, welcomed her with a warm smile.

I watched, slightly narrowing my eyes, as their conversation unfolded. Ivy leaned over the counter, and I noticed a brief touch—a squeeze of Ivy's hand that lingered just a moment too long before Victoria pulled back. Their comfort with each other was undeniable, and something about it struck me as... more than friendly.

I leaned toward Lea, voice low. "Did you see that?" Lea arched a brow, lowering her cup. "See what?"

I nodded toward the two at the counter. "Victoria and the barista, Ivy. Pretty sure there's something going on between them."

Lea's confusion turned to interest. "So?"

I lowered my voice even more. "Victoria is a professor. And Ivy? She's a student at our university."

Lea's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa. Well, damn," she muttered with a small laugh. "This university really is messed up."

"Tell me about it," I chuckled, settling back against my chair and taking a slow sip of coffee. Despite everything, I had to admit—the way they looked at each other, with that quiet fondness—it was nice to see them happy.

✿

A couple of hours later, Lea and I wrapped up our last lecture of the day. Prof. Martin had loaded us up with an assignment due by Friday, so we were trudging to the library, trying to get a head start. The thought of diving straight into work wasn't exactly thrilling, but the deadline was tight, and I knew we'd regret it if we put it off.

Of course, on top of Martin's assignment, I had another one from Montgomery in my Lab Skills class. She and I hadn't exchanged a single word all day. I barely looked in her direction, and she didn't spare me a glance either. Maybe it was foolish, but I'd half-expected her to ask me to stay after class, maybe wish me a quiet happy birthday. And yes, part of me had also wished she'd stepped in that night with my dad, but that was a whole other story.

But enough of that. Today's my birthday. The last thing I need is to get pulled into a spiral over Montgomery's indifference or my dad's lousy choices. Happy thoughts only—like the dinner I'd be having with my Aunt tonight. Now, that was something worth focusing on.

My aunt and I haven't had the chance to go out for dinner in what feels like ages. Between her late shifts and the sheer exhaustion she carries home, our evenings together usually ended up with her falling asleep on the couch rather than out at a restaurant.

Every time she tried to hide her tiredness, insisting she could still manage a night out, I could see right through her. I'd end up telling her, gently, that we could always reschedule. I never felt disappointed—actually, seeing how hard she worked just made me appreciate her more. It warmed my heart to know she still wanted to make time for me, even when she could barely keep her eyes open.

And if she can't make it tonight? It's honestly okay. We can always go out another day. I won't shrivel up and die without that steak I've been thinking about. Besides, if she has to work, I could always text Lea. She'd definitely be down to hang out, and knowing Lea, she'd turn a simple night out into a mini-adventure.

Lea and I settled at a quiet, empty table, our laptops and notebooks scattered between us. She let out an exaggerated groan as her laptop booted up, tossing her head back dramatically.

"Why, oh why, do we have to do this today?" she moaned, slumping back in her chair, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else.

"Because it's due by Friday," I replied, stifling a laugh as I shuffled through the mess of notes and papers we'd both piled up.

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, giving a dismissive wave. "Let's just get started before I decide to ditch you." She shot me a mischievous look, half-serious.

I raised my eyebrows, crossing my arms. "You'd ditch me? On my birthday?"

She pursed her lips, pretending to consider. "Hmm, no. Tomorrow, though? Fair game."

I rolled my eyes with a grin and motioned for her to focus. With a dramatic huff, she straightened in her chair and pulled the assignment closer, finally resigning herself to the task.

We'd been holed up in the quiet library for about two hours now, racing through the assignment while double-checking everything to make sure we were actually getting it right. The place was mostly deserted, just the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional shuffle of someone a few tables away.

Lea let out a dramatic sigh, scrolling through yet another webpage for any extra help. "This is torture," she grumbled, rubbing her eyes like the assignment was physically draining her.

"Tell me about it," I sighed, leaning back in my chair and stretching my arms over my head, trying to work out the stiffness from hunching over my laptop.

She glanced at me and paused, studying me with a strange look before pursing her lips. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes as she suddenly sprang to her feet. "You know what?" she announced, starting to gather up my scattered papers. "It's your birthday—you should not be sitting here doing assignments."

I looked at her, baffled. "What the hell are you doing?" I tried to grab my things back, but she shot me a quick look, flicking her wrist to check her watch.

"You're not supposed to work on your birthday," she said matter-of-factly.

"I'm fine," I chuckled, reaching for my laptop, but Lea was already shutting it down and shaking her head.

"Nope. I'll finish this off. Go home, and raid your fridge for anything delicious," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. Before I knew it, she was practically pushing me toward the library doors, grinning all the while.

Well... that just happened. I chuckled to myself, shaking my head as I made my way out of the library, weaving through the near-empty halls until I reached the parking lot. The cold air nipped at my face, a sharp reminder of the chill setting in, but I barely felt it, still smiling from Lea's little act of kindness.

Lea is so ridiculously silly sometimes, but—goodness—I love that girl with all my heart. She's been by my side from the day she first asked to be friends, and somehow, through every weird or messy part of life, she's only become closer to me. Never once has she judged me. She's always there, lifting me up, making me laugh on even the worst days.

"You look deep in thought," a low, familiar voice broke through the quiet, pulling me back to the present. I glanced up, surprised, to find Montgomery leaning against her car, parked just beside mine.

Her arms were casually crossed, an air of confidence in her stance, and she was studying me, head tilted slightly. Her gaze lingered, drifting slowly from my face to the curls falling over my shoulders. "Curls suit you beautifully," she remarked, her voice soft but certain.

A warmth flushed through my cheeks. Trying to hide it, I dropped my gaze, fumbling in my pocket for my car keys. "Thank you," I mumbled, more to the pavement than to her, as I moved past her toward my car door.

As I moved toward my car, Montgomery reached out, fingers lightly gripping my elbow. The contact was brief, but I immediately wrenched my arm free, taking a step back and leveling a glare at her. "Don't touch me," I snapped, my voice sharp as a blade. She raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, her expression remaining oddly calm.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she leaned back against her car. "Did you really think I'd forget your birthday?" she asked, her voice soft yet confident. Without waiting for a reply, she turned, opening the passenger door and pulling out a bouquet of vibrant sunflowers, their golden petals almost glowing in the evening light. In her other hand, she held a medium-sized gift bag, sky-blue tissue paper peeking from the top, hiding whatever lay inside. "Happy birthday, sweetheart," she murmured, holding the flowers and gift bag out to me, her eyes warm yet guarded.

I took them, unsure of what to say, when she tilted her head slightly, an almost mischievous look in her eyes. "Hold out your arm," she instructed, her voice barely above a whisper. Hesitantly, I extended my arm, unsure of her intent. She revealed a delicate bracelet—a simple, polished band with a small lock charm attached. Her fingers brushed against my skin as she fastened it around my wrist, securing the lock with a click.

"How am I supposed to take this off?" I asked, glancing at the tiny lock, already sensing the answer. She straightened the bracelet with a smirk.

"With the key," she replied smoothly, her tone smug.

I narrowed my eyes, lifting my arm to inspect it. "Let me guess—you have the key?" I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Is this some kind of claim on me? You're saying I'm yours?"

She gave a light shrug, that infuriating smirk growing as her gaze held mine. "Perhaps," she said, her voice tinged with an unmistakable arrogance.

I rolled my eyes, making sure she caught the gesture, knowing how much it irritated her. Her lips pressed into a thin line for a split second, but she didn't react, her mask of calm unbroken.

"You sure have an interesting way of protecting something that's 'yours,'" I said, forcing a smile as I raised the flowers and bag, using them as my shield. "Thanks for the gifts." I sidestepped around her, angling toward my car, eager to leave her and this strange, almost unsettling moment behind.

Montgomery stepped directly into my path, her presence firm and unyielding. I held back an exasperated sigh—would it kill her to just let me leave? My frustration surged, and I ran a hand through my hair, barely able to keep my voice steady. "What do you even want from me?" I asked, each word laced with exasperation. "I'm sure there are plenty of other women out there fluttering their eyelashes at you, just waiting to be toyed with."

She tilted her head, an amused glint in her eye. "That's true," she replied, her lips curving into a smirk. "I do have plenty of women throwing themselves at my feet... but I only have my eyes on you."

I forced a bright smile, tilting my head. "I have a better idea!" I said, my smile slowly morphing into something colder, more serious. "Why don't you take your eyes off me," I paused, locking my gaze with hers, "and keep them on Carol. You know, your girlfriend?"

"Val—" she began, reaching out, but I didn't let her finish. I shouldered past her, walking briskly to my car. With every step, I felt the anger simmering under my skin. Once inside, I started the engine, throwing one last glance at her through the windshield. Montgomery stood there, her confident mask finally cracked, her gaze lowered to the ground, a rare vulnerability breaking through.

I pressed the gas, backing out of the lot, leaving her standing there in the dwindling light, alone. My heart raced as I drove away, feeling the heat of our encounter slowly begin to fade. Frustration twisted inside me, mingling with confusion and something I couldn't quite place.

I glanced at the bracelet now locked around my wrist, then at the bouquet of sunflowers and the gift bag lying untouched on the passenger seat. The sight of them only deepened my confusion. With a sigh, I shook my head, gripping the wheel tighter. I had no idea what game Montgomery was playing—or why she'd chosen me as her focus—but it was tearing me apart bit by bit, and I couldn't seem to find a way to stop it.

As I pulled into my driveway, I cut the engine and stepped out, pausing as the sight of the gifts on the passenger seat caught my eye. For a moment, I considered leaving them there. But then, with a resigned sigh, I reached over, gathering the sunflowers and the gift bag before shutting the door.

Inside the house, I dropped the bouquet and bag onto the dining table, the flowers landing with a quiet rustle as I headed to the kitchen in search of a snack. I opened the fridge, scanning each shelf without much interest, then checked the pantry—no luck there either. Finally, I settled on a banana, peeling it as I wandered back to the dining room.

The gift bag sat there, silent and mocking. I eyed it suspiciously, torn between curiosity and the urge to toss it out. Why did she have to make things so confusing? One moment, she was hot and cold, infuriating and impossible to read. And then this—thoughtful, even sweet.

Unable to resist any longer, I leaned forward, pulling the bag closer. With a sigh, I pushed aside the crinkling tissue paper, peering inside. My heart did a little flip as I reached in and pulled out the plushie—a soft, endearing meerkat. I held it in my hands, turning it over slowly, taking in every detail. How did..? How did she even find this in such a short amount of time?

A hint of warmth crept into my chest. Montgomery could be so... thoughtful, in her strange, unpredictable way. Yet that didn't excuse everything else she'd put me through. I bit my lip, shaking off the emotions swirling inside me. I set the plushie down, already feeling the conflicting emotions tugging at me.

Enough of that. Right now, I just needed something more substantial than a banana. A ham sandwich, maybe—that sounded perfect.