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April 3rd was Eloise’s birthday.
Eloise didn’t exactly make a big deal of it. She would really only have a small party with her family. At best, she would go out with them to places she enjoyed.
She didn’t expect any big gestures from her classmates. Cassidy or Diana may give her gifts, but Eloise didn’t expect much else.
So in the morning, Eloise didn’t expect her boyfriend, Desmond to be in the dining hall and surprise her with a stack of blueberry pancakes for breakfast, her favorite.
“Happy birthday, Eloise,” he said with a smile.
Eloise smiled back and gave her thanks before eating. As she ate, Desmond talked to her.
“For the whole day, we’re gonna be doing some of your favorite things,” he said.
Eloise blinked in surprise. “Really?”
“Mhm. We’re gonna go feed the ducks in the park, eat at that cafe you love, among other things,” Desmond listed.
Eloise could only smile at her boyfriend’s dedication to celebrating her birthday to the fullest by simply doing her favorite things with her.
She couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend.
Once Eloise got ready, Desmond drove her to the park and led her to the duck pond.
Eloise would sometimes feed the ducks that called it home when they visited. There were also some swans that lived in the pond, much to Eloise’s joy as swans were her favorite animal, hence her swan hair clip.
Desmond had brought two bags of frozen peas to feed them. One for him and the other for Eloise. So when they arrived, they each carried their respective bag of peas to the pond.
Upon arrival, the ducks that were on land waddled up to them curiously. They were rarely aggressive to humans, so the two weren’t scared.
Eloise noticed a few ducklings in the flock, to which she fawned over for how cute they were.
“The ducklings are so cute!” she squealed.
Desmond could only smile at her.
They took a seat at one of the nearby benches and began scattering peas on the ground. The ducks immediately began eating the peas, quacking in delight at the sight of food.
At one point, some of the other ducks from the pond made their way on land and tried to get some peas for themselves. A few swans even made their way and ate some before going back to the pond.
They kept feeding the ducks until they ran out of peas and left the park.
Their next stop was at the cafe Desmond mentioned before and the one Eloise loved to bits.
She would often come by as a lunch spot during practice. She took Desmond here once, and it turned out that they both loved the place. Since then, the two would sometimes go to the cafe for dates.
As they ate, Desmond secretly opened his phone and messaged Wolfgang.
~~~
Desmond: How’s progress?
Wolfgang: Everything is going well, for the most part.
Wolfgang: The cake’s almost done, there were a few problems with setting up decorations, but everything’s been resolved. The surprise should be ready by the time you two get back.
Desmond: Great. See you all at seven.
~~~
“Des? Is everything okay?” Eloise asked, making Desmond’s head snap up to look at her.
Desmond gave a reassuring smile and shook his head. “No, everything’s fine, Ellie.”
The fencer still seemed uncertain, but she didn’t want to pry. “Alright…”
“Anyway, are we going anywhere else?” she then asked.
Desmond brought a hand to his chin. “Well, I wanted to go back to the academy.”
Eloise tilted her head. “Why?”
Desmond smiled cheekily. “Secret.”
Eloise made a pouting face. “Come on! Can’t you tell me?”
Desmond laughed teasingly. “Sorry, but for now, no.”
Eloise crossed her arms and pouted even more.
Desmond knew that she was faking it, and only laughed even more.
He couldn’t ask for a better girlfriend.
Desmond guided a blindfolded Eloise by the hand through the halls of Eden’s Garden Academy.
“We’re almost there, Ellie,” he said.
Eloise was both nervous and excited. She didn’t know what to expect, which was a particularly strange experience for her due to her notably sharp foresight.
Just then, Desmond stopped, making Eloise stop as well. She heard the sound of the door opening before Desmond led her forward a few steps and stopping again.
“You can take the blindfold off now,” he said.
Eloise pulled her hand away from Desmond’s and took off the blindfold.
In front of her was…
“Surprise!”
Her classmates in the dining hall, crowded around the table.
The room was decorated with birthday party decorations, and hung from the ceiling was a banner that said, “Happy Birthday Eloise” in bold letters.
Eloise could only be in shock. “You guys… did all of this…for me?”
“It was all Desmond’s idea. From making us set this up to getting you out of the school,” Cassidy explained.
“You’re welcome, by the way,” Desmond remarked.
“With that out of the way, let’s get this party started!” Cassidy exclaimed, making a peace sign.
“But before all of that, Eloise should get her cake!” Jean interrupted.
As if on cue, Diana walked up to Eloise with a plate in her hands. On the plate was a slice of ice cream cake with a lit candle in it.
“Make a wish, Eloise,” Diana said.
She placed the plate in Eloise’s hands before walking away.
Eloise stared at the candle before smiling softly.
And with a small huff, she blew out the candle.