Between Stripes

S E V E N

Day 1067 was in fact Jerome's birthday - who knew the kid actually aged? I had no idea that it was his birthday then until the day before. Aaron asked me if I wanted to make a cake with him whilst Jerome was with his shrink. I thought why the hell not?

Turns out, Aaron and Nurse Tracey had baked it (mostly Nurse Tracey). Aaron wanted me to help him with the toppings. And it also turned out Nurse Tracey was awful at baking cakes (but she reassured me that she could make cookies).

"Aaron we've got the most basic decorations in the world." I groaned looking at the tub of white icing and blue toppings. A few, broken, candles laid in a stack next to the pot of toppings.

"Not my fault. Debby wasn't in the mood to share." He grumbled, scooping up the tub of icing with his paw.

"You be careful with that." I warned, watching him fiddle with the lid.

"I will, I will." He rolled his eyes as he grumbled. The lid popped open, flying away and landing on the cake.

"What favour is the cake?" I asked, looking at it. It was a dark brown. Hopefully it was just chocolate and wasn't burnt.

I plopped down on the chair next to me, we were in the 'socialising' room. Everyone was busting themselves with the activities while Aaron and I sat in our usual spot.

"Chocolate." Aaron replied as he took a rather large spoon and dunked it in the tub. He pulled it out, the icing heaped on the spoon. Aaron slapped it onto the cake and began to smear the icing onto the cake.

After a few minutes of layering up the icing Aaron was done. It looked sickly sweet and slightly shiny.

"Decoration time!" I chirped, snatching the blue and green toppings. Unscrewing the lid I poured all them out on the table and began to search for the letters.

"I'm feeling like a lot of balloons would be good." Aaron said as he sat down and picked up a few of them. I nodded as he began to sprinkle them atop the cake.

"Happy has two p's right?" I asked him, puzzled for a second. He nodded and I grinned. Slowly I began to arrange the letters on the cake.

Once I was done I sat back, grinning proudly and Aaron looked at the cake.

"Erm Georgy."

"Yeah?"

"You spelt birthday wrong."

"Huh?"

"There's a h after the t." He said and I heard the smug smirk in his voice. I rolled my eyes and attempted to find the letter.

"Erm Georgy."

"What?"

"Ya know those 'streamers' that we put on the cake?"

"Yeah?"

"They're threes." Aaron stated before letting out a loud laugh. I frowned and looked. He was right. On Jerome's cake there was a bunch of threes on it.

"Well... it's the thought that counts right?" I grimaced, scooping the remaining toppings into a pile and dropping them in their tub.

"Sure. He's gonna be here soon anyway." Aaron plunged the candles into the corners around the cake.

"Good thing we're finished here then." I grinned, looking at the awful cake which sat in a tin case. It truly was a poor excuse of a cake.

"Whatcha doin'?" A new voice said. Both Aaron and I whipped round to see Jerome standing tall in front of us.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I exclaimed, leaping up form the chair. My arms were stretched wide. Thankfully, Jerome grinned and wrapped his arms around me.

"Thanks G." Jerome laughed into my hair. I heard a low grunt behind us, "you too Aaron."

"S'okay. We gotcha a cake." Aaron said as Jerome and I broke apart. My eyes didn't leave Jerome's face. It was a good thing too.

His eyes light up with a new type of joy, it was pure and childlike. His smile was genuine and easy. Small dimples dug into each side of his mouth.

"You didn't have to guys!" Jerome breathed.

"Well we did, you're our friend." Aaron said, his voice sounded a little bashful and kind. A tear was nearly shed. I hadn't seen these two have a man-to-man moment yet and it was adorable.

"Yeah. We couldn't let you think that we forgot now could we?" I laughed.

"How come the candles aren't light up?" Jerome laughed, noticing the broken candles which barely stood on the crappy cake.

"We weren't allowed a lighter, I asked." Aaron grumbled but I could see the smile which tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"We're sorry." I mumbled. It was hard not to grimace. The candles were usually the most special bit. Hopefully Jerome didn't mind too much.

"I can still make a wish. It doesn't matter." Jerome laughed before letting his eyelids droop shut. His face dropped too. He stood there for a moment. Completely still.

He could've been sleeping. His face was that gentle and his breathing was so rhythmic.

Then they flickered open.

"Done." The word rushed out his mouth. I raised a curious eyebrow.

"Look I gotta go now but have a good birthday Jerome." Aaron grinned, his eyes flying to the door. His door and Nurse Tracey were stood there.

Jerome and I nodded as Aaron set the cake on the table. He waved goodbye and was hurried out the room.

Only then did I realise how close Jerome and I were standing. Our chests were almost touching.

"You're getting old J." I breathed whilst smiling. It was true. He was nineteen.

"Likewise doll face." He smirked, a hand of his found my jaw and held it gently.

"I'm seventeen sweetheart, not as old as you." I grinned. Truthfully, the gesture made my heart soar.

"I'm only a year and twenty three days older than you." Jerome smiled and it was definitely devilish.

"Counting, eh?" I laughed and placed a hand on his free arm. Somehow it found its way onto Jerome's forearm.

"Shh it's a secret." He whispered, winking at me. My only response was to stand there and try not to implode. Great, right?

"What'd you wish for?" I blurted out. My stupid question broke the silence.

"For you to be mine." Jerome locked eyes with me and his face was coming closer to mine. My arms found their way to his shoulders as his spare hand looped itself round my waist.

"You've kinda got that already." I whispered. Our faces were only an inch or two from touching. God, I hoped that my breath didn't smell.

"Good to know." He whispered back before letting his lips smash against mine.

Why didn't kisses last forever?

Cause they're venomous...