The Outlier II

FIFTEEN

It was Ashton's birthday and they were due to turn eighteen, and much to my— and I'm sure, theirs as well— misfortune, there was nothing else to do for Ash's eighteenth but sit on the floor of my living room with Quil and Jacob, playing video games. I hadn't mentioned their birthday at all. It was my thing to ignore birthdays until a sly moment where I could sneak off and find a way to celebrate. There were only two controllers so we all took turns, me and Quil were having a Call of Duty face-off. 

"Jesus, Kai, is there anything in your fridge?" Ash called from the kitchen. 

"Nothing that's not nearing expiry," I shrugged. 

"A year of living alone and you still haven't got the hang of it," Ashton snarked. 

Once I lost my game, I got up and put on my shoes, sliding on my coat and slinging my purse over my shoulder. I placed the controller on the couch for Ash to get. 

"I'm going to get your poor, hungry self something to eat," I said teasingly. 

I got in my car and sped off to the closest Thriftway, having a clear plan of action. I was going to get a cake, alongside a few groceries so the cake would be hidden. It was six in the evening, and hardly anyone shopped for groceries at that time, so the shop was practically empty. 

I picked up the smallest, most generic cake— black forest, of course— and a tube of icing. The checkout clerk was unhappy to see me shopping, but I tried to ignore his sighs with an apologetic smile. I bid him a good evening and set off to my car, heading to my next stop. 

It was a small petrol station that I parked in front of, topping off my tank then heading in to buy a snack or two and pay. I strolled around, glancing at the cash register. There were shooters lined up just in front of the register, blocking it from the clerk's line of view. My plan was clear. I picked out my two packets of crisps and a bottle of water. I held a stack of coins in my other hand, waiting strategically for the moment I should use them. I started my small talk early, before I even fully arrived at the cash register. 

"Quite the busy day you've got here," I smiled at the young clerk. I glanced at him from under my eyelashes as I handed him each item one by one. 

"Yeah," he chuckled. "You from around here?" he asked politely. 

"Just around. I go to UWash, I'm visiting family for the summer," I smiled. The Americanisation of my humble London accent was a great new power I had acquired, and I was currently masterfully utilising it.

"No way, me too— I mean, I'm going there this fall," he grinned. 

"We should hang out in Seattle then," I said, glancing at his lips for just a fraction of a second, making sure he noticed. 

I could see him get visibly flustered and I dropped my coins. As I rose, I pocketed two Fireball shooters, slipping them into my purse. I batted my eyelashes and nervously chuckled as I fumbled with my wallet. 

"So how much do I owe you?" I asked. 

"Don't worry about it," he smiled. 

I felt guilt eat at my insides for what I did. Just before leaving, with a wink, I slid a twenty in the tip jar and walked to back to my car to head off home. 

By the time I walked into my house, the group was still deeply engrossed in the game, I managed to walk by without a glance from Ashton or Quill whose eyes were glued onto the bright TV screen. Jacob saw me and immediately lept up to help me bring the groceries in. 

Once I set the bags on the kitchen counter, I held a finger to my lips, telling Jacob to keep quiet. He wordlessly nodded as I pulled out the black forest cake and iced the words 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASH' with a candle reading the number eighteen stuck on. With my neon green cigarette lighter, I set the wicks aflame and waited carefully until I heard an exasperated sound of loss. Then, carefully carrying the cake, I walked out singing the infamous tune.