𝚂𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚖 𝚒𝚜 𝙼𝚢 𝙱𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 (Complete)

𝚆𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝙳𝚘 𝚂𝚞𝚛𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚜

Lillian

"Alright, we need ideas, people," Lucas says, clapping his hands for our attention. I look over and meet Justin's eyes across the room.

I raise my hand. "The woman in the back," Lucas says, pointing at me. I look around as though making sure I am the one honored to be chosen. "Yes, you. The one with the pigtails."

I clear my throat. "They are not pigtails. They are braids." I step closer to the raised platform. "What exactly is this meeting for?"

"Paris' birthday is in less than a week. Therefore, we have less than a week to plan her a surprise."

Justin raises his hand, and Lucas nods in his direction. When Justin stays still with his hand frozen in the air, Lucas says in a hushed tone, "That means you can talk."

"We tell her we're doing a surprise," Justin says.

Lucas and I blink up at him. "But then that spoils everything," Lucas replies.

Justin holds up a hand to signal silence. "You see, in this scenario, she expects a surprise from us. Therefore, if we proceeded with the surprise, it would not be a surprise. But if we decided not to do the surprise, and she expected the surprise, that would be a surprise, would it not?"

"Wow, Justin...that's actually genius."

I stare interchangeably between the two boys in mild shock. I adjust a few short hairs tickling my forehead and then clear my throat. "I have a better idea. I mean, not that your idea's bad, Justin...just—" I clear my throat again, interrupting myself before I can begin ranting. "We should make her something. It's more personal that way. We could do separate gifts or work together as a team to make the ultimate surprise."

"Easy for you to say, Miss. Crafteteer," Justin mumbles.

I shoot him a look. "Anyone can craft as long as they put their mind to it."

"That would be easy if we actually had a mind," Lucas replies.

"Of course you have a mind!"

"When I'm doing science, it sure doesn't feel like it," Justin says. Lucas nods his head in agreement.

"Glad you finally realized it," a voice says from the door. We all snap our heads toward the direction of the voice and see a figure leaning against the doorway. The outside light shines past the person and casts him or her in dark shadows.

Suddenly lights flood my vision and I blink desperately as my eyes adjust to the change. Paris stands in the doorway with her finger hovering over the light switch. "Why are you guys whispering in the dark?"

A few seconds later she shakes her head as though passing it off as our normal weirdness. "For my birthday, you can just get me a few tubs of Nutella and I'll be happy."

I sink to the floor with a hand resting on my chest.

"What if we had a dance party for your birthday?" Lucas offers, totally unfazed by her entrance.

"I hate dancing," she replies, folding her arms.

"How about a personal performance by Lauren Bagel and the Cream Cheeses?" Lucas suggests.

"I have no idea who they are." She narrows her eyes. "Just get me Nutella and be done with it."

"What if we helped you with your social life for your birthday?" Lucas asks, folding his hands together with a sophisticated expression. I give him a weird look, but his eyes are focused on Paris.

Her eyes turn to even sharper slits. "Bold of you to assume I have one." Then she walks out of the room.

As the door closes behind her and I hear her steps fade away, I say, "How about we buy about ten tubs of Nutella and split the cost?"