It might not have occurred to anyone yet in the orphanage, but I have been avoiding the discussion of birthdays. It's not that no one knows about their birthdays. Rather, I don't know mine. When Madame Dupont recountered the events that took place the day she found me, I didn't want to believe that it could be the exact month and date I was born in. You see, in the real world, the birthdate recorded for me was 13th September, but here lies the case where there are 13 months in the year, and exactly 31 days in each month. From the documents pertaining to my existence in this world, they all recorded that I was found in the 23rd of the month Luminaries, the month of the Light-filled.
Lumina is the goddess of light and happiness, which I believe those traits do not correspond to me.
Avery's birthday surprisingly falls on the day after mine, and we were once told that in the capital, a festival is often celebrated on that day to honour the goddess, and in the evening there would be a masquerade party at the palace and the Academy.
On the first day of the month, Avery couldn't hide her excitement and jumped onto my bed. "Happy birthday in advance Aria", she said and squealed. "I need my sleep. You're such a noisy child". "Ow I'm hurt, but aren't you excited that we'd turn 7 this year?".
I glared at her. She could tell my answer was a direct no. "So how did you celebrate it in Manchester?", she asked. "Just a cupcake and a fish for Marlon", I replied. "Poor Marlon", she said and carried him off the bed into her laps, "we'd get you your favourites this year ok? Fish and chips. Is that good for you?". "Meow! I mean yes thank you", he replied.
Unfortunately for me, Avery consistently coerced me to celebrate my birthday, and I was turning a dead ear to all her requests and bribes. "You know what? Let's let you experience someone's birthday. Then you'd really change your mind", she said. "Is that a bet?", I smirked. She nodded, "Marlon is here as our witness...Marlon?".
To our surprise, Marlon had quickly disappeared.
The next few days Avery and I had to set up a birthday surprise for a fellow in the orphanage. In fact, all of us except the upcoming birthday boy. After the mass adoption after the incident, as well as the few 11 and 10 year olds who left for the Academy, we had dropped to a staggering 11. So it was up to us the 10 kids(plus Madame Dupont) to set up the birthday party.
We made sure that most of his friends were able to lure him out of the building more, so that we would have time to set up groups. Avery and I were in charge of the cake, so we enquired from his friends what his favourite colours were, favourite flavours and any other odd or special details about him to make sure the cake suits his taste. Avery also decided that during this time she could gather inspos for our birthdays, more especially mine(since I was still hell-bent on not celebrating it).
When it was finally time to order the cake, Madame Dupont escorted us to the nearest town(well, not nearest really), Starflale. This town was presided over by the Viscountcy Starmetia. Before reaching the Viscountcy there is a huge bakery. They have been sponsored by the Viscountcy for years so everyone believes that it serves as the main revenue to the noble's wealth. "I heard they have salty lemon cakes up for grabs during this time of the year", Madame said excitedly. We ushered her inside, promising to meet her at the entrance when we were done ordering and collecting the cake. "We're getting an upside down, star chocolate cake. Correct?", she enquired. "Yes, and the colours must be blue with white stripes and an inscription of 'Happy Birthday Superstar' on it", I replied. After ordering, we decided to order a few cupcakes and wait till the cake was ready.
"Hello ladies", a guy, looking not less than 10 years called out to us. Avery was infatuated almost instantly, whereas I wasn't. He kept on blabbering on and on about how his family are training him to go to the Academy next year, that when the cake was ready, I began to drag Avery for us to leave. "So what are your names?", he asked. Avery was about to respond but I held her mouth and interrupted, "We're orphans".
We proceeded to wait until Madame was ready and we left.
The birthday turned out great. The processes involved to receive just an astonished reaction from the birthday boy was justifiable. After all, imagine you've been ignored for a number of days, only for you to wake up on your birthday to see that a while party was set up for you to celebrate it along your friends.
"So.....are you finally convinced to FINALLY celebrate your birthday this year?", Avery asked me. True, I had never felt a homely warmth like the one I've received from this orphanage, and maybe it was high time I enjoyed myself for a change. "Let's do this Avery. A double birthday", I replied.
"A double birthday!?", she and Marlon shouted, pausing the birthday party for awhile. "Is there a problem girls?", Madame asked, concern written all over her face.
Avery shook her head, tapped on her glass, and made an announcement, "Aria and I are going to have a double birthday party". Everyone clapped excitedly at the news. "Would you look at that", Marlon said to me, "You are literally adored here". I could only smile out of shyness.
Avery wasted no time to host the party. She wanted us to celebrate it on her birthday, and I didn't see any problem whatsoever with the suggestion. Planning was easier for her, because she knew a lot of things at this rate, and made adjustments to anything I realised I wasn't comfortable with. She also tried to convince me where necessary, for instance the issues with getting new clothes. I was brushing my hair at that time(it had become a tangled mess, and I was even planning on cutting it), and she brought it up. "I wear pink. You wear blue", she said, her expression showing that she didn't want me to object. "We have a limited budget Avery. Isn't that too much?". "I'd work harder. Save more". "My answer is still no. I don't want you overexerting yourself just because of a birthday". "Uhm, that birthday is OUR BIRTHDAYS COMBINED", she said annoyed and sashayed out of the room.
She still bought the dress that day. My birthday. It was a blue dress with little sequins on it. "It's quite pretty. Thank you Avery", I said. "Arh it's nothing. Now my gift".
I handed her a pink box. "What did you get for her?", Marlon asked. "You'd see", I replied.
I had gotten her a pink bow for her hair. She had often commented on how if she had a pink dress the bow would match her attire, and since I knew very well she'd get a pink dress for her birthday, I had also saved some of my allowance to get it for her.
"You're such a blessing Ari. Blessings to you", she replied, teary eyed. I wasn't good with water works, so I just hugged her instead.
The double party was a huge success. Heck it was a whole day affair. From games, to getting countless gifts and eating a lot of meals, even Madame Dupont held a small karaoke for us. On just that day alone, I believed that I didn't have to think about being alone anymore.
I had Avery.
I had Madame Dupont.
They were enough for me.
But I still had a mum somewhere. How was she doing? Did she think my birthday went great? Did she ever think of my actual birthday when I wasn't around her?
Unfortunately, my thoughts were cut short when I heard a blood-curdling scream. Everyone's attention shifted to the door.
Nothing was there.
Only for us to turn our heads back and realise that Emily had thrown a bucket of water in our direction. Smart girl, making our attention shift. On such a splendid day too. Avery did her best to divert the water from our direction and away from the gifts, but wasn't 100% successful. Out of nowhere, I waved my hands in a pushing gesture.
The water reverted back at them, Avery making sure they went back into the bucket before it spilled on the floor. Gazes We're everywhere at that moment. "What happened?", someone enquired, after realising that the water had only spilled a little on the floor and the bucket was still hovering in the air.
There I was, my hands still in the air, as well as the bucket. "Did you just use Air magic?", Avery asked. "Yes, I think I just did", I replied and smirked.