Jenny took the sweep pan brush and began to repeatedly brush it against the ground as a small translucent layer of dust began to be uncovered from under the bed and into the plastic yellow pan. She clanked whatever remained on the brush onto the pan before standing up and walking to the trashcan near her drawer to dump it out. She yawned aloud as she scratched at the back of her head, before brushing her freckled hands through her long red hair. Why’d she decide to start this clean up so early in the morning again she’d question to herself before smacking the flimsy brush onto the pan and connecting it’s handle with the handle of the pan before promptly exiting her room through the wooden door.
She went out into the corridor that laid in the middle of a direct path with the door the hotel room with her room being furthest from the door and Sophies being closer to the door to her right and a closet door standing straight in front of Jenny a few inches away that was swung open and now full to the brim in an organized fashion compared to where everything had been on the floor just a few hours earlier as Jenny couldn’t help but smirk to herself with pride of her work. Sure it may be small but it was progress as she closed her bedroom door behind her before doing the same with the closet door and looked over towards Sophies room.
Jenny remembers vaguely of Sophie telling her that she was going to work but she didn’t exactly remember at what time she said. It doesn’t help Sophie tends to be the early and nocturnal bird out of the two so she was already gone by the time Jenny woke up.
Her gaze shifted away from Sophie's door, having decided not to touch it within the cleanup process to keep her girlfriends privacy intact-and because it was locked.
She made her way through the corridor and into where the living room and kitchen connected turned out of the corridor to make her way towards the pantry of the kitchen that was in between creaky wooden cabinets and the stove as she opened it up and tucked the dustpan into a basket of cleaning supplies that sat within the shelves. She promptly closed the door before looking around to see what else she needed to do, checking off mentally what she had already done.
“Already did the kitchen, already swept the living room floor, did the dishes, got stuff off the kitchen island…” She muttered aloud to herself as she continued to scan the modest brown, red, and yellow colored room with a rather odd wall pattern design she and Sophie never could exactly figure out what the pattern was or why in the world their point of employment would pick such dreary and confusing wallpaper. She walked out of the kitchen and made her way into the living room to further scan but ended up accidentally bumping into a small table that laid on the right side of a small red couch and immediately knocking it over and whatever contents were held on it which unluckily for her, was a small plant she had just bought a few days ago with a pot full to the brim of wet soil along with a bowl full of personal but important belongings from both her and Sophie as they crash onto the floor with a loud thud as Jenny cringes at the site.
“Aw man, just finished these damn floors!” She groaned aloud to herself and shook her head before crouching down to try and fish out her and her girlfriends belongings from the soil, praying that they would still be intact at least.
One by one, she dug out her car keys, her wallet, the rooms key, lighter, an open pack of cigarettes, some candy wrappers, etc; She blew off some of the dirt from the items and swiped whatever soil remained on the items with her hand as she took out each item and placing them back into the small wooden bowl they laid in with each one as she got the last item out of the dirt, that being Sophies now exposed wallet.
She began to do the same process with Sophies wallet; shaking,blowing, and rubbing out the dirt, careful to not further damage any of the leather cases belongings. Jenny paused after managing to get out a good majority of the dirt and couldn’t help but gaze over at Sophies license that was exposed out of the case and smile to herself at the older sight of her.
Sophie may have been younger in the license photo but she looked almost the exact same either way; short curly brown hair with bangs, a birthmark close to her sunken brown eyes that started out wearing a gray and blue polo and sporting that rather all too common frown of hers. Jenny smiled wearily to herself at the picture of her girlfriend, admiring the photo briefly before briefly scanning the contents of the license without even realizing it as her gaze suddenly stopped at a rather familiar date on the license. 7/30.
She squinted her eyes at the date before looking down back at the soil briefly before her eyes lit up with surprise and excitement as she gasped. That’s today! Was it seriously Sophies birthday and she had no idea about it? Why wouldn’t Sophie have mentioned it to her or say something? The days leading up to today didn’t imply anything special of sorts would be happening nor anything really out of the ordinary.
Excitement turned into a twinge of guilt as Jenny cringed to herself and closed back Sophies wallet, placing it back into the bowl before standing up. She felt bad for unintentionally snooping around in Sophies wallet and especially the fact she didn’t even know when her own girlfriends birthday was but she quickly fanned away those thoughts as she looked towards the clock. 11:13 AM. That should be enough time to prepare something for her right? She glanced down at the still broken plant and quickly rushed back over to the pantry to get out the dustpan and brush to quickly clean up the mess before she could do anything else. She grabbed her keys back out from the bowl of belongings along with putting back up the table that held said bowl and placing it back as she made her way to the apartment's door.
Jenny shut the apartment door behind her and locked it with the room key before pocketing the key into her jeans and beginning to make her way down the corridor towards the stairs so she could reach her car, beginning to rehearse her plan to herself.
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Sophie walked down the seemingly endless corridor of the hotel rooms hallway with her back hunched over, trying to straighten out her worn out back from sweeping and mopping all day as she fiddled with her room key chain as she rubbed her eyes.
Today had been less than great to say the least. She had to clean the entirety of the lobby all by herself while the co-worker that was supposed to help her slacked off the entire time but that didn’t at all stop them from further annoying Sophie by his seemingly endless continuous talking, the boss got pissed at her for wearing her hair down despite physically not being able to even put it up in a bun with her recent cut, she spilled some sort of chemical on her uniform pants when she was putting everything back, and she hasn’t eaten anything all day.
She stared down at the hallways multi-patterned carpeted floor as some of the lights flickered dimly above her as she looked up to find her room. 409…410…411…412. She stopped in front of the dim yellow door with said numbers label on a golden plate as she took a deep breath before signing out, entering one of the keys into the lock and unlocking the door before gently swinging it open and entering inside the room.
Sophie walked down the dark corridor as her steps echoed into the living room as she pocketed the keys and after passing Jenny's room she rounded the corner towards the kitchen where the only light in the whole room was emitted to only be surprised by the sight of Jenny behind the island in the kitchen that acted as both a table and a desk had been decorated with strands of blue confetti and string, party streamers, and had some bags of fast food along with a cupcake that had an unlit candle in it with Jenny setting up a decorative sign that read ‘Happy Birthday’ in cheap blue glitter that hung across their cabinets and microwave. She froze in place at the sight with her tiredness and agitation turned to one of dumbfoundment and astoundment, not saying a word.
Jenny eventually finished putting up the sign and stepped back with a huff of accomplishment as she grinned to herself before turning around and being just as surprised to see Sophie.
“Oh shit-Uh, Surprise!-” She grinned after staggering back and waved her hands in a jazz-like manner.
Sophie didn’t respond, just reading the sign seemingly over and over again as Jenny chuckled.
“Sorry hon, thought I would’ve been done a bit earlier to actually PROPERLY surprise you-” She explained briefly rubbing the back of her head with embarrassment as Sophie looked back at her silently like a deer in headlights.
“Uh,Sophie?”
“...Can I, u-um, hug you?” Sophie questions meekly, rubbing her eyes that began to get puffy with the feeling of oncoming tears.
Jenny smiled wearily at such a request, before walking out from behind the countertop and closer to Sophie as Sophie immediately clutched onto Jenny and hugged the tall red head, burying her face into Jennys shoulder as Jenny brought her hands around Sophie and began to rub her back, trying to figure out if this was a good or bad sign. Did she mess up? Was this a bad idea? Is she upset? What did she-
“...thank you.” Sophie muffled out through Jennys shirt as Jennys worries were immediately put to rest as she smiled more to herself and laid her head against Sophies, continuing to rub her back.
“No problem hon.” She gently chuckled to the burnette as Sophie eventually released Jenny as Jenny brought her hands into her jeans pockets as Sophie stood awkwardly glancing between Jenny and the decorations, beginning to scratch at her hands.
“It’s just I…I haven’t really had a proper, well, ‘birthday’ ever since my mom or dad disappeared, you know? It just means a lot I guess.” Sophie explained, feeling her face begin to heat up with embarrassment and flush red. “I probably sound really stupid right now and-”
“Nonono, not at all Sophie. Don’t worry bout’ it.” Jenny reassures Sophie who nods to herself.
“Its just always been a really weird day and people are usually really weird about it too because of that, at least back in highschool. It sucks.” She signed as Jenny patted her shoulder.
“Daw, that sucks. At least that chapter in your life is over.” Jenny frowned while reassuring Sophie. She didn’t typically open up much about her family or really anything past her freshman year. She knew something happened with her mom and dad back when she was younger than that though, but never got much out of her outside of they went missing.
‘That’s probably why she didn’t mention it.’ Jenny thought to herself.
“How’d you even find out it was my birthday…? I don’t think I’ve ever even told you before.” Sophie questions as she tilted her head curiously.
“Oh! Er, ya know-math n shit.” Jenny lied as she nervously chuckled, scratching the back of her head as Sophie raised an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you failing Calculus right now?-” She teased with a small smile as Jenny gawked at her dramatically.
“Only because of that damn teacher's stubbornness! Ya know that!” She huffed defensively as Sophie rolled her eyes but continued to wearily smile at her.
“Well, thanks-again.” She scoffed as Jenny nodded excitedly.
“Course! Gotta give my awesome, amazing, and cool girlfriend the best birthday ever ya know me~” Jenny smirked before pecking Sophies cheek as Sophie chuckled at the sign of affection, fiddling with her hands and looking down at her shoes in a flustered manner as her face burnt up.
“Now c’mon! I got these burgers and fries like an hour or somethin ago and I don’t want em to get cold for the birthday girl.” Jenny grins, patting Sophies back before sliding into one of the high raised wooden chairs against the island as Sophie nods and joins her side as the two begin to scarf down on the food as the two girls gossip about their co-workers and work in general and laugh about stupid jokes.
Eventually the two finished up with Sophie slumped back in her seat smiling ear to ear at whatever stupid joke Jenny just said and just enjoying the seemingly endless moment that she truly did hope never end as Jenny took the cupcake and slid the plate over in front of Sophie before starting to dig into her pocket for her lighter.
“Can’t be a birthday without blowing out a candle and making a wish eh?” Jenny grins as Sophie locked her eyes onto the cupcake and smiled more wearily at the sight before looking back at Jenny.
“I suppose so.” She responded as Jenny managed to fish out her small steel lighter from her pocket and flick it open before the candle burst to life with a small flame as Sophie stared intently into the flame as it reflected off her dark brown eyes. Jenny flicks the lid back on the lighter before excitedly leaning over to Sophies side.
“Thinkin’ of a wish?-” She grinned.
“Huh?-Oh! Uh, yeah. I think I’m gonna wish for-”
“Shhhh! Ya can’t tell me Sophie! It won’t come true if ya do!” Jenny huffed, covering Sophies mouth who looked back at Jenny as a spark of realization seemed to go off in her head.
“Ohhh, right, heh. Guess I forgot about that part.” She sheepishly smiled as Jenny removed her hand away from Sophie.
“Do ya want me to sing you happy birthday or-” Jenny questions.
“Please don’t.” Sophie faintly chuckled.
“Daw, alright. Take ya time.” Jenny nods.
Sophie nods along before looking back at the candle, thinking to herself. What would she wish for? She hasn’t done this so long and despite her belief in the paranormal, she was never too keen on things like wishes or believing they’ll ever come true or that anyone was really up there even listening to her pleas of seemingly unattainable desire. She nonetheless shrugged and leaned over and swiftly blew out the candle as Jenny began to clap and cheer with a whistle as Sophie sheepishly smiled back at Jenny.
“Hope ya made that wish count.” Jenny grinned happily at Sophie.
“Thanks, er, what would you wish for…?” Sophie questions beginning to fiddle with her hands once more.
“Easy! 10 million dollars.” Jenny smirked as Sophie began to giggle at such a wish.
“Good wish.” Sophie sarcastically scoffed as Jenny grinned ear to ear.
“Oh! Before I forget, I gotcha’ a present-’” Jenny gasped, quickly getting up from her chair and behind the island and fishing out a decorated golden bag with blue paper sticking out of the bag before sitting back down and sliding the bag towards Sophie.
“Y-You got me a gift too?” She asked with surprise, thinking the food was really the only gift and surprise.
“Duh! It’s your birthday, why wouldn’t I?” Jenny scoffed with a grin as Sophie moved aside the cupcake and stared at the gift in a rather awkward manner, as if waiting to be told she could open it and that it’d be okay if she opened it.
“Go on pleaseeee? I’m dying to see what it is!” Jenny cheered her on gently tugging at Sophies arm as Sophie chuckled and shook her head to herself before bringing the gift down onto her lap and beginning to carefully take the paper out of the bag.
As the paper was cleared, she was able to further see into the bag and saw a familiar brown fur as she reached in and pulled out the brown fur to reveal a Rowlf The Dog plush staring right back up at her. She couldn’t help but smile widely at the sight as she began to scrunch the plush dog's fur and sway her legs around excitedly as Jenny giggled at the sight.
“Ya like it?” She grinned as Sophie glanced over at Jenny and immediately turned red,using the plush to hide her face but enthusiastically nodded as Jenny couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hopefully it ain’t a duplicate. I know ya got a shit ton of these lil’ guys in your room n stuff and how much ya loveeeee Hendersons work eh?” Jenny smirked as Sophie hugged onto the plush dog and nodded, trying to wipe the embarrassment from her face still while continuing to excitedly swing her legs.
“Er…No. I didn’t have Rowlf.” Sophie sheepishly replied with a nod as Jenny pumped her fists with pride and signed out with relief and cheers.
“Jenny…I-I can’t thank you enough, really. This is so above and beyond and you really, really didn’t have to do this. At all.” Sophie mumbled to the red head as she continued to scrunch the fur of the plush, twiddling the plushies long, floppy ears in the process as Jenny smiled.
“Dawww, no problem hon. You of all people deserve the best birthday outta anyone here. I’m just sorry I didn’t do more for ya-” Jenny expressed softly, scratching the back of her own head as Sophie rapidly shook her head quickly.
“Nono, this is perfect, really. Think I would’ve had a heart attack if you did something too big anyways.” Sophie chuckled as Jenny signed out with relief only to be surprised by Sophie pecking her freckled cheek as Jenny turned to look at a wide smiling Sophie who stared at her with great affirmation and love in her eyes as Jenny smiled back
“Happy Birthday hon.” Jenny smiled.