Trident Trials: The Glimmer

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

I really need to pay more attention when I am walking. I ran into just about every one of my friends at this point. Maybe it was just the universe's ritual that I need to go through to make new friends. Either way, finding myself on my ass again was just the moment of defeat for me. I was having a hard time being positive. I want to be annoyed with everything that is going on today. Even though I know this isn't the correct option.

"Hey, sorry I ran into you like. I wasn't paying attention and just sorry." I quickly jumbled out as I picked up my stuff and tried to leave. "Where are you going man, I thought we were going to eat that cake of yours?" He said. "Um, yeah, I burnt it. I wasn't paying attention and didn't add the right amount of eggs or something and it's all messed up, so don't worry about it." I was becoming more embarrassed by my lack of attention to detail today with every passing second. Maybe that's what the teacher dismissed my efforts so quickly. I probably wasn't presenting myself positively today. "Don't worry about it, since you can't eat yours. Do you mind if I grab mine and meet you back out here in a second?" He said. "Yeah, I guess, I can't eat a ton, I am supposed to working out with Rex after this."

He went back into the classroom and he left me beet red in the hallway, trying to find my bearings again for what felt like the millionth time today. I sat there and just tried to take some deep breaths and act normal again. Embarrassing myself was the top skill that I perfected in making all of my new friends. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. The time that it took him to go into the classroom, grab the cake, and put together the icing mixture was faster than I expected. I'm sure that he made them before, and this was probably more like a routine than it was for me. After about ten minutes, he came back out with a bowl that I assumed was filled with the icing and the cake that was all wrapped up.

"Follow me. I was hoping to have this a little more prepared than it is, although for a short last-minute idea, I will say that I think I've outdone myself. You can tell me when this is all done." He said. Then he gestured for me to follow him down the hallway. I was a little confused cause I wasn't sure what the hell he was even talking about, but if it didn't interfere with my schedule, I supposed it would be fine. Maybe this was him just trying to be nice and ignore all my awkwardness and try to extend a hand of friendship. It was something that I was a little more accustomed to since I became friends with Rex, Maya, and Rose. It still wasn't anything that was a formality for me, though, and I had my doubts about whether we truly were friends or if we were all just suffering together. Time would tell, I suppose. If nothing else, it wouldn't be the first time that I was alone.

As we rounded the corner that led to something that could only be compared with a common room for trainees at our level of training, and sitting there were Jax, Maya, and Rose. For a moment, I was concerned that this was going to be another intervention-type situation, and even though I was a little off today, I didn't think that I was that bad. Then I noticed a balloon and some packages that were wrapped sitting on a table, and my concern grew even more. I wasn't sure why. Unknown social situations give me a lot of anxiety and this looks to be intimate. Then it hit him. Torsten and then set up a surprise birthday party. The emotions that I was feeling bubbled on the surface. I felt a small well of water behind my eyes and began trying my best to push it down.

Jax looked at me and smiled and looking around Maya and Rose had similar looks on their face. Torsten put a hand on my shoulder and started guiding me towards them. I didn't realize that I actually stopped walking until he propelled me forward. "I know you haven't ever celebrated a birthday before, or at least one that you remember and even though this might not be your biological birthday I think that it's stupid to not have a day to remember filled with friends, fun times, gifts, and happiness. I gathered the people that I knew you hung out with the most, aside from Rex which I couldn't hunt down in the little time that I had and asked if they would help me celebrate your first official birthday, your Trident birthday if you will. If you ever get comfortable enough with us to tell us your actual birthday, then we celebrate that one as well, but until then this is your Trident birthday with your Trident family."