5 The next morning , I got a text from Peter : I have something to do today , so I'm taking the day off . Don't wait for me . When I got to class , both his and Seraphina's seats were empty . Adrian noticed me looking . " It's Seraphina's birthday today , " he explained . " She said Peter is helping her pick out a gift , " So that was his " something to do . " 09.37 Peter was obsessed with his studies . I'd seen him attend class with a 102 - degree fever , refusing to go home . When I was hospitalized , he nev- er missed a day of school ; he only visited after class . And now , less than a week before our final exams , the person who valued his education above all else was skipping school for something as trivial as a birthday present . But to Peter , Seraphina's birthday was anything but trivial . He didn't come back to school all day . I walked home alone . Just as I got inside , there was a knock on the door . When I opened it , I was greeted by a teddy bear nearly as tall as I was . It was so big it completely blocked the person behind it . A moment later , the bear was shifted aside , and Peter's face appeared . The tip of his nose was red from the cold . " Happy birthday . " I was stunned . I'd forgotten it was my birthday , too . How did he know ? Seeing my confusion , a rare , small smile touched Peter's lips . " You forgot ? You told me your birthday was today . You also said you always wan- ted a big teddy bear . Because when you were little and scared of the dark at the orphanage , you wished you had one to keep you company , but there was never any extra money for things like that . " I had told him that on one of our walks home . He had his earbuds in . I thought he hadn't heard me . I never imagined he had remembered . He held out his right hand . His fingertips were red and swollen , covered in shallow cuts . " I saved up the money washing dishes at a restaurant on weekends. I was clumsy at first and broke a few plates , so they docked my pay ... oth- erwise I could have bought you an even bigger one . " I was shocked . He'd spent his precious study time working a grueling job in a hot kitchen . Peter looked both nervous and hopeful as he pushed the soft bear into my hands . [LMAO , is the side character actually touched ? ] the pop - ups sneered . [I wonder what her face will look like when she finds out this bear was originally for Seraphina , but the princess thought it was cheap and rejec ted it , so he's giving it to her as a consolation prize ? ] I took a step back . The teddy bear fell to the floor , landing in a dusty heap . " I don't want it . " Peter's hands froze in mid - air . The color drained from his face . He opened his mouth , then closed it . All he managed was a quiet , " Oh . " He paused , then asked , " Did anything happen at school today ? You can tell me about it ... " " Nothing , " I cut him off . Then I closed the door , shutting him and his secondhand gift out . 6 The next day was Saturday . I went to school to clear out my locker . As I stepped into the alley behind my apartment , Seraphina blocked my path . 09:37 Chapter 2 She looked me up and down . " Why are you always hanging around Peter ? I don't remember you from before . " I had no I had no interest in fighting with her . I turned to walk away . Seraphina snapped her fingers . Several large guys holding pipes stepped out from the end of the alley , blocking my exit . 0737 She strolled up to me , her expression dripping with condescension . " Peter gave you a bear , didn't he ? He bought that for me . I just thought it was a little tacky , so he gave it to you . " I looked at her calmly . " And ? " A scornful smile played on her lips . " And you should give it back . It was the first gift he ever bought with his own money . It belongs to me . An orphan nobody wants doesn't deserve it . " The word " orphan " was like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head . I had only ever told Peter about my past . About how dark the nights were , how much I envied the other kids whose parents brought them toys . I had specifically asked him not to tell anyone . Seraphina's smile widened . " What's wrong ? Did I hit a nerve ? I guess someone like you has probably never gotten a gift before , have they ?" I clenched my fists . " Move . "