Chapter Fourteen:
Birthday Party Gone Wrong

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After what had been an eventful day—to say the least; Hades almost breaking out from the Isle had definitely put everyone a little on edge—Laila had been glad to get sleep, her dreams far away from chaos and instead more centred around Ingrid's voice whispering to her about a map, whatever the fuck that meant.

     It wasn't until she woke up that she realised Ingrid was literally standing over her, saying her name on repeat in an attempt to wake her up.

     "What do you want?" Laila groaned, rolling over onto her stomach and closing her eyes so she didn't have to deal with the incoming sunlight—because apparently Ingrid had taken it upon herself to open the curtains. Fucking delightful.

     Ingrid said, "A map."

     Her voice slightly muffled from her face being pressed against the pillow, Laila said, "Backpack. Front section."

     "Can you get it for me?"

     "No."

     "Please?"

     "No."

     "Pretty please?"

     "No."

     "Pretty please with a cherry on top—?"

     Laila let out a groan, ripping the doona off her with such force that Ingrid jumped back, rather alarmed. "Fine!"

     Half-asleep, Laila dragged herself across the room and over to her backpack. Her moves were a little sluggish, and she blinked several times before she could say for certain that her eyes would stay open—for now. Handing the map over to Ingrid, Laila collapsed back onto the bed and simply grunted as Ingrid thanked her and left.

     Laila stayed in that position for almost another hour, back to sleep, before she woke up again. She checked her phone for the time. 8:30AM. Sighing, she knew there was no way she'd be able to go back to sleep now. Especially since she promised Jane she would help set up for her birthday party—meeting in, like, half an hour. So, she got up and got dressed and walked downstairs.

     Evie had been kind enough to let Laila and Ingrid stay in one of the rooms in her castle—ahem, starter castle; it wasn't quite as big or extravagant as some of the other castles around. But that didn't mean it wasn't good! In fact, in Laila's opinion, Evie's little castle was the best she'd seen (other than Arendelle—nothing beat home!).

     Walking into the kitchen, Laila instantly smiled at the sight of Evie leaning against the island bench—thankfully her mood had improved since she had been rudely woken up that morning. Evie hadn't noticed her coming in, so Laila took a second to think of what she might say when she made herself known...

     "It's a nice place you've got here," Laila said after a few seconds, a smile still on her face.

     Evie instantly perked up. Looking over, she smiled back. "It is. It's everything I ever dreamed of."

     Sitting down on a stool on the other side of the island bench, Laila propped one elbow on it and rested her head in her palm. About to say something, Evie was abruptly stopped as the kettle behind her boiled. Walking over to it, she turned back briefly to raise a questioning eyebrow, as if to say, Want some? Laila nodded in reply.

     As Evie turned back around, making the two some drinks, Laila was struck with a sudden nervousness. Was it time to finally tell Evie how she felt? In theory, it would be so easy, spitting the words out. In reality, Laila felt like something was stopping her. No matter how hard she tried and how much she wanted to tell Evie, there was just something that prevented her from telling her how she really felt. Fear of humiliation? Maybe. Fear of rejection? Definitely. So if not now, then when was the right time? Laila decided that the right time would be when she felt ready... but that begged the question; would she ever feel ready?

     Evie turned back around, and oblivious to Laila's battle within herself, handed her a mug of hot chocolate. Laila took it, thanking her, and simultaneously decided that she wasn't going to tell Evie how she felt; not today, at least. Tomorrow, maybe. But not today. She was perfectly content with living in her little bubble where sure, she might not know if Evie liked her or not, but things were good—and if she told her, that could change everything...

     "Hey—where's Ingrid?" Evie asked after a few moments. "I didn't see her get up this morning."

     "She's exploring. I gave her a map—after she rudely woke me up—and off she went," Laila said, laughing lightly. "I think she wanted to find someone her own age... and after yesterday, probably try to clear her mind. I tried to tell her that it isn't always so dangerous here, but..."

     Evie grimaced. "Yeah. As far as first introductions go—not including family day—yesterday was a pretty shitty one."

     "You could say that again," Laila said, taking a sip from her mug. "At least everyone's okay."

     Evie hummed.

     Laila hesitated. "Are you okay?"

     "Seeing Hades like that, almost getting out..." Evie looked determined. "It reminds me of how important what we're doing here is. All those kids on the Isle, they don't deserve to be there."

     "Exactly," Laila said. "It's not like they're responsible for what their parents did."

     Evie nodded in agreement, glancing away for a moment. She sighed. "You know, Mal was telling me before... they're thinking of closing the barrier for good."

     "What?" Laila immediately frowned. "They can't do that. What about all those kids on the Isle?"

     "Thankfully, Mal is going to be queen, so she'll have a part in those conversations—she'll be the one to stand up for the VKs." Evie sipped from her mug. "I can't imagine what it would be like if the barrier closed again—this time for good. We'd never get to see our families again..."

     "I'm sure Mal will think of something to convince them," Laila said, trying to reassure Evie. "She's good at that stuff, and she'd hate to let you down."

     Evie slowly nodded. "Yeah," she said. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. "Hey—are you going to Jane's party?"

     "Yeah, I am..." Laila looked at the time on her phone again. 8:55AM. She drank the last bit of her hot chocolate. "Ah. Speaking of, I promised Jane that I'd help set up her party with her... but, I'll see you there...?" She trailed off with the realisation that Evie had never actually said if she was going too.

     Evie nodded in confirmation. "I'll see you there."

     "Cool." Laila smiled, but didn't move—she wished she could just stay here forever. After a few seconds, she said, "Okay, I should go..."

     "Yeah, me too," Evie said. "I need to do some sewing..."

     Laila and Evie stared at each other over the island bench, neither making any move to leave, neither wanting to be the first to make a move—in more ways than one.

     After a few more seconds, Laila said, "I really should go."

     ... but she didn't move. Curse those goddamn feelings.

     "Okay, I'm just gonna..." Laila chuckled after another few seconds, standing up and pointing at the door. Evie waved goodbye, laughing lightly.

     As she left, Laila checked the time on her phone again. 8:58AM. She was cutting it close, that was for sure. It was worth it, though... spending those extra few seconds with Evie. Laila didn't think she would trade it for the world.

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     "A little higher... no, actually, a little lower... yes, that's it!" Laila exclaimed as she directed two of Jane's friends in elevating the blue Happy Birthday Jane! banner across two trees. She sent them a thumbs up gesture and they got to work tying the banner around each tree with strips of large pink ribbon.

     Taking a step away, Laila turned around and grinned at what she saw. Jane had decided to have her party right next to the Enchanted Lake. There were several tables scattered around, each with a blue tablecloth and pink bows—one table had a punch bowl and plastic cups, another had a cupcake stand, and others displayed a variety of other foods.

     Spotting Jane next to one of the tables, Laila walked over there. "Jane, it looks amazing!"

     Jane grinned back. "Thanks to you!"

     Laila waved her hand through the air, dismissing her compliments. She smiled. "You're the brains of this operation—I'm still trying to keep up!"

     Jane's smile only grew wider. She said, "Oh, look! Guests are starting to arrive. I'll talk soon!"

     She ran off, and Laila chuckled to herself. She felt really happy. Moving over to the table that held the punch, Laila poured herself a cup—setting up had been hard work!

     The beginning of the party ran smoothly. After a little bit, Laila spotted Jane standing by herself under the stone gazebo next to the lake, and so she walked over there. Placing her phone on the table off to the side, she turned to Jane so she could talk to her with no distractions; clearly something was on her mind.

     "Hey," Laila said.

     Jane looked at her, then looked right back out onto the crowd of people that had showed up to celebrate her birthday. "Hey," Jane replied, a little too late for Laila's liking—it was Jane's birthday; she should be having fun! Instead, it seemed she was a little... disappointed? Laila hoped that wasn't the case.

     "Are you looking for someone?" Laila asked, looking in the direction Jane was looking in as if that would answer her question. But before Jane was able to answer, Chad appeared.

     Chad sighed. "Looks like Carlos forgot your birthday, huh?"

     Laila understood, now. It was Carlos—Jane was looking for Carlos.

     "Maybe he just took the wrong trail or something," Laila said, trying to make sense of the situation—she knew how much Carlos liked Jane, there was no way he'd just forget her birthday. It didn't make sense.

     Jane nodded slowly. "Or maybe... maybe they don't celebrate birthdays on the Isle, maybe it's like a cultural thing."

     "Yeah," Chad said, pretending as if he actually believed that. "Or maybe he just forgot. You never know."

     Laila shot a nasty glare Chad's way. Jane, on the other hand, took out her emotions in a more productive way. She said, "Hey, Chad, look! There's people taking selfies!"

     The two girls laughed at him as he scrambled up to where a group of people had gathered to take a selfie. Laila turned to face Jane. "Don't listen to him," she said. "I'm sure Carlos is on his way now."

     Jane nodded, opening her mouth to reply. Laila waited, but after a few moments it was clear she wasn't going to say anything—her gaze fixed on something behind Laila. A frown on her face, Laila turned around, and was met with a shock.

     It was Audrey.

     But she looked different.

     "Looks like someone forgot to invite me." Laila watched with befuddlement as Audrey—new and... improved? That was definitely subjective—sauntered around the party. Her hair was now bright pink and purple, and... fuck. She was holding the staff, the one that Laila could've sworn was sitting in the museum... Well, not anymore, it seemed. Laila smelt trouble. Audrey continued to speak: "Well, don't be expecting Mal, she's, uh... not feeling herself."

     Laila's eyes widened a little. Did Audrey do something to Mal?!

     "Does that make you sad? Does it just ruin everything?" Audrey asked everyone at the party. When no one answered her, her voice began to grow louder as she grew more frustrated. Laila had a feeling this... outburst was the result of a fuckton of pent up anger—and she was a little nervous at what Audrey had in mind, especially since she was holding the staff. "Mindless little drones! How could you forget what she did to us? How could you forget that I was supposed to be your queen?!"

     "Time out!" Chad ran forward toward Audrey, and for a split second, Laila thought he might actually stand up against her. "First off, great new look. I absolutely love the feathers. But before you do whatever you're gonna do, I was wondering if maybe you wanted a, uh, royal boyfriend by your side—huh?" Laila was evidently mistaken. As Audrey stared at him blankly, Chad kept listing off things. "Partner in crime? Sidekick? Or maybe just a lackey to do your bidding... um... change tires? Or smoothie runs? Please!"

     It only took Audrey a few seconds to decide. She looked him up and down, then said, "You can be useful. Fine, stand behind me."

     Laila scowled at Chad. "You're fucking spineless."

     Audrey's head snapped over to where Laila and Jane stood, down by the water, and her lips moved into a slick smile. Laila almost regretted speaking, since it drew attention to them, but Audrey wasn't bothered by their presence; she knew they'd all suffer the same fate soon enough.

     "If Audradon likes to forget so much, they'll love this..." Audrey said, and then, to Laila's surprise, she started singing: "Happy birthday to you..." Slamming the staff on the ground, a cloud of pink smoke appeared at Audrey's feet, and as everyone around her breathed it in, they started falling to the forest floor, unconscious. Audrey kept singing, and more smoke appeared.

     Audrey's voice was soothing, and Laila would've enjoyed it had it not been for the fact that whatever the fuck she was doing, she was dropping bodies. Not fun.

     The pink smoke started to travel down to where Laila and Jane stood, and Laila started to panic a little. When Jane moved to behind a stone pillar, Laila did the same, despite thinking how little that would help. Her and Jane were the only ones left awake, minus Audrey and Chad, and right now Laila would do anything Jane was doing if it meant they'd be awake together; she didn't want to be alone.

     Just as the pink smoke was about a metre away from them, and Laila was beginning to lose hope, Jane had an epiphany. "The Enchanted Lake."

     "Huh?" Laila said, mind still a little panicked. Then it clicked. "The Enchanted Lake! You're a genius."

     Jane and Laila backed away from the smoke and lowered themselves into the lake. Luckily, Audrey didn't spot them, too consumed with a sick satisfaction from what she had achieved.

     The two girls moved through the water, trying to keep out of the way of the pink smoke, until they reached a point where it was too much. The only option was to go underwater. Exchanging an apprehensive look with one another, Jane and Laila both held their breaths and submerged themselves in the cool water. It was like a blanket of silence had been placed over her. Her eyes darted upward, to the surface of the water, and her eyes were just able to make out the smoke going over them, as if it were trapping them under it.

     Laila could only hope the smoke would clear before she ran out of air in her lungs... otherwise, she wasn't sure what she would do.

word count: 2543
04.07.2021