#me zoning out at 2am and then seeing the notif on my phone (softsmile)

[princessmacedon]

They're friends, so of course they know eachothers schedules; It's all too easy for Chad to drop in between classes, enough time to give Maria her gift, enough haste to cite their own classes as reason to book it if they start freaking out like some loser. It's all too easy to spot her leaving her class, easy to quickly intercept her with a quiet call of her name.

"Hey, Maria." He fidgets, briefly, brown eyes flickering away as he clears his throat; Meets her eyes again, makes an effort to not burrow into his collar.

"Here." he hands her a little package, an envelope tied with ribbon on top of a small, flat box. "I didn't forget, yeah? Happy birthday."

A little smile, just for her, even as their face warms. When she opens the package, she'll find a black headband decorated with handmade fabric flowers — a bit like white forget-me nots, if you squint, the envelope containing a quick sketch of her at a market stall; A fragment snagged from memory.

"Oh! Chad?" They're friends, so of course they know each other's schedules -- and that's what sets Maria's eyes aglow. Curiosity, gladness, and oh, she can't help it; she's just a bit hopeful today as well. This isn't where his classes usually take him this time of week, after all, and while birthday wishes aren't the be all, end all of friendships, she cannot help but find a warm, gentle delight in them.

"What's this?" She asks, receiving parcel and paper with a ginger touch, handling them as preciously as she holds them in her heart. There's no expectation of an answer, but the question softens the way her lips curl at the corners. He's fidgeting again. Rose-colored eyes stay fixed to the box in one of her hands, but the other rises to her mouth, catching the quiet giggle that escapes her.

"Hee hee... Yeah!" Eyes flick back up to catch his quiet smile, returned full-heartedly with a toothy grin that splits the landscape of her expression. "I wish I could open it now..." Distantly, a bell tolls, reminding her just why she can't; nevertheless, she spares a moment to hug the gift to her chest, bursting with affection. Though she has no reaction to offer him right now, there's no doubting he's just handed her a great treasure. "Thank you so much, Chad!" Another moment spared to playfully poke his shoulder. "Really, truly! I'll open it when I get back to my dorm -- but don't miss class, okay? Heeheehee."

(The next time they see her, surely he'll notice the new hairband she's sporting; even if he doesn't, they'll surely catch her eye, and earn themself a beaming grin from across the hallway and a finger pointed to draw attention to the fact.)