Jaw

Chapter 11

To Silena's surprise, very little changed in the following months. She wasn't sure what she was expecting– parades in her honor, perhaps, or at least a little special attention from Zeke.

None of that happened, though. Aside from extra one-on-one training with Zeke as promised, a few meetings with Isabelle and Willy Tybur, and sitting in on meetings about things that hardly concerned her for hours on end, Silena's schedule barely changed at all. She was just as idle as she'd always been.

But Silena's anticlimactic life was of no concern to her on her sixteenth birthday.

She was well aware of how immature it was to be excited for her birthday, but for once she didn't care. Everything had always seemed better on November eleventh.

Even her mother's grudge had been forgotten for the day. When Silena had come down for breakfast– a poor man's feast of eggs and bacon– Mother had pulled her into a hug. It was stiff, but almost brought tears to Silena's eyes.

Silena had just sat down at the kitchen table when Aunt Adele came out, something hidden behind her back. She stood close by Silena, wordless, until Silena broke the silence.

"Hi, auntie," she said, not entirely sure of what else to say. "What's going on?"

"I'm glad you asked," Aunt Adele replied, dramatic as ever. With a flourish, she revealed a hairpin. The pin itself was fine, dark wood, with a simple red bead on the end. It was simplistic, but pretty.

"This was our mother's," Aunt Adele explained. "She gave it to me when she died, but my hair's always been too thick for it. I figured that wouldn't be a problem for you."

Silena ran a hand through her thin curls. It wouldn't be a problem at all. "Thank you! I love it!" She took the pin from Aunt Adele's hands and slid it through the hairband holding up her top layer of hair. Silena spun around so her aunt and mother could see it, both women voicing their approval.

She attempted to eat her breakfast again, only to be stopped as soon as she sat down. Silena nearly groaned when she heard the knock on the door but quickly realized that it was probably Pieck.

"I'll get it!" She said, stopping her mother before she could get up. It was strange that Pieck hadn't come knocking earlier, really. Silena had been expecting to wake up to her, like the year prior.

Instead, she was met with Porco Galliard, and it almost sent her reeling. He was scowling, of course, but looked much more relaxed in a baggy shirt and cargo pants. His hair was, of course, flawless.

Silena recovered herself quickly. "Oh. Hi. Did Zeke need me today?" She'd specifically requested the day off– Zeke was usually surprisingly good about taking her requests. Maybe it was the academy that needed her, though she hadn't taught since meeting with the Tyburs.

"No," Porco said simply. He craned his neck to look behind her. "What am I smelling? It's good."

She couldn't recall Porco ever saying anything was good. And maybe it was that fact that made her reply, "Birthday breakfast. Want some?"

He gave her a strange look. "Whose birthday is it?"

"Mine."

Another strange look. "You should've told me."

Silena almost laughed. "Why would I have told you?"

"I could've gotten you something." He'd said it without a hint of mirth. Porco Galliard really would have gotten her a gift for her birthday– the thought was ludicrous.

"There's still time," she suggested, not really meaning it.

And certainly not expecting Porco to nod, wave his hand at her, and say, "Let's go, then. Before the shops close."