It wasn't enough.

Ashlyn did her best, not only dancing Jasmine's choreography - she changed fragments she didn't like to her favourite moves, connecting gymnastics with the ballet to make it in her own style. She flew with the music, felt it in her soul, put her heart into her moves. She did it for her parents who always believed in her and wanted to make her dream about dancing come true.

But it wasn't enough.

Thirty two people agreed to let her replace Jasmine.

But nineteen was against.

So the only benefit was going to be Jasmine hating her even more.

And as Maverick announced the continuation of the rehearsal, Ashlyn ran to the dressing room and hid under her vanity table.

She closed her eyes, feeling tears under her eyelids. She felt so humiliated - was this feeling going to follow her everywhere? It clung to her since she was little, not only because she was a poor orphan. She was different and it always put her in such situations. What made people expect so much from her?

She was just an orphan with stupid useless dreams. 

She curled up and put her head on her knees, closing her eyes. 

"Ash!" she jumped up, hitting her head on the table top. 

She had to fall asleep and now her back hurt. She turned to the right, where the voice came from and saw Aiden and Taylor squatting next to her. 

"Here you are. The rehearsal is finished, we were looking everywhere for you." 

She quickly scrambled out from under the dressing table up, her face burned. Now they caught her sitting there like a kid. 

"Sorry", she mumbled. 

"Don't be", Taylor smiled at her comfortingly. "We understand you were tired, you had a huge effort to make. But you were amazing, don't mind those people. You know they're just not used to change."

Oh, right. She had already managed to forget. 

"She's right", Aiden nodded. "By the way, we have a treat for you."

"A treat?"

They didn't reply but both grabbed her hands in the same time and dragged to the train.

"Where are we going?" she asked as they passed more and more carriages.

"To my kingdom", Aiden glanced at her. The mask covering his cheek hid his smile and she tried to imagine how would he look like if he didn't smile.

They passed Maverick's office, opened the last door and found themselves in a dark carriage filled with toys hanging from the ceiling and lying around. There were so many useless of them Ashlyn always wondered why Aiden still didn't throw them away. They probably meant something to him. Similar to her - like a trash someone keeps just because she meant something. Or was useful.

Taylor and Aiden moved aside and she saw the planing table covered with a white tablecloth with a cake in the middle.

She opened her eyes widely.

"Is it..."

Aiden nodded with a wide smile, then his eyes moved to something behind her.

"Guys, three... two... one...!" 

"Happy birthday!" The faint bulb lit up and Ashlyn, hearing voices behind her, turned to see Maverick, Logan, Aiden's best friend Ben, and surprisingly Tyler. 

"We were afraid you'll notice us, but fortunately it's dark here", Maverick smiled. "We wish you all the best, Ashlyn! We're happy you're here." 

"I'm so happy you let me stay." 

Her eyes got wet again as she tried to believe what happened, and she turned away to hide it. Her sight landed on a cake. The ugliest cake she had ever seen. 

"Oh my god, you... you made it for me?" 

"We tried", Taylor laughed. "It's not as pretty as we'd want to, but I hope it's delicious."

"It is." Aiden's eyes glowed in the dark as he looked at Ashlyn. 

She bit her lip. 

"I... I don't know what to say. Just thank you so much." 

"We thank you", Logan said. "You're the best friend and sister ever." 

"I won't agree", Tyler mumbled. "You're the best friend ever, Logan. And Taylor is the best sis ever. But Ashlyn is okay." 

"I'm happy I know you", Maverick translated what Ben signed. The boy didn't talk and Ashlyn hasn't learned it yet. 

"We're all happy!" Taylor moved closer and gave her a small hug, then glared at her brother. "You too, Tyler, am I right?" 

"Yeah, yeah." he rolled his eyes, but smiled a little. 

"Let's try the cake now."

Maverick lit up all the candles and the room filled with a golden glow. 

"Make a wish!" Taylor smiled and Ashlyn stared at dancing flames. 

A wish. 

What do I wish for? 

I have everything I need. 

With little difficulties, but how can I wish for more? 

She looked around at her friends's faces and felt herself smiling. 

"I have no wishes." 

"What?" Logan looked at her surprised. "Everyone has wishes. Don't you have a dream? Even a small one?" 

"I have, but... I don't need more. It's good for me how it is now." 

"No, Ashlyn", Aiden said. "It's good now. But it can be perfect. You can wish for whatever you want, something weird or silly. It's fine to dream about things that are not necessary but will make your life better, you know?" 

She looked at him in silence for a moment, watching his moves. His slim fingers with nails painted black, playing with his sleeve. Twitching lips trying to maintain a wide smile all the time. A mask on his cheek with a leather strap running above his nose, covering his scar and a corner of his mouth. Eyes escaping towards the flames of the birthday candles.

Ashlyn's gaze followed his and she almost gasped as she realized it - he was afraid.

Pyrophobic.

How could I forget?!

But wait-

These candles weren't her idea. And he knew there would be candles on a cake. So why...? Did he do it because of... 

She suddenly blushed and quickly lowered her head, approaching the table.

You said I can wish for silly things, yeah? 

If so...

I wish you let me get closer to you. 

She extinguished the candles with one blow.

________

Made it before the deadline hehe 🤙🤙