Ask the Sinners

Happy Birthday, little idiots!!

I felt something warm from the depths of my sleep. It was soft too, with a warmness that wasn't easily replicated. Then, I felt fabric.

That caused me to open my eyes with a sleepy "Mmph?" Hair was caught in between my lips, and I spat it out.

"Such grace," the boy before me deadpanned. His expression showed nothing, not even teasing. But it was familiar enough to me.

"Good morning, Allen," I muttered sleepily. One hand was on my shoulder, the other holding one of mine. He pulled me up, then sat down next to me.

"You know what day it is?" he asked. I nodded.

"It's our birthday." And then, "Which one is it again?"

There was a pause. "Technically, it would be our fifteenth, but if we want it to be out sixteenth, we can-"

I held up my hand to stop him. My body was shuddering against my will. "No. I want to redo our fifteenth birthday." I smiled, though it was a little forced. "I would rather celebrate it with you than by myself." Then I winced.

"Didn't you celebrate it with Clarith?" Allen asked, bewildered.

"Eh, kinda. I wasn't the best person back then, but she stayed with me. I need to thank you for that." I could smell something delicious from downstairs. Not paying attention to my brother, I bolted from my bed, down the stairs, and into the kitchen.

A girl with brown hair was mixing stuff together in a bowl; she didn't look up at me until I was right in front of her. "Hello, what is that?" I questioned.

She glanced at me. "I'm making a cake for you. It's Marlon Fog flavored with milk buttercream. I think you'll like it." My question was answered before I even asked it. Kestrel's gaze shifted away from me. "Hey, sorry about yesterday. I think I had thought that it wouldn't be fair to the others if I let anyone skip."

  Kestrel sighed. "I should have let you two skip your song, but then I'd have to let Nemesis and Banica skip, and then it'd be a mess," she said, sounding truly sorry.

I reached across the counter to rest my hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's ok. I'm a big girl, I can deal with my mistakes. If anything, I just felt relieved that I'm not putting on my Princess Act anymore. I'd rather cry than not cry."

Kes laughed quietly, but she looked back down, hair covering her face. "Thanks. Happy birthday, Ril."

"Thank you."

Afterwards, I ate breakfast and showered quickly, getting ready for my party. The most of the other Sinners wouldn't be celebrated with me, even though we were friends. Instead, my friends from my era would be joining me. Plus, Kayo had killed my reincarnation, so that sucked. Banica would be the only one.

Allen and I were out of the house by 10:40, with Banica driving us to Leonhart's house. My chest was pounding. This would be the first time I saw my parents in person in six months. They were out traveling, making sure that their businesses were running smoothly.

They weren't the only ones out traveling. Kyle and Ney had just returned from their trip in Beelzenia. I was looking forward to seeing them again.

We got there at 11:00, with a familiar white car in the driveway. I was about ready to explode from the anticipation. As soon as the car was parked, I was out, heading for the door. I heard Allen running after me, with Banica following us.

I knocked on the front door excitedly, and saw my very best friend in the window. She opened the door and I engulfed her in a hug. "It's so good to see you again!" I shrieked. Her arms wrapped around me.