Nya's POV

Monday came around soon, and it was my birthday. 

The big one-eight. 

Yippee.

The date with Lloyd yesterday had gone well, but I couldn't help but notice the atmosphere around us definitely felt different compared to back when we were going out on our dates earlier on in the relationship.

I use my finger, dabbing it in some butter smeared across my plate, scooping up the crumbs and sucking upon it, before taking my plate to the sink to wash up.

Kai had already wished me a happy birthday, by picking me up from my bed and running downstairs and out to the pond behind our garden, throwing me in and screaming "HAPPY BIRTHDAY," before running into the house again and out through the front door whilst I was screaming bloody murder, cursing him to the depths of the Departed Realm with a mouth full of pondwater.

A light peck on my cheek, and Lloyd comes into view, a box of chocolates and a small bouquet of flowers in his hands, "Happy birthday, babe!"

I giggle, accepting the gifts and giving him a one-armed hug, "Thank you!"

"So, how does it feel? You're 18!"

Tilting my head slightly, I click my teeth, "Still not old enough to drink."

"Not like you don't drink though."

But...I don't drink-

"So, anyways," he puts his hands together, going to the fridge and bringing out a jug of juice, pouring it into two glasses and sliding one to me, "This weekend, let's all go out, yeah? A road trip! My parents said we could use the cabin for a few nights. It'll be fun; you, me, Cole, Seliel and Kai!"

"That sounds great!" I gush, clinging to my shirt sleeves, "How long d'you reckon we'll be up there for, because I have exam prep and that coursework for English Lit I need to finish off and I'm pretty sure I have a project for mechanics too, which I need to get a start on and-"

"Nya, Nya, Nya, Nya, Nya!" Lloyd gently poked at my cheek each time he said my name, a smile playing to his lips, "It's just a few days, exams can wait. C'mon, you only turn 18 once!"

"Okay but I have some ground rules if we're gonna do this- mmf!" Lloyd grins and hugs me tightly.

"That's my girl."

I decided that day to come into school late since I had a free period which I was not gonna let go to waste.

Next period rolled around and it was Engineering and Mechanics class, which was always a treat for me personally. Upon walking in, Jay spots me and waves me over to him.

"Happy birthday!" He sang, taking out a little wrapped parcel. I grin, my ears going hot.

"Jay, you didn't have to!"

"No, no, I reaaallllyy need your opinion on this. I made cherry tarts yesterday, and I need a third opinion on this."

I smell the package, ripping it open and bringing out the pastry, "It smells amazing...and it tastes so good!" The second part came out slightly garbled, but Jay seemed to receive the message well.

Indeed, it did taste great, the cherries sour yet sweet, the pastry golden and cooked to perfection and the powdered sugar on top just adding something extra to it.

We split the rest of the tart, and then Jay leans in, "So some insight on the Engineering and Mechanics' project. How well you do will be reflected in your final grade, and you'll be partnered with a first year of your choice to invent something as well as a few paragraphs on the use of said invention. I was wondering if you'd be my...my little protégé,or partner..." His voice trailed off.

I blink, "What?"

"I- uh...you don't have to, if you don't want to, that's alright-"

"No wait! I wanna do it!" Working with Jay will be fun, I think. I'm really looking forward to this project.

The teacher comes in and starts the lesson, and sure enough, it's exactly how Jay'd described it to be. We partnered up and by the end of the lesson, had drafted out a basic sketch of our invention.

As we packed up our things, Jay cleared his throat, "So, are you free this weekend?"

"Um..." I remember Lloyd's plan this morning, and shake my head, "No, but next week?"

"Great! I'll see you then. Have a great birthday."

A blush creeps across my cheeks, "Thank you."