𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞'𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 | Inquisitormaster & Zsquad| Danganronpa

☆𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗 ☆ || 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐧, 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝

FRESHMEN YEAR- MAY

~Alex's POV~

Guess what?

It's my birthday! Today, I turn fifteen, happily. Well, sort of happily. These past few days have been rough and eventful: coming to school, trying to find more clues on Levi's disappearance even if everyone else had tried to act like nothing happened, returning disappointed with the emptiness of information, and sleeping everything off late at night— if I get lucky to lull myself into a drowsy state with the pressure burning my eyes. It's a rarity for me to receive the right amount of sleep anymore and I have been slacking on my projects, too. The Classroom Council meetings have been slipping from my mind like butter, and I only managed to attend minutes before the end, which ended officially with me asking Ms. Nikita for anything crucial I had missed. Hopefully, the exhaustion wasn't apparent on my face, but just enough for her to take note of. She tells me, sympathetically, that I only have to attend some of the meetings as long as I let her know beforehand that I couldn't make it to one. I feel sorry for her for having to deal with this from me. I really don't want to be bothersome, but there comes a time when I can't take on more than I can manage.

So, for the days leading up to today, I spent walking around the school needing purpose, like a bird flying continuously in an ineluctable ring, and returning to my room to shut myself in. Like last night. I made it back later than anticipated, passed to my room without as much as an utter toward Jade, and slunk right onto my bed before knocking out. Though, this morning, I woke to something that managed to lighten my mood more than anything I could've thought of.

On my nightstand is a glass of lemonade and a plate filled with treats and cookies of different sorts. Beside the plate of cookies and glass of lemonade is a pink gift box decorated and topped with such a flowy material it reminds me of a lithe river bed. Slowly, I prop myself onto my side and let the covers roll off my shoulders as I reach for the plate and the glass. A discrete letter is hidden beneath the miniature tray of treats, it almost fits perfectly with the birthday card beside it. Someone had gone all out today, huh? I have to suck in a noise of satisfaction at the sweetness of the snack. Soft and buttery like a biscuit, but ladled in a pastel pink frosting that melts on my tongue. The craving for these treats intensifies, whether I know what they are is indefinite. The taste alone could burst the stars in my eyes.

Just a skimpy sip of lemonade can't tame the sweet explosion igniting my taste buds. With how many of those biscuit-like snacks and cookies I have already eaten, the small bit of lemonade was the fuel needed to set off the system reboot. I apologize in advance to anyone who has to deal with me from here on out; four hours max. Setting aside the cup and plate, I lift the small gift box and settle it into my lap as I reach for the letter. My eyes trail down to the page right before my door swings open unexpectedly, and yet I remain unstartled. Until my eyes compass their way to the fighter, who stands idly in the doorway with a tender look to her, it takes less than a mere moment to realize how unyielding I've been to her— to anyone; my shoulders ease, the muscles in my face poise.

Her face alone looked distant. A rickety damn of guilt built in me, an uncomfortable knot coiled in my stomach, and the river settles down when Jade steps over the threshold and sinks into the end of my bed, looking directly at me. Roses hued her cheeks, they shined under the sheet of perspiration, and try as I might, it was too difficult to ignore the serious crease etched into her forehead. It seems so unfamiliar to me, yet so fitting; I haven't seen Jade in some time. I've been so occupied with searching for any leads or indications regarding Levi's disappearance I had completely subsided any other interactions with anyone else. 

Silence retrieves the burden of discomfort between us. My eyes take in the foliage that inspired hers. The ribbon atop the gift's material is smooth and velvety between my fingertips, the bask sensation makes me shiver. Although concern is still evident on her face she lets her brows relax, too, along with the tensed muscles in her face. I open my mouth. Nothing follows. Jade notices, thankfully, quirking a brow inquisitively, then cuts in for me.