Birthday Surprises. ((Carson))

[Casey Allen G5]

“Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Casey! Happy birthday to you!” Casey laughed as the howler exploded in her dorm. True, it wasn’t a mean howler, but she had waited for it to open itself so that it could be extremely loud. Casey smiled brightly. “I love you Case and have a great birthday!” Bradley called loudly as the howler ripped itself up. She smiled. Bradley loved making a big deal of her birthday and Casey made no objections. She looked around her dorm. Flowers and bears were placed every which way. It wasn’t only her birthday. It was Eden’s as well. So, fan letters were all stuffed under her bed and teddy bears lined the walls. When her other dorm mates asked about everything, she said that her birthday was a big deal to her family. Plus, she put charms around all the cards so they had no idea. Yea, it might have been a bit obviously that Casey was Eden because they had the same birthdays, but no one linked them together. So, it worked brilliantly. Casey smiled brightly. She was finally fifteen! Casey was so excited, she could nearly burst. She just wanted to run up to Ezzie and hug her, but she couldn’t. Things were still weird. Casey sighed. She tried not to think about it, but it was hard. She shook her head. Things were different now, but Casey was going to pretend they weren’t. Just for the day. It was her birthday after all.

Casey’s birthday wasn’t just a normal day. It was the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day. The day seemed to be the happiest day imaginable. Casey loved everything about it. The colors, the smiles, the hugs. She loved seeing people holding hands while walking through the halls. And now, Casey had someone to do this with. Casey and Carson were finally a couple and it was about time. Casey couldn’t be happier really. She eyed her knew dress as she pulled it over the head. It was hard to find time to spend with Carson, but tonight it was the perfect night. It was Valentine’s Day and Casey’s birthday. Plus, few of her professors had been cold enough to give her homework with the few exceptions of course. Casey smiled to herself in the mirror. She wished that Ezzie was here for her, but things had changed. Casey wanted to talk to Ezzie, but it was hard after everything. She didn’t know what to say or do. So, she stayed quiet. That was all she knew to do.

But, Casey was just going to thing about Carson for the night. Ezzie and her problems didn’t exist and for once, Casey didn’t care. She wasn’t going to let Ezzie ruin her night. Casey smiled at herself in the mirror. The red dress was her favorite. It was young and yet totally adorable with it’s few jewels. It hit Casey a couple inches about the new with cute, retro pink lining. Casey smiled as she put her favorite heart necklace on and favorite, pink sapphire stud earrings. Perfect. Yes. This was bound to be a perfect night and nothing was about to change that. Casey had so many things that could distract her: Ezzie, Eden, Joel, her dad. But, she wasn’t about to think about any of them. Couldn’t she be happy just for a night? Was that too much to ask? Nope, not at all. Casey eyed Ezzie’s un-maid bed. Of course Ezzie knew how to clean perfectly, but lately, she was only concerned about her body. And this was a big reason that Casey could not talk to her. Despite Ezzie’s lies, Ezzie was more concerned with herself than anyone else, than Casey, Carson, and yes even Ethan. Therefore, Casey wasn’t going to be there for Ezzie. Ezzie was on her own now and only she could change that.

Casey slipped out of her dorm and made her way to the Room of Requirement. It was the best idea for the date because there was no set up involved. Casey and Carson agreed to meet there at six, but Casey wanted to be early. Casey smiled to all her friends that she passed in the halls. Now that she and Ezzie weren’t talking, people were nicer to Casey. They assumed that she dumped ‘Ethan’s killer’ and they acted much more kind to her. At first, Casey thought it was weird, but now she was used to it. She didn’t want to think about Ezzie right now. She would let them think what they what. Casey was stuck with the idea that Ezzie didn’t care about her or what she thought. So she wouldn’t think about keeping Ezzie happy. Casey simple would focus on herself and Carson. She couldn’t have it any other way for the time being. Casey approached the Room of Requirement. “I need the perfect place for me and Carson’s date.” She thought to herself. The door’s opened quickly and she walked into the room. It looked warmer than usual. The room was gold with mirror lining the walls. There was a table in the center with candles and roses. The colors were bright which was just right for the evening. The music in the background was one of Casey’s favorite artists. She smiled. Everything was perfect. Casey took a seat and looked to the ground waiting for Carson to arrive. She was early so she knew that he would be a minute. BV

[Carson McGreggor H6]

best idea for the date because there was no set up involved. Casey and Carson agreed to Carson smiled to himself as he looked in the mirror. Carson remembered what his Valentine’s Days used to be like. Ethan was always at his best during Valentine’s Day, but Carson really never looked forward to them. Until now, Carson never had anyone special to share it with. I mean sure, Ethan always used to set Carson up on dates with random girls who supposedly had crushes on him, but they would always go home liking someone else in the end. He really hoped that didn’t happen to Casey. Casey was the first girl Carson actually liked out of all of them. Even though she had been acting weird lately, he still really liked her. He knew that she was keeping secrets from him. He knew it from the look in her eyes. There was one obvious secret, which was that she and Ezzie were fighting. Carson didn’t understand. Ezzie and Casey were the best of friends. And judging by that day when Ezzie fell apart in the courtyard, Carson could safely say Ezzie needed her friends. And then there was that other secret. But this evening wasn’t about Ezzie or secrets. It was about him and Casey, and the wonderful evening they’d share together tonight.

Carson reached into his drawer and pulled out a large box full of Honeydukes chocolate and a single pink rose. It wasn’t magical like the one Casey had given him at lunch today, but it would have to do. He then reached into his pocket and admired the gift he was about to give her. It had arrived in a letter just two days ago. His sister was being all mushy gushy, so she sent him this two page letter of how proud she was of him and how she approved of his choice of Casey completely. Carson hadn’t even told Julie about Casey yet, but she knew. Julie had called it ‘a woman’s instinct.’ And then, enclosed inside the letter was a beautiful pink amethyst necklace. A small pink jewel in the shape of a heart hung on a silver chain, surrounded by beautiful sparkling diamonds.

Normally, it would have cost a fortune. But that necklace had been in the family for years. Julie knew Carson probably wasn’t thinking of marrying Casey just yet, but she wanted Carson to give it to her anyway. And since every woman in the family had their birthday in February, (just some weird accidental family tradition) it would match Casey’s birthstone as well. He sighed happily, admiring the necklace. He didn’t have a case to put it in, so he had to think of a creative way to give it to her. Maybe he’d wrap it in silver paper and magically stuff it in one of the chocolate cauldrons. He smiled as he performed the spell. Then, he carried the chocolate and the flower carefully downstairs to the room of requirement. “I need the perfect place for me and Casey’s date. Casey’s probably already waiting there.” He said as he stood in front of the secret passageway to the room. Suddenly, the large door appeared and Carson pushed it open and walked inside.

Carson barely noticed the beauty of the room. He already knew of the magic the Room of Requirement had. He was too busy concentrating on how beautiful Casey looked. He smiled at her and sat down next to her. “Hey, you. Happy Birthday.” He said, handing her the box of chocolates. “And happy Valentine’s Day, of course. “ He said, then handing her the rose. “It’s not magical like the one you gave me, but I’d say it’s decent. I must have missed the whole magic flower memo.” He said with a half smile. “And if I were you, I’d try that chocolate truffle in the corner there. I hear it’s got the best filling.” He smiled again.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey smiled at Carson as he walked in. Yep, this was sure to be the perfect night. Casey needed this. She needed a fun night with her boyfriend. So many things in Casey’s life were forcing her to grow up, to grow into a twenty year old, but Casey needed this. She needed to feel fifteen. She needed to have fun with Carson and for once, that was what Casey got to do. Casey smiled. For once, she wasn’t thinking about being Eden Sweden. Nope. She was Casey Allen, the fifteen year old with a boyfriend and that was exactly who she wanted to be for the moment. Casey loved birthdays. She wasn’t such a big fan of Valentine’s Day though. Yes, that was weird, but to be truthful, if it wasn’t her birthday, Casey wouldn’t like the holiday much. She never had anyone to spend it with before now. Yes, Casey had dated before, but they never lasted long. And she never had a boy for her birthday. Not, until now. For Casey, that almost seemed like a sign, but she knew that it probably wasn’t. Casey was glad that Carson was here to share this with her. He was unlike any of the boys that Casey had ever dated. Casey felt comfortable with Carson. She knew she could trust him. But still, she found it hard to tell him the truth.

“Hi.” She smiled brightly. “Thank you.” She said when he wished her a happy birthday. “And Happy Valentine’s Day to you kind sir.” She joked. Carson always looked adorable to Casey and he always would. Casey smiled as Carson handed her the rose. She didn’t care if it was magical or not. She was just glad that he gave her something even if Casey would have settled for a card. Casey was really low-maintenance usually. Even as Eden, she didn’t have high standards. That was just the way she was. She smiled as held the rose lightly in her hand. “Aww, thank you.” She said smiling genuinely. “It’s not decent; it’s perfect.” She nodded. Yes, usually these words would sound corny coming from someone. But, from Casey, they felt real and truthful. Casey was a sincere person. And she would always be that way. Casey smiled at the chocolates. “You’re not helping my chocolate addiction.” She joked lightly. Casey loved chocolate. She smiled and eyed the box.

“Okay.” Casey said as she reached for the truffle that Carson said was good. Casey then tried to take a bite of the candy, but her teeth hit something. She opened the truffle slightly more with her hand to see what was inside. And there she noticed a necklace. It didn’t show a sign of being in chocolate or being bit into. Carson must have put a pretty good charm on it. It looked perfectly clean and adorable when Casey pulled it out. Her eyes widened and she didn’t grin yet. “What is this?” She said in a cute, naïve way. She knew it was a necklace, but she wanted to know what he had to say about it. Then, she would smile and giggle. Casey eyed it. It was truly beautiful. She eyed Carson. He didn’t have to get her this. But she was glad he did. Casey eyed Carson waiting for him to say something.