Balloons

Nothing was wrong with her. Her brain had its one hundred billion brain-cells working perfectly, her knowledge on physics, chemistry, biology and maths was beyond acceptable and her responsibility was not to be questioned. She was, by far, the best student in that school. It wasn't fair that she were limited by something as dull as her genitals.

All those preppy-looking nerds that declined her wish of being part of the science club, for pure sexism. "We will be looked down on by the clubs from the other schools", they said. When she showed them her grades, all A+, they said that "these were common for a freshman; the tests were way too easy". She had even waited for the day she turned sixteen, so they wouldn't look at her that much as a "noob", or call her a kid, but maybe that couldn't be helped. They would always find a way of stopping her from applying to the club. It was not fair.

She wondered what she would say to all her friends in China, when they asked about the science club she had been so interested in since she went to study in London. Her first physics teacher, Bak, would probably itch with anger if she told him why she hadn't been accepted. Shi Fu and Ri Kei would tell jokes to cheer her up, but those would make her even more upset. And the family with which she lived in London… she wondered what their reactions would be.

Marian Cross, the father, would probably say that the whole club was just a bunch of bastards, and use them just as another reason to get drunk. His older son, Lavi, would say that they didn't deserve her in the club, tap her on the shoulder and lock himself in his room with a book like he always did. And Allen, the always-cute Allen, would say "I'm sorry to hear that" and give her the piece of cake he struggled not to eat so he could give it to her.

So, maybe she was right about the cake. But probably Allen hadn't found it yet, because it was intact on the hallway's table. Walking to the living room, her sadness was forgotten. There was Allen Walker, the cute albino boy, only two years younger than her, surrounded by colourful balloons, and a "Happy Birthday, Lou Fa" poster behind him. She knocked on the opened door to announce her presence.

"Lo-Lou Fa! I thought you were at the science club!" He seemed embarrassed, as he let go of the balloon he was holding, and it flew all around the room before landing empty over the sofa.

"Oh, I decided to come earlier" She didn't mention the club. She would have time for that later. "So, what are you doing?"

He scratched his head nervously, looking at the carpet.

"It was supposed to be a surprise…"

She walked to where he was, leaving her lab coat on the table on her way. She sat beside him and smiled.

"Thanks, Allen-san."

She kissed his cheek lightly, and he blushed.

"Lou Fa…" He looked at her startled, and her smile widened.

He took a deep breath.

"HappybirthdayIlikeyouverymuch." He said in a rush and gave her a peck on the lips.

She wondered what his lips would taste like with cake.