Ethereal Love

A Birthday Shared

"Happy Birthday, Nini." Yet another smiling face greeted her as she strolled through the hallway towards homeroom. She nodded at the girl in reply, vaguely recognising her from some class or another. Kourtney rolled her eyes.

"I'll never understand how everyone always seems to know it's your birthday, Neens. It's like you're some kind of celebrity." She said, a little admiringly. Nini laughed lightly.

"Kourt, let's be honest, I'm the closest thing to a celebrity there is in this hell-hole." she said in a mock-snobby voice. Kourt snorted a laugh.

"I suppose. So, are you looking forward to homeroom?" she asked. Nini turned to her friend, eyebrows furrowed in surprised confusion.

"What could I possibly be looking forward to about homeroom?" she asked.

"Being called up to the front of the room so that everyone can sing happy birthday to you." Kourtney replied, like it was obvious. Nini scoffed.

"You say it like it's some kind of privilege, but she does that for everyone. And considering who the other person in our homeroom with a birthday today is, I'm considering ditching it." She muttered quietly. Kourt sighed.

"Look, Neens, I know its shit, sharing a birthday with him, but remember what your momma D said? If you get into any more trouble before summer, she's transferring you to that all-girls school." Her best friend reminded her. Nini sighed, but she knew her best friend was right.

"I know. Ugh, come on; let's just get this over with. It's a good thing we only have two days left before summer..."

They entered homeroom together, their young teacher smiling at them. It was supposed to look welcoming, but Miss Jenn was just relieved that she didn't have to moan at the girls for being late again.

As they took their seats, Nini silently hoped that Miss Jenn would forget that it was her birthday, but no such luck.

"So, everyone; today is a special day, is it not? Not one but two of our students happen to have birthdays today. Nini, Ricky, would the two of you like to make your way to the front?" she said. Nini sighed, getting to her feet and making her way to the front with as much dignity as she could muster. Ricky, on the other hand, ran his fingers through his curls nervously as he stumbled out of his front-row seat to stand on the opposite side of the teacher's desk, staring at his feet like he'd never seen anything more interesting in his life.

Ricky had never really understood why Nini hated him so much. The only obvious explanation was that she hated him because he shared her birthday, but that seemed a little pathetic. Maybe it was just because he was a nerd. Your stereotypical nerd; glasses, braces, quiet, and got straight A's. He'd never been self-conscious, but Nina Salazar-Roberts had always managed to get under his skin, ever since she first called him a 'four-eyed freak' back in elementary school.

"So, you're both seventeen today, am I right?" Miss Jenn asked. Nini nodded chastely, staring at the curly-haired boy angrily, as if it was somehow his fault that he happened to be born on the same day as her.

"Okay... well, would either of you like to tell us what you're getting for your birthday?" she asked, trying to elicit some kind of reaction to lighten the atmosphere. Nini smirked, daring Ricky to speak, but he still refused to look at her so she decided to speak.

"I got a new Tesla, a Gucci handbag, two pairs of Louis Vuitton's, a Pomeranian, and loads of clothes." Nini announced, meeting Kourtney's gaze and smiling. The class was silent for a moment, before Miss Jenn cleared her throat and looked at Ricky.

"And how about you, Ricky?" she asked. The curly-haired boy finally looked up, still refusing to look at Nini, and smiled a little awkwardly.

"Skateboard and a TV." He muttered quietly. Nini snorted derisively, rolling her eyes. A few other members of the class laughed a little too, making Ricky blush bright red and look back down at his feet. Miss Jenn sighed resignedly, taking a seat and glancing at the clock.