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Simon laid on his bed not wanting to move. His situation would be a kids dream: family on vacation, no parents home, you could do whatever you want, sounds like a dream. Except for the fact the vacation was for his sister’s birthday which was 3 months ago and his own birthday is tomorrow and they wouldn’t let him come!
He would have hung out with his friends but they’ve been weird all week. Every time he tried talking to them, they had some excuse and he always saw them somewhere else. Licky turned down a gaming hangout because of a family dinner but later saw him with party games. He invited Rabie and Poe for a flying race but they both claimed homework when he later saw them with balloons and working on a card. None of them even mentioned his birthday.
He got up and looked at himself in one of his many mirrors. Not even himself could cheer him up! He decided to go and figure out what was going on himself. He quickly brushed his hair (he still spent ages on it. Never know when you get a compliment) and set out the door.
He flew overhead and eventually saw the group in a store. Simon waited for them to enter and followed closely behind while hiding behind displays. He didn’t hear much until he heard something.
“Ok, everyone remember the plan? And Rabie, please don’t message Simon until we get the park decorated.” Baba said pleadingly at the bat.
“Of course, baba! I will never let our vork get vasted like zis!” Rabie said, German accent heavy, while deciding between streamers.
Allister grabbed an air pump from the shelf. “I still don’t understand why we decided on a surprise party for Simon’s birthday. Can’t we just let him plan it himself?”
“Simon has never had a birthday party before Al. We want to make it special! And I did not spend 2 hours writing a perfect card for him for nothing! Do you know how hard it is to find a good rhyme for dragon?!” Poe interjected, trying to keep Maggie from the candy.
Simon immediately hid more behind the display case. A surprise party? At the park? For him? That’s why they’ve been so weird lately! They didn’t forget after all! Simon didn’t listen much more as he darted back home.
For the rest of July 31st, Simon thought about his surprise party. ‘I wonder what they’re going to get me… maybe a statue of myself. Or a video game. Oh man, I hope they have red velvet cake! I haven’t had it in years!’ For the first time in a while, Simon went to bed smiling.
The next morning, as the summer sun of August 1st hit the young dragon, Simon had quite the wake up call.
“RISE AND SHINE, CREEPER CREW!!” Baba yelled. Simon looked out his window and she was on the roof of his house.
“No yelling before third breakfast!” yelled Maggie as she threw an alarm clock that looked a lot like dogday at her.
“Baba, it’s literally 7am!” cawed poe as they threw a yellow glove at her.
“Vy are you faking JOY now?” Rabie asked as she tossed a blue blanket over Baba's head.
“Mon dieu! Go back to ze depression!” said Touille from his house.
Odd, baba’s never excited in the morning. Simon shrugged it off, assuming she’s just excited. He went through his normal routine: eat breakfast, shower, get himself ready. Now he has to wait.
After a couple hours, he was playing a video game in his room when his phone pinged. His claw flew to it before he looked and read the text.
Poe: ‘Hey Simon! We need your help at the park with something. We’re playing a game but we need another player. Want to join?’
This was it. Simon stuffed his phone into his bag and bolted out the house.
He landed outside the park and began trying to calm down.
“Ok Simon. Be completely normal. Sure this is the first actual birthday party since abuela, but you’ll let your friends know if you are too excited. Act. Completely. NORMAL!”
After finally settling his nerves, he stepped into the park…
But no one was there.
‘What? Where are they? Did they mean a different park?’
Simon thought. He decided to look around. No balloons in the trees. No games at the playground. No presents at the shelter. No cake at the picnic table. Simon decided to sit down and wait for them.
‘They’re running late.’
‘They're coming any minute.’
‘They wouldn’t forget!... would they?’
2 hours. He sat there for 2 hours.
He checked his phone. No texts. Then it hit him. They did remember. But pretended to celebrate. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and sent a text as tears picked in his eyes.
Simon: ‘You guys. Are the worst friends ever. Enjoy your pitiful lives.’
He hit the send button before blocking the numbers. He then walked home despite his body wanting him to bolt.
He reached his home as he sat on the step and pulled himself together. Sure, he’s home alone, but he still hated seeing his image ruined for crying. He reached for the door handle and stepped into the room. ‘Wait.’ he thought. ‘Why are the lights off–’
*CLICK*
The lights turned on and Simon caught a glimpse at decorations before…
“SURPRISE!!”
The others leapt out of hiding, wearing party hats. The sound of party horns pierced the air. Simon screamed as he backed towards the door.
“WHAT THE– G-GUYS?! WHEN DID YOU– WHERE DID YOU— HOW— WHAT IS GOING ON?!”
Baba stepped forward, placing a party crown on his head. “It’s your birthday party silly! We’ve been planning this for a week!”
“Yea mate! We were planning to do it here, but realized you probably wouldn’t leave. So when we saw you following us, we pretended it’s at the park so you’ll leave.” Maggie piped in, eating a cupcake.
Simon stared at the group and the decorations of dragons. Not just any dragons.
“Wings… of… FIRE!?” Simon asked in awe.
“You betcha! You told us last veek you are a fan! But your family destroyed everyzing related. So ve decided zis vould be ze best theme for ze surprise!” chirped Rabie, resting a wing on his shoulder.
Simon’s hand went to cover his mouth. “You… you did all this… for me?”
“Of course Simon. Who else would we throw a surprise party for, eh?” Touille squeaked, French accent heavy, his hat made of materials from the recycling bin.
Simon stared at the group, smiling at him but looking nervous. Simons eye’s filled with tears again, but not from pain. “You… you guys…”
Simon's body moved before he registered and tackled the group to the ground in a hug. “¡Dios mío! ¡Gracias a todos! ¡Gracias! ¡Gracias! ¡Gracias! ¡Gracias! ¡Pensé que se habían olvidado!”
“Uh… dude? What did you just say? You were speaking Spanish again.” licky said, trying to escape the bone crushing hug.
Poe was able to sit up a little and wiped a tear from Simon's cheek. “Easy Simon. Take a deep breath and say it again.”
Simon's chest rose and fell with the breath and looked at them. “I said ‘Oh my god! Thank you guys! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I thought you forgot!’” Simon looked at them, suddenly embarrassed. “You guys can… uh… you can forget about that text i sent you.”
Allister let out a chuckle. “Already forgotten bud. If we’re being honest, maybe we could have remembered your birthday a little bit.”
The group finally got up as Maggie spoke. “Well, no need to dwell on the past. LET’S PARTY!”
The critters spent ages playing games: Allister somehow won musical chairs by falling asleep in the chair, licky tried blaming the wind for losing pin the tail on the donkey despite being inside, Touille cared more about wrapping paper than the prize in pass the parcel.
Eventually, they began eating lunch and Simon was shocked he got the first pick of pizza and fairy bread. After everyone had their fill, Maggie left for the kitchen and when she came back, she was holding a birthday cake decorated like wings of fire and 10 candles on top.
She set it in front of Simon, lit the candles and everyone began singing.
“Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Simon. Happy Birthday to you.”
Simon looked at the cake as the candles dripped.
“Well, aren’t you gonna make a wish?” asked Maggie, eying the cake.
“I… well… I haven't actually ever blown out candles before. My brothers and sisters have always done it. Plus, you guys have made this party so amazing, I can't think of anything else I could possibly want. How ironic.”
Poe approached and placed a wing on his shoulder. “Just think of one thing you’ve always wanted, Si. picture it in your mind and blow as hard as you can.”
Simon shut his eyes and thought hard. What’s the one thing he wanted more than anything in the whole world? Then, he had it.
He whispered, so quiet that the others barely heard, “I wish… for a Qibil toy!” He then sucked in a breath and blew. After 4 tries, he barely got any candles but the others kept cheering.
“Come on Simon!"
“You can do it!”
“Keep going mate!”
On his 5th try, he took another deep breath and blew hard until he was exhausted. He cracked his eyes open and saw the smoke curling towards the ceiling. He did it!
His friends were cheering and wrapped him in a hug as he caught his breath.
“YAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMON!”
They pulled apart as Maggie cut a slice and gave Simon a slice. He took one bite and recognized it. The soft, smooth, and velvety texture, the chocolatey taste with cream cheese, the red colour. He knew that flavour.
“RED VELVET!? How did you know!?”
“We saw you staring at it through the bakery window. We just assumed it’s your fav. And we were right.” Allister spoke up as he got his plate.
After they devoured the cake, they sat down to open presents. Simon tore them open one at a time and Simon loved every single one: A scarf from Baba. A new videogame from Licky. A diary with a voice lock from Rabie. Fluffy pjs from Allister. A photo album from Poe. Wings of fire toys made by Touille. Candy from Maggie. Also a few other gifts, all wings of fire themed.
“Ok Simon, ve have one more present for you from all of us.” Said Touille as he picked up a big present.
They handed him a box and he tore off the wrapping before popping the lid off.
Inside was a male SandWing dragonet. Wiry and narrow-shouldered build, light yellow scales and yellow wings like sand, dark brown freckles on his snout and a zigzagging scar across his nose. A gold earring dangled in one ear, which is adorned with a warm orange-amber teardrop. And the eyes were sharp obsidian-black.
“Qibli?” Simon whispered. He read the tag and the name was there in bold print.
“Simon?... Are you still there?” a hesitant Baba asked when Simon screamed.
“QIBLI! YOUR HERE QIBLI! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! WE’RE NEVER GETTING SEPARATED AGAIN!” He screamed as he hugged the doll to his chest sobbing.
He then tackled his friends in a hug. Which, they wiggled out of and hugged him back.
“You guys… you’re the… the…” Simon choked out, struggling to get the words out.
“Easy Simon. We got ya.” Baba said, stroking his mane with a hoof.
“Ya! Whatever you need to say, you can do it! Don’t let the nerves win!” Licky encouraged, competitive as always.
Simon, still emotional, finally said… “you’re… you’re the best siblings ever!”
The others froze for a moment before collectively asking the same question. “SIBLINGS?!”
Simon looked at them, happier than he’s felt in his entire life. “Yea…? I felt like this for years but I was terrified telling you would ruin our friendship if I told you.” He admitted, getting embarrassed.
The others looked at him and hugged him tightly. “Oh Simon! Vat is the sweetest thing you’ve ever said!” Said Rabie, already mentally planning how to tell everyone.
“You didn’t ruin anything Simon. In fact, we kinda saw you as our brother for a while too.” Poe added, looking at Simon with a smile.
“Thank you guys so much for everything. And for giving me Qibli back. I love you guys!” Simon hugged the group, still tearing up.
“We love you too, big brother!” The others said simultaneously, hugging him tighter and wiping his eyes as they laughed.
Simon had just had his best birthday in his life. And he had his new-found siblings to thank for.
(The end)