What I'd Give to See Through You

My happy place

Friday 3, October
POV: Lio

Lio: -we've already finished eating. We're talking and waiting for the night's bell to ring. I find myself sometimes peeking at Jaden. I mean. I didn't quite see clearly what he had on his neck, but it was clearly a hickey. I guess Aeson and him are together. I thought they were friends, though. The bell rings now.-

Avy: oh, well. -she stands up.- remember tomorrow, we're going out. Have a good night, loves. -she smiled at us and left the table, and for first time since we became friends, Reagan wasn't going with her.-

Reagan: I need to speak to the headmistress about something, see you. -well, that explains it.-

Lio: let's go. -I told the guys. When we were already in our rooms' section they both entered to their corresponding rooms and I entered mine. I was putting on my pajamas and paying attention if I heard Aeson or Jaden opening their doors. I felt like a complete gossiper but well, I wouldn't tell anyone either way. Some minutes later I finally heard the faint, small sound of Aeson's door opening and then closing and since that I heard nothing, rational though, Jaden's room is farther away from mine.-

Monday 6, October
POV: Aeson

Jaden: good morning. -he shook me softly, voice sounding raspy. I stretched a bit, then opening my eyes to see Jaden's face over mine.- it's getting late. -he smiled.-

Aeson: good morning. -I said after stretching for like an hour, also smiling at him. I stood up. He was sitting on bed.- see you later. -I left his room.-

...

Aeson: -Avy told us by chat that she wanted to talk to us after lunch. She says she wants to plan something for Lio's birthday. By now she was making eye communication with Adrian, who, as a man, has no idea what she means. I guess he discovered it was something along the lines of "take her to her room," so he did.-

Avy: well, as you know Lio's birthday is tomorrow and I wanted to give her a little surprise because I love planning and blah blah. -damn she's even interrupting herself.- so, Jaden, -he looked at her attentively.- tomorrow at 4:00 pm, can you go pick her up with Adrian? -he nodded.- I need you to tell her to cover her eyes while walking and please guide her well because if she falls or trips I'll kill you and Adrian. -her face turned serious in a matter of seconds.- but anyhow, -she smiled again.- just pick her with Adrian and lead her to the woods right after the football pitch. Aeson, Reagan and me will be waiting there. I have planned something like a little picnic with, yes, a cake. Because cakes are my thing, I'm sorry, I'm never going to change. -she smiled to herself, we three also did. Sometimes when she talks to us, it looks like she's talking to herself more.- then, Aeson is going to be decorating the place with us. I also got decorations. -she's now serious again. I still think she has too much expressions at the same time, it's difficult to keep up with her face.-

Aeson: how did you got that many things without anybody noticing? We went shopping together. -I asked. I promise to God I never saw her have anything that even looked like a cake or decoration in the slightest.-

Avy: I'm slurry like a slug! -she laughed, sounding actually adorable.- I think it's a talent. -she shrugged.- sometimes I consider becoming into a spy, or a secret keeper. No one would ever realize I'm keeping government secrets. -she already keeps all the gossips and secrets this school has. Talking to her for a month has made me aware of more people here than in my whole life.-

Aeson: that's... great, it's a bit weird, but great. -I smiled at her.-

Avy: thank you. -she smiled too.- but, the point is that I need everybody to get committed to this because it's very important for me. I mean it's Lio, we all love Lio. She's like the nicest girl and the least likely to get arrested, she's amazing. -she explains, we all nod. It's true, it's Lio. She's the sweetest girl ever.-

Jaden: why getting arrested? -he asked, not really sounding like he wants to hear the explanation.-

Avy: because, ok, I have a scheme. Reagan is lovely but very protective, and she's a Gryffindor so I feel she'd totally kill people if it's for the people she loves. That means jail. -she points first at Reagan, who shrugs and accepts it. Years of experience.- Jaden gives me that vibe of like, a drug dealer. And you're a Ravenclaw so I feel you would never get caught. But if you do, yea, jail. -Jaden started laughing immediately. Obviously Avy too and I can't keep my smile off my face.-

Jaden: but why a drug dealer? -he even clapped from the laughter.-

Avy: I don't know, it's your vibe. -she tried to catch her breath after such laughter.- and I just noticed, you clap when you laugh. That's another point to the jail thing. -she laughed again with him. Reagan started laughing too, frowning. I mean yea, what does it have to do clapping when you laugh with jail. I need to research that later.- and Aeson, for me you look like... an arsonist. Like, you know, burning off things for fun. -I laughed at that. I've never thought about myself as an arsonist. I mean, who would.- but Lio looks so innocent, like a child of heaven. She looks like she goes to the church every Sunday and prays every night. I would never see her committing a crime. -we nod to the resolution. At the end, it made sense.-

Jaden: well, I think it's a good idea. Adrian knows about it? -he asked, Avy nodded.-

Avy: of course, I told him already via WhatsApp. Everything is set now. -she smiled, excited. Oh what a blonde girl.-

Tuesday 7, October
POV: narrator

Narrator: classes are already over, and the five are getting ready to put into motion their plan for Lio's birthday. Adrian and Jaden are in front of Lio's room, waiting for Avy to tell them when she, Aeson and Reagan get to the woods behind the school.

Jaden: Avy texted. -he whispered, Adrian immediately knocked on the door.-

Lio: hey! -she opened, smiling at them.- everything ok guys?

Adrian: yes, but, do you have anything to cover your eyes with? -she frowned immediately, looking back and forth at Jaden and Adrian, possibly looking for the joke on all this.-

Lio: yes...? -she didn't find it.-

Adrian: great, cover your eyes then. -she smiled. She intrinsically thinks this is a joke. Again, she realized it isn't.-

Lio: ok? -she went to look for a handkerchief in her drawers, then giving it to Adrian. He blushed immediately and gave it to Jaden. Of course he rolled his eyes about this, covering Lio's eyes and starting their walk.-

Narrator: on the other side, Avy, Reagan and Aeson already have everything set up, and are now sitting on tree trunks.-

Aeson: when are they coming? -he asked, looking at his watch, 4:06pm.-

Avy: be patient. Do I need to tell you again that here is a long walk from the school? -she was still checking the decorations. They were very minimalistic, some garlands in the trees, that typical picnic sheet checkered in red and white and a basket with snacks, the cake and glasses. It looks beautiful, and the three were sure that Lio's going to love it. They waited some minutes more and then saw from a far Jaden and Adrian walking on each of Lio's sides, who has her eyes covered with a handkerchief.-

Jaden: should I uncover her eyes? -he asked when they got to the spot. Avy was smiling from ear to ear, nodding at the question.-

All: surprise! -they chanted in unison.-

Lio: oh! -she was watching everything around her with a very big smile.- aw, guys! It wasn't necessary! -she smiled at them and she looked so touched by the gesture it almost seemed like she was about to cry.- thank you so much! -she hugged Avy first, and then all the others gathered around for a group hug.-

Avy: of course it was necessary. -she crouched down to grab something from the picnic sheet.- I have a cake! -she grabbed Lio's hand for her to sit, the other four followed them.- and of course with eco-friendly glasses. -she also showed them to Lio.-

Lio: thank you so much. -she looked at all of them, feeling warm in her chest.-