**Gabriel**

"Hey Luke?" I whisper into the silence, "Luke."

"Gabe, it's 6 in the morning, go back to sleep."

"I can't. Do you think Trouble's up yet?"

"Again, 6am."

"She's hasn't texted me yet. She's definitely the kind of girl who texts her fucking boyfriend on his birthday."

"Gabe, it's early. Owen says...sleep..." He mumbles off back to sleep.

"Luke!"

"Ah! What, what!? I don't have class till 11. Come on Gabe let me sleep."

"Sang hasn't wished me a happy fucking birthday!"

"Sang's been acting weird lately, Owen says she's been tired. Besides, does she even know it's your birthday?"

"Oh shit, I don't think I told her!"

"Well, there you go. Can I go back to sleep now? What are you doing?"

"I'm calling Trouble!"

"Gabe it's 6 in the-"

"Hello?" Her cute little sleepy voice answers.

"Trouble!"

"Meanie," She moans, "It's 6 in the morning."

"I know, but I wanted to ask you out before one of the other fuckers had a chance."

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Gabriel, I can't tonight. I'm busy."

"You've been busy all week, and besides you can't say no to the birthday boy."

"Wah?"

"It's my birthday Trouble. Come on, you can't say no to your boyfriend on his birthday."

She's silent for a minute, and then there's a rustling on her side.

"Meanie," She sighs, "I'm the worst girlfriend in the world."

"Fuck no Trouble, why would you even say that?"

"Well the first reason would be that I didn't know that what we are would be boyfriend and girlfriend." She mumbles.

"Neither did we Trouble, it's just the easiest way to describe us. Next?"

"Well, I didn't know it was your birthday."

"Aw Trouble, don't sound like that. It's my fucking fault for not telling you. But please will you go out with me tonight?"

"I really am busy Meanie...but I'll see what I can do."

"Yes! Fucking perfect! Tell your psycho roommate that I'll be by at 4 to drop off  your outfit. I'll pick you up at 7."

"I'm not leaving my room unlocked. I'll give my keys to Kota when I get to my computer class."

"Ok, yeah, that works too."

"Great."

"Alright, see you Trouble. You won't regret this."

"Oh Meanie?"

"Yeah?"

"Happy birthday."

**Sang**

Talking my way out of dance practice for Gabriel's birthday did not exactly go as planned. As soon as I said something, I felt like I was abandoning Lake to those horrible harpies. They don't like either of us very much and I really can't figure out what it is that I did to piss them off so much.

In the end, I don't really get out of it, but merely get let out early enough to get ready for my date with Gabriel. Or rather, early enough to not get to my dorm right before he does. All I have to do in return is a favor of their choosing.

While they assured me that it wouldn't cause me any bodily harm, compromise my morals, or impact my future in any negative way, I was still a bit hesitant about owing them some unknown favor. Unfortunately, I didn't have much of a choice if I wanted to celebrate Gabriel's birthday with him.

Which leads me to where I am now, running across campus to the dorms so that I have enough time to shower and get ready. During which, I'm mentally berating myself for not knowing Gabriel's birthday. I almost missed it because of this stupid dance practice, with those stupid dance harpies breathing down my neck, about this stupid Thanksgiving Spectacular. What a stupid name.

And how did I not know when his birthday was!? What kind of girlfriend does that make me? And that's another thing, how could I not know that they considered me their girlfriend? Did I miss that memo? Was that what they meant when they said that they all wanted to date me? That they'd all be my boyfriends? We really need to have another discussion about this.

Lord knows how many other things I've messed up not knowing I was their girlfriend. How exactly am I supposed to navigate having 9 boyfriends? I'm so new at this dating thing I feel like I've been thrown out to sea just to drown and I have no one to blame but myself! How could I possibly think this could ever work!?

Snap out of it Sang! Now let's breathe, we can get through this. Let's just get through tonight, and we can freak out later.

Shaking my head to clear it, I head into my room to get ready for my date. An hour later, I'm showered, dressed and putting the finishing touches on my hair and makeup. Gabriel has definitely outdone himself with my outfit for his birthday, he even left clear instructions for how he wanted my hair and makeup. Which, if I'm honest, I couldn't be more thankful for, I'm pretty simple when it comes to girly stuff like this, but not Gabriel.

The whole dress has a beautiful gradient effect, going from light to dark pink, and then dark to light orange, the dark colors merging at my waist. The top half, that's in pink, is a v-neck with short sleeves and cutouts that leave my shoulders bare. It has a cinched waist, that flows out into the high low skirt. The front of the skirt stops right above my knees, right at the transition from dark to light orange. The back half of the skirt flows down to right below my calves in a light peach. It's absolutely stunning, and perfect for my date with my fashionista.

My shoes are a white patent leather peep toe with a small heel giving me a slight height difference. My hair hangs loose in waves, courtesy of the braids Gabriel instructed me to place it in before I took my shower. My makeup is light, just a peach eyeshadow, and light pink lip stain.

He's paired the dress with a light pink cardigan in case of chills and a white clutch purse, no jewelry.

As I'm taking my last look in the mirror, there's a knock on my door, announcing my Meanie's arrival. I opened the door to see him fussing with his orange tie over his white button down shirt. His black slacks and black dress shoes completed his outfit, with his hair tamed to perfection. He had pink studs in his ears along with the three black rings that ran along his upper ear. At my intake of breath, he looks up at me with wide eyes, a slow grin forming on his face.

"Fuck me." He breaths out, "Trouble you look amazing."

"Thank you Gabriel." I giggle out. "This dress is amazing, thank you."

"The dress is ok, you make it look so much better." He tells me with a smile.

"So where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." He says as he takes my hand. "Come on Trouble, the night awaits."

***************

Gabriel took us to an amazing Thai restaurant, where I got to try some foods I'd never even heard of before. It was different, and amazing and completely Gabriel. After dinner we went to a dance club where Gabriel was completely in his element, and thanks to my crash course dance lessons, I was able to keep up. Which was a really good thing, because Gabriel would not be told no.

We danced the night away, talking and laughing. It was a different side of Gabriel that I didn't get to see often, more carefree. I made it my mission to make sure to spend more time with him. I didn't have any classes with him so that made any time that we got to spend together that much more special. He really is an amazing person, and I'm over the moon to be able to call him mine.

After we couldn't dance anymore, he drove us back to campus, and walked me back to my room, where we are now. Standing in front of my door, looking at each other while we giggle about something that happened at the club.

"I had a really great time tonight Gabriel. Thank you for letting me celebrate your birthday with you."

"Think nothing of it Trouble. I'm glad you were able to go with me. I don't usually pay much attention to my birthday, you know? Just another year. I mainly used it as an excuse to spend time with you."

"We don't really get to see each other much, do we?" I asked sadly.

"It's not a big deal. I know you have a lot going on with school and the others."

"You're just as important to me as they are Gabriel. And I'm going to do a better job of showing it."

"Don't go out of your way for me Trouble. I'm just glad I get to be a part of your life." He says with a sad smile.

"You're much more than that Meanie." I whisper. "And I'll prove it."

Without overthinking it, I close the distance between us, and press my lips to his. He tenses slightly, before he wraps his arms around me and relaxes into the kiss; slowly gliding his lips across mine. Gabriel's kisses are like watching a sunset in paradise, completely calm and relaxing, the exact opposite of his personality. It's nice, perfect, and completely Gabriel.

After a few moments, we pull away. Staring into each other's eyes with giddy smiles on our faces.

"Total worth the wait." He whispers, before he pecks my lips again. "Goodnight Sang."

"Goodnight Gabriel."