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Gem was out before 10 that night due to being absolutely exhausted, yet there came a knock at her bedroom door at a little past midnight, if the sheer darkness outside was anything to go by.
“Gemmmmm-” She heard her twin’s voice come and Gem groaned, turning over and flopping down on her other side facing the door.
“Fwhip its the middle of the night.” She grumbled, glaring at them through the darkness of the room, knowing exactly where they were.
“I know.” She heard them chuckle. “Happy birthday Gem.”
Gem blinked and reached for her phone, blinking rapidly as the screen flickered on and her eyes adjusted to the bright light.
Sure enough they were right. The time and daye on her phone read 12:04, May 22nd. She softly smiled and looked back to the doorway. “Happy birthday to you too Fwhip.”
She quickly made sure her alarm was set, then put her phone back down, turning on the lamp on her night stand instead.
There in her doorway stood her twin sibling, sleeping bag and pillow in hand, grinning at her. “Mind if I sleep here like we always do?”
“Come on you, on the floor.” She laughed.
Fwhip closed the door behind them and happily trotted over to her beside. They laid their sleeping bag on the ground and got into it, placing their pillow under them last.
“Are you all cozy now?” Gem chuckled. “Would you like a blanket?”
“Do you have an extra up there?” They asked.
“I have many Fwhip. My bed is like a dragons nest of blankets.” She replied. “You know this.”
She sat up and grabbed a silk orange one from the end of her bed, she knew it was one of Fwhip’s favorites.
She tossed it down to them and he smiled, throwing it over themselves and snuggling into it.
“Now are you cozy?” She questioned.
“Very. Thanks big sis.” They smirked up at her.
Gem rolled her eyes, “I’m older than you by two minutes and I will lord that over your head for the rest of your life.”
She leaned down to flick him on the forehead before turning off the lamp again. She snuggled back down into her covers and blankets.
She also grabbed her plush which had laid abandoned on her pillow momentarily. She rested it underneath her arm. It was a dragon plushie named Violet.
She’d had that plushie for years and it still looked like it was brand new. It was her favorite and she treasured it greatly. She didn’t care if she was “too old” for stuffies like her cousins said.
She smiled a little and reached her hand down, finding Fwhip’s amidst the darkness. “Nighty night Fwhippy.” She yawned.
They squeezed her hand gently. “Night Gemmy, sleep well.”
~
Gem was awoken by her alarm what seemed like only seconds later.
She let go of her twin’s hand and slowly slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Time to get up, Fwhip.”
She heard them groan and she laughed. “I know, I know.”
They rolled over and sat up, glaring at the ceiling. “Why does our birthday have to fall on a school day?” They complained.
“Because that’s just how life works unfortunately.” She pushed off the covers, whining a bit at the loss of contact with her plushie.
“Well life sucks.” They spat.
“I hear you.” She stood up and stretched her arms behind her head before dropping them to her sides. “Come on, up you get.“
She held out her hand and they gratefully took it, standing up. “Breakfast now?” They asked.
Gem chuckled and nodded. The two of them excited the room and were greeted by their parents waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
“Good morning you two.” Their mother smiled up at them. “Happy birthday and sweet 16th.”
Gem blinked and looked at Fwhip, “Wow we’re old now.” She said drly, bounding down the stairs, her sibling following after her.
She heard her father laugh as the two of them headed into the kitchen, sitting in their normal spots at the island.
“Why do we have to go to school todayyyyy.” Fwhip complained again.
Their father patted their head, “I hear you buddy. Now, pancakes you two?”
Gem brightened up and nodded eagerly. Their father handed over two plates with pancakes and fruit. “Order up!”
She smiled and picked up her fork, beginning to eat. “Hope you two at least have a good day at school today. We got something planned later.”
“Oh we do?” Fwhip asked, pausing for a minute before goint back to shoveling food in his mouth.
“Yes son, we do.” Their father clarified.
Gem could see her twin flinch a little bit. They still didn’t have the courage to come out yet, which was a-okay, though they said they wanted to try and come out as Gem herself was out.
She patted them on the shoulder as they finished their breakfast, going upstairs to then get ready for the long day ahead of them.
~
After the school day ended, Gem and Fwhip made their way downstairs to one of the study rooms in the library. It was where the Empires club always met.
They were pleasantly surprised when they opened the door to the room. There were banners and streamers hung up and food was placed out on the long table taking up most of the space.
All the members smiled and looked up, “Happy birthday Gem and Fwhip!”
Gem grinned widely and threw herself at Pix, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Pix! You!” She couldn’t even get the words out.
“I have to do it for everyone! I like seeing you all happy at these surprises, plus you always do things for the club. It's time we do something for you guys.” He smiled, patting her on the head as they pulled away.
Katherine nodded her head, “It’s true. You do a lot for us, it's time we return the favor.”
“Well don’t just stand there! Come on!” Scott beckoned everyone to take their places at the table.
Gem took her place near the head of the table, next to Pix, who was at the head, Fwhip who was right across from her, and Pearl who always sat to her right.
“I’m surprised Xornoth was in on this not gonna lie.” Fwhip raised a brow.
“We convinced him.” Scott shrugged.
Lizzie chuckled, “Took a lot of force though.”
Xornoth grumbled and slumped down in his seat. “All of you suck.”
“What about meeeee-“ Joey whined, pouting at him.
He gave him a death glare. “Yes, you too.”
Everyone laughed and Xornoth gave a little smile, giving both Gem and Fwhip a thumbs up. “Happy birthday though.”
Gem nodded in thanks, returning the thumbs up before grabbing a juice box from the middle of the table.
“Alright Pix get out the board, we’re starting this thing.” She declared.
“Yes ma’am!” He gave her a salute and stood up, grabbing the board, pencils, and cards from the cubby that the librarian set up for them in the room.
He set it up and handed everything out, including everyone’s little character pieces, which Gem had to remind him about.
“How are we distributing snacks?” He asked just as Joey grabbed a handful of pretzels.
“Or we’re just gonna take, that’s fine too.” He frowned, plopping back into his chair.
“Pix you’re too wholesome for your own good.” Gem chuckled and reached her hand down to find Pearl’s under the table. Pearl rubbed her thumb over Gem’s hand and she sighed.
Fwhip shot her a knowing glance and she secretly shushed them. She knew probably everyone in the room knew, but just decided not to say anything until they said something themselves.
That’s something she liked about this group, the people she’d come to know and love over the past year. They were all kind and respectful people.
Pix clapped his hands together and addressed the group. “Okay everyone! Let’s get this meeting started shall we?”
~
As the meeting ended, they all said their goodbyes and headed out of the school, going to catch buses, rides, or drive home themselves. Gem had a learner’s permit and was now at the age to get a license due to hitting 16, so she’d have to plan out when to go and get that done.
Their parents wanted Fwhip to get a permit and hopefully a license, but they’d never particularly been interested in learning how to drive. Their parents kept bugging them about it but he just kept shrugging them off. Fwhip said that if they really need to learn they will, but not now.
Pearl and Sausage were also coming home with them. They begged their parents to all have one big sleepover together which they agreed to. They were all going out to dinner first though Gem reassured her parents they didn’t have to but did anyway as they had guests with them.
As the van rolled up, Gem lightly punched Fwhip in the arm. “You guys can sit in the way back!”
Fwhip rolled their eyes as they hopped in the back with Sausage, Gem and Pearl taking the seats in front of them.
Gem heard her dad chuckle from up front at the wheel. “You two can throw your sleepover bags in the trunk or store them below you, whichever one is easiest.”
Pearl and Sausage gave him a thumbs up and chucked their bags in the truck before sitting down in their sears. “Where are we going?” Pearl asked politely.
“Olive Garden! Gem and Fwhip’s request!” Her dad answered.
“I’ll take it.” Pearl chuckled. “My parents and I don’t really go out to eat very often so this is kind of a treat.”
“Oh, Pearl, your parents wanted me to check if you have your medication.” Gem’s mom shifted over to face Pearl.
She nodded and unzipped the smallest pocket on her backpack, holding up the container before putting it away. Gem’s mom nodded and turned back around.
“Ready to go?” She asked, getting a nod from everyone in the car. “Off we go then!”
When they got to the restaurant and sat down, Pearl scanned every inch of the menu. Gem smiled a bit and patted her head.
“You really don’t go out to eat much at all, do you?”
Pearl shook her head. “No. We do grow a lot of our own food too which is pretty neat.”
“You’re probably the healthiest one here.” Sausage joked, taking a sip of his soda.
She laughed and took a sip from her own drink. “You’re probably right about that.”
The waiter soon came around and took everyone’s order. Both Gem and Fwhip decided to get chicken alfredo with broccoli, which their parents had a good giggle at before ordering themselves.
“And you?” The waiter asked, turning to Pearl.
“Oh! Spaghetti and meatballs please.” She replied, stumbling a bit over her words.
He nodded and walked away from the table, back towards the kitchen. Fwhip looked over at her. “That seems to be your go to a lot when you go out.” They noted.
She shrugged. “Just a comfort meal I guess.”
“Pearl, do you happen to be autistic?” Gem’s mom questioned, raising a brow at her.
Pearl choked on air and took a second to collect herself as Gem patted her back. “What makes you say that?” She said, still coughing a bit.
“The way you behave kind of clues me in.” She answered.
Pearl cleared her throat. “I’ve never thought about it but it makes a little sense now that you say something.”
“Are we going to eat dessert here or not?” Sausage asked, interrupting the conversation.
Gem’s dad grinned, “Nope! We got cake ready at home.”
Sausage’s eyes lit up. “Yum!”
~
When they got back home, the cake was brought out to them at the table. It was a nice chocolate with a one and a six candle for 16.
After they’d sung happy birthday, Gem blew out the candles before her parents relit them for Fwhip to blow out. A tradition they’d always done since their first birthday.
As they put the dishes away, Gem pulled out a yogurt and spoon for Pearl to take her pill with.
“You know me so well.” She laughed, taking a pill out of the container.
“I know you and your sensory.” She replied, leaning against the kitchen doorway. “I know you don’t like taking it with water unless you absolutely have to.”
“That is very true.” Pearl nodded, quickly taking the medication and putting the spoon in the dishwasher as Gem put the yogurt back in the fridge.
“Up we go now.” Gem demanded, dragging her up the stairs. “I’m sure they're waiting for us.”
Gem’s dad gave her a side eye as they reached the top of the steps. “Door stays open, young lady.”
Gem rolled her eyes at him. “Oh come on! One, it’s my birthday! Two, the boys are gonna be with us as well!” She cringed slightly at her use of ‘boys’ because of Fwhip, but she had to right now in front of her parents.
She stared down at her dad until he finally shrugged. “Alright, but I don’t wanna hear any complaining from your mother.” He sighed, heading away from the stairs to his office.
“We’re literally gonna do nothing!” Gem shouted making her way down the hall. Pearl chuckled as she followed behind her.
When they reached Gem’s room, sure enough there they were. They’d decided to settle in Gem’s room but not like she was complaining, at least she got to sleep in her own bed.
“You guys go get changed and then come back yeah? And be sure to knock too!” She demanded.
Fwhip and Sausage nodded, grabbing their clothes and heading out of the room in which they closed the door behind them.
Gem sighed, going over to her drawers and picking out a grey shirt and purple plaid pants to wear with it.
“You want me to turn around?” Pearl asked, her own pjs in her hands. They were dark blue with stars on them. It was one of her favorites.
“No it’s okay. You’re like, the one person I feel comfortable changing around.” She sighed again, quickly getting changed before sitting down on her bed.
“I always ask.” Pearl smiled, getting changed and sitting down beside her, cross-legged.
“It’s nice. Thanks.” She murmured, laying her head on the taller’s shoulder.
Pearl made a hum of acknowledgement, taking Gem’s hands in her own.
A knock came at the door a second later and Gem lifted her head off of Pearl’s shoulder. “You two can come in.”
Fwhip and Sausage creaked open the door, stepping inside the room before closing the door again.
“Are we ready for bed?” Pearl asked. “I am suddenly very tired.”
Gem laughed. “Probably your medication’s doing, but yes.”
Sausage and Fwhip both nodded, and turned off the light, causing Gem to turn on the lamp so that they could all see.
The two of them got in their sleeping bags and Sausage blinked up at Pearl. “Pearl are you sleeping up there?”
“Where else do you think I sleep when I’m here?” She chuckled, dragging Gem down with her onto the bed.
He made an ‘o’ shape with his mouth.
“Sausage I’m kind of surprised you didn’t guess sooner.” Fwhip raised an eyebrow at him.
“Listen! I can be a bit dumb at times.” He admitted.
“Yeah more than a bit dumb.” Pearl snorted, wrapping an arm around Gem’s waist and pulling the covers over them.
Gem turned the lamp off and turned around so she was facing Pearl, burying herself in the other’s embrace.
Pearl kissed her forehead and Gem giggled a little bit. “Night Pearl.”
“Night Gem.” She replied.
“Good night down there you two!”
“Night Gem!” They responded back.
As the room fell quiet, with only the occasional squeaks from Gem’s parakeet, Gem smiled to herself. She’d had the best birthday she could have asked for and was surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her.