||NOAH||

"What?!" A booming voice filled the peaceful room. Everyone's heads turned to see Brad giving James an intense look.

"What the heck is going on?" Mr. Masson yelled out, aggregated, looking up from his desktop.

"Ah, s-sorry," Brad said regretfully as he quietly trudged back towards his seat while we all stared at him in uncertainty. Taylor snickered as he grinned confoundedly. I looked back at James who gave me a shrug in return. Well, that was oh so eventful...

-

Lunch, I decided to sit down along with my friends. As usual, I invited them to celebrate my birthday tomorrow with me after a small party that will most likely be put up together by my parents. It's become almost a tradition, for them, ever since I befriended my group of friends during the time I've studied here. Ironically, I tend to be the giver to others instead of the other way.

They're currently discussing what to do and have already planned out their gifts while making sure I couldn't overhear their conversation. I just ate in silence and looked around to Brad's table seeing that he also semeed rather busy with the other guys. Back then, Ari and Annabel used to be the only people, that I knew, who were coming over to commemorate; Ari being invited because my parents and hers are business partners. Now, the party has grown more by just a few, but it still feels nice to have additional friends to be with. "We should go to the fair," Kate suggested, grabbing everyone's attention.

"Have you been to the fair yet?" Felix turned to me.

I shook my head, "I haven't actually, but it sounds fun," I beamed.

"That settles it, let's go to there afterward," Ethan concluded. I checked the time in my phone seeing that there's plenty to spare before returning to class. I pulled out my unfinished assignments to work on them. The others continued to chat as I silently focused individually. A ring tuned in my phone and I pulled it out of my pocket, puzzled. Brad sent me a message. I glanced back at him to see him from his table eyeing me in return.

"Do you have plans tomorrow after school?" He said.

"Yeah, Kate actually just mentioned about going to the fair and everyone agreed."

"What the heck? Why the hell are they stealing my ideas," his face scrunched in bitterness.

I gave him a sympathetic grin and typed on my phone, "you can come over to my birthday and tag along after?" I texted.

He looked defeated, "I'll go with."

"You can bring the others over too."

"Are you sure? Don't you remember what happened last time," He looked at me as if worried to repeat the past.

"Their behavior wasn't that bad, the more people the merrier," I wanted to have fun since this is my final year in high school, to be able to spend time with close friends.

"Ok then..." he let his phone down and faced his pals, probably informing them about their invites. They appeared joyous, to say the least. It looked like Jackson was scolding Liam about something which I didn't know where that was coming from. Liam nodded and crossed his heart.

-

When I got back home, I was greeted by familiar boxes in the lounge area and realized they were from last year containing numerous birthday appropriate festivities. My parents are rather enthusiastic about my birthday and would go very extortionate levels when it comes to decorating and activities; especially the first time I mentioned that I had multiple self-invited guests coming over. I smiled thankfully as I reminisced but was very surprised when I noticed a few details. A few rainbow flags and patterned balloons were kept in one box. I took a few steps closer to it and rummaged inside the container. Staring at it in awe, I felt myself frozen and felt tension rising up to my throat at the thought that they were beginning to be more showing major acceptance and support of me. "Aren't you excited?" A couple of footsteps tapped from behind as I turned around to see Mowery and Danny looking at me with bright smiles.

I let out a small gasped from holding my breath, "y-yeah... I sure am," slightly chocked up but was very blessed.

"Your parents are away for a while, but yeah, they thought it would be nice to let me get some rainbow stuff for this year," Danny brought up as he eyed the items filled with vibrant colors. At this point, my mind clicked as all of my bothersome thoughts and dismays dissolved as I concluded that I was surrounded by very encouraging and kind people. The comforting thought enlightened me as I unwinded with happiness. "Thank you so much you guys," I said to both of them.

"No problem Noah, you deserve this," Mowery gave a pat on my back, "we'll set this up tomorrow for your you-day," he added in, giving a look to Danny who nodded.

-

Switching to my indoor attire, I rested myself in bed and also got a message from Brad again, "so the guys said they'd love to come. Jackson seemed very determined that no one brings beer or any alcohol."

I smiled at my screen. Remembering that I still have some work to do and pulled out my papers in my bag to work on some problems. I still need to maintain my work ethic and prepare so there won't be any worries about getting a bad grade while trying to enjoy myself tomorrow.