— not a secret anymore

"Young Master couldn't make it today, so it is just me and Alexi," Antonio introduced the Marilyn look-alike in a hushed whisper. "Another one of our men is on the street, waiting for you," he informed as Marilyn nodded.

She secured her wrists in the life-threatening gloves and once again, jumped out of her room's window. She was glad that Ryker shared the good sense to not appear at the door, after yesterday's shenanigans, yet send people to keep his promise.

Carefully, she jumped on the street and ran across it to find the person waiting for her.

Ryker hadn't gone to pick Marilyn because he was stuck with distracting Bernie while Nadia set up the food in their secret hideout.

"Why'd you skip track all day today?" Bernie asked, voicing his suspicion as they played the speed basket game at the Arcade.

"I didn't feel like it, I don't know, maybe it was because I fell yesterday or probably because I had a fight with one of my teammates, yes, that," Ryker over-explained, missing all the baskets while speaking.

Bernie threw ball after ball, scoring baskets even when he was staring at Ryker's avoidant glances.

All the way in the back, hiding behind the bingo slot machines, sat Francesca Joves with a scarf on her head and sunglasses inside the building, a subtle attempt at masking herself from the locals. A peek after another, Francesca stared at the duo, her rose-tinted-melancholy-ridden vision merely sighted two boys playing games, touching hands and shy glancing eachother. Sometimes they'd stare. Sometimes they'd avoid.

Francesca chewed on her lowerlip, scandalised by how wholesome Ryker and Bernie's date was going. She clutched her collar, dramatically hoping it was her beside Bernie.

"Why didn't Nadia join us?" Bernie asked as he threw the final ball and scored yet another basket.

"Dunno, she had something to do. She'll be waiting at the hideout, I believe," Ryker said and clapped as Bernie's scoreboard recorded a highscore. "Look at you! You did it!! I am so proud of you!" Ryker cheered and pulled the brunette into a hug.

All the way in the back, Francesca mourned.

"Why are we at an arcade here when Nadia is back at the shelter??" Bernie asked, properly surprised, "Did you choose to spend time with me or were you kicked out by her?" He asked, mouth agape. Though in a hug, he still eyed his friend's nape with much suspicion.

"What! No! Of course I wanted to hangout with you!" Ryker exclaimed in reply as he pulled out of the hug and pressed his hands on Bernie's shoulders, "Don't you want to hang with me?" He jutted out his lower lip in a pout.

Gasping, Francesca placed a hand over her mouth and whispered, "Are they gonna kiss now?"

"I find it hard to believe that you'd choose me over Nadia, any day," Bernie confessed.

"What the hell dude!" Ryker smacked Bernie's back. The blow was sharp enough to elicit a seethe out of the brunette as he fell forward and almost tripped.

Scandalised, Francesca smacked the slot machine and it started whirring in response.

"I mean, it's Nadia we're talking about. You know I'd choose her first too, you know," Bernie mumbled, "Since you're you know, THE Ryk—" Bernie's words were cut short as a kid ran past, pushing him from his way.

Berine's already wobbling figure fell forward and before Ryker's brain pressed the emotional to physical reaction switch, Bernie had already landed on top of him. His lips pressed to the corner of Ryker's mouth.

"BINGO!" Francesca's slot machine cried.

"AAAA— I AM SORRY, AA WHAT THE HECK?!" Bernie cried, even louder than the slot machine, as he backed up. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, over and over, "WHAT THE FUCK, DUDE, I AM SO SORRY, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED RIGHT NOW— AAAAA." He continued wailing until Ryker smacked his head to shut him up.

"I was the one who was violated, why are you so repulsed?" Ryker spat, wrapped his arm around Bernie's neck and led the wailing boy outside. "Let's go back to the shelter before you turn yourself to the police over a kiss," Ryker cackled.

"It wasn't a kiss! It wasn't even a peck! I just accidentally hit you! Yes!" Bernie defended his honour as much as he could.

Flustered, Francesca followed them outside. "So, are they together or not? Was it— no— did I just witness their first kiss?" Francesca gasped, yet again, covering her mouth as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

She followed them, silently and most unsuspiciously while pretending to be on her phone the whole time Ryker and Bernie squabbled.

As they neared the forest, Francesca's heart thundered erratically. Were they going to go all the way in the woods? Two young teenagers? What if they get mauled by the bears? No, no, as someone older— she should stop them. But, what would she say? 'Oh I have been stalking you for three hours now and I enjoyed your little kiss and the date but watching you two make love in the woods might be uncomfortable, would you like to move to my place instead??'

Francesca slapped her hand against her forehead for even concocting that thought. Yet, her worst nightmares were coming to life as they headed towards a seemingly dark and dingy ranger shelter.

"Nadia's not here yet?" Bernie asked, eyeing the darkess of their hideout.

Ryker shrugged, "Dunno, she must be on her way."

"Let's wait for her then," Bernie stated as he reached the door.

Francesca's mind spiralled into hygiene issues and all the possible diseases and infections lurking inside the abandoned shelter.

Bernie placed his hand on the doorknob and twisted it. The door opened.

Frances leaped out of the shadows and shouted, "NO YOU CANNOT HAVE SEX IN THERE!"

At the same time as the shelter lit up and the people inside shouted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNIE!!!"

Startled, Bernie and Ryker jumped at Nadia. She fell backwards with Ryker, Bernie and the birthday cake in her arms. A concussion and possible ruin awaited as Francesca ran towards them.

Suddenly, Ivan grabbed Nadia by her shoulders and stopped the fall, mid-slant. She uttered a loud, "Oomph," staring at the cake which was about to tilt and fall until Marilyn shoved a hand underneath it and balanced it on her arm.

Caleb got Ryker by his collar and pushed Bernie forward to a standstill.

"Woah, that was thrilling!" Francesca exclaimed as she entered the stunned room, "It's oddly sparkling in here," she remarked upon seeing the glittery decorations.

"You almost killed us!" Ryker scowled. "And what's with the get-up?!"

Francesca sheepishly let go of her stalker support accessories.

"Thank you for saving us," Nadia cried and bowed multiple times in gratefullness towards Ivan.

"What is this all about?!" Bernie cried with a hand on his chest. He had done enough falling to last a lifetime. One push more and he'd debate getting up again.

"Happy birthday," Marilyn smiled and circled the cake in Bernie's face, "Were you surprised?"

"Quite frankly, my soul was about to leave me," Bernie sobbed, overwhelmed to tears.

"Who invited him?" Ryker pointed at Caleb, who still hadn't let go of Ryker's collar.

"He invited himself," Nadia sniffled as Ivan ran a patted her head.

"Aren't you glad we're here?" Ivan grinned, gesturing at himself and Caleb.

"I'm stoked," Ryker grumbled dryly as he flailed out of Caleb's clutches.

"The more the merrier!" Marilyn exclaimed, "Let's get this to the table, shall we?"

"Ohh do we get birthday hats?" Francesca asked as she spotted the triangular birthday cone hats placed on a table by the door.

"Yes please, help yourself with one," Nadia smiled as she took one hat and stood in front of Bernie. "Bend down, you giant," she said and Bernie coyly compiled. "Happy birthday," she smiled and straightened his collar. "Why are your lips swollen though?"

"Oh it's nothing!" Ryker exclaimed as he placed a hat on Nadia's head and let go of the elastic band mid-wear. It snapped against her chin, eliciting a battle cry out of her.

"You little piece of—!!" Nadia shouted and charged at Ryker with a stretched out elastic band of new cone hat. "Come here, you insolent child! How dare you!" She cried and chased after the racing man outside.

"They never stop, do they?" Ivan asked. His eyes were narrowed at Ryker and Nadia circling eachother around the shelter.

"I cannot believe I was mistaken, all day along," Francesca sighed and spotted her gift kept in a corner of the room, "Nonetheless, look at what I got you Bernie!"

Bernie couldn't agree more. He was spiralling the whole day, wondering what sneaky steps Ryker and Nadia were taking behind him. He doubted them, considered ruining the hypothetical Nadia-Ryker love match and even brought Ivan into the equation. Yet, all along, Nadia and Ryker were only taking steps towards him.

He felt like a piece of shit for doubting Ryker and Nadia. Though, a part of him knew that he'd do it again.

"Look Bernie, look what I got you!" Francesca clapped in his face to pull him out of his reverie.

Bernie thanked Francesca before taking the packet from her hand and peeking inside. The very heavy and burdening box of 'iPad' greeted his sight. "EXCUSE ME?! I CANNOT HAVE THIS!" Bernie exclaimed.

He was loud enough for Nadia and Ryker to momentarily forget their feud and rush back inside.

"What— what is it? I wanna see!" Nadia exclaimed as she perched her chin over Bernie's shoulder and gasped. "Take it, take it, take it," she chanted over his left shoulder.

"No, I possibly cannot, it is too expensive —" Bernie protested but when Francesca let go of the box, Bernie caught it before it would hit the ground.

"Too bad, you have it now!" Francesca grinned and took a step back, "I bet no one else can top my gift!" She exclaimed proudly looking around the room.

"I made you food, Berns, it's the best I can do," Nadia mumbled over his shoulder.

"And I threw you the par-taeh~" Ryker sang and bent slightly to perch his chin over Bernie's right shoulder.

"I love it so much," Bernie sobbed, hugging the iPad box.

"One would misunderstand," Nadia grumbled, "We love you too Berns." She patted his butt from behind.

"I brought you these notes of mine, I don't know how much they can help, but here you go, I've worked hard," Ivan stated as he came forward and held out a bag full of papers and notebooks.

"Woah! You never even mentioned them to me!" Caleb gasped, eyeing the thick bag in Ivan's hand.

"Thank you, thank you so much senior," Bernie said and bowed, disbalancing Nadia and Ryker.

Caleb glared at Bernie's hand as he took the bag from Ivan's hand. Then, he looked up at Bernie and norrwed his eyes, "Won't you share them with me?"

"B-but it's my gift?"

"You'd share it with Ryker and Nadia and that blonde, wouldn't you?"

Caught, Bernie nodded guiltly.

"Good. Sharing is caring. Keep them in club room so everyone benefit from you," Caleb all but ordered as he pulled Bernie in hug, patted his back and uttered, "Happy birthday, here's your gift," he said and placed a bright new earser on Bernie's palm. "It's never too late to erase your mistakes," Caleb smiled.

"Clearly it is," Ryker grumbled, eyeing Caleb. Nadia snorted at that and swatted Ryker's head. He groaned as he slouched forward which was enough for Nadia to slide the cone hat on his head and leave the elastic band far enough to strike hard against his chine.

"Aaarouch!" Ryker cried.

"Here's my gift!" Marilyn jumped in and passed a hefty bag in Bernie's direction. "Take a look, you'd like it."

"You didn't have to," Bernie sobbed and placed everyone's gifts on the centre table so he could open Marilyn's. He shed tears as he realised that Marilyn had gotten him official Harry Potter merch which included the Hogwarts Hufflepuff Robes, a wand, a hat and a Time Turner.

"Do you like it?" Marilyn asked though she was taken aback as Bernie descended to the glitter infested ground and started wailing into the gift wrappers.

"Our child is a bit overwhelmed," Nadia stated as she crouched to sit beside Bernie and pulled him in a hug, "Come now, let's get the food, yeah? Stop crying, it's your birthday!" She patted his back as Bernie grabbed onto her for dear life and cried.

He cried because no one else remembered his birthday. He cried because he had friends who did remember his birthday. He cried because he was lucky enough to have such friends. He cried because he had no idea how long these friends would last. He cried because he loved the gifts. He cried because he loved the smell of Nadia's cooking in the air. He cried because he had been a hateful spiraling gremlin all day. He cried because in the end, he felt underserving of all the love he was getting. Her cried because more than half of the people in the room wouldn't be there if not for Nadia.

He cried because he felt grateful yet disgusted of the minutest envy brewing in his heart. He cried because he loved too much though he had nothing to truly call his.

That is, until, Francesca patted his head.

"We're the same age for now!" Francesca exclaimed in an attempt to distract Bernie, "Until September, that is," she mumbled the latter half under everyone's attention. "Which reminds me! I wrote a new melody this afternoon! Do you want to listen to it? Of course you do," she pulled out her phone from her pant pocket and pressed play.

Slow violin notes echoed off the weak walls of the ranger shelter. Wordlessly, Ryker held out his hands for Nadia and Bernie to take as they got up. Berine's eyes remained on Francesca, his solemn and red face a great contrast to Francesca's beautiful smile.

Marilyn lit the candels on the cake as Francesca led the crowd to the table like the Pied Piper of Hamlet. Caleb stood behind, judging the crowd of younglings before him. Ivan judged Caleb from behind, amused by Caleb's amusement.

Everyone sang Bernie a birthday song. They clapped and cheered. Bernie fed the cake's first bite to Nadia and Ryker. Francesca dipped a finger in the cream and wiped it on Bernie's cheek. Nadia and Marilyn cut up the cake into seven pieces.

"Wait, wait, hold up, let's click a picture!"

Everyone huddled together, in front of the cake. The table glittered under the camera's perspective. In the middle stood Bernie, crouched as Francesca placed her head on top of his. On his right were Nadia and Marilyn, grinning ear to ear with big chunks of cake in their hands. On his left was Ryker with his hand extending in front of Bernie to squish Nadia's cheeks with his fingers, and beside him was Ivan holding up two victory symbols with his fingers.

"Lemme take a picture with Bernie please," Francesca asked and brushed the crowd away. Nadia laughed as she took the camera and asked them to pose. Bernie smiled, pushing his lips up as Francesca clutched against his arm. In the background, Marilyn was busy placing the cake on plates. Ryker photobombed two horns on Bernie and Francesca's heads. Ivan employed Caleb to help Marilyn make plates for everyone.

Many pictures ever taken that night. Laughs were shared and memories were made. Ryker sent the group photograph to Aaron, leaving a message: 'Had a WiLd Day!'

Francesca uploaded her picture with Bernie to her private social media account. She captioned it as: 'A night to remember!'

Glitter stuck to everyone's hands, clothes, hair, eyelids and eardrums. They played games where in Francesca and confessed about how she misunderstood Ryker and Bernie's relationship.

Marilyn threw her head back and laughed. She laughed so much that she had to gasp for air even when she was returning home.

"Thank you Mariee, I love your gift. Thank you for choosing to be my friend," Bernie said as he hugged her one last time. She got out of the car. Climbed back up. Bade Antonio and Alexi a warm farewell and for the first time, in a long time, she slept with the widest smile on her face.

Her heart was warm with good food and pleasant memories. Her eyes were well rested the next morning. Though her limbs hurt a lot because of the wall climbing excercise for two days in a row— Marilyn knew it was worth it. The smiles, the memories, the people, it was all worth it.

Her maids led her to the breakfast room. The doormen opened the door for her. Marilyn opened her mouth to greet her parents when suddenly, Harriet grabbed her hair and slapped her face. Once. Twice. Thrice.

The slaps resounded the silent Keynes mansion and suddenly, the abuse wasn't a secret anymore.