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It was after Esperanza's birthday party right now, precisely five o'clock in the evening, and Esperanza was left behind at room 36,363, cleaning up after her birthday party, as well as five other people that volunteered to tidy up (for extra birthday cake) with triumphant look on their faces.

Dr Kozak had just finished talking to Kieran about something before he entered the room, Kieran going a separate way, claiming that he wanted to go bowling with Maria Grace and Cynthia Rose, so they all went there.

Dr Kozak had inconspicuously entered room 36,363, Esperanza watching him, not saying anything.

She was also watching him as he was talking to Ezekiel about something, however what they were talking about, Esperanza couldn't really hear.
Dr Kozak was walking forwards, although accidentally bumped into someone on the way, and it was truly him this time around.

As in, the person bumped into Dr Kozak... not the other way around.

"Oh sorry!" He whispered so silently that anyone could have heard a pin drop, then Dr Kozak smiled once he realised who he had bumped into.

"Oh hey Ezekiel!" Dr Kozak whispered again, Ezekiel grinning as well when he turned around and saw him.

It was a bit coincidental really. Ezekiel wasn't expecting Dr Kozak to be here especially seeing that he wasn't supposed to be tidying up.

"Oh hey what are you doing here?!" Ezekiel queried. "Surprise visitor."

Dr Kozak: Can I ask you something?

Ezekiel: *smiles as he sweeps and Dr Kozak is helplessly watching him sweep* Sure Demetrius. You can ask me anything. What is it?

Dr Kozak: Have you seen Ranza?

Ezekiel: *stares at him blankly* I'm confused.

Dr Kozak: *stares at him blankly back* On what...

Ezekiel: Who's Ranza?

Dr Kozak: Esperanza, duh. Who else?

Ezekiel: Then why don't you just call her Esperanza?
Dr Kozak: Ranza was oftentimes her nickname back at primary school.

Ezekiel: Oh Okay. What about Maria Grace?

Dr Kozak: Mary G-G.

Ezekiel: Well damn. Those are some crazy nicknames.

Dr Kozak: *laughs* But seriously. Have you seen Esperanza? I desperately have to talk to her.

Ezekiel: *points to her, Esperanza notices* Well sure. She's right over there.

Then they pretty much both stared at her, Esperanza doing the same thing back, Dr Kozak kind of smiling at her, Esperanza not doing anything.

She wasn't mad at him, no, she was just really solemn, and it wasn't because she had to tidy up on her birthday, it was for another reason entirely.

Esperanza silently watched Dr Kozak as Dr Kozak came closer to her, not saying anything though, which was actually okay because Dr Kozak did most of the talking anyway.

"Hey, Esperanza."

Dr Kozak didn't say anything, just kind of stared at her, Esperanza just complacently smiling in return.
"Hey sir," she whispered back, as quietly as ever.

Esperanza then watched it as Dr Kozak stood right in front of her, staring at her in the eyes non stop, blowing bubblegum.

"Quick question, Esperanza?" Dr Kozak trailed off dramatically.

Esperanza: *really quietly* Sure. What is it?

Dr Kozak: Why are you tidying up on your birthday?

Esperanza: *upset* Just doing everyone a favour sir.

Dr Kozak: Yeah but you shouldn't be tidying up on your birthday. You should be at the bowling alley with Kieran, Maria Grace and Cynthia Rose!

Esperanza: *gone quiet, turning red* No.. I'd rather just stay here.

Dr Kozak just watched her silently as she really swept the floor, with a very devastated look on her face.

Dr Kozak: You look really upset. I'm becoming kind of worried now. What's up?

Esperanza: The sky. The clouds. The birds, the trees, heaven...

Dr Kozak: *interrupts her halfway and is becoming quite agitated now* Esperanza. Honestly. This isn't you. What's going on?

Esperanza: *falling quiet all over again* Honestly Dr Kozak. Nothing.

Dr Kozak: *angry* Clearly not! You're obviously hiding something! What is it?

Esperanza: Don't worry.

Dr Kozak: You look like you want to die.

Esperanza: I do want to die. Kill me.

Dr Kozak: No. No suicidal thinking, Esperanza. You're by far too young. Plus it's your birthday.

Esperanza: What about you?

Dr Kozak: I can be suicidal all I want.

Esperanza: Hypocrite much...

Dr Kozak: Sure I'm a hypocrite. But it's true. I'm over double your age.

Esperanza: You're 35 sir.

Dr Kozak: And double your age is 34. You're 17 today.

Esperanza: I just don't feel like I deserve any of this though, Dr Kozak.

Dr Kozak: Well of course you deserve it, Ranza. You deserve all of this.

Esperanza: No I don't. Honestly. You've seen the way I've been treating Cynthia Rose.

Dr Kozak: Yeah I know but you redeemed yourself by apologising to Cynthia Rose as well as giving her one of the puppies that I gave to you for your birthday.

Esperanza: I still don't deserve this though. Dr Kozak why would you plan all of this for me?

Dr Kozak didn't reply straight away of course. Instead he placed an arm around Esperanza, before strangling her gently, still with his arm around her of course, then nonchalantly hugged the girl for about five seconds before saying anything else.

Dr Kozak: Because I've known you for ten years, Esperanza. *looks into her eyes* And I've always remembered your birthday, and a different thing shouldn't happen for your seventeenth one.

Esperanza: *is crying on Dr Kozak's shoulder* I honestly don't deserve this though. I'm a terrible person.

Dr Kozak: Don't worry. So am I.

Esperanza: Yeah but you're Dr Kozak. You're always a terrible person.

Dr Kozak didn't reply, just felt rather offended about what Esperanza had just told him, deeply contemplating something.

Dr Kozak: Well then.... that's not very nice.... *stops hugging Esperanza* I'm leaving.

Although as Dr Kozak was about to turn and go, before he could even take a step forward, Esperanza screamed and started crying all over again.

It was almost like Victoria Falls in there with Esperanza crying like that!

Esperanza: No! *sobs* Dr Kozak please stay!
Dr Kozak was a bit flummoxed. He just stared at her, before thinking something again, coming closer to her.

Dr Kozak: Please stop crying on your birthday, I don't like it when you cry.

Esperanza: I just can't help myself because I don't deserve any of this!

She unexpectedly pulled Dr Kozak into a hug, crying her heart out, Dr Kozak just patting her back in return.

Dr Kozak: Esperanza, listen. I can guarantee you that you deserve all of this.

Esperanza stopped crying and looked up, her tears making a blurred image of Dr Kozak's emotionless face.

Esperanza: Why are you here anyway? No disrespect.

Dr Kozak: I have another birthday present for you but you don't seem very happy.

Esperanza: I'm not.

Dr Kozak looked lowkey concerned about her but didn't say anything.

Esperanza: *sighs* I really don't know how I should be feeling right now to be honest.

Dr Kozak: About what?

Esperanza: Martinez is going to California for four months. Cynthia Rose told me everything. Who knows, I may never get to see him again.

Esperanza sighed with Dr Kozak just watching her in the background before he then tried slyly changing the topic.

Dr Kozak: Oh and come with me. I have another birthday surprise for you. Like I said before.

Esperanza: Really?

Dr Kozak: Yes. Really.

Esperanza: Can't wait.

Dr Kozak: Haha.

Dr Kozak then held Esperanza's hand, blindfolding her, taking her privately outside of KOZAHKISTAN HEADQUARTERS into the pulchritudinous and mesmerising sunset.

Dr Kozak: *removes her turquoise tie dyed blindfold* Open your eyes.

And so Esperanza did.

What was lying there right in front of her was a turquoise...

Esperanza: Cadillac?! *she squeals* You got me a car!!!!!? *cries tears of joy*

Dr Kozak: Well of course I did.

She hugged him again.

Esperanza: Dr Kozak! Thank you so much! There's just one problem though!

Dr Kozak: What?

Esperanza: I can't drive! I'm too young for that until next year, when I turn eighteen.

Dr Kozak: Hmmm... then we'll fix that.

He then sort of put a spell on her, thinking the rhyme to himself:

Hear me now, on the count of five,
Give Esperanza the license to drive.
Let her also be the nicest person alive.
One, two, three, four, five!

Dr Kozak: Esperanza, you can now drive.

Esperanza: Thank you so much! *tries to resist hugging Dr Kozak again but really can't help herself*

Dr Kozak: *as Esperanza was about to get into the Cadillac* Wait. Don't drive now!

Esperanza: *heading outside* Why not?

Dr Kozak: Because.

She had just stared at him blankly really, not saying anything else.

Esperanza: Because what?

Dr Kozak: Kieran texted me just now. Apparently there's an ice skating party, and everyone's there, and you can't miss it. We need to go there.

Esperanza: Okay!

And saying that, both Esperanza and Dr Kozak hugged one more time, before pretty much talking non stop and leaving the darkness to enter the light.

This was by far the best birthday in which Esperanza here had ever had. She hadn't gotten to spend it with her family at all, but she had still spent it with the people she cared about nonetheless.

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