My fifteenth birthday wasn't supposed to be a big deal. Roy and I were dismissive with those sorts of events. We'd eat at Big Belly Burger, skip school for the day, and generally ignore the absence of parents and presents.
Previous teachers had never given much thought to the quiet scholarship kid, let alone their birthday. But I had Mr. Diggle this year, a tall ex-military man who took a liking to me and I to him. He was a History teacher and a bit of a hardass in the way that helps when filled with a classroom of self-entitled adolescence.
I glared at the man as he began to speak, his eyes had sparked and a smile hinted at his lips
"Happy Birthday, Miss Smoak, glad you finally reached it to fifteen" The damage was done. They all knew, History was the class with Thea and Sara, both who looked at me with mild hurt expressions whilst I tried to bury myself into the desk, melt to the floor, anything to remove me from the suddenly claustrophobic room.
Barry patted me on the shoulder in sympathy.
Them knowing made things complicated. There'd be questions about presents and going home for the weekend suddenly became obligatory to appear normal. Worst of all was the expectation of a celebration.
A girl from the Glades didn't do those things, at least not in the way the well-adjusted did. But Felicity Smoak from Kennedy Lane was suppose to. If the school wasn't catholic I would have pleaded as Jehovah's Witness. That would have gotten me out of birthdays and Christmases.
Class finished too quickly and my escape wasn't fast enough.
'Its your birthday and you didn't tell us!' Thea demanded, and in rarity Sara was nodding her head in agreement. It'd been several months since our induction into the so-called popular crowd, in part due to Thea's adoption of me, her so called stray.
I shuffled my feet and muttered about not wanting to be a bother. These two girl's held my trust and loyalty but I wasn't about to start my sad little tale of home.
Ma had her moments but they were too few for normalcy.
I loved Ma no matter how angry I got. Isn't that always the way? We love the people who hurt us the most.
'Come on 'Lis, you know you're not a bother' Sara softened, she was more use to my evasive behavior. 'Are you going home in the weekend, maybe we could do something then?'
'Like a house party!' Thea interjected and my eyes widened in horror.
'Or not' Sara quickly rebutted throwing the Queen girl a glare.
'Dinner' I finally relented 'How 'bout we go for out for dinner on Saturday'
Thea squealed while Sara just smiled, that soft but cool smile she managed so well.
Plans were set out quickly when Thea was involved, she insisted on a high-class restaurant promising to pay when hesitations were made, then waved off further protests.
The Elder scrolls theme song interrupted Thea's rapid succession of ideas and I pulled my old phone out of my pocket.
'Hey Abercrombie' I answered knowing exactly who was on the other end.
'You up for a mid-night break out?' Roy asked expectantly. I glanced at my friends guiltily and tried to subtly step away, shielding my conversation.
'Course, wouldn't miss it. Though I actually got leave so maybe 'no' on the great escape font'
There was a groan, 'now whats the fun in that?'
'I'll see you later, pick me up in half an hour, Roy' and snapped the phone shut, aware of the silence between my two friends. Sara had a slight smirk, while Thea's was an outright grin. It was odd. These two could barely stand each other but when I came down to me against them they were an disturbingly well-paired.
Thea broke first.
'Sooo… who's Roy?'
The blush wasn't intentional; the kid and me were practically siblings.
'My best friend' I'd meant to exclude the 'best' but it tumbled out from constant use and justification. What came next was verbal vomit, a desperation to fix the situation and explain away the growing smiles on my friend's face. 'From my old school, like obviously you guys are my best friends here, but I have other friends, not from here… but there, from before all this.'
My eyes were widening and cool as anything Sara suggested that invite him to dinner if he was such a good friend. I blanched. Separation was key to happiness and success in the new world I'd established myself in. Not that I was ashamed of Roy, but I was different with him than here.
With him there wasn't anything to hide, he knew the worst of it and been there since the beginning. Our humor could turn dark and our language got pretty foul time to time. Together we were tough, the people the Glades made us be. Here, I was the naïve and innocent, bubbly and light. Neither side was false or true, just different circumstance.
'I guess I can ask him, but I better get going, dinner with the parents'
'They're coming to pick you up? Can I meet them? Pleases…' Thea asked innocently. It was a genuine request, I'd meet her mother and even been invited to a Sunday lunch though it had been met with a polite but stammering decline.
A second blush quickly followed a second squeal as I muttered my reply, 'actually, Roy said he'd pick me up'. An introduction became unavoidable.
On birthdays and holidays, the times you were expected to go home, Roy would pick me up. I was aptly aware of Thea following me to my room and watching as pulled out my duffle bag. Going home for almost every weekend meant she rarely saw me out of uniform. Eyes followed me as I sifted through my clothes, finally pulling out a somewhat nice navy dress.
Thea winced.
'I love you Felicity, but that is quite possibly the most boring birthday dress I have ever seen'. My roommate declared in an unimpressed tone as I emerged from the shared bathroom. Months had waned my nervousness around the older girl so my once shuffling feet became an ignoring shrug at yet another Queen disproval towards my fashion sense..
'We're not going anywhere fancy' in fact Big Belly Burger was where I was destined to spend the night. Carly, the manager, let us sleep on the booths on occasion. We'd always mop floors and wipe the tables as a thank you. Sometimes they'd be free food when we looked nothing but skin and bones.
I pulled my long brown hair into a ponytail and fixed my glasses, which sat a little crooked.
'Well, I'll see you tomorrow then… I'm staying at my parent's place tonight.' Lie but more acceptable than the truth.
'Wait, wait!' Thea said bouncing 'I want to meet your best friend'
There wasn't an excuse on earth that could keep Thea away so I just prayed that Roy was planning to catch the bus back to Starling city and hadn't ridden his motorcycle in. Lucky for him he looked older than fifteen and had a fake license since fourteen. I denied any part in his obtaining of it.
A growl and vibration proved me wrong. As Thea and I stepped out of the grand entrance, a motorcycle came roaring down the large driveway that circled a water feature.
Thea's mouth dropped and I made a determined effort to ignore her expression.
'Blondie!' Roy yelled pulling off his helmet and I couldn't help myself. He'd ended up in a group home five month ago, the sort that rivaled a military academy and was two steps from juvie. Visitation was limited to immediate family, I tried playing the half-sister card but these folks seemed smarter than the last.
I ran and jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist and burying my head into his shoulder. His shoulders vibrated as he laughed.
'And you said you didn't miss me'
He accused, placing me safely on my feet but swinging his arms up around my shoulders.
'You're a moron' I retaliated with not much else to say.
'Happy Birthday, Fee, you ready to go?'
A small cough sounded behind me and we both turned.
'Oh, ah, this is Thea' I stumbled into the introduction 'My roommate. Thea this is Roy, my best friend'
Roy was pretty terrible when it came to flirting, and how he managed to get laid was beyond me. Still I was impressed with his effort as he stepped forward with a half smile and shook her hand. Roy maintained that he hated this place and the rich folks that resided around me. It was inverted snobbery of the highest degree. But Thea Queen wasn't just a rich girl, she was pretty, and leaving it there could be a bit of an understatement. The girl got good genes but it more than that, she was confidant and fun, a force to be reckoned with.
'I'll let you to go' Thea gave me quick hug 'Happy Birthday, hope you have a nice dinner with your parents'
Roy snorted and I shoved him in the ribs, smiling brightly.
'Thanks Thea, we will'
With that Roy handed me his helmet. I'd told him to buy a second but the boy was an idiot with a death wish. He climbed onto the bike with me following, wrapping my hands around his waist.
I knew what Thea thought she saw and that the group would be hounding me Friday, but at that moment I didn't care. Roy was here and as we drove away from the academy I felt myself revert back to that girl from the Glades. As much as I liked to escape my home neighborhood, it felt good to fall back into the familiar rhythm of things. Roy and Felicity. Felicity and Roy. Up against the world.
It was too early for Big Belly when we entered the Glades, between four and eight the diner had its rush, first of school kids and then of dinner patrons. The later it got the more quieter it'd be. Sometimes me and Roy were the only people there and Carly would switch from the usual top forty to old school Jazz. The place felt calm and safe in comparison to the happenings outside.
'Lets walk to my house' I said when he finally pulled up outside the run-down shack he called home 'I want to pick up some computer parts I left behind'
Computer building was a hobby Thea barely stood for. My weekends were consumed with it and with her gone I could spread out across the floor. The problem came when I left tiny bits and bobs out by accident and they acted as lethal traps for the bare footed mornings.
Roy hesitated.
'You sure you want to go there Lis, the things I heard, they ain't that good' His words halted me, my insides sinking.
'It'll be quick' Careful not to miss a beat. Things began to crash if you stopped and thought too much.
The cocktail waitresses working at Lian Yu tended to live in the same complex. It was scam and scary one. Mr. Wilson controlled everything. I'd never been so scared of anyone as I knew the rumors. Fortunately Ma was pretty good at what she did, vertigo addict or not, she had a way with men that I had not inherited and typically pleased enough clients to keep Mr. Wilson happy.
Our apartment was shared with one of the dancers, a twenty-five year old girl, Mia Deerden, who once thought she'd be on the Broadway stage. When I was home she'd teach me to sing and dance all the classic numbers. We'd set up the living room and rehearse 'sixteen going on seventeen', even jumping on the furniture and spinning a little too excessively at points. Mia declared me a natural even as I stumble through every step.
'How about I meet you at Big Belly around eight-thirty' I added with a smile. Sometimes home had to be dealt on your own, Roy understood and gave me a brief nod.
For such a notorious neighborhood, the Glades wasn't that big. Home sweet home with bordered up windows and alley entrance. The neon sign of Lian Yu could be seen a couple buildings down, far more well kept than our concrete block with faulty wiring and flickering lights.
I opened the door, 34B, knowing it'd be unlocked. Unless you were paying no one messed with Mr. Wilson's girls.
'Ma?' I called out haphazardly, not expecting an answer or company. Mia would be warming up at the club and Ma should have been in the dressing rooms. Not on our living room couch. Not with a busted lip, and not with Mr. Wilson standing over her.
'Felicity, what are you doing here, baby?' Baby. She sounded like a mother when she talked to me that way.
'It's my birthday' I stuttered, not disappointed she forgot, 'Roy and I are grabbing dinner'.
My eyes flicked to Mr. Wilson. A tall and imposing man who immediately pulled all power in the room.
'Your daughter?' Mr. Wilson asked in interest and my mother nodded. The injuries were worse than just a bruised lip; her left eye was blackened and swollen shut, make up and hair smudged in the aftermath of a disaster.
'What happened, Ma?' I stepped towards to her but a large hand stopped on my shoulder.
'Your mother's fine, love, just a bit of a rough up last night' He pulled my chin up. For a moment our eyes met, I quickly looked down knowing they were wide in fear.
He chuckled then reached for his back pocket, taking out his wallet.
'Its your birthday, huh? How old are you turning, sweetheart?'
I glance at Ma, and then back to him.
'Fifteen' came a squeak several decibels too high.
'Growing up, you'll be pretty one' He took out a fifty-dollar note and handed it to me 'Have dinner on me, love, me and your mother just need to finish our little talk'
I look at my mother. No matter how scared I was if she wanted me to stay I would have. But she didn't. She looked away.
'Go Felicity' Her words cold.
'But Ma…'
Mr. Wilson pushed my shoulder gently. I let my feet drag me to the door a hesitancy to stay before the door slammed shut.
Arriving at Big Belly Burger I was far too early for Roy. I sat up by the counter and offered Carly a weak smile.
'Happy Birthday, Honeybee' She greeted, leaning over the bench to kiss my cheek 'I was wondering when you'd stop by'
'It's a tradition' I pulled myself out of the shock of home and repeated my greeting smile, this time bigger and more commonly me.
'So I heard a little rumor about you'
Eyebrows creased at this comment and Carly laughed.
'Turns out my favorite ex brother-in-law happens to be your history teacher'
I blanched, mouth hanging down in shock.
'Mr. Diggle?'
That made her grin.
'The very same. He was over the other night and talking about this wonderful shy student he had in his class called Felicity Smoak, and I told him that I knew a very mischievous girl by the very same name, who just happened to have a birthday coming up.'
My head fell into my arms and I groaned.
'Did you really have to tell my teacher that? He announced it to the whole class!'
Carly gave me a pat on my shoulder.
'I'll have you know, I take great pride in embarrassing you whenever I can. It's a sign that you are well loved in this little ol' diner of mine'
She pushed a chocolate milkshake in my direction, complete with excessive whipped cream and a cherry on top.
'Happy Birthday, Felicity' She repeated before turning back to her actual customers. Carly was cross between a mother and sister for me. I could gossip to her about boys while she'd harass me about eating healthily, placing a much needed limit on how many bowls of curly fries I could consume in one sitting.
Silently I wondered how much she told Mr. Diggle about me. Carly knew a lot about Roy and I's up bringing, it was hard to hide. Donna Smoak was well known in these parts, more than once I'd bought her in to help nurse a hang over or distract from the pain of withdrawals.
I moved to a both as customers departed, watching the last folks leave under a curtain of hair. It was a dirty-blonde sort of color that I'd already considered dying. Say what you will about my mother, but she was a beautiful woman with light gold hair. When I was little I envied her, begging Ma to let me brush out the long blonde curls. A few years older and I'd spot our matching roots, turned out she wasn't Rapunzel after all.
'You're here early' Roy pulled me out of my thoughts 'home that bad?'
'Worse… usual shit' It wasn't but that explanation would be enough.
Mention Mr. Wilson's presence led to too many questions I didn't have the answers for. Roy might have needed to know as my friend but the knowledge wouldn't help with his general survival. Mixing with Mr. Wilson tended to be bad for one's general health.
'So, that friend of yours?' He raised an eyebrow and I scoffed.
'Miss Queen might be a little out of our league don't you think?'
Roy lifted his hands in surrender.
'Oh, so I'm not good enough for your fancy new peers!' He mockingly accused. I reached over and gave him a light whack on the head, he avoided with a duck.
'You know that ain't what I meant. We're from here while they're locked up in a paper mache of money.' Roy snorted at the vision and added,
'Nothin' but hamsters in a hamster ball'
'She'd break your heart though' I added seriously 'Bad boys are good at pissing off the parents but, you've seen how those relationships go. Anyone outside of the Glades leaves eventually, right when they want that white picket fence'
'I ain't thinking far enough to that Blondie, we aren't all tragic romantics set to have their heart broken. But seriously, tell me about these new friends? Anything I should be worried about, Thea did invite me to dinner after all'
So launched into descriptions. My new friends were so different to any I had before. Thea and I had become close, it was the better of three choices when having a roommate. You hate the person, become indifferent, or bond. From the moment we met Thea decided on the latter to be our course of action. Sweet and bubbly but the girl had untended cruel streak when things turned south. One thing she couldn't stand was disloyalty and her dad committed that crime with every pretty intern who offered a little more than a smile. The scandal came out during summer, pictures spread two-fold over every magazine that cared, which happened to be many.
Oliver, her older brother by a year, must have known. His reaction was outwardly minimal as their parents proceeded in a messy public divorce. All relief could be found in one-night stands, bad behavior, and the bottom of a bottle, assisted all the way with Tommy Merlyn in tow.
The single member of the group I didn't understand was the gorgeous Laurel Lance. She was righteous to a fault and never wrong. Her relationship with Oliver came in waves, only their friendship remaining somewhat constant. She could hurt him just as much as he could hurt her, it was mutually assured destruction and the rest of us were just hoping they'd never fall too deep and pull the trigger.
Barry, Sara, and I were still a trio, we're just attached to others now and that wasn't so bad. The worst only came when Sara and Laurel went head to head. Sara was the only person who could make the great Laurel Lance revert to a snobby twelve year old child who stomped her feet. It was an enjoyable sight.
'Do you want me to come?' Roy asked, interrupting my stream of babble.
My teeth hit my bottom lip, biting hard.
'It'll just be strange, I've never seen them outside school'
'But what about me? Causes I can duck out, I get it Fee, they don't know about the Glades and I'm a bit of a give-away'
I shook my head. This was Roy, earnest Roy who lacked all awareness of self-importance. But he was important, to me more than anything in the world.
'I want to have you there; I want you to meet them. Its just a bit scary, two halves of my life colliding'
The thought of telling them the truth flittered through my mind. Would their opinions change? I didn't care much about Oliver or Tommy, and knew Sara wouldn't bat an eyelid, but Thea?
'Tell them' Roy said, reading my silence 'If they don't like it, screw them. But this Sara, and Thea, you like them right?'
I nodded.
'If they're good people they shouldn't care. Maybe they won't understand, but the Glades isn't exactly a place that makes sense even for the people living here, but you can tell it slowly. They don't need to know everything'
Roy took my hand. He had his moments of sentiment.
'I can be there. If those rich pricks get snobby we'll up and leave, make a bit of scene and go out with a bang, huh?'
A laugh escapes. Maybe it would be the problem I racked it up to be. They didn't need to know about Ma, but the rest of it, the truth would provide a bit of explanation and maybe I owed them that.
For the better or worse a decision was made.
