Lia came home later than she meant to.
Her shoulders ached, her phone buzzed endlessly in her pocket, and the sky had already darkened into deep navy by the time she reached the gate. Work had drained her in that quiet way—no anger, no exhaustion loud enough to complain about. Just heaviness.
The house looked… wrong.
Too quiet.
No lights. No sound. No chaos.
Lia stopped at the door.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the handle.
She stepped inside.
Darkness.
Then—
"SURPRIIIIISE!"
The lights snapped on.
Music blasted from every direction at once.
Confetti rained down like someone had set off a small explosion indoors.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIA!"
Lia froze.
Actually froze.
Her eyes scanned the room in one sharp movement—and then stopped, stunned.
Angelo stood right in front of her, grinning like he'd been waiting for this moment his entire life.
Aris was yelling something incoherent over the music.
Jay was laughing so hard she had to hold onto Keifer, who had one arm around her waist and the biggest smile on his face.
Kairav leaned against the couch, arms crossed, watching Lia's reaction like it was a movie.
Rafael and Daniel were fighting over who got to pop the last party cracker.
Ion was halfway up a chair, filming while shouting commentary.
Mira was jumping beside Jessica and Lexi, clapping like it was a concert.
Ayaan was holding a cake with the seriousness of a bomb technician.
Cindy was trying to restore order and failing miserably.
Alvin was already yelling, "SHE DIDN'T PASS OUT, WE DID GOOD."
Zeke had confetti stuck in his hair and looked offended by it.
Sean and Marcus were chanting her name off-beat.
Theo had collapsed onto the couch, laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.
And more Section E students crowded the room—too many voices, too much noise, too much life.
Lia blinked.
"…What," she said flatly.
Jay ran at her and hugged her before Lia could even react. "DON'T YOU DARE PRETEND YOU DON'T LOVE THIS."
"I absolutely dare," Lia replied, but she didn't push her away.
Aris slung an arm around her shoulders. "You're officially not allowed to be emotionally unavailable today."
"I don't recall agreeing to that."
"You did by existing," Ion yelled from his chair.
Angelo smirked. "You thought we'd forget your birthday?"
"I hoped," Lia said honestly.
Kairav shrugged. "That was your first mistake."
Ayaan stepped forward carefully. "Please don't scare me, I'm holding your cake and my dignity."
Lia looked down.
The cake was simple. Dark frosting. Clean lettering.
L. D. N.
Her jaw tightened just a little.
Jay noticed immediately and nudged her side. "No disappearing. You're staying present."
Keifer leaned down and whispered something to Jay that made her grin and steal a quick kiss from him.
Marcus immediately pointed. "EXCUSE ME. IN FRONT OF THE BIRTHDAY GIRL?"
Theo laughed. "They look like husband and wife."
"I WILL END YOU," Aris yelled instantly. "MY SISTER IS NOBODY'S WIFE."
Jay laughed harder. Keifer just shrugged. "Not today, apparently."
Lia shook her head. "You're all idiots."
"But your idiots," Mira said proudly.
"…Unfortunately," Lia replied.
Angelo clapped his hands loudly. "Alright. Gifts. Before someone breaks something."
Too late—something already fell.
Ion hopped down. "I DIDN'T TOUCH IT."
Angelo handed Lia the first box. Long. Heavy.
She opened it.
Inside was a sleek, custom weapon case.
Her initials engraved perfectly.
L. D. N.
The room went dead silent.
Then—
"IS THAT A GUN—"
"SHE GOT A WHAT—"
"WHY IS IT CUSTOM—"
"WHY IS SHE CALM—"
Zeke yelled, "WHY DOES THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HAVE A WEAPON WITH HER NAME ON IT."
Lia checked the balance. "Good weight."
"That'S YOUR RESPONSE?" Cindy screamed.
Aris handed her the next case. "Backup. Obviously."
Jay groaned. "You're encouraging her."
Ion whispered loudly, "I'm scared but also impressed."
Jay stepped forward with her gift—small, wrapped unevenly.
Inside was a black bracelet. Strong. Simple.
"For grounding," Jay said quietly. "When things get loud."
Lia put it on without a word.
Keifer went next, handing her something compact. "Protection. And… reminder."
She nodded once. That was enough.
Kairav's gift followed. Practical. Deadly. Thoughtful.
Rafael and Daniel added ammo like it was normal.
Section E stared in shock.
Jessica whispered, "This is the most aggressive birthday I've ever seen."
"And the best," Mira added.
Music blasted again.
Chaos returned instantly.
Lia stood there—
surrounded by noise, weapons, laughter, people who stayed.
She didn't smile big.
But she didn't step away either.
And for Lia D. N., that meant everything.