I came to school the next day since I got better. I barely have any memory of what happened yesterday when I was sick, so I hope nothing terrible happened. All I can remember was the bitter taste of cough medicine.

The five of us were in the council room just hanging out to pass our meeting. Since we already finished managing the school's terms, all we had to do left was to kill time.

Me and (f/n) were busy playing cards while Emma and Norman were talking about this new store that opened up, that sold healthy stuff like salads. Ray was on his computer, typing an essay.

I looked at the clock. We had ten minutes left. "(f/n) do you have an eight?" I asked.

"Go fish," she replied. I took a card out of the pile. So far I had three pairs and nine cards in my hands.

We've been playing Go-Fish for the past twenty minutes. I could tell (f/n) was getting bored, from the way she was blowing her hair out of her face.

I heard Norman stand up so we all looked at him at the same time.

"Guys, a meteor shower will be happening on January 16!" he said enthusiastically. Norman recently joined the Astronomy Club, so he's been really into celestial objects and stuff like that. Like last year, he kept posting on his story pictures of the Great Conjunction.

"Very cool," Ray answered looking from his laptop. "I do hope you don't miss it."

"Wait, isn't Ray's birthday the day before that?" I asked.

"Wow, I'm surprised you even remember, (y/n)," (f/n) said, punching my shoulder lightly. I completely regret even recalling that piece of information. I shook my head at her.

"Ooh, maybe we should have a camping trip this weekend then!" Emma suggested. "We can see the stars too, and even celebrate his birthday!"

"That's a great idea!" Norman said. "We can travel to the mountains and hike and even swim in the river."

"Um, sorry, but what about my younger sister?" I asked. "My parents are on a business trip for the entire month."

"Then she can just come with us," (f/n) said. "This will be so much fun."

"Then I'll join and bring my tent," I said, fully on board with the idea.

"Ray, you're in right?" Emma asked.

He sighed. "You guys would probably never bother me if I refused so, yeah I guess I'll go," he said.

"Perfect. Then it's settled," Emma said. "Our spontaneous weekend camping vacation is official!"

"What do you think he'll like on his birthday?" I asked (f/n), who was laying on the couch. I also asked Lily earlier if she wanted to come, and she excitedly nodded. She even packed all her stuff too. She was next to (f/n) on one of the armchairs, looking at her iPad.

"I don't know," she answered. "Probably something practical? You know how he is."

I groaned. Buying presents are sometimes the hardest thing in the world. "I don't want to buy anything too extravagant."

"Then you should make him something," Lily said.

I smiled at the thought. "Then what should I make?"

I went to the kitchen to think and pour myself a glass of apple juice. Lily noticed so she ran to me and asked for some. I poured her drink in her cup and instructed her to stay in the kitchen so she won't make a mess.

She didn't of course.

I went to school the next day and I noticed that a lot of people apparently knew that it was Ray's birthday tomorrow. He is pretty popular around the school, not only because of student council but also for being very well rounded.

While walking past the eastern corridors, through the screen panels, I saw Ray turn down my classmate. I guess she finally confessed her feelings, but from that subtle shake of his head and the way her face fell really summarized the entire conversation.

I know I shouldn't be spying, and it was merely unintentional. As much as I hate to admit it, he's attractive. I really hate myself for thinking it, and I try not to think about it, but my mind always wanders to that one moment in my older sister's birthday party. When he cornered me and asked if I had feelings for him.

He was so close! He was so close that you could see the dark evergreen tint in his eyes. You could distinguish the sparkle in his irises and the light color on his cheeks. His hair was even moved out of the way so his piercing gaze was especially fixated on me.

Damnit, (y/n), get yourself together, I thought as I walked past the doors. That's a private conversation and I should just pretend I never saw that.

Then again, a part of me wants to have feelings for him. It's exciting, and honestly? It's just really fun. Having your life romanticized like that. Just once in my life, I just want to feel something like love.

But Ray is sometimes so intolerable that I could never imagine liking him. Sure he's sweet, and helpful, and charismatic, but he's also a pain in the ass. He's more of a jerk than he is of the prince my sister thinks he is.

I went home after picking up (f/n) and still was lost in what I should get Ray. Lily told me to make him something, and (f/n) suggested something practical. Something he can use that can remind him of myself.

I really should just stop contemplating about romance; it's giving me a headache.

I flopped in my bed, incapable of ideas.

Then, all of a sudden, I got one when I looked at a certain piece of clothing hanging on my desk chair.

I stood up and went to work.

I carefully placed my present in a box and wrapped it with brown tissue paper and twine. I told Lily to get ready for school, and we were out the door before 8.

After I dropped Lily off at school. I arrived at school. I kind of didn't want to give him his present till after school, because he once told me he was born during the afternoon. As a result, I put his gift in my locker for the time being.

Since it was Ray's birthday, the student council decided to cancel today's meetings so I just went straight to homeroom.

"I didn't see you earlier," (f/n) said as I sat in my seat next to her. "Oh, and did you finally come up with something?"

I nodded. "I hope he likes it."

"(y/n), he's gonna love whatever you give him," she reassured. "Just trust me."

Once class ended, I tried looking for Ray to at least wish him well, but whenever he was around he was always talking with someone or a classmate was greeting him. Even in our literature class I couldn't find the chance to talk to him.

Now it's the end of the school day. I was not able to talk to him the entire day. But, I've got one more chance. I opened my locker and hid my present behind me as I peered through the window of the student council room.

The curtains were closed since there was no meeting today. Because of that, the lighting was a bit dim. But there was still enough light to differentiate the unmistakable ravenette.

He was reading a book, and the indirect sun behind him made him look like a shadow. It was like how I imagine harpsichord players in the 1700s looked, making them look like ghosts almost.

I took a deep breath and quietly opened the council door. It closed with a heavy thud. The only illumination was the thin stream of brightness through the thick purple velvet drapes.

"Oh, hi (y/n)," Ray said, closing his book. "I didn't notice you at the door."

I stood by the side, my hands hiding behind my back. Now that we were here talking, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. The atmosphere of the slightly darkened room didn't help at all.

"You alright?" he asked under his breath, walking to me. He combed his hair with his fingers while he somewhat leaned into me as if checking if I was ok. I could feel his stare even as I looked at the ground.

"Here," I said almost inaudible, presenting the box I wrapped myself. I handed it to him, and he cautiously took it and inspected it. "For you."

"Oh, thanks (y/n)," he said, holding it. He grazed his thumb over the crinkly paper. "Do you want me to open it now?"

I nodded. I wanted to see his reaction. He grinned in response and I watched as he slowly tore open the paper. "Look at that, another box."

I laughed quietly as he placed the ripped wrapping paper on the table. As I was throwing the trash in the wastebasket, I didn't notice he already opened the box.

"(y/n)..." Ray whispered. He had a surprised but grateful expression on his face. I heard him chuckle faintly. His eyes softened.

"Emma taught me how to knit," I replied as I went up to him. I stayed up last night trying to remember how to make a scarf out of the leftover burgundy yarn I had from a project.

He touched the wool before he wrapped it around his neck. Consider this as a thank-you present as well, because even though Ray was as confusing as a Rubik's cube, he was a friend.

He wore that same look he had after our little moment on Christmas Eve. Not an amused expression, not a charming smirk, but a gentle, honest smile. The one where you can see the simple delight twinkle in his eyes.

"Happy Birthday, Ray."