TRAIN [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 29: Preparing for Doom

 Aimee and Celeste had found all kinds of things to talk about at the park, the kinds of things that reminded them that they did not have to be serious or morose all of the time. An hour or so passed before Aimee thought of heading back into GINM, and after some persuasion, Celeste agreed to join her.

There, Gavin took her by her timid hand and introduced her to the RDAs he stood with – two friendly, freckled faces, a smile, and a muscled man. Celeste wanted to tug out of his tender touch, but couldn't somehow. The best she could do was to hide the discomfort she felt with him holding her and parading her off. Okay, maybe 'parading' was a strong term, but that's how she saw it – she could hear trumpets and drum beats booming.

Stefan and Aimee observed as Gavin pulled Celeste into the semi-circle formed by Dominick, Luna and the twins, who washed her with words of welcome. Aimee lightly nudged Stefan with her elbow, fully aware of his contempt.

"See, even they like her," she said. "We can trust her."

Stefan uttered acquiescently, "I guess we can."

Gavin smiled at Aimee's words, before returning his attention to the subject of their conversation.

As time travelled, Celeste became their ally, and started attaining her individuality again. Her now grown hair was kept in a neat ponytail, like it had been when she first met Stefan and Aimee, and its natural colour was a deep shade of russet that blended innately into her Aimee-inspired hair dye. It was strange for Aimee to think of her as an RDA – she kept forgetting it, too – mostly because she hardly saw her in the Ranking Room. She spent more time downstairs with firearms and daggers than with the others and trained in the Arena early, while Aimee and Stefan were at school, and then still stayed at GINM until dark.

September came, and Aimee's birthday loomed nearer. One night, everyone decided to knock of early, and Molly and Cliff treated them to frozen yoghurt. After that, they all went to Aimee's. They wanted to be there, to see her face when she saw that her living room was teeming with balloons and decorations, and the coffee table on which delectable snacks and sodas surrounded an even more delectable cake. A stack of wrapping-papered boxes sat on the couch.

She literally couldn't speak.

"Wait, it's not perfect yet..." uttered Stefan, and he moseyed to the stereo to play one of her favourite CDs. "May I have this dance?"

Even though he walked towards her with one hand out, akin to a gentleman of a past era, the music was not the type one would slow dance to.

She jested, "A dance with a girl with two left feet?"

"They are the best."

And she took his hand.

After a moment, Gavin and Celeste wordlessly decided to dance together, and Valerie mustered up the courage to ask Dominick to dance with her. Molly and Clifford watched, seated leniently on the couch and consuming treats, although, Finn later pulled them from the couch to dance – sometime after his air guitar concerto.

Eleven p.m. was designated an appropriate hour to unwrap Aimee's gifts. The twins presented theirs one after another – a deep blue biker jacket from Valerie and nun chucks from Finn. Celeste and Gavin had bought her a silver necklace jewelled with bottle-green feathers.

"They're mostly from Celeste."

"Well, thank you both, they're gorgeous," she smiled and hugged them at once.

Her parents gave her a sum of money and a card, which she read chuckling, "So that you can buy a better gift than everyone else's. Happy birthday, Darling! Love, Mom and Dad."

The note was in both of their handwriting, and she decided it was the best gift of all. And then she thought that she might have decided too soon. She glanced at Stefan expectantly.

"I didn't bring it," he said. "I'd like to give it to you on your birthday, when we get back." The room fell silent, and although worried eyes fell upon him, he stood by his words.

"Okay, well," beamed Dominick, breaking the tense stillness, "my turn then."

"Yes!" Aimee endeavoured to keep her spirits high as he handed her a rectangular box wrapped in blue paper. Within it was tall bottle of wine, and Aimee had to cover her mouth to subdue her laughter.

"Oh no, no-no, no," voiced Molly, taking it from her grasp.

"Mrs. G, in Russia, there is this custom where we drink to new possessions. It's thought to bring good luck."

Molly gave him a death look and Aimee's laughter only continued. She whispered her gratitude once Molly had left the room to hide the wine. When she returned, they toasted with the soda that had somehow lasted until then, as an alternative. Everyone went home shortly after.

Stefan was the last to leave. When Aimee walked him to his car, he kissed her softly, while she rubbed her arms for warmth against the cold, early morning air.

"Sweet dreams, Aimee." She returned Stefan's wishes in a low murmur. "Are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded at first, only to cringe at her own mendacity. "Why didn't you just bring your gift?"

He sighed and smiled at her sweet foreshadowing, "Because I know we'll come back from AIM, and it'll be waiting for you."

She watched him leave through the kitchen window. Molly and Clifford had been asleep for a while now, and she and Stefan had already cleaned up in the living room. She went straight to bed to satisfy the lethargy that had overwhelmed her body, but Stefan's words were determined to keep her awake.