Same day, Caspian's Birthday: The Zoo
"No, don't you dare!" Ross yelled at me as I ran towards the monkey exhibit with a carton of fries.
"Shh. You grandpa of fun ruining." I leaned on the fence towards the cage but Ross grabbed me.
"That might not be good for them." He scolded making me roll my eyes.
"The hell it isn't. This is better than the shit they're given anyways, besides, its my birthday. Everyone should be happy!" I yelled the last part out making Ross put his hand over my mouth.
And like my first day at school, I licked his hand.
"Ugh! I just touched the fence that has bird poop on there- you don't even know where my hand has been- are you even listening!?" He grabbed me by my shoulders and shook me. But I stayed there with a dazed look in my eyes.
Seven months.
"You said the same thing to me seven months ago." I said, my voice sounding distant.
I shook my head coming out of my trance to see Ross looking at me questioningly.
"S-sorry, I guess the time just freaked me out..." I looked away from him. "I only knew Rider for two months and he did all this damage." I added quietly.
"Cass I-... I don't know what to say." He reached for me but dropped his hand. "I guess sometimes I really realize that your problems are bigger than you put out."
"Does it freak you out?" I asked curiously.
"It freaks me out that you try to manage it by yourself!" He breathed out sounding exasperated.
"They're my problems, my baggage, I carry my own weight pal, and don't you forget it." I poked at his chest.
"But don't you just want something off your chest by now?" He grabbed the hand that was poking him and held it over his heart. "C'mon, tell me something no one knows, and I'll do the same." He urged.
"Wow, you're really taking a trip down memory lane today aren't you." I muttered as I pulled my hand back and crossed my arms.
"Okay fine." I rolled my eyes and walked over to one of the benches taking a seat. And Ross followed.
I placed my hands on my knees and took deep breaths.
"Cass you don't have to-"
"I used to pretend to be a housewife when I was a little girl." I blurted. I looked over at Ross who just sat there waiting for me to continue.
"I thought I was going to marry young and have 15 kids and so many cats. I thought that being in love meant that you just share things. I had once dreamt that my father killed me. I have a fear of bees. I hate when people leave shoes by the door. I used to pick dandelions and store them in a shoe box under my bed so one day if I had a very big wish I could use them all. After Rider raped me, I actually tried to use those dandelions to wish for my parents back."
I took in a deep breath and Ross grabbed my hand.
"Birds freak me out. I think Mama Vi has cameras everywhere around the house and one day in the future she's going to have a video compilation of us making out in every room of the commons house. When I first met you, I thought you were gay because of how clean the room was." I snorted as Ross looked at me shocked.
"I knew about April ever since you had to go to the hospital for the garlic. My first kiss was when I was four, and it was with a boy named Peter. And I started liking you after you gave me a piggy-back ride home and took my shoes off for me." I finished off, smiling at the weight that was lifted.
"You finished?" Ross asked smiling.
"Yeah, for now." I looked over at him and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
It was quiet for awhile as we were both processing the information I unleashed.
"You thought I was gay?!" he yelled making me jump.
"Well, the room was always clean, and you'd spend so much time with jewelry and your hair. But turns out your just a well kept guy." I laughed, kissing his cheek.
It was quiet again, before Ross spoke up quietly.
"For the record. I started liking you when you were writing in the hospital." We both stared at our hands that were intertwined.
***
"Okay, I asked earlier, but this is your last chance to tell me before I go beyond this door." I looked back at Ross who simply shrugged at my request.
"No birthday bombs?" I pleaded.
"No, I promise." He smiled.
I shook my head and opened the door walking in to see the house pitch black.
"Oh, there's no one here!" I said sarcastically. But I jumped back when the lights flicked on.
"Surprise!"
I looked around the room to see all the l commons kids with random party hats and horns. And I looked to see Piper running towards me with a bucket.
"No!" I screamed realizing what it was, and afterwards I glared at her with the confetti falling down my face. "You promised no birthday bombs!" I accused Ross, who only rolled his eyes.
"We have cake!" Someone yelled excitedly, and I looked at Ross who put his finger towards his mouth pretending to gag.
"C'mon, It's probably not that bad."
***
"So, do you have a mint I can borrow?" I nonchalantly whispered to Ross.
"That cake was shit and you know it." He smirked.
I was about to respond but someone slapped a present in my lap.
After 20 minutes of me opening gifts, my loot was stacked tall with new shirts and CDs, and everyone quieted down as Ross' gift was handed to me.
I shyly opened it to reveal a jewelry case and opened it to see a charm bracelet looking back at me.
I brought it out to see eight different charms. A quill pen, A book, a flower, the letter C and the letter R, a moon, a sun and a little round pendant that says "1/28/12 We're an eclipse."
"Oh, Ross." I placed my hand over my mouth as my eyes welled up with happy tears. "This is amazing, and now I'm a sobbing mess." I laughed lightly. Wiping my tears away. "You even understood the poem I wrote you." I said quietly.
When someone else in the room coughed I straightened up. Sobering from the overwhelming gift.
"Uh, thanks Ross." We awkwardly hugged in front of the whole room that had eyes on only us.
"Well I'm going to bed!" Everyone started filing out of the room because of the tension radiating off of me and Ross.
Ross and I stood there across from each other in the sitting room. Our eyes connected and my heart accelerating.
"Um, Caspian. Can I see you in my office." I heard Mama Vi call in the distance. It took me a second to fully process her words, making me shake my head to focus.
"Coming." I said as I looked away from Ross. "You needed me?" I asked as I closed her office door behind me.
"Yeah, I have your birthday gift here for you. I uh, didn't want to give it to you in front of all the other kids. So here you go." She handed me a blue envelope that wasn't sealed so I pulled its contents out, reading over the card briefly before dropping it.
"I-I, that's outrageous. I mean wow, n-no I mean thank you! Thank you so much!" I jumped into her arms hugging her tightly. "I love you so much, thank you so much Vi!"
She chuckled as she hugged me back. "It's no big deal, I just thought it'd be better if you got a proper goodbye for once." She tried to brush it off.
"No seriously. Thank you..." It was quiet for awhile. "I feel at home." I whispered.
"You are home, Caspian." She hugged me tighter.
We hugged for another minute before I went to bed. And as I walked up stairs I reread the card.
Dear Caspian,
I know how complicated your past has been with your parents and all, and with the news of your mothers expiration I just knew you needed to see her. Three airline tickets to Canada where she is now stationed. One for me, you and Ross.
Ross was already filled in on this and he begged to come along.
Well anyways, I enjoy having you at Bumpy Roads and thank you for taking care of Ross.
Love, Violet Madrid
••••••••••••
YAY DOUBLE UPDATE.
Q: Do you think it's reasonable for Caspian to use Ross for her benefit?
Love you guys so much!!