After school the next day, Kara's mother once again ordered her to help outside, this time by working in their small garden. It was just a few tomato plants and some flowers, including common daffodils and tulips, but their mother was incredibly proud of what they had. Kara could appreciate that, especially after seeing others in their neighborhood and area with so much less. As angry as she was with her sister and mother for not supporting her friendship with Lena, she understood her responsibility to contribute to the family. Her mother had at least been right about that. So when she was asked to help outside again, she had a better attitude about it than she had the previous day.

"Silent treatment?" Kara's mother asked her casually, knelt over the small patch of land she treasured so much.

"Just don't have anything to say," Kara said, despite wanting to ignore the comment.

Her mother hadn't meant it to be instigating or malicious, but it definitely irritated Kara further and made her want to intensify her silence. Either that or lash out. Neither of which were a good option. So she simply decided to reply curtly and continue working in the garden beside her mother. Luckily for her, Eliza didn't say anything in response, indicating her acceptance of Kara's reply. They continued on in silence until dusk.

"Hey, Mom?" Kara asked, following her mother's lead of rising to her feet as they wrapped up their work for the evening.

"Yes, dear?"

"Can I cut a few daffodil's for my room?"

"Ah. The Narcissus flower," her mother commented with a smile. "Nice choice."

"New beginnings, right?" Kara offered up, having been taught the meanings and symbolism of many, many flowers throughout her childhood.

"Yep. And…"

"And?"

"They're also known to represent creativity, inspiration, and inner reflection."

"Really?"

"Mhmm. And…"

"And?"

"And if you give them to a loved one, it means that they're 'the only one' and is said to ensure happiness."

Feeling her stomach drop, knowing full well what she really intended to do with the flowers, Kara felt her face go warm.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" Eliza asked her daughter, noticing the pink tint to her cheeks.

"Yeah, just hot and tired," Kara told her, telling most of the truth.

Of course, she conveniently left out the part that she fully intended to give the flowers to Lena. But she hadn't known about their additional meanings, and learning them now made her feel intensely the irony of her choice. She had only meant to symbolize the new beginning the two of them had experienced with their friendship, and with their joint decision to defy their family's wishes. But the other meanings of the flower also seemed to fit rather perfectly.

"Go get some rest, Kara," her mother offered. "You worked hard today. And if you want to go out tomorrow… that would be okay."

"Really?!" Kara asked excitedly.

When her mother nodded, she smiled and quickly said, "Thanks, mum," before running up the creaky stairs to her bedroom.

After texting Lena goodnight and setting the wake-up alarms on her phone, Kara's exhaustion took over, and she fell into a deep sleep.

The restful nature of her doze did not last long, and soon, a nightmare ripped through her dreams like a tsunami. In it, Kara initially found herself hugging her best friend, which was all well and good. At least until Lena's mother appeared behind the brunette, physically pulling the girl back, away from Kara, and roughly separating the two. As if this wasn't traumatic enough, her mother then pulled a ridiculously large meat cleaver on Kara and held it to her neck.

Which was exactly when Kara felt her phone buzz, then ring loudly, waking her.

When she looked at the clock, she couldn't help but grin as she opened her messages with Lena and typed quickly.

12:00 AM

Hey, guess what!

It's midnight.

Know what that means?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOOBER!

So glad you're here to be part of my life. I couldn't be more grateful for my best friend. Thank you for existing. I love you, Lee. I hope you have the best birthday EVER!

After sending the five separate messages, Kara leaned back against her pillow and shut her eyes, knowing the girl would be sleeping and not expecting a reply at (exactly) midnight on her birthday.

To her surprise, her own phone - which she had left on vibrate, just in case - buzzed her out of her near-sleep 's message made Kara's heart race.

I love you too, shithead, but my birthday is stupid. Why are you even awake telling me happy birthday at freakin midnight? Go the fuck to sleep.

Kara had to cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud before she messaged back.

I will. I just wanted to make sure I was the first to tell you happy birthday. And your birthday isn't stupid! It's the best day of the year.

Feeling confused by this statement, Lena texted:

What are you talking about? Why?

Kara's reply melted the celebrity's heart.

Because it's the day you were born, silly. And I couldn't be more excited or grateful for that.

Lena thought heavily about her reply, but decided not to return the sappy sentiment, even though her heart was aching with adoration.

Gay.

Kara felt herself frown and refrained from responding, feeling stupid for being so touchy-feely. It wasn't really Lena's thing, and she knew that. So why did she text her all that? She supposed it had just been automatic. Somehow, around Lena, she had no trouble sharing how much she cared. Life's too short not to tell your people you love them, she reasoned.

Eventually, when Kara had faded into a state of dazed embarrassment and failed to respond for a while, Lena texted her again.

JK. Love you, kid.

This didn't make Kara feel better in the slightest. Kid? God, did she hate that all of the sudden. But hey, at least she'd said something other than, "Gay." Sighing from the involuntary disappointment, Kara messaged:

No homo.

She was trying to keep the mood light and not let on that she was a little hurt by Lena's response. After all, it didn't matter, right? Lena wasn't required to return the sentiment just because they were friends. So if she wanted to make a joke of it, that was okay. Kara decided she would take it in stride. Besides, it wasn't like she had a better option. The other choice was to get upset with her or ignore her entirely, and there was no way in hell that was going to happen. Kara sighed again when she received Lena's next text.

Always homo.

The teasing wasn't helpful in lifting Kara's mood, so she simply replied:

Headed back to bed now. Hope you have a good birthday. And put your phone on Do Not Disturb! It's late and you need rest.

Lena felt her heart clench at Kara's caring words. The girl was concerned about her in a way no one else was. What did anyone care if she was rested? But Kara cared immensely, and Lena could tell. It was obvious. In fact, Kara never let her forget it. And that was something beautiful that Lena decided she would never take for granted.

Can I pick you up in the morning? I wanna bail on my surprise party and hang out with you.

Feeling confused, the blonde replied:

Won't your mom know?

Lena's answer surprised her.

Who cares? And probably not until the party actually takes place and I'm not there. She'll call me in a fury and I'll just tell her I went to urgent care for an upset stomach haha. After all, she doesn't let me eat.

Kara attempted to blink away her confusion before she typed her response.

What do you mean she doesn't let you eat?

Realizing what she'd accidentally let slip, Lena reluctantly elaborated:

She doesn't want me to gain weight, so… I eat what she tells me to.

Kara's jaw dropped.

Are you fucking kidding me? You really are going to end up at urgent care like that.

Lena sighed as she responded:

It doesn't matter. She's right. My career's over if I get fat anyway.

Kara felt tears well in her eyes at the thought of Lena restricting.

That's awful, hun. You should be able to eat whatever you want. You'll be beautiful at any size.

Then, it was Lena's turn to cry. Kara was too sweet. Too caring. Too good. Lena felt she didn't deserve it. And she wasn't about to accept the compliment willingly.

That's bull, but thank you.

Feeling herself fill with anger, Kara rapidly typed her reply.

It's NOT bull. It's the truth. You don't have to be a certain size to be beautiful. You're gorgeous, inside and out.

Again, Lena sighed, her hand lightly dusting over the fresh wounds on her thigh. If only Kara knew the whole story. But she wasn't about to tell. No way.

If you knew everything, you wouldn't say that.

Kara's chest felt tight and painful with her heart palpitating. But knowing Lena wasn't about to go full-on emotional and vulnerable with her, she decided to take on the other girl's strategy and lighten the mood by typing a few song lyrics in reply.

"I don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did… as long as you love me." - Backstreet Boys, the best boy band to ever live.

The brunette had to smile at this and even laughed a little as she typed back:

Hardly. Jonas Brothers RULE.

Kara replied:

Please, tell me you're not serious.

Lena laughed again and responded:

Oh, I'm serious.

JK no I'm not. BTS fucking dominates.

Besides, Backstreet Boys are SO last century.

Kara's mouth fell open.

BTS? As in, the Korean pop boy group?

A smile spreading over her lips as she realized that Kara knew who she was talking about caused her to type excitedly:

Absolutely. 110% serious this time. And Backstreet Boys are okay. But not in comparison to the unending talent of BTS. Those boys can DANCE. I'd give anything to do a collab with them.

Kara's reply made Lena's smile grow even more.

That would be AMAZING. And if freaking Halsey can do it, you could too. You should ask.

Kara wasn't trying to flatter her. She was being serious. And that made Lena feel amazing. For whatever reason, compliments from other people slipped by her unnoticed, but Kara's kind words meant everything to her.

Thanks, babe. You're a sweetie. Maybe someday. Now, get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow at 5:00 AM.

Eyes wide at the time - and at the fact that Lena had just called her 'babe' - Kara responded:

Uh… that's a typo, right?

Grinning, Lena answered back immediately:

Nope. Bright and early, sugarplum. I wanna go watch the sunrise.

This was fair enough, and besides, it was her birthday anyway. And Kara would do just about anything to make her happy. So if she had to get up at 4:00 AM to get ready for this adventure, she was game for it.

Okay, hun. See you at 5. I'll be ready; I promise.

Smiling even more, Lena felt excitement tingle every nerve in her body. She couldn't wait to see Kara again. Despite this being a strange new feeling that made warmth spread outwards from her abdomen, Lena shoved the feeling down and ignored it, instead deciding just to say:

Goodnight, buddy.

Kara returned the smile without Lena knowing.

Goodnight, Birthday Girl.