Rain & Love

Henry left the room quietly, closing the door behind him with the softest click. His mind was racing as he walked down the hallway, his steps purposeful yet hesitant.

A plan was forming in his head, though it felt like a jigsaw puzzle missing key pieces. His usual composure was replaced with a hint of tension, his brows furrowed in thought.

"Yo, Henry!" David's voice broke through his haze. He and Louis were leaning against the wall, chatting casually, but their eyes narrowed the moment they noticed Henry's strained expression.

"What's up with you, man?" Louis asked, his tone light but curious.
"You look like you've just been hit with a pop quiz on astrophysics."

"It's nothing," Henry replied too quickly, waving a hand dismissively.
"Just... stuff."

David exchanged a skeptical glance with Louis.
"Stuff?" he echoed.
"You're the king of details, Henry. 'Stuff' doesn't sound like you."

"I'm fine," Henry insisted, his voice firmer now.

Before they could press further, Jeanne appeared from the corner, holding a book in one hand.

She tilted her head at the small gathering, her sharp eyes quickly honing in on Henry.
"What's going on here?" she asked, walking closer.
"Why do you look like someone stole your lunch money, Henry?"

"Nothing's wrong," Henry said, his tone overly casual.

Louis crossed his arms, smirking.
"Oh, please. Henry doesn't look this tense unless he's hiding something." He leaned in, raising an eyebrow.
"So spill. What is it? Did you lose a bet? Forgot a deadline? Got dumped?"

"Louis!" Jeanne scolded, smacking his arm lightly.

"What? I'm just trying to help," Louis said with a grin, though his eyes flickered with genuine curiosity.

By now, the commotion had drawn the attention of the others. Victor and Natasha joined the group, Natasha biting into an apple while eyeing Henry suspiciously.

"Why's everyone standing around?" Natasha asked.
"What's Henry done now?"

"Apparently, nothing," Louis said dramatically, pointing at Henry.
"But I'm telling you, he's hiding something."

"Guys, seriously, it's nothing," Henry repeated, sighing heavily.

Victor nudged him lightly.
"You're not convincing anyone, you know. Just tell us. It's not like we're going to judge. Well, except Louis."

"Hey!" Louis protested, laughing.

Henry glanced around at the expectant faces, feeling the weight of their collective curiosity. He hesitated for a moment longer before sighing again, deeper this time, his resolve weakening.

"It's... it's Amy," he finally admitted, running a hand through his hair.

"Amy?" Jeanne asked, her brows knitting together. "What about her?"

Henry hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.
"She... it's her birthday today," he said slowly, "and she's never celebrated it. Ever."

The group fell silent for a moment, processing his words. Natasha's jaw dropped, and even Louis looked momentarily speechless.

"Wait, what?" David asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Never? Like, not even once?"

"Not even once," Henry confirmed, his voice low.

Jeanne's eyes softened.
"That's... awful, but thats so not her, I mean we all know her, she's a person who'd get a microphone and announce that its her birthday today..." she murmured.