Chapter 39: Birthday gift.

7:00 PM 11/30/2024
Chapter 39: Birthday gift.
Eleanor could be seen dragged by Allison to a certain corner. However, one had to know that Eleanor didn't like what Allison was about to do one bit.
Allison made sure Eleanor was seated comfortably before plopping down beside her. Adrian raised an eyebrow as if to say 'What's the meaning of this?'

"Rian, this is Helen. Helen, meet Rian".
Eleanor stared at Allison. "Rian? You're friends now?'"

"Why else would I be sitting here? Anyways as a friend of you both, I feel it is my duty to make sure the two of you become friends".

No one moved. Helen and Adrian just kept on staring daggers at each other. Allison started to shift uncomfortably in her seat. "Have you guys met before?"

Eleanor sighed. "It all started with chocolate chips". When she saw Allison looking at her with a face full of confusion, she sighed and continued. "You see, I and Adrian both like chocolate chips. One eventful day, there was only one chocolate chip remaining in the entire cafeteria. Adrian obviously saw me standing in front of the vending machine that day but he took it instead. I offered to share it but he snubbed me and walked away".

Adrian scoffed at her words. "You only use the word 'offered' if you are the owner of something. You weren't and it was my choice to share it or not".
Allison caught the gleam in both their eyes and felt the tension in the air. "Hey! Hey! Hey! No one is fighting anybody. And I'm definitely not ready to follow all those concepts of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' or 'the enemy of my friend is my enemy', you get the gist. The two of you will reconcile, here and now".

They knew it was futile to resist her at this point. Eleanor stretched out here hand. "I'm Eleanor. Nice to meet you".

"Likewise"
Allison smiled and nodded like a wise old woman. "That's more like it".

****
One year later and Shadow was still as busy as ever. All those SAs and STs that were doubting Alex at the beginning couldn't say anything anymore because of Allison’s performance. She was rising by leaps and bounds and Alex was carrying himself with pride because of his recruit. Some even thought that her growth was inhuman and beyond imagination. However, two major things were about to happen that year: the agent examination and her birthday.
Her birthday was in two days and Everett, Helen, Adrian and Chris were planning it in secret. It took some to get Adrian and Everett in the same room but their common goal managed in the end. Allison, on the other hand was more focused on the exam that was coming up and she was more than determined to win. For her, life was going well. She and Adrian were getting along more than before. She on her own was really stubborn and with Adrian as a friend, they were dubbed: Trouble combo. Anytime something goes wrong, the first thought that comes to mind is usually, it must be the TC. Well, their suspicions weren't exactly wrong. Miss Madeline's burnt garden, ST Bruce shredded lesson notes, the blown-up printer in the work room, the tied-up janitor in an empty classroom were somehow related to them.

Allison lightly knocked on the door of Alexander's private training room. For the past one year, Alex had been a father figure and a mentor and she was really glad for that.
"Come in".

She walked in and nodded to Matthew who was also in the room. Alex gestured for him to leave them because apparently, it was time for her training.
"How you doing, Al?", he asked while wrapping gauze around his fingers.

"Doing good. Why do you ask?"

"Don't tell me you don't know what happens in two days?"

"What?"
He didn't answer but instead jabbed at her. She perfectly avoided the jab, grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. He gave a rude kick to her leg and she let go. They circled again and this time she lunged at him. He dodged and held her by her neck with her back facing him. She struggled against his grasp.

"I thought I trained you to be better than this, hmm?"
She banged his head with her hands, slid and kicked his legs. The next moment, she was sitting on top of him with a dagger to his neck.

"You may be strong, Alex. But don't forget I'm faster".
She helped him up and the man went to the locker in the room and brought out a package in blue wrapping paper.
"Happy birthday. In advance".

Her eyes widened in surprise as she hadn't expected this. "Would you believe if I told you that I forgot about my own birthday? Even though it isn't technically my birthday. It's just the day my foster parents found me".

"Real birthday or not. I'm well aware that in normal circumstances, you would've remembered. I know that you've been preparing for the agent exam coming up which is not bad. But these little joys are also what makes up a good agent".

"And the man has spoken".
She received the package and tore it open under Alex's watchful gaze. Her eyes almost popped out of its sockets when she saw its contents. It was a freaking gun! Loaded!
She looked up at him with eyes shining and mouth agape. I'm very sure you'll pass the agent exam. So, I'm killing two birds at once. This gift is for both your birthday and your success in the agent exam".

She rushed into his arms and hugged him tight. "Thank you, Alex. For everything. But I hope you're joking about giving me one gift for my birthday and the agent exam".

"Looks like you've come to know me so well, Al".

Chapter end