Thalias gaze roves from rack to rack, already aware that she won't be buying anything from this store.

If it's not a designer brand, it's not on her radar.

"I think this would suit you." Her mother gestures toward the most hideous dress Thalias ever seen.

She wastes no time to shake her head. "Not really."

With a frown, Talulla takes a hold of her daughters arm and continues to stroll along the isles.

Thalia is well aware that the reason for her mothers visit isn't her impending birthday, but rather about the burdens weighing on her mind.

Her parents never bother to drive all the way to Paris for her birthdays. instead, they usually send a gift, often money.

"Honey, I forgot to ask," Talulla begins, "how are things with Finn? You two still in contact?"

"Oh... not really."

Thalia bites her lip, hoping her mother will stray off and leave the topic alone.

"Why not? Don't tell me you two got in an argument about something. You never fought as kids. If anything happened, I advise you to make up before it's too late."

Thalia sighs. "It's not really the best time for that. The whole Camille thing... it's way harder on him than it is on me."

"Yes, and in times like these, we need our friends."

"Or he needs time," Thalia shrugs her shoulders, "and space."

The ambience of reverence wanders through the grand halls as Thalia walks beside her mother.

Ironically, her mother wanted to visit the louvre museum.

Despite being a frequent visitor, ever since Finn left, Thalia has refrained from stepping foot within the museum. Nowadays, her presence is solely confined to the cafe here.

"Your father just messaged me." Talulla smiles. "He'll be here tomorrow morning with our gifts."

"You're staying over tonight?"

Thalias mind fills with dread as her mother nods. Of-course this happens to her.

At least it's only her mother. If both her parents were to stay over, she'd have to hear them arguing all night- or something worse.

As they continue roaming the premises, Thalias gaze falls upon a sculpture that eerily resembles Camille. Its features are identical to hers, unmistakably hers.

Perhaps she's going insane now.

"Hey guys."

With a smile, Thalia sits down next to Juniper and Adeline on the spacious couch.

Her mother settles on the one-person couch, eyes glued to her phone- most probably Facebook.

"Mom?"

"Hm?" She doesn't bother to look up.

Thalia clears her throat. "This is my roommate Juniper and their girlfriend."

Finally tearing her gaze from the screen, Talulla shoots the couple a warm smile. "Oh, hello. I've heard so much about you, Juniper."

As they engage in small-talk, Thalia excuses herself and wanders away to the kitchen.

Nausea tickles at her stomach, the sense of deja vu creeping its way in. She feels sick anytime she enters this kitchen now. It bears nothing but ghastly memories.

Recalling why she's here, she opens the fridge and scans it for something to drink.

Thalias been spaced out for far too long.

Somewhere between gagging at the expired strawberry milk and arguing over twilight, Juniper had put on a movie for everyone.

The familiar ring tone is what saves Thalia from the maze inside her head.

Grasping her phone, she perks up at the sight of the contact name on her screen.

An electric excitement surges through her as she hurriedly makes her way to the nearest bathroom without bothering to excuse herself.

She shuts the door behind her, leaning against it while swiping the screen. She brings the phone up to her ear, unable to conceal the smile that tugs at her lips.

"Hi, Lia."

Hearing his voice, Thalia does everything in her power to restrain herself from squealing and jumping up and down.

"Hi, Finn."

"It's your birthday tomorrow."

This is the most she's smiled in a while. "It is my birthday tomorrow."

"Happy early birthday."

"Thank you."

Thalia makes her way to the sink, hopping onto it. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

"No." He chuckles, the sound causing Thalias heart to flutter. "Of-course not. I'm sorry for going off grid. I've been taking a mental health break, you know, for obvious reasons."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Kinda. I'll deal."

Thalia hums. "I'm sorry for everything that happened. I hope Camilles doing better too."

"Well, I actually spoke to her recently."

"You did?" Her eyebrows rise up.

"I called the hospital and they let me have a talk with her. I think she's gonna be okay."

"Well, that's good."

There's a ten-heartbeat pause between them before Finn clears his throat.

"Do you remember your sixth birthday?"

"If I had memory like that, I wouldn't cheat my way through high school."

Finn giggles. "I remember it vividly. It wasn't anything special in particular, but I remember it because it was where you first referred to me as your best friend."

"That's pretty damn special." Thalia grins.

"And there were these little gift bags that were given out to all the kids your parents invited. You hated their guts, and you made that very clear. In one of the gift bags, a fake spider mysteriously appeared."

"Wonder how that happened."

"Mhm. I wonder."

A sigh escapes Thalias lips. "I was such a cool kid, man. I don't know why I became so civil. Should've just kept putting spiders in peoples gift bags."

"You're still very cool, Lia."

She chuckles. "I am?"

"Yeah. You're the coolest."

"You know what would be really cool? If you came to Paris tomorrow to surprise me for my birthday."

A laugh emerges from the other end of the line. "That would be sick, but I can't."

Thalia frowns, and another silence envelopes the call. A flow of realisation rushes through her once muffled laughter emerges from the living room.

"Shit, I have to go. I forgot I was watching a movie with my mom." She gazes at the door.

"Oh." Finn sounds disappointed, bringing a certain sensation over Thalia. Her heart skips a beat as she realises something.

She's still not over these ridiculous feelings.

She nibbles on her lip, attempting to ignore the blush creeping up her cheeks. "Finn, uh... we're good, right?"

"Well, do you forgive my apology?"

"Yeah."

"Then, I don't see why we wouldn't be good." The smile can be heard in his voice.

Thalia restrains herself from speaking any further, brushing it off with a chuckle. "Okay. Yeah. So, uh, bye... then."

"Bye, Lia."

The loud and high-pitched squeals of party horns bring Thalia out of her slumber.

She jolts awake, eyes adjusting as she glances around the dim-lit room. There stand Adeline and Juniper, a multitude of cupcakes accompanying them.

"What time is it?" Thalia rubs her eyes.

"It's midnight, dumbass." Juniper narrows their eyes, receiving a light hit on the arm from Adeline.

"Did you have to wake me up?"

"Did you have to sleep before 12?"

Thalia scoffs at Junipers words, but her sleepy scowl is soon replaced by a smile as Adeline hands her a strawberry cupcake.

"I love you. Be my personal chef, please."

As Adeline giggles, Juniper raises an eyebrow. "Woah, back off."

"Make a wish!" Adeline clasps her hands together in anticipation, eyes lighting up with excitement.

Thalias eyes linger over the little candle positioned in the center of the cupcake. She can't help but smile at the cuteness of it before blowing it out.

"What did you wish for, birthday girl?" Juniper inquires with a smile as Adeline claps.

"Can't tell you, cause then it wouldn't come true, would it?" She shrugs.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

Thalia eschewed any notion of a party or grand celebration, finding birthday parties rather childish.

In France, where the legal drinking age is 18, turning 21 holds little significance.

All she really wants is to spend time with Juniper, Adeline, Pierre, and her unwanted parents.

Her father arrived in the morning, closely followed by Pierre. Their immediate assumption was that Pierre might be Thalias boyfriend. That was a fun conversation to have.

After cutting the delicious cake Adeline had baked, and smearing it all over the kitchen counter like an actual childrens birthday party, the notion of opening the gifts is raised.

Surprisingly, it's not money from her parents. Her mother brought her a beautiful diamond necklace, and her father opted for luxury perfume.

Pierre showers her with the most gifts, including a handmade card, a pair of elegant diamond stud earrings, a jar filled with their inside jokes, a Louis Vuitton bag, and a plush dinosaur- a reference to one of their inside jokes.

Thalia shows her appreciation with a hug. She rarely hugs anyone, but this demands it, being the most meaningful gifts she's ever gotten.

When it comes around to Juniper and Adeline, it's revealed that they purchased one shared gift.

"Open it." Juniper can't suppress the smile grazing their lips, and Adeline covers her mouth in excitement.

Skeptical at their persistence, Thalia raises a brow. "It's not a bomb, is it?"

"Find out."

Hesitantly peeling the wrapper away, Thalias heart skips a beat as Adelines sounds of excitement fill the room.

Right in-front of her lays a plane ticket to Vancouver, scheduled for the following week.

"Oh my fucking god." Thalias voice is barely above a whisper.

"Oh... my fucking god!" She repeats, way louder this time. Jumping out of her seat, she brings the couple into a bear hug.

After a moment, she pulls away. "Is this why you asked me if my schedule was clear?"

Juniper nods. "Yup."

"Does Finn know?"

Juniper shakes their head. "Nope."

Thalias smile fades, a mixture of anxiety and melancholy now lacing her features. "What if he doesn't want to see me? With everything going on, maybe-"

Her father cuts her off. "Dear, I know Finn is going through something right now, but having you by his side will make it easier."

The smile plastering her face returns as she brings Lyon into a side hug. "Thanks, dad. I hope you're right."

The remainder of the evening flies by swiftly, with Thalia's thoughts consumed by one central theme: Finn.

After what feels like an eternity, she's going to see him in person. Things are undoubtedly complicated between them, and she's uncertain if he'll welcome her with open arms.

Nevertheless, she won't let that deter her from going to Vancouver.

She anticipates reminiscing, immersing herself in nostalgia during her time there. Hopefully, it'll be a comforting experience.

It's funny how her wish came true.

AUTHORS NOTE

I found this rlly cute song called "overgrown garden" and it's been stuck in my head for a while.

Additionally, I found this in my pinterest feed. I GASPED because this is exactly how I envision Juniper and Adeline.