Gifts
@babes-week prompt No.3 Gifts. And what better to write about than anniversary gifts? enjoyyyy
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An anniversary to anyone is obviously a special occasion. The flowers, the loving little notes, and the occasional gift. Lydia Deetz found she thrived when planning such things. She had been working on her idea for quite some time now; where to go, what to say, and what she would get her beloved friend. She knew oftentimes, she was the one who was planning meticulously for whatever idea they had set up, but she knew he wouldn’t forget something as huge as this.
After all, who could forget their own anniversary?
She had been able to keep everything hidden for the majority of the week, most of the time just stuffing the supplies in her school bag- then eventually her closet. However, she was surprised he hadn’t tried to pester her at all this week about it. She knew very well by now that anytime a holiday (or anything involving exchanging gifts) was coming, he would try to figure it out, to check all the knooks and crannies of her room, sometimes the entire house. However this year, he seemed almost unbothered by the fact.
Nevertheless, tonight was the night. She had practically raced home from school, ignoring any snide comments Claire offered that day. As she arrived home, she was quick to cover any mirrors that could let him see what she was doing. She then took out all the supplies she had stockpiled over the week: a little black book filled with all sorts of poetry and incantions (More for the mood than anything), A dark cloth, small red candles, a box of candied beetles, and two rings.
While she knew these things were nothing too special, she figured the little bands might mean something regarding their friendship. She had specifically had them engraved (costing her a good two month’s allowance) and now they laid in a velvety striped box, safe from any peeking eyes.
She lit the candles, set the beetles directly across from her, and took a breath. She hoped he liked it. She knew it was silly to be this grand over something like this, but he was a showman, and she knew he was always one to be loud and proud of his trinkets. And maybe a bit of her hoped he would see the intention behind the rings.
So with one last look around, she cleaned herself up and sat down. She was ready, box stuffed in her pocket, candles drawing a lovely silhouette, she summoned him.
“Though I know I should be wary, still I venture someplace scary.
Ghostly hauntings I turn loose,
Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.”
For most of the week the ghost with the most had noticed his younger friend acting rather strange. He couldn't place his finger on it, but she seemed to be hiding something. He had checked the calendar Lydia had gotten him to see if any special date was coming up. It wasn't Christmas, Halloween, or her birthday. He thought that maybe it was that time of the month for her, maybe that was why she was being strange.
With a sigh he sat on the old couch in the road house waiting for her to call him, yet she was late to calling him. He checked the time once again and groaned, what was taking her so long? He had missed her all day due to her being at school also known as hell for her- at least in his mind. The ghost tapped his foot on the ground as he placed his head in his hands. What was his friend up to? As soon as she got home she always called him.
That's when he finally felt it through his body, she was saying the magic words finally! Once that final saying of his name came he appeared in her room a big grin on his face. “LYDIA!” He yelled happily before yanking her into a bone crushing hug. “Why ya so late on callin’ me?” He asked, looking at the tiny girl with curious eyes. “Ya never wait this long babes.” He continued, still holding her close, not even noticing the whole set up she had. His eyes only focused on her.
Little did he know he had really messed up on forgetting today.
“So whatcha wanna do babes?” The ghost with the most asked as he let go of her and spun her around a big toothy grin on his face. He looked at her with almost loving eyes as he waited for her answer.
She watched as the green light filled the room, giving her ghoul a grand entrance as usual. She was excited to see his reaction to everything when he finally took it all in. She should’ve known better than to expect him to just sit down so they could exchange their gifts. As she was tackled in a hug, soft laughs escaped her.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I had a lot to do! That’s all!” She explained a big grin on her face. She was sure he remembered. Why wouldn’t he? He was always so good about this stuff- considering it was probably one of the only things that kept him out of trouble. She sat back up, fixing her hair as she kept that chipper little smile on her face. When he asked what she wanted to do, however, she gave him a confused look. She thought she made it pretty clear with how everything was set up. Maybe he was just playing a game with her.
“Well, I was thinking we could stay here and hang out, after a long day there’s nothing I’d rather do than hang out with you.” She quipped sincerely, fidgeting with the ring box in her pocket. She hoped he would get the idea of this gift. After this year, and certain events ensued, the tension of their relationship had thickened quite a bit. That wasn’t to say they weren’t still thick as thieves, but every hand brush, every meaningful look, every scheme, one of them was always looking out for the other’s signals.
He felt his dead heart melt at her words. That was his favorite thing to do with her anyways, just hang out. As he finally looked around he noticed the set up and looked a bit confused, an interesting way to hang out he thought. “What’s this for?” He asked his face still confused as he looked back at her.
His eyes then landed on the black and white box she held, he tilted his head like a dog. “Fancy box, is it for me?” He asked with a small chuckle. Now he was curious as to what his lovely best friend had planned for him. Maybe there was something special going on today? His birthday? No, no couldn't be that. Maybe it was some mystical holiday she knew about and wanted to celebrate it.
Whatever it was he was curious as to what if was.
Lydia frowned slightly when her friend asked her what the set up was. Was he really continuing this game? She looked around at the ornate details she had included. She was fine with playing it this way, it just seemed a bit odd. “For ambiance.” She answered noncommittally with a shrug.
She had mindlessly taken out the ring box in the process of her getting lost in thought. She stroked the velvet as if using almost for meditative purposes; that is, before she was drawn from her thoughts by his raspy voice. She looked at the box as he gestured to it, as if it had just been placed in her hand.
“Uhm yeah..But why don’t we wait for a few..” she chuckled nervously, wanting to now back out of her plan. Who was she kidding? She was a child. Why would he like her? She shook away these thoughts. Now was her chance to give it to him, if only she could work up the nerves now.
“Oh! I got you something else as well! That was the last one in store, apparently beetles are quite a popular sweet.” She teased, handing him the box. This should buy her a little more time to work up the nerves. Besides, if they kept beating around the bush, maybe she would get an easy break.
“Beetles! You know me so well babes.” With almost delicate hands he took the box and opened it picking up one of the beetles. He plopped it in his mouth almost swallowing it whole as he did. “The beetles are great babes, but I’d really like to see what's in that.” He motioned once again to the velvet box.
With one quick movement he grabbed the velvet box his curiosity taking over him as he needed to see what was inside it. He floated above her as he observed the small box wondering what could be so important in it. What did it have to do with this day as well? He questioned.
“Why did you wanna give this to me today? What’s so important anyway?” He asked his raspy voice, still curious as he looked down at her about ready to open the velvet box.
Her grin returned as she thought she distracted him a little longer, and could have her way with time. Unfortunately, it appeared he had other plans and was not so easily distracted. “You’ll see it soon I swe-Hey!”
With one swift movement, he had snatched the small box from her grasp. She jumped, trying to reach it, but alas, being that short held it’s disadvantages. “Give it back! Come on Beej! I’ll let you see it soon! I promise!” she tried to bargain as she continued her futile attempts at getting the box.
When he asked her what was so important about today it hit her. He didn’t remember. He wasn’t playing dumb, he truly didn’t remember. Her heart sank as she stopped attempting to reach for the box. “You really don’t remember, do you?” she asked softly, sobering reality setting in.
Slowly he floated down to her and handed her the box back, he noticed how sad her face went. What could he be forgetting that was so important to her? “Remember what?” He mutters looking at her feeling bad for how upset he made her.
“Lyds just tell me what today is, I looked at the calendar nothin’ was planned.” He mutters with a sigh. “Ya know I mark everythin’ down since ya got it for me.”
She shook her head, feeling her heart shatter. Was their relationship really that insignificant? She had put so much thought into it. And he forgot. She handed the box back to him and gave a pitiful chuckle. “Forget it. Here’s your gift. Happy anniversary Beetlejuice.” She mumbled, brushing past him. How could he forget?
The rings sat in the box, untouched, and engraved in delicate silver letters was the phrase:
‘Till Death do us apart’