Between Stripes

N I N E

Harley Quinzel was pretty damn awesome. It was nice talking to someone other than a guy. I couldn't say it to her face yet (I mean I know I'm crazy but I'm not desperate) but she was definitely my best friend alongside Aaron and Jerome. Maybe I'd consider Joey as a friend. If our situation wasn't so bad. If I wasn't in an asylum. If he wasn't paid to be nice to me.

I saw Dr Quinzel three times a week and I saw Harley five times. Joey had even joked that I had a schedule for each day. It was kinda true but at the same things weren't perfect.

However, Day 1095 things were the closest thing to perfect. The closest you could get in an asylum.

My day began with Joey taking me to breakfast. Like any other day.

"Happy birthday kiddo!" Joey's voice rang out from behind my cell door.

I grinned and hopped off the bed. My bare feet hit the cold floor. A small shudder danced through my body.

"Thanks Joey." I chirped, holding my hands forward.

"Someone's eager to eat breakfast gruel." Joey laughed, snapping one of the links together. Then, he did the other. I shook my head at him.

"Remember, we don't eat that shit nowadays. We fine upon the fine stuff. Like pancakes!" I grinned.

We stepped out the cell. Debby had stepped up her game recently and served us the rich food (which was still bad but better than the old, grey gruel).

"I could totally make some mean waffles if they let me." Joey stated as he closed the door. We began to walk the usual route.

"Waffles are life. Especially with butter on them." I murmured dreamily.

"They're a goddamn good snack too!" He let out a small laugh after saying it.

"Ooh! With ice cream!" I said, about the turn a corner but he grabbed ahold of my forearm.

"Different route today, kiddo." He said, pressing his mouth into an unreadable line. What was he up to?

"Erm. Okay." I frowned a little but shook it off and trailed after him.

"Yeah. Dr Quinzel and I put in a few good words and you're getting something special." He turned round and flashed me a pearly white smile. I felt my eyebrows knit together but I couldn't wipe the growing smile off my face.

Joey opened a door and grinned at me proudly. I smiled a confused smile and walked inside to see Aaron, Jerome and Harley sitting at a table with a brilliant breakfast sitting in front of them. To one side, Dr Quinzel stood with her hands laced together.

"Happy birthday!" Jerome and Harley chimed as Aaron waved and grinned. My bottom lip trembled as my eyes began to water.

The next thing I knew, tears were streaming down my cheeks. Jerome got up from the table and walked to me, enfolding me in his arms. Out the corner of my eye I saw a guard eye him warily.

"It's okay. It's okay, Georgy." Jerome murmured as I buried my face into the crook of his neck.

"Thank you so much." I sobbed.

Geez why was I so emotional all of a sudden?

Beats me.

It was tears of joy. They were pure joy. Something which was new to me. Something I'd not felt in over three years.

"Wanna eat now?" Jerome murmured. His calm voice pulled me away from my thoughts. I nodded and was released from his embrace. He walked with me to the table and I sat between him and Harley.

"Happy birthday Georgia!" Harley squeaked before taking a bite of a pancake. I grinned at her and looked at the food which sat in front of me.

It was a small stack of pancakes. White icing and rainbow sprinkles overflowed the top of it. An individual candle was poking in the middle of it. It wasn't alight and I smiled at the memory of Jerome's birthday.

"We're allowed to light this one, G." Jerome nudged me with his elbow. I laughed.

Dr Quinzel stepped over to us with a matchstick in hand. She light the candle and walked away again.

"Make a wish." Jerome whispered into my ear. Leaning forward, a breath hitched in my throat as my eyes fluttered shut.

What was I going to wish for?

I know.

The warm air escaped my mouth and the candle flickered out.

"Damn these are some good pancakes." I heard Harley groan. A stream of giggles escaped my mouth as I opened my eyes.

"Heck yeah!" Aaron said with a mouthful of pancakes occupying his mouth.

"What'd you wish for?" Jerome whispered. I looked to my right and saw his green eyes looking back at me.

"For you to be mine." I whispered and a wide smile broke out on his face.

"Like you said, you've kinda got that already." As he spoke I felt my blush deepen. While I blushed more, Jerome smiled a pure smile that got me hooked.

What on earth was he doing to me?

After breakfast things went back to the usual. It was a big leap from everyone being so kind to everyone being normal.

It was a one time thing for sure, princess.

Little-Jerome was right. It wouldn't happen again, not at time soon anyway.

Doll face, I'm always right.

I couldn't stop thinking about my birthday wish. Geez. That was all what I thought about until it was time for socialising. It didn't leave my head at all. His hushed whispers and my singe response which managed to light up his face. Then the last thing he said. Geez. That boy had me wrapped round his little finger. Geez. I was acting like a fourteen year old fangirling over their crush.

You sure are, doll face. Especially with the 'geez'.

And the next thing I knew, I was dying to get to the 'socialising room'. Okay. I was obsessing over Jerome a little.

Too right.

The worst thing was, I couldn't tell many people. Joey didn't think well of Jerome. Aaron wouldn't be interested. Neither would Dr Quinzel. But Harley, she was a different case.
(Cue my inevitable smirk.)

Sorry about the chapter taking a few days to get to you guys. I've had the worst case or writers block after writing half of this. And I'm worrying about the ice cream parlour job... But I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!