Chapter 53: A Quiet Birthday. 

[Edward POV]

Middle school. Mrs Henderson Science Class.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jacob asked me whisperingly as he sat at the table behind mine.

"I'm fine." I said as I stuck a rolled up tissue paper into my bloody left nostril to stop the bleeding.

"Edward. Why don't you call your dad to pick you up? You should go home and rest." Jenna said with a face full of concern.

The reason for my nosebleed was that I tried to use that new parallel thinking ability of mine during the class lecture for a long time.

"I'm really fine. This will stop soon." I said perfunctorily while looking at the board in front.

'30 minutes is my limit right now huh.' I thought as I glanced at Jenna who had given up in trying to convince me and was playing with her phone instead of focusing in class.

When I first saw her today, I was greatly surprised when I saw she had worn a long sleeved black shirt with a round neck instead of a low cut top as she usually wore, and a long, brown plaid shirt to match the t-shirt. She even wore a cute pink headband on her head compared to the usual blown-up hairstyle.

'Is she changing herself because of me again?' I thought as I remembered a short interaction with her last week where I unconsciously praised her for wearing a fashionable outfit for school, and that outfit just turned out to be more modest than her usual clothes.

I would usually just forget about those types of things, but the eidetic memory I received allowed me to recall all of my memories from the time I was a baby.

The reason I had a nosebleed was because I found several weird details in my memory, and was checking them using my parallel thinking ability.

'Why is she looking more and more gloomy nowadays?' I thought as I stole a glance at her.

Maybe it was because the gap between her slutty mode and her new modest persona was too far, I couldn't help but to take a close look at her for the first time.

Time passed by quickly, and the Science class was finally over. Jenna waited for Elsa, who herself waited for Jacob, who in turn waited for me.

"Mr Newgate. Can you stay back for a minute?" Mrs Henderson said before I could stand up from my seat.

"Okay~!" I replied happily before turning to Jacob. "Go to the cafeteria without me. I'll come to see you there in a while."

"Okay..." Jacob replied in dissatisfaction. I turned to Jenna and said, "Why are you dressing like that today?"

"Um…" She fidgeted as she didn't expect the question.

"She actually used to wear dresses like this. It wasn't till middle school when she started dressing like a whore." Elsa snided, causing Jenna to slap her arm. "Hey!"

"It look cute on you." I said before Jenna could argue with Elsa. She froze in her spot and her eyes were blinking wildly as she couldn't believe her ears.

[Flashback]

After the concert, Mr Green drove Elsa and Jenna to Elsa's house where she would stay with her friend today.

"Why are you looking restless? Is it because of boys…or because of 'That boy'?" Mrs Green asked.

"He won't even look in my direction! He won't ever fall in love with me! Now, he's already out of my reach! Once that slut on stage makes a move, I'm over." Jenna complained to Mrs Green.

"S-S-Slut! Mind your words Jenna. You went to Catholic school!" Mrs Green said, flabbergasted. Jenna realized that she accidentally let her true personality out and apologized hurriedly and turned into a meek little child once more.

Jenna was suddenly taken aback as instead of admonishing her, Mrs Green patted her head softly.

"It'll be hard to get that boy. Especially since you fell in love with him first."

"But I will be honest with you, even if you got him right now, you won't be able to keep him for long."

"Why?" Jenna asked with teary eyes.

"You need to find yourself first, and fall in love with that part of you…before you can make others feel the same way."

Jenna retorted, "But I do love myself."

"Do you?" Mrs Green asked with a smile, causing Jenna to be taken aback once more.

"I know you've been lying to me. I know that for a fact… because I used to be like that too." Mrs Green said in embarrassment. She turned to look at Mr Green and said, "But…He loves me for who I am, even though I bring him nothing but trouble."

"That was when I really looked inside, and asked myself…'Is this who I really am? And is that person someone I could love… the same way that he loves me? That is when I decided to change myself…not for him, but for me."

"Won't he leave you if he doesn't recognize you anymore?" Jenna asked in hesitation.

Mrs Green finally turned to Jenna and said, "Honey. He saw me for who I really was a long time before I saw myself. I don't know if the boy you're in love with has the same capability, but…trust me, the longer you're in this path of self-hate, the more suffering you will have to endure in the future.."

[Flashback ends]

"What's with the huge reaction?" I chuckled after seeing Jenna frozen in her spot.

"N-nothing." Jenna said before grabbing Elsa's arm and ran away to the cafeteria together. Jacob turned to me, and then to the girls, and to me again before he said, "I'mma get you something to eat before all the good food is gone."

"Sure."

I ignored the trio as they got out of the class and walked to Mrs Henderson's desk.

"Did you enjoy the concert?" I asked her after Jacob told me she was there.

"It was adequate." Mrs Henderson replied with a stoic face. "Mr Newgate, I believe that you're a gifted man."

"And yet you say that with little to no change in your expression. Sorry, Go on."

"One of the students for the Academic Decathlon had defected back to North Korea before he could participate in the competition. The school is now one member short in our decathlon team, and I was hoping that you would help us and represent the school in the upcoming competition."

I mulled about the offer for a while before I replied, "I'm sorry Mrs Henderson. I don't think I want to do it. There is no benefit for me in entering the competition."

Mrs Henderson said, "Didn't you say your aim is to become the top student for your year? Even if you scored full marks for every paper in the final exam, you won't be able to become one."

Raising one of my eyebrows up, I said, "What do you mean by that?"

"Your previous exams performances were horrendous. This year, the school has changed into a cumulative grading system instead of just taking the results of the final exam. Therefore, you need to score good marks throughout the whole year to become the top student."

"Hmm…" I exclaimed as I fell into a deep thought.

"But…I can offer you a supplementary test so that you can make up for your lack of GPA in the previous exams."

"On the condition that I enter the decathlon right?" I said.

"You catch on quick Mr Newgate." Mrs Henderson raised the corner of her mouth slyly, but only for a split second before returning to her stoic face once more.

"Can you do that?" I asked.

"The principal already gave his word for this." Mrs Henderson said.

I sighed in defeat and said, "Let me think about it for a few days. When do you need my answer?"

"I can give you two days to think about it. I will need the answer by Friday." Mrs Henderson said. I nodded and asked, "Anything else you want to talk to me about?"

"Nothing else. You can go now." Mrs Henderson said. I turned my back to her as I walked out of the class before she suddenly called out.

"Wait. Mr Newgate."

I turned toward her once more in confusion, then my eyes widened as I saw a small gift box in her hand. "Happy Birthday Mr Newgate."

I smiled and took the gift politely before I said, "Thanks Mrs Henderson." and hugged her lightly. She was startled at first, but then she hugged me back for a split second before pushing me away.

I chuckled and waved goodbye at her before I walked to the cafeteria.

' I didn't expect to get a gift this year. But after thinking about it, she did always give out gifts to her students on their birthday every year, and it's usually the same exact thing. A reference book.'

"But why does mine feel like plastics?" I thought as I unwrapped the gift slowly.

"Ah. A computer game…for math…" My excitement flatlined as I read the name of the game.

"And here I thought the grinch had grown a heart."

I put the cd case inside my locker before joining the rest of the group at the cafeteria. There was Jacob, Elsa and Jenna on one side while Alex sat by herself on another table, and Enid also sitting alone on the table near the wall.

I gestured to Jacob who was waving at me to wait for a minute before approaching Alex.

"Hey, why don't you join us at our table?" I asked.

Alex was startled by me suddenly appearing next to her while she was focusing on her book and almost dropped it. She fixed her glasses as she turned toward me and said, "What? Why do you want me to join you? I'm not qualified to join the popular table."

"Nonsense. It's a friends table, not a popular table." I said and urged her to come with me.

"No..I'd rather study." Alex replied in hesitation.

"Alex. Today is my birthday. Are you going to reject my request on my birthday?" I asked her using a serious tone. She fiddled with her fingers before saying, "Okay. I'll join you."

I nodded with a smile on my face and brought her to the 'popular table'.

"I think everyone already knows each other, so I will skip the introduction." I said as I called Alex to sit next to me. Jenna glared at her, causing her to flinch. But she just took 3 deep breaths before finally taking her seat.

"You're the girl I mistook for a boy before." Jenna said while looking at Alex up and down.

Alex flinched before she said with a stutter, "Y-Yes."

"You're also the smartest girl in the school right?" Jenna asked again.

A bit confused, Alex said warily, "Well…I wouldn't say the smartest…"

"She is." Elsa suddenly interjected.

"What are you guys doing? You want her to do your homework or something?" I said with a smile as I saw Alex being stared at by the two predators.

"It's none of your business." Jenna replied with a slight smile. I was taken aback by her new personality, and I couldn't help but feel intrigued at what she was going to do.

"In any case, Alex is my best friend. You better not bully her." I said.

"WHAT?!" Jacob shouted with a face full of betrayal. "I AM your BEST FRIEND!!"

I shrugged and said, "I can have 2 best friends."

Alex was also stunned when she heard me officially naming as my best friend. She grabbed my sleeves and said, "Really?"

I looked at her and said, "Yes."

"I see…" Jenna muttered ambiguously before Jacob asked, "Why did Mrs Henderson ask you to stay back?"

"Ahh. That. She wants me to enter the decathlon team."

Alex brightened up and said hurriedly, "So. What did you say?"

"I told her I would think about it." I answered as I patted Alex's head before the bell rang.

[3rd Person POV]

As Edward and Jacob rushed to the next class, Alex suddenly found herself being surrounded by the two hyenas while she was getting some books at her locker.

"W-w-what do you want?" Alex asked while bringing her hand up to cover her chest.

"We just want to talk to you." Elsa said and slammed one hand on the locker behind Alex.

"I…I know judo." Alex warned her with shaky eyes.

Suddenly, Jenna grabbed one of Alex's hands, and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Can you teach me how to study?" Jenna asked in a begging tone.

Alex's brain short-circuited and she muttered, "What?"

"To…study…" Jenna said in embarrassment while Elsa laughed at her. She had been looking for tutors to help her learn how to study better, but no one was willing to take the job, or those who did had some ulterior motives.

"Wh-Why?" Alex pushed her glasses up and asked.

"Well…There is someone who told me he would go out with me if I got second place in the school final exam."

"Ahh…Why not first place?" Alex asked in curiosity.

Elsa replied, "Well…he said the first place was going to be his."

Alex thought for a while before she narrowed her eyes and said, "Sounds like a narcissistic bastard that I know…It's Edward isn't it?"

While Alex was talking with the girls, Enid walked by and mumbled to herself, "Must be nice…"

Then, she realized that she was longing for friendships, therefore she slapped both of her cheeks to wake herself up and said with determination, "I'm a lone wolf. I am the leader of a solo pack. I don't need friends."

-Highschool Cafeteria-

Abby, Haley and Tara were sitting together at the same table to eat lunch.

"So, are we having the party or not?" Haley asked.

"I don't know. He said he wants a quiet birthday party and just wants to focus on his work." Abby replied while pushing her hair backward.

"He can't complain if it was a surprise birthday party." Haley said while crossing her arms.

She kept glancing at Abby while looking like a guilty person, so Tara couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you?"

Haley got defensive and said, "What's wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with me!! What is wrong with you?!?"

[Haley's commentary.]

"Something is definitely wrong with me." She said after looking at the room a few times to make sure no one else would hear her.

"So…Last Sunday…after the concert when I got home, I kinda…did something…"

[Flashback starts]

While lying on her bed alone in the room, Haley couldn't help but put her hands on her chest while muttering, "So…That's how his hands feel like…"

Memories about the concert surfaced inside her mind. And instead of Taylor who was singing next to Edward, she could clearly see herself up there.

Her left hand couldn't help but go underneath her shirt, and her right hand was sliding underneath her pants as she clearly remembered the sensation of his hand on her chest before.

Suddenly, the door of the room was opened, causing Haley to yelp and roll sideways, making her fall to the floor.

"What the hell are you doing you idiot? You scared me." Alex said as she entered the room in her pajamas, and just finished brushing her teeth before bed.

"No-nothing. I wasn't doing anything." Haley said with a blushing face before she stood up and said, "I'm going to take a shower."

"In the middle of the night?" Alex asked in confusion.

"...Yes." Haley replied before locking the bathroom door and didn't get out for over an hour. Luke, who was walking by the bathroom at that same time because he wanted to head down the kitchen to get himself a glass of water, heard some distant buzzing noises that made him ask himself, "Why is she brushing her teeth for so long?"

It was confusing for him as he clearly heard the electric brush sound even before he went down the kitchen. He shrugged his shoulders and returned to his room to sleep.

Haley only got out of the toilet after an hour with a refreshed face and she easily fell asleep that night.

[Flashback ends.]

Sitting on the chair, Haley continued her commentary.

"I mean.. (laughed awkwardly) what does that even mean? Am I the type of girl who will go after my friend's ex? NO!... I mean..if I get her blessings, then… sure. "

[commentary ends]

' I can't do it. I can't tell Abby I have been fantasizing about her ex-boyfriend every night since the concert. Ugh…this is all Edward's fault.' Haley thought in frustration as she rubbed her head violently until her hair was all messed up.

Tara widened her eyes and said, "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU! We're eating here! Now my food will taste like dandruff!"

Haley responded as she took offense, "I DON'T HAVE A DANDRUFF PROBLEM!?"

"Still dirty though." Abby replied mischievously as she took her plate further away from Haley.

"Bitches. All of you." Haley cursed, causing the girls to laugh before she laughed together with them.

"In any case, even if we want to do the surprise party, we cannot enter his house anymore." Haley said pitifully.

"Doesn't he put a key inside a fake rock? Why can't we use that?" Tara asked.

"Well…After we broke into his house the last time, he kinda changed the hiding place." Abby said while scratching her cheek.

"So. Why don't we do it at Haley's house? I'm sure that your parents will allow you to do that." Abby said.

"Yeah…We can do that…the problem is…who is going to trick him into coming over without spoiling the surprise." Haley muttered.

…

[Edward POV]

After getting home from school, I opened my laptop while sitting in the living room and was working hard to finish the Pritchett Closet's website.

"Thank god for eidetic memory. But…I can remember the details of my past life as clearly as day, so how is that possible?"

My work was easier now as I could remember the codes that I copied and pasted from the internet in my previous life instead of doing all the things from scratch.

However, as I received the algorithm making skill from the gacha before this, it also came with a lot of programming knowledge and even hardware creation.

"If I had all of my focus in it, I can create an AI in a month. Of course, not at JARVIS level, but at ChatGpt level." I muttered in excitement as it was every programming man's dream to have their own AI to help them in their daily life. To own, their very own JARVIS.

I still had 2 more weeks until I needed to submit the new Pritchett's closet website, however, I managed to do so in just a few more hours of work that day before I finally finished it.

"Nice!" I shouted as I stretched my hand up in the air before my phone started to ring.

"Hello?" I picked up the call and asked.

"Hey Ed. I got your present from Taylor. I'm on my way to your house right now." Pepper said while driving in his Mercedes convertible.

"Is the present expensive?" I asked with a glint in my eyes.

"Very." Pepper smirked and replied. "Hold on. I have another call." Pepper suddenly said and put me on hold. I didn't even wait for the call to reconnect and just put my handphone on speaker and placed it next to my laptop as I finalized the defense system for Pritchett's company.

"Jay had been complaining that Earl managed to find a hacker to return his butt email prank. Therefore, I need to make the defense extra secure."

I didn't know this, but the website's defense system would soon catch the attention of the FBI, and Pritchett's Closets was going to be marked as a suspicious company and be put on the FBI's watchlist. It wasn't until they infiltrated the company and did a manual infiltration routine that they realized it was just a simple closet's company.

Pepper finished talking with the other line and finally returned to his call with me.

"Sorry for the long wait. Mitchell and Cameron called me and asked me to bring you to your neighbors house-"

Before Pepper could continue, I asked, "It's a surprise party, Isn't it?"

"...No. Why would you say that?" Pepper asked carefully.

"You forgot my middle name is Sherlock, didn't you? First evidence, my dad isn't home yet even though half an hour has passed since he got off work. Second, Mitch and Cam's sudden invitation. And the pause before you answered the question basically gave it away Pepper."

"..."

I sighed and said, "Okay. I will go. Let's get this over with."

Pepper sniggered from the other line and said playfully, "Why so pouty? It is a birthday party in your honor after all. Be more excited."

"I am. I am. I'm just…I just wanted a quiet birthday party." I said in defeat before changing into semi-casual clothes and waited for Pepper in front of my house.

We arrived quickly and I could hear the soft murmurs inside the house as we stood at the front door.

"(Sigh) Can they be MORE sloppy than this?" Pepper said in dissatisfaction. "It's like, they just threw this party together last minute.

Well 'Spoiler Alert', turned out that's exactly what they did.