broken thieves

two

I thought that waking up on the morning of my birthday would be peaceful, as it is every day in the village. Blake and I would wake up together, go and make waffles or something for breakfast while he gives me whatever present he's got for me, before the day continues as any other day. However, the first thing we wake up to is someone knocking on Blake's bedroom door.

"Under the bed," he says, scrambling to get out of bed and pull on a pair of jeans. I get up, my tired limbs cracking in protest, and hide.

It's not that we're secretive about the relationship we have together, but no one knows that Blake and I sometimes share a bed together. We wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea and teasing us about it before telling my Dad, when every night we've spent together has been innocent. Well, mostly.

Blake opens the door. "Jayden," he says, not sounding surprised. "Couldn't have given me a nicer wake-up?"

"I could've burst in singing 'rise and shine' if you prefer," Jayden says. I can hear the smirk in his voice.

"What's up?" Blake asks.

"It's Aurora's birthday today, isn't it?"

My eyes widen. Please don't tell me that Maeve told everyone.

I hear Blake struggle for a second. "I- uh- yeah, it is."

"Does she know about the party yet?"

Oh crap.

"Nope." Blake's voice cracks through the word.

"Cool. So, I was trying to figure out what to get her, since you stole my idea, and-"

"You gave me the idea."

"I suggested the idea, then you stole it," Jayden says. "Anyway, I was wondering what to get her, but I'm completely stumped. She literally has everything a teenage girl could want, right? What do you get someone who could steal or buy whatever she wants?"

Blake sighs. "Honestly, Jay, I don't think she'll mind if you don't get her anything. I've only gotten her something small, and she doesn't really like her birthday. I think the party will be overwhelming enough for her."

He knows me so well.

"Ugh, but you know what some people are like," Jayden complains. "They say they don't want anything but then get offended when you don't actually get anything for them."

"Trust me, Aurora isn't like that," Blake says. "Just give her a hug. She loves those."

I think Jayden nods. "Especially from you."

"Bye, Jayden." I hear him laughing even when Blake has shut the door. I climb out from my hiding place to give Blake a very obvious glare.

"What?" he says, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Party?"

He snorts. "I promise is wasn't my idea. I just... encouraged it."

"Whose idea was it?"

He hesitates for a moment as he moves around the room. "Maeve. But please don't kill her. She's quite important."

I dramatically throw my head back and groan as I find my jacket and slip it on. "Do I really have to go?"

"Uh, yeah," Blake says, using a 'duh' tone. "It's your birthday. You have to at least have some cake."

"It better be red velvet," I say. I take a seat on the edge of the bed so I can slip my shoes on. "And you guys better not sing me happy birthday. I'll blush and everyone will tease me about it."