• It was the day of Nathan's birthday party. His birthday was actually on Saturday but him and his parents were going out of town to visit with family. He didn't know about the party and so this was going to be a nice surprise for him since he was kind of depressed that he wasn't going to be able to spend his birthday with his friends.His best friend, Brian, was pretty much in charge of making the whole thing come together and that everyone was there and hiding.

    Another one of Nathan's friends had taken him out to get some ice cream and they were heading out of the ice cream parlor when the party got the message that they were going back home. So Brian got everyone into hiding position.

    He was just about to take his own spot when he saw that one of the party's female guests, Stephanie, was visible from where Nathan would walk in the front door. So he gently patted her on the head and whispered to her in a kind voice that she was in a bad hiding place and that she needed to find a new one.

    She got up quickly and silently and whispered back to him, "Thanks a lot for helping me, I don't want to ruin the party."

    He helped her find another spot and when he was done helping her, he softly replied, "You would never be able to ruin a party."

    He didn't know but her cheeks turned bright red at his compliment.

    Just as Brian found his hiding place and was comfortably in place, the sound of the front door unlocking was heard and in a moment Nathan walked in the door to the great surprise that awaited him. As soon as the door closed behind him, all of his friends jumped out of their hiding places shouting, "SURPRISE!" nearly knocking him off of his feat.

    "You guys didn't have to do anything special for my birthday." He said, even though everyone knew he was lying.


    The party went on for several hours, mostly just talking and laughing amongst friends. Brian and Nathan spent most of the day talking together, All the while Stephanie was giving quick but thoughtful glances toward them. She didn't think they noticed at all but Brian did notice in his peripheral vision and thought she was looking at the Birthday Boy.

    ~

    The next day at school was a normal day as usual, Nathan got yelled at for falling asleep in Mrs. Donahue's class again. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary about the day.

    Brian and Nathan both had swim practice after school which usually kept them after school for a while. Finally, after a long grueling practice, they were free.

    "You need a ride home?" Nathan asked.

    "No thanks I think I'll just walk home today, thanks anyway." replied Brian.

    So Brian started his walk back home. When he had just gotten to the end of the block his school was on, he heard someone calling his name. He looked back and saw that it was Stephanie. She ran and caught up with him and they started walking together. The sun was already starting to set.

    "What are you doing after school so late?" asked Brian.

    "I was waiting for you." She said, "I didn't realize that your practice lasted so long."

    "Why were you waiting for me?" He asked puzzled, somewhat blushing to the thought.

    "I had forgotten to get Nathan a present so I picked something up for him." She replied.

    "Why didn't you just give it to him directly, he is on the same swim team as me." He said, more confused than ever.

    "I wanted you to give it to him for me." She answered.

    "But why...is this because you have a crush on him and you are embarrassed. I saw how you were peaking at him during the party." He told her.

    He didn't have a chance to say anything after that because she quickly drew forward kissed him on the cheek, a sort of a peck.

    "I really wanted to see you." she whispered to him."So can you give it to him for me?"

    Then she gave him the wrapped present for Nathan and ran off down the street. All the while, Brian standing there with a perplexed face and a huge blush. He was confused, but happy.

    THE END