S1 Episode 14A

The Birthday Present Olympics

Welcome to Trainwrecks, a free-to-read fiction serial that follows a group of six Seattle-adjacent friends from the year 2004 to the year 2015. Join Luna Cruz, Sebastian Velasquez, Dimitri and Victoria Hale, Duke Kingston, and Jasmine Nolan as they stumble their way from adolescence to adulthood, falling in love, making mistakes, overcoming their pasts, and staying together through it all.

For series introduction, character profiles, relationship charts, and general orientation, check out the Table of Contents!

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Smooth Jazz: Thanks for not telling anyone about Valentine’s Day.

Dimwit_Genius: Hmm? Did something happen on Valentine’s Day?

Smooth Jazz: You’re right. Must have been someone else.

~*~

AOL Chat Room—Peanut Butter Cups
March 1, 2005

Moona: My doctor says I need to lose weight

Sir Duke: I’m gonna kick your doctor’s ass

Moona: I’m prediabetic ):

Sir Duke: I’m gonna kick your prediabetes ass

Smooth Jazz: Oh dear.

Moona: I’m too scared to even eat birthday cake TT___TT

Dimwit_Genius: SCREW THAT. YOU’RE EATING CAKE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY.

Seblasquez: You can start your diet after.

Victoria: My father says prediabetes is reversable and with the right lifestyle changes, you should be just fine!

Moona: Thanks guys ;____;

~*~

Victoria: Is Luna’s birthday soon?

Sir Duke: It’s on the 3^rd

Victoria: Only three days after Jasmine’s???

Sir Duke: Four on leap years.

Victoria: I won’t have time to buy her anything! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!

Sir Duke: You didn’t ask.

Victoria: HONESTLY.

~*~

Victoria: Can I beg you to get Luna a birthday present for me while I’m at school?

Dimwit_Genius: No need to beg. I’ve got nothing but free time.

Dimwit_Genius: What were you thinking?

Victoria: Umm… I know she likes video games and those Japanese cartoons…

Victoria: What are you getting her?

Dimwit_Genius: A first edition Neo Destiny Shining Celebi.

Victoria: Are you even speaking English right now?

Dimwit_Genius: I’ll pick up some art supplies, how’s that?

Victoria: Brilliant! Thank you.

~*~

Seblasquez: Did you enjoy your surprise party?

Smooth Jazz: I did. I can’t believe you snuck over to my house to talk to my parents.

Seblasquez: I think your dad was worried I was about to ask for your hand in marriage lol

Smooth Jazz: Poor guy.

Smooth Jazz: Also Duke teaching Victoria how to throw a bowling ball correctly?

Smooth Jazz: SO cute. He’s got it bad.

Seblasquez: They do seem to be getting along better don’t they?

Smooth Jazz: Dimitri kept glaring at them all night.

Seblasquez: I think he’s finally starting to worry about Luna’s matchmaking plan

Smooth Jazz: Lol

Smooth Jazz: Oh by the way, Pastor Ken’s wife wants me to sing a solo during the Easter service

Seblasquez: Wow, congrats

Smooth Jazz: I know church isn’t really your scene anymore but it’d mean a lot if you came.

Seblasquez: Well since you asked so nicely…

Smooth Jazz: If it’s as horrible as you remember then I’ll make it up to you.

Seblasquez: Church was never horrible. I’ll be there.

Smooth Jazz: You should drag Dimitri along too. Just so he can see the Whore of Renton in action.

Seblasquez: Now THAT I can’t promise.

~*~

AOL Chat Room—Scotty Doesn’t Know

Dimwit_Genius: What did you guys get Luna for her birthday?

Sir Duke: Are you asking just so you can brag about whatever you got her?

Dimwit_Genius: Maybe. :D

Seblasquez: I got her the Digimon movie on DVD. We only ever had it on VHS.

Sir Duke: I ordered her the Inuyasha soundtracks from Japan like two months ago. They JUST got here.

Dimwit_Genius: Oh

Dimwit_Genius: Well.

Dimwit_Genius: Those are cool, I guess.

Seblasquez: You know other peoples’ birthdays aren’t about you right?

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Emoticon Key for Emoji Users

TT___TT - a crying face with closed eyes and a big stream of tears
;____; - a crying face with open eyes

Author’s Note: This week’s bonus story flashes back to Jasmine’s birthday party. If you’re not a paid subscriber yet and want to read about the cuteness, do consider the $5 a month for four extra chapters a month! Your paid subscription gets reinvested into the series in the form of artwork and advertising. :D