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"Happy Birthday, Jackson!"

Jackson flinched, caught off guard by the multiple voices behind him. The loudness compared to the University library's silence from a few seconds ago spooked him out. It was practically a miracle to him that he didn't press down on the keytop of his typewriter. Although, he should know himself better by now - no surprise was going to ruin his English assignment that he had poured his heart and soul into. 

He turned around, his lips breaking into a grin as he saw his friends crowd around him. Stevie Walker, the preppy diva, held up a Polaroid camera to her face and snapped a picture of Jackson's face, which was a mixed expression of pleasant surprise. She took the picture from the slot, waving it around until it developed. Stevie caught him staring and smiled softly. Her long, loose curls of dark brown hair was swept back, including her fringe which was tucked behind her ears. Her plaid skirt of dark blue and black was hidden by her black cardigan and white blouse. She looked more like an English major than he did, despite her majoring in medicine. 

"We couldn't wait until you were in your dorm room," Jimmy Meek moved towards the table, plopping down a shopping bag with several rolled up posters. 

It was no surprise Jimmy's gift to Jackson was a bunch of posters of the Campbell's favorite bands. He ran a hand through his dyed black hair, rectifying its former tidiness. His brown denim jacket and red shirt clashed heavily with his box dyed hair, not that it mattered to Jimmy. His eye was too busy on the macabre that Jackson was almost surprised Jimmy didn't give him a guide on how to escape a serial killer. Not that that mattered either. 

The smell of pink pepper, tangerine and vanilla filled his nose as his History major confidant Bea Price wrapped her arms around his neck and pecked his left brow. He could smell the vanilla from her lip gloss, and Bea let out a squeal of joy for him as she moved away and straightened. Her tight ringlets of curls held tiny yellow, blue and pink butterfly clips, which matched with her pink baby doll dress and mary janes. He shared history classes with her because of her major and his required class. It was easy to tell which was his English textbook and which was his History, considering there were traces of glitter on his History textbook from an incident a couple weeks ago. Jimmy called it Glitter-gate. 

"How does it feel to be twenty two?" Bea asked eagerly. 

Jackson shrugged sheepishly. His British accent felt odd in contrast to everyone else's American drawl. "Normal, I suppose?"

"Only normal?"

The new male voice was unexpected, his heart rate picking up as he turned. Dark hair was lightly tousled, though unlike Jimmy's hair, it was kept away from his face. His dark hair was a contrast to his light eyes, which was a blue-grey ring on his irises. His face was angular, including his pointed ears and softly upturned nose. His dark green flannel was rolled up to his elbows, fitting over an off-white shirt that was above army green cargo shorts and high tops. 

In his hands was a plate holding a birthday cake, no doubt made by the man's nimble fingers. It was a simple chocolate cake with buttercream rosettes, and the words Happy Birthday, Jack! had been drawn in cursive with the same buttercream. Twenty two candles were placed between each rosette, all lit and ready for Jackson.

When Jackson simply gawked at him, wide eyed, Kai smirked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Ah," Jackson managed a flustered smile. "I'm just happy. To see you."

"Duh!" Campbell regretted his words. He didn't mean to appeal to Kai's ego. "Now make a wish, birthday boy."

It felt pretentious to admit that Jackson didn't want anything. He had a college romance, friends, and good grades. He couldn't exactly wish for his parents to come back from the dead, nor could he wish to be happy. His smile faltered, and he could feel that same old bitterness return. It's not like wishes come true anyway. 

Leaning towards the cake, Jackson closed his eyes and gave himself a moment to think about his wish: that he could finally have some peace and quiet and spend time with his boyfriend. It was probably achievable for him with the right opportunity. He opened his eyes and blew out the candles. Jimmy and Bea cheered while Stevie snapped another picture. 

"Alright, alright, guys," Jackson said, with a small chuckle. "Quit your hollering - Professor Weathers will make us leave the library."

Kai raised an eyebrow at him. "Woah, what's your damage?" 

"Nothing, Kai," Campbell gestured to his typewriter. "I'm trying to work on my English assignment before the library closes in a couple hours. I've finally hit a breakthrough."

The Parker set down the plate next to the typewriter, letting out a huff of annoyance. "I think it's dangerous to be a workaholic named Jack with a typewriter. I know you've seen The Shining." He lowered his voice. "All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy."

Jackson rolled his eyes. He didn't think much about his own birthday, partly because he was busy with his most urgent assignment that was due by the end of week. But it was mostly because he didn't really care for his birthday - it's not to say he didn't appreciate his friend's planning something for him. Jackson was happy because they knew he would never plan anything for himself. He just came to recognise his birthday was another day in another week, in another month, in another year. Simple as that.

"Stevie and mine's gifts are waiting in your dorm room, Jay," Beatrice beamed. "And we sort of decorated your room while we were at it."

Stevie nodded solemnly. "Bee tricked me."

"Did not!"

Kai's index finger swiped some of the buttercream from a rosette and licked it. "And my gift is waiting for you at my house tonight."

Beatrice, Jimmy and Stevie all collectively groaned in disgust at Kai's words. Jackson couldn't help but burst into laughter, almost immediately clamping his hand over his mouth in an attempt to muffle his laughing. 

Between gasps for air, Jackson asked: "Poor word choice?"

"Nope."

Stevie gagged like she was bothered by the thought Kai had spelled out. "Gross. For the love of God, please get a room."

Kai's gaze shifted over to her, with a smug smirk on his face. "If you wanna join so badly, all you gotta do is ask."

With a withering glare, Stevie hissed out: "Go to Hell, Parker."

"As much as I would love to see Stevie destroy Kai━" Jackson stood, grabbing his type writer. "I need to shower. Thanks for the presents, and the cake. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

"Happy to help," Jimmy lifted two fingers to his forehead and did a little salute, his grin only lasting for a few moments. "But I gotta finish my Criminology report by tomorrow morning. Gotta fly, Jay."

Jimmy left, and Stevie and Beatrice also excused themselves and made their exits, finally leaving Jackson alone with Kai. Which was a first today. He didn't really get much time to spend with Kai alone, whether it be because of friends or school work. Jackson always got the feeling that he constantly upsets Kai with his furious desire to work, work, work. 

"It's our one year anniversary on Sunday," Kai spoke, taking a step closer to Jackson. 

Shit, he forgot. It was all the more shitty of him because Sunday was Halloween - Kai's second favorite holiday. "That it is." 

Kai's right hand curled at the back of Jackson's neck, with his thumb lightly pressing down on the posterior triangle of his throat. "You got anything planned?"

Campbell had no choice but to tell a fib. In his defence, it wouldn't necessarily be a fib for long. Only for a day or two until he arranged an exciting date for the two of them. 

"Of course," Jackson tried for a smile. "Can't tell you, it's a surprise."

A quiet hum emitted from the back of Kai's throat, his gaze focused solely on Jackson's parted lips. Jackson's heart was already racing because he was forced to lie. But now? Now his heart was pounding in his chest, excited yet stuck frozen in his spot. Brown eyes met blue, and Campbell couldn't help but inhale sharply at Kai's lopsided smile. 

"A surprise, huh?" Kai's voice was breathy, on the verge of a whisper. 

His response to the Parker's words was nothing more than a noise of confirmation. Kai leaned in ever so slightly, his warm breath ghosting Jackson's lips, and Campbell was struggling against giving into the urge to close to gap for Kai. His eyes fluttered shut, hoping that Kai would kiss him already. 

A dark chuckle broke the silence, making Jackson open his eyes. Kai was delighted by Jackson's visible confusion. What the hell is going on with him?

"I could feel your heart beating fast before," Kai mused. "You're cute when you lie."

The Parker let go, picking up the plate and stepping away from Jackson. "I'll be seeing you at my house, Jack. You better hurry before my siblings eat your cake for you."