||BRAD||

Dinner with Noah's family was amazing. His parents were very hospitable and welcoming that it lifted the worries off me. During my time of staying there, they mentioned something about how Noah's birthday is closing in but not exactly when it is.

The weekends are over and I'm already wanting to crack my skull despite it being the first period only. I have my head rested on my crossed arms on a lab table. Feeling very discouraged to stay awake, I let out an impatient snarl and submerged my face into my arms. "Dude, will you shut up? We're trying to work here," Liam retorted as he focused on his own worksheet in-front of me.

I felt a poke on my shoulder and looked up to see Andrea next to me, "what's up with you?" She asked while scribbling down some notes.

"I don't wanna do work..." I complained, starring at my quarter finished paper and pushing it away. Both of them gave me a disappointed head shake before returning to science sheets. I pondered about Noah's incoming special day and thought of possible gifts I could give to him. After a while, I realized that my brain is empty of ideas. The only time I've ever given a gift was just roses and chocolates for Annabel, but I'm not clearly sure if Noah would like such a cliche present. I turned to Liam and Andrea, "Hey guys, what should I give to Noah for his birthday?" I asked for their advice.

"Dude how should I know? You're practically way closer to him than I am," Liam rolled his eyes.

"What can you give him? I'm sure Noah can get what he wants since he's rich. Sorry," Andrea glanced away. I looked at them with hopelessness and groaned. Fuck! Andrea makes a point, what the hell can I give him?

-

After the bell rang, I begrudgingly paced towards my next class when I heard the sound of arguing on the left hall near a corner. Out of curiosity, I slowly paced towards it and peeked to see Jackson and a girl who looked annoyed and frustrated whereas Jackson held his head low. "What the heck? Why'd you bother asking me out anyways, like seriously? It's only been two days?" She snapped at him, Jackson recoiled slightly.

"I-I'm sorry..." was all he could utter.

"What's going on here?" I approached both of them, their eyes shot at me with surprise.

"Oh it's Brad," the girl said with a huff, "your friend here can spill everything if he wants, I don't wanna be associated with him anymore," she sends him a glare before walking away.

I stared at her confused before turning my attention to Jackson who looked incredibly guilty, "so... wanna tell me?" I shrugged. I never expected someone so heated up to yell at him to the point where Jackson looked so helpless.

He winced and looked down in despair, "I... I 'tried' dating her after Friday. We hung out a few times and during Sunday, she asked if we could kiss. I-I was nervous and just went along for it. Let's just say, I wasn't into her, so that's why I decided to end it as quickly as possible today before digging myself into a deeper hole. I'm such a fucking idiot," he smacked his hand on his forehead. Cursing under his breath as he pulled on his hairs. I sighed as I see what he's going through. I placed a hand on his shoulder as a way to sympathize, "look dude, don't for yourself on this bullshit. Take as much time as you want and need, because of this..." I pointed to the direction to where that girl left, "...isn't good. You'll hurt yourself and others. Promise me you won't do the same mistake?" I looked at him straight in his eyes with every hint of seriousness.

Jackson's face softened as he let out a sigh, "okay..." he nods and takes a breath in, "we should get to class quickly," he says as he checks his watch. Right after then, the sound of the bell sent shivers down our backs as we gave horrified looks at each other and immediately sprinted to where we needed to be.

-

During history, we were told to finish another worksheet with the reward of the free remaining class time if we finished early. Taylor wouldn't give me such helpful ideas on what to get Noah, but James could possibly give good plans. Despite struggling and putting my biology efforts into my history paper, I quickly turned in my stuff to Mr. Masson who gave me a suspicious look. Realizing I was one of the first students to finish, and because of my indecent grades, he probably thought I cheated or rushed through; the latter would be more accurate. I snuck my way to the back area near James on his phone, done with his task, which I was not surprised since he is pretty much smart in this class. "Hey James," I said, grabbing his attention. James looked up surprised to see me standing in front of him.

"Oh hi there," he placed down his phone and leaned on his hand with a grin.

"I have a question."

"Shoot away,"

"What do you think I should get Noah for his birthday present?" I said with a bit of optimism but was then perplexed when James looked at me with a troubled look.

"Umm... I have no idea..." was what he said.

"What?! What do you mean you have no idea?" I pleaded at him, desperately asking for reassurance.

James sat down straight and tough deeply, "listen, Noah is very humble and generous. With his family's bank account, he could pretty much buy himself an entire birthday party himself with all the gifts..." his talk was just putting me down, making me feel like a failure for not knowing what to get.

"... but listen, during the past times he invited me over for his previous birthdays. I couldn't get him anything extravagant, unlike that one girl..." James murmured that last part which I didn't understand what he meant by that, "... All I could think of was giving him something personal and from me. I drew him a portrait, which took time, though, and effort. Noah loved it and was so grateful. My point is, he's doesn't need expensive and excessive gifts to be happy, all he needs is something meaningful," he concluded.

I gave thought into his philosophy and smiled understandably, "Woah, thanks James, I appreciate that," I nodded.

"No problem," He smiled.

"I uhh... got one more question," I rubbed the back of my neck, "when is his birthday exactly?"

"Umm... tomorrow?"