Surprise within a Surprise...
She let him think she believed today to be a day like any other. Quietly she gathered her gear and slipped off the edge of the balcony, not wanting to alert him to her departure. Keeping to the shadows, she edged her way to the fence line quickly scaling the fence and dropping down to the other side. As she straightened up, a beat up utility van boasting her bands insignia sputtered to a stop beside her. Grinning at her band mates excited faces she slipped inside. “Really gotta get us a new van” she muttered to herself.
The drive took forever, Illianna could feel the time dragging by. Sweat formed along her brow as nerves started to take over. “Can we really pull this off?” she wondered, looking down at the stranger’s address. Thinking back to the phone call she had made the other day, she replayed the events of that day in her mind. She’d woken up to his lilac eyes staring down at her, a wry smirk playing at the corner of his lips. Goosebumps had made their way up her body, making her shiver in anticipation of a good morning kiss. As her lips found his she suddenly had the realization that his birthday was quickly approaching. She’d racked her brains for an idea as to what to do for him. She wanted it to be something truly special, something that would raise a little of the sadness she saw him casually hiding in the little things he did each day off of his shoulders. She remembered how she had rolled over and caught sight of the picture he had framed and had hanging to the side of the bedroom mirror. It was a picture of him from his days at the academy with his friend… what was her name? Yuki? Struck by sudden inspiration, She’d casually stolen his phone from his pants pockets praying he didn’t catch her and copied down the number she found there. Scrambling to get dressed she’d hurried out the door, down the street to the coffee shop she tended to frequent. Taking a deep breath, she placed the call…
A rather nasty bump in the road brought her out of her memories and back to herself as the vans breaks squealed in protest. “We’re here.” her drummer called out. Illianna sighed to herself as her eyes inadvertently widened at the sight of the grandiose buildings before her. Hopping out she walked up to the gate, simultaneously slipping her phone out of her back pocket as she went. A few moments later her phone vibrated, receiving the reply she’d been waiting for upon relaying her arrival. Once her mysterious passenger had climbed in, Illianna reclaimed her seat strapping herself in. “Let’s get going, got a long ride back.”
On the trip back, she did her best to talk to this girl who had once known her silvered hair beauty so well. Letting new people in was something she’d always struggled with though, so she hoped that she wasn’t making a mistake.
Squealing breaks once more made her cringe. Shaking her head she couldn’t help but be relieved that by now he’d be at work giving them plenty of time to set up his surprise. As her band set up the stage and all the necessary equipment, Illianna led Yuki to the spare bedroom. “Um, well sorry to throw this on you with such short notice, but would you mind wearing that?” With an embarrassed grin Illianna pointed at the duck suit and birthday bow laid out on the bed. “Z’s scared of ducks which im sure you know, but I thought it’d add just a little bit to the shock of seeing you again after so long.” “Don’t worry, he’ll know it was my scheme.” “I tease him all the time for being scared of ducks.” With one last sheepish grin, Illianna backed out of the room, giving her guest some privacy.
It was almost time. Jumping to her feet she called out “It’s showtime guys let’s go!” Climbing the stage she glanced to her left checking to see if her guest star was in place. With a wink and a small nod to Yuki, Illianna gestured for the band to start up. The sound of doors opening made her look up to see him passing through. Knowing he’d think she was just partaking in another rehersal, she leaned forward and spoke into the mic. “Not so fast Z, this one is for you.”
With a grin and a twirl she looked out through her hair as her eyes once more met lilac. Taking a breath she started to sing.
tearin’ up pavement for you.”
Letting the rhythm seep into her she began to sway as she sang, holding onto the microphone stand with one hand she leaned back as she brought her other hand up to point at him.
“But when it’s your birthday
A surprise is always what’s next!”
Grinning she took a breath, anticipation for the next part flushing her cheeks.
“Can you guess what I did?”
“Can you guess who I saw?”
“A friend for whom you hold a fatal flaw?”
I did this all to bring her here to be by our side”
With a grand gesture, Illianna turned and darted towards the shadows on the edge of the stage. With a wild grin she darted back out to the spotlight, precious cargo in tow. As the spotlight landed on Yuki wrapped in her birthday bow and duck suit, Illianna blew him a kiss, and leaning into the mic whispered “Happy birthday Z.”
