Heather smiled a bit. Today was definitely a great day. Correction: a great birthday. It was slightly odd, though; maybe super odd. Levi sat there across from her, sipping on his drink, periodically nursing his favorite honey chicken with vegetable rice dish from Mizuhana. Levi always insisted they eat there. It was a Japanese place that pretty much made Chinese food, ironically. It was the best place for pseudo-Chinese food in the entire food court. Much better than the Thai place, or the actual Chinese place. Heather didn't protest it. She also stuffed what maybe was the best kung-pow chicken in maybe three counties in her mouth. Levi liked to joke she liked spicy food because she was a spicy number herself. Despite the dumb pun, it made Heather smile. Levi was full of dumb jokes, puns, anecdotes, toilet humor and limericks. Heather put that down as one of the reasons she found him fun to be around.

That wasn't the thing that was odd, though. Levi grinned suddenly. It was one of those winning smiles he wore whenever he found something awesome. Heather raised an eyebrow, and tilted head curiously. "Find something good?"

"Oh, yeah." He chimed. Levi reached over, poking her delicately on the cheek. A small grain of rice stuck to the very tip of his index finger. He popped it into his mouth eagerly, teasing her playfully. "Were you saving this for later, birthday girl?"

Heather manifested her own toothy smile, cooing sardonically. "I was. All for you, birthday boy."

That was the slightly odd thing, plain precisely odd. It was weird. Let's just settle on that. Heather shared a birthday with her boyfriend. Four years ago, Heather thought it was super out of place. "Fuckin' weird," as she had said derisively. Today, she didn't question it. She counted herself as a different person these days. Maybe still more snarky, and jaded than a girl her age should be. Heather felt generally happier all because she met Levi. The fact that they shared a certain burden maybe was it.

Heather shook herself, trying to let those dark thoughts go. Today wasn't the day. Levi raised a dark eyebrow, looking at her with those big concerned baby blues. Heather locked with his soft gaze, and found her heart skipping a beat. Levi, in her eyes, was a handsome young man. He wasn't exactly a Hollywood actor, or even a model. He was rather ordinary by those standards. Levi wasn't even that tall, he was possibly just barely cutting an inch above average. His features were rather soft. Not even what you'd define as a bad boy most girls who love Twilight go for. Maybe what you'd say a wimp might look like, a momma's boy, if you will. Heather wasn't led astray for long. Just ask anyone in Hallows High about the time that he scrapped with the football team's QB. Talk about a lesson in humility. He wore an even worse shiner than Levi for weeks. His dark hair was naturally shaggy. Heather likened his locks to lazy ivy curling, and curving up the side of a building searching for sun on a dark day. He didn't bother combing it, which was fine by Heather. She found it rather nice whenever she ruffled it. It was quite luxurious.

Levi had a calming aura about him. That kind, nerdy, and comedic personality he had mixed all together to create a comforting presence for her to enjoy. Sorta like her dad, he was a very caring person.

Heather thoughtfully gazed forward. She felt like she was forgetting something. It all clicked into her mind. "Hey, Levi." Heather said casually, putting down her fork on her tray. "I need to go call my dad. I'll be back in a minute."

Levi smiled a little, waving the girl off. He took a little sip of his water, and smiled over the lip of his cup carelessly. "Alright." He said cheerfully. A mock anxious tone crossed his voice. "Tell your Mr. Mason I said hi. And that I made sure his daughter was safe. No telling what he'd do to me if I didn't…"

Heather laughed, leaning forward to gift him a peck on the cheek. "I'll tell him my gallant knight saved me from a rolling death coaster." She hopped up, and started on her way. Suddenly, Levi's hand gently took Heather's. It was a gentle, loving touch. "Gimme a shout if you need me, Heather." Levi frowned slightly. His blue eyes were clouded with worry. Dashed with a bit of fear…? But, why?

Heather gave his hand a loving squeeze back. "Don't worry, Levi. I'm a big girl. I know well enough to avoid perverts giving out candy. It could only be more suspicious if they were just openly wearing a wife beater, and a pair of boxers underneath a trench coat." She said in good humor, beaming soothingly at him. Levi could only return it. A small chuckle fell off of his lips despite himself. "I know, Heather." He replied hesitantly. "It's just that…" He shook his head, deciding not to say it. "Forget I said anything. It's…" He paused for a moment. His face became a bit pale. Heather saw him shiver, and felt it in his touch. "…The dreams again. I guess getting so little sleep makes ya just a little paranoid."

Heather ran a hand through his dark hair. She embraced him just for a moment. She didn't say anything more after she broke it off. It was that quick moment of eye contact that said everything. She felt warm looking into his tender blue eyes. "I'll be back." She walked off, looking back over her shoulder at him. Levi waved bye, bearing that original boyish smile at her. Heather couldn't help feeling sappy. Her heart fluttered, and she blew him a playful kiss. He caught the metaphorical love ball, and clenched it to his chest. He fell back in his chair as if wounded by a real gunshot. Heather laughed. A sincere grin cut her lips to reveal her pearly whites. "This is what it meant to be that couple…" Heather said wryly.

Her boots clacked on the colorfully tiled mall floor. Heather had no knowledge of what might face them. Only the grim feeling of someone watching her followed. She looked back, and saw no one there other than a gaggle of people that you'd see regularly. Heather snorted to herself. Nothing bad could happen today.

Nothing bad happened on birthdays… Right?