《 Skip a Beat 》

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The fluttering feeling in Newt's heart grew when he woke up the next day.

It was Tina's birthday.

He turned his head to the right so he could see the clock hanging just above the grey door. 5:17am.

Newt normally woke up early, which he found helpful in this case.

He groaned quietly to himself and sat up, shoving the blankets off. A sigh of contentment; he missed being able to move so freely, to sit up or even just turn his head. Newt smiled to himself. Things were so much better.

Pickett's chirps accompanied his thoughts a few moments later.

"Morning, Pick."

Today is a special day.

"Are you excited?"

I know I am.

"Calm down, Pickett... she'll be here soon."

I hope so.

Newt 's mind swirled like a churning ocean, thinking about the day ahead.

He noticed that Pickett had crawled out of the makeshift Bowtruckle-sized bed Newt had made with three tissues and was now helping himself to some crumbs of toast on the breakfast tray.

If he looked to the right, he could see a white tray sitting on the wooden table, with two slices of toast on a plate being attacked by his Bowtruckle.

"Pickett!"

His Bowtruckle paid him no heed, and continued stuffing his face.

Newt grinned, rolled his eyes, and flopped back onto his pillow. He spent the next five minutes shuffling around in the bed, savouring his capability of movement. He had just sat up again for the third time when a thought smashed through his head.

Can I still give Tina something special?

"This feels stupid."

"But it looks fabulous!"

Tina scowled at her reflection in the dressing table mirror. It scowled right back. Queenie followed her gaze.

"Come on, Teen. It's your birthday! Just for today?"

Tina's eyes travelled to the pearl earrings that her sister had chosen for her. Queenie sensed her indecisiveness.

"Alright. I'll let you decide." And she whisked out of the room, her gauzy pastel pink dress sweeping out behind her.

Tina sighed and looked back to the mirror. She couldn't understand why Queenie was wearing such nice clothes. They weren't going anywhere special. What bothered her even more was the fact that she was making her wear nice clothes too. Tina never wore earrings. She never wore any jewellery, bar the simple gold necklace looped round her neck. Nice clothes were only for nice occasions. Her birthday didn't count, she added in her mind, in case Queenie was sifting through her thoughts.

She heard a stifled laugh from another room, which she recognised as Leta's. She rolled her eyes and focussed on the mirror.

"You should wear them."

She held her reflection's stare, trying to mask her surprise.

"Why."

Its mouth quirked to the side.

"Because you look nice."

Tina scoffed.

"Give me a real reason."