Bee Sisters

Zoe's Gift

It was a day like any other for Chloé Bourgeois. Wake up, make up, fake up. Put Sabrina through her paces out of habit. Shut down Jean's mumbled attempts at conversation. Plow on through classes with chin held high enough to look down on everyone. It went on just like always, nothing ever changed. No, that's not true, things changed around her, but she never changed. Chloé was Chloé; everyone knew this. Everyone expected it, and Chloé did not let them down.

Today though, today she thought perhaps something might change. It was a day for change if there was one. It was the first since her mother had returned. Everyone put such importance on these days; Chloé had learned not to, but maybe this once she might try.

Nothing changed in the morning though, and so Chloé did not either. Sabrina knew better than to even acknowledge days like this by now, but she still cast furative looks Chloé's way when she thought Chloé couldn't see; Chloé always could. Even when Sabrina was behind her. She could feel them.

Whether out of anticipation or disappointment she couldn't say, but Chloé downloaded a silly little app on her phone during class. She opened it, then when Ms Bustier's back was turned, held up her phone to 'look' at it. Silhouettes of spiders skittered across a white background. Mylene's scream drew the entire classes' attention. Chloé shoved her phone back into her purse, closing the app with a finger swipe while everyone was watching the small girl cower under her desk. Mylene wouldn't tell, not during class. Later they'd share it around the 'good kids' circle and they'd glare at her for the rest of the day. A normal day, like any other.

Chloé got through it easier than others like it. She didn't even have to shoo Sabrina away this time, though as she hefted her bag to go to her limo, it felt heavier. Chloé would NOT look inside until tomorrow, she promised herself that.

Home and alone again, the hours ticked by. In a moment of weakness she dug through her jewelry box for a year old trinket. Diamonds, yellow tourmalines, and onyx in the shape of a bee. She snapped a picture and sent it to her dad with the message 'I bought this today.'

Twenty minutes later she got her answer. 'It's lovely dear, you always have such good taste every year.'

There we go, perfect. She ate alone with the TV on for noise, for some reason the clock's hands moved slowly ever since the text. It was all so stupid. Maybe she'd turn in early to make tomorrow come faster.

A knock on the door pulled her from her closet. It was quiet, but they kept knocking even when she told them to go away. With a growl in her throat she finally flung open the door,"WHAT IS IT?"

"One sec!" Zoé crouched on the floor with her back to Chloé and fought with something. A quick little *shhhk**fsshhh* and her arm moved back and forth before she raised her hand, shaking it quickly. Then she scooted aside and spread her arms,"Tadaaah! Happy Birthday Chloé!"

On a broad plate on the floor, was what could only be loosely described as a cake. The layers were uneven, the frosting was slowly succumbing to gravity leaving some spots on the sides bare, and the candles on it weren't all the same type.

Chloé shot her sister a glare that had zero effect, so she added a scathing,"Is that supposed to be a cake?"

"Yeah." Zoé was untouchable, crouched beside the frankencake in her modest pleasure,"I made it myself, it's my first." Her earnest smile just made everything worse.

Chloé crossed her arms and turned up her nose,"It looks ridiculous, utterly ridiculous."

She could still see Zoé out of the corner of her eye. The Pinked-Blond rubbed the back of her head,"Yeah." she grinned,"I'm not much of a baker, but I wanted to try and do something special for just you and me."

A crack, Chloé felt exposed. She gestured at the cake-pile,"Is it even edible?" as a distraction.

"Welllll." Zoé looked sidelong as the confectionary tragedy,"I promise to take the first bite if you want. But you have to blow out the candles first." Zoé scooted back expectantly.

Against her better judgement Chloé stepped closer and crouched down, examining the Chocolate Ruins. It was a mistake, and not just in the culinary sense. Zoé didn't know better. Everyone else knew better. Everyone else knew Chloé. Even her mom knew Chloé. It was a mistake but here it was, hers. Feeling entirely too much she glanced at Zoé one more time then took a deep breath.

"Wait!" Zoé interrupted,"We can't forget the other important part. I've been practicing, I'm not used to the French version."

Zoé swallowed then in a soft tone sang.

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire Chloé Bourgeois

Joyeux anniversaire

By the time Zoé was done Chloé was digging her nails into her palms to keep a straight face. Zoé nodded to the cake and Chloé began again. With an unfamiliar effort she blew across the candles, getting most of them out but not all. It took a few more puffs to snuff the lot.

Chloé looked back to Zoé. Chloé had no idea what was supposed to happen next. Zoé wore a huge grin as she scooped up the plate, plates. Three with utensils stashed behind the wall of Cocoa's Disgrace. She stood and strode past Chloé into the suite.

Chloé was close to meltdown. She should have kicked Zoé out, should have kicked over the cake. She could have made everything normal again, but she was weak and now she was paying for it. She had to do something, anything to even the field again.

Chloé stood and with sudden inspiration dashed past Zoé and up into her room. She came right back out; her sister was in the middle of trying to dissect the suspect delight. Chloé stalked up to her and held out a hand,"Here." Chloé grumbled. When Zoé put down the knife and held out her cupped hands Chloé dropped the Bee brooch into them.

"Chloé, what is this? It's beautiful. Why are you-?"

"Just shut up and take it, or you can get out right now."

Zoé looked puzzled for only a moment before smiling infuriatingly,"Okay Chloé, thank you." She pinned it right onto the lapel of her jacket. As soon as she was done Chloé's emotions began to unknot themselves. That brooch was worth so much more than some silly cake. She told herself that, and almost believed it.

Zoé picked up the knife and gestured back to the cake-ish,"So, you want a leg or a wing?"