The Boy Behind the Counter

✑ chapter one: suddenly

suddenly: life has new meaning to me
there's beauty up above, and things we've never taken notice of
you wake up, and, suddenly, you're in love

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"Happy Birthday!"

Several voices cried out their congratulations in unison, and the man closest to the door popped a popper with a loud bang. The little girl in the doorway flinched automatically, and then teared up and laughed as she registered the scene before her and all of the familiar faces around her.

Pearl Fey had just turned ten years old. Her cousin, Maya, had guided her to the cramped apartment of her closest friend, Phoenix, saying that they needed to pick him up to take him somewhere. Instead, upon arrival, Pearl found that Phoenix and several others were waiting for her with a banner, balloons, cake, and presents. She clapped her tiny hands and gripped Maya in a bone-crushing hug.

"Double digits! You'll be a lady in no time!" The man with the popper exclaimed, running a hand through his unkempt blonde hair.

"She's already more ladylike than Maya," Phoenix Wright teased. He adjusted the figurines perched on top of the cake, and Pearl giggled as she recognized the Steel Samurai and Pink Princess. He gestured her over to take a closer look, and she left Maya's side. Maya huffed at him, placing her hands on her hips.

"Well, I never! Larry, you and I should just go." Larry, just now discarding the remains of his popper, perked up at that, only to earn a warning glare from Phoenix.

"So, I haven't seen you in a little while, but do you remember me?" A young woman asked Pearl, hand pointed at her own face. Pearl scrunched up her nose and studied her brown hair and pink goggles, then snapped her fingers.

"Miss Ema!" She exclaimed, and Ema beamed at her.

"I'm sure she remembers me," a low voice boomed, and a dark-haired man with bronzed skin stepped out from behind a cluster of balloons. Pearl blushed as she looked up at him. She'd always found him very handsome, and he had always been so nice to her.

"Of course I remember you, Mr. Armando. What brings you to my birthday party?" Pearl asked quietly, wringing her hands nervously behind her back. Diego Armando grinned, flashing his brilliant white teeth at her.

"I would never miss such an event."

"He heard me talking about it in the halls way back when, and offered his assistance. Mr. Armando prepared a very special present for you!" Maya chirped. She clapped her hands together in anticipation, and Pearl gasped and covered her mouth. "He'll show it to you later, though. It's not something he could wrap, so you'll have to eat your cake and open everyone else's presents first."

"I had no idea you had been planning this for so long, Master Maya! You have been keeping this secret for months?!"

"Well, you're turning ten! That's a big deal!"

"Double Digits," Larry repeated, emphasizing the gesture with finger guns. Phoenix rolled his eyes and moved to cut the cake.

Though the party was small and simple, it was well-organized and very thoughtful. The months of planning had mostly been about thinking of the perfect presents and how to keep everything a surprise. Pearl was a smart girl, and getting things past her wasn't as easy as one would think.

Maya had scoured the area for what she insisted were incredibly rare holographic Pink Princess trading cards. Phoenix didn't understand what all the fuss was about, but Pearl's tears of joy convinced him to keep the thought to himself.