Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

Birthday Girl

September 6th, 2002

Katie:

"Happy birthday, pretty girl!" Aoife says catching me before I leave for school and hugs me tight, "I'll give you your gift afterschool."

"You didn't have to get me anything." 

"I absolutely did, thirteen is a big year." She says and I smile at her. "So any plans?"

"Da's got to work, so I'm going to have dinner with Hugh's family."

"That's nice,  have a good day!"

I've never really felt like my birthday's been a big deal, it's not a bad thing either, I'm comfortable outside of the spotlight. However, this kind of thinking doesn't line up with Gibsie's strange mind.

When I walk into the lunch room with Hugh, the whole rugby team is singing 'Happy Birthday' to me. I feel so unbelievably embarrassed and I just know that my face is beet red. 

Before I can sit down Claire comes over and gives me an unexpected hug and then starts rifling around in her backpack. She pulls out a cupcake with pink frosting, places it in front of my seat, and then puts a singular candle in the middle of it. She then gestures to Gibsie, who pulls out a lighter from his pocket and lights the candle, "Make a wish Katie!" Claire says excited. 

I blow out the candle and everyone around me claps, even the tables beside us and I feel like I'm in a fish bowl. "Eat your cupcake birthday girl" Claire prompts before returning to her and Lizzie's table across the room. 

I hate eating in front of people, and right now I feel like everyone has their eyes on me. I take a bite of the cupcake which appeases the stares, well except Patrick's I think he's waiting for me to finish it.

Over the summer, my relationship with food didn't improve, if anything it got worse. I had lost a lot of the softness I once possessed and I hated the thought of gaining it back. However, under Patrick's scrutiny, I felt obliged to eat, so I slowly ate the whole thing.

Only after just the wrapper was left, did Patrick look away.

"So how does it feel being a teenager?" Hugh asks me.

"Pretty much the same, more free bakery" and Hugh laughs, I love when I make people laugh, I'm not witty like Patrick or Aoife, so it's pretty rare.

"This will be a good year for you, I can feel it."

"Well if you say so." Then he kisses me, usually when we kiss in public it's short and sweet, but it's different today and it takes me by suprise, in a good way. His right hand is resting on my neck and his other hand is lingering on my thigh. His kiss is more intense than usual, it's rougher, like he's starving.

When we finally pull apart he's looking across the room, I follow his gaze and see that he's looking at a glaring Lizzie Young. Did he do that to make her jealous? Did he see her and want to do that? Why is he looking at her right now of all times?

My attention is brought back to the table at a few of the lads whistling at our little display, but my attention is brought to Patrick who is looking at Hugh who is still staring at Lizzie. Patrick looks mad, maybe Patrick likes Lizzie and is jealous of the attention that Hugh is giving her? He's finally pulled out of his trance when Gibsie elbows him and speaks in a low tone.

"So Katie, I hear you're having dinner at the Bigg's house tonight." Gibsie says and I nod, "Well I was wondering if you'd mind if I attended?"

"Of course not." I say, I know that I'm not supposed to hang out with them, but Bella can hardly supervise a private dinner party.

"Great, Pa and I will see you tonight." Gibsie says, earning an odd look from Patrick.

I just nod and thankfully find that Hugh has stopped looking in Lizzie direction and is now focused on his lunch. I look back towards Lizzie and find her staring daggers at me.

Thanks for reading! Birthday dinner from Patrick's POV next chapter! - H<3