Mask off

Crying on your birthday

It was February 27th

The streets of Riyadh were bright and glowing. There were people in the main part of town, shuffling around each other, trying to get to their destinations. It was also Sam's birthday today. He already celebrated it with his roommates earlier this morning but now he wanted to spend time with Layla. They were walking down the street with their hands intertwined. Layla wanted to shows Sam a restaurant that was in the city. They've been here for half a year, but they never really had time to get into the city. With school and their jobs, they all had a lot on their plates. They had to pay bills, had to put food on the table. It wasn't easy, but they seemed to make it work.

Layla and Sam sat down at a small table outside the restaurant. The waiter quickly came over to them and they ordered their drinks. Layla smiled at Sam once the waiter left. "So," Sam said breaking the silence, "Tell me about your childhood?" Layla smiled at the boy. "Well, it's only been me and my mom for as long as I can remember" Layla started. Sam sent Layla a confused look. Layla knew what that look meant, "My dad left us when I was three." Sam looked shocked at this but quickly masked it. "Oh, I'm sorry," Sam said. Layla chuckled at the boy, "Don't worry, I barely remember him." Sam smiled at that, nodding his head a little.

"Tell me about your childhood," Layla asked, stirring her lemon water around. "Well, I grew up as an assassin with Damian" Sam started. Layla laughed at that, "C'mon, where did you actually grow up." Sam sent the girl a confused look before a big grin came onto his face. "Wait, you think I'm lying" Sam laughed. Layla looked deadpan at Sam, "Yeah, like I'm going to believe you guys are assassins." Sam smiled at her, "I'm being serious, we grew up at the league of Assassins! Why do you think we have so many scars." 

Layla looked at Sam for a moment, before a shocked look came on her face. "You're being serious" She whisper-yelled, look around to make sure nobody heard her. Sam laughed, "Yeah, we really are assassins." Layla put her drink down, clearly still shocked about it. "Is that why Damian has the face scar?" Sam shook his head, "That's from when he died."

Layla looked at Sam dead in the eyes, "Don't tell me you guys were serious about that too." Sam laughed. Layla looked at Sam like he had a third eye. "No, you have to explain this to me," Layla said. Sam just smiled, "Only for you." Layla smiled, "So, how did you guys become assassins?" Sam took a sip of his drink, before quickly explaining. "Damian and Mara are Ra's Al Ghul's grandchildren, who runs the league of assassins. Evelyn's father was an assassin and he married Damian's mother before he died. Nolan's dad owed Ra's a favour, so he gave Ra's his son. Me and Kamilah were just taken from our parents at a young age and trained to be assassins."

Layla looked at Sam, "Okay, but I thought you guys lived in Gotham? Was it there?" Sam laughed at shook his head. "No, Damian was sent to meet his dad when he was ten in Gotham. Kamilah's older sister lived in Gotham so she went there too. Nolan's dad lived in L.A but moved to Gotham and Nolan went to stay with him. Me and Evelyn got sent to the Gotham foster care system, it was probably to watch out for the rest of them." Layla looked a little shocked but seemed to understand.

"Okay, okay, but how did Damian die," Layla asked, "More importantly, how the hell is he alive!" Sam laughed at the girls' dramatics, "Well, his dad is Batman so-" he was cut off before he could finish his sentence. "His dad is who" Layla whisper-yelled again. "Batman," Sam said again. Layla shook her head, "No, no way, you're lying." Sam just laughed, "No, Damian is the son of Batman, Robin number 5." Layla looked speechless, slowly sitting back in her chair. "Wait, you're telling me I'm friends with Batman's son and a bunch of assassins," Layla said flabbergasted. Sam nodded, "And the Joker's daughter."

Layla did not think this day could get any crazier. "Lucy is the Joker's daughter," She said, slowly taking her napkin and dabbing it on her forehead. Sam nodded, "Yea, It's weird seeing how well Damian and Lucy get along when their fathers are enemies." Layla laughed, "Okay, enough about our crazy lives, let's talk about how it's your birthday!" Sam smiled, "Yea man, big 16."

Layla smiled, placing her hand over Sam's, "Happy birthday loser" she smiled. Sam smiled back at her then took her hand and gave her a kiss on the back of her hand. Sam looked up and smiled at the blushing girl. Layla took her hand back, slowly trying to calm herself down. "So, do you plan on getting your driver's licence?" Sam nodded, "Yeah, I'll probably go next week." Sam smiled at Layla. 

When their food finally came, a comfortable silence fell over them. Layla was thinking about everything she was told. Sam was just enjoying his food, trying to enjoy his sixteen birthday. He didn't want a big party, especially with everything that has happened the past month. He just wanted to celebrate with his friends. Layla lifted her head, clearly about to ask a question. Sam put his fork down, waiting for the questions. "Erm, how are you going to get your licence? I mean, I know you guys didn't come to this country, well legally" Layla asked. 

Sam just smiled, "Yeah, we didn't but we got everything figured out in the first couple of months. We are now legal citizens here." Layla gave Sam a small smile, "Wow, that must have been hard for you guys." Sam nodded, trying to finish the food in his mouth so he could answer. "Yeah, I guess it was, but we have it pretty good now." Layla smiled, "that's good, now finish your food before it gets cold." Sam smiled letting his attention turn to the food.