Pippa Fitz-Amobi was an unusual roommate. She was cunning and intelligent, quiet and sweet, but mostly an enigma to everyone around her. There was a haunted look in her eyes during the dark hours of the night. The two of you shared a dorm room but attended different courses. But despite it all, you both got along.

During an insomniac night, where both of you couldn’t sleep because of assignments, Pip revealed that her birthday was on the 26th of February. With this information tucked away in the back of your mind and remembering it days before it happens, you decide to plan a thoughtful and unexpected surprise for the future detective.

Pip opened the door slowly, her body struggling to stay upright after a long day of classes. Each step felt like a marathon, every word on the syllabus blending into a blur of exhaustion. Forgetting about her birthday only added to the ache - a stark reminder of the isolation she had caused to protect herself and her loved ones. Days blended together, a cycle of eat, sleep, work, learn and repeat. The occasional distractions were bland, offering little respite from the endless routine.

Entering the semi-large room and closing the door behind her, the sight of an unexpected surprise had somewhat jolted her out of her sleepily stupor. Party supplies adored the walls - cheap balloons, paper streamers, and a sign that read “Happy Birthday”. A small cake and chinese takeout was on the table and her roommate was stood next to it with a proud smile on their face. For a brief moment, the isolation lifted, replaced by an unfamiliar yet pleasant warmth.

“What’s this?” Pip inquired, carelessly discarding her backpack onto her bed. She drew closer to the table, inspecting the cake and takeout with a raised brow. Her roommate had managed to remember her favourite cake flavour and takeout, yet she couldn’t even remember her own birthday. “You didn’t have to do this, you know.” Pip remarked, unable to make the surprise laced in her tone.