Todd drove fast.

It was like they were in a movie Maxine watched: Fast and Furious. They arrived at Peter’s beach house at East Hampton, twenty-eight minutes past midnight. The others warmly greeted them and helped carry their bags to their rooms.

They were at a huge blue beach house; while the inside was painted bright yellow. The furniture looked modern and yet homey. The living room had a fireplace that was only lit at night, when it got cold. The second floor consisted of eight bedrooms in total — including the master’s bedroom.

The gang didn't stay up to chat, though. They went straight to bed right after Todd and Maxine arrived.

The next morning, Todd woke up by loud talking in the room.

“. . . are you joking? He owns a Lamborghini Reventón! That is something that I cannot easily set aside!” hissed Peter’s voice.

“I know,” replied Brian's voice calmly. “But it’s his birthday, Pete. Mention it after you wish him a happy birthday.”

Todd couldn't sleep anymore by the noise. Hence, he slowly opened his eyes and lifted his head.

“He’s awake!” announced Karl excitedly.

“What the hell, guys?” mumbled Todd sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

“Happy Birthday!” exclaimed Brian, Peter, and Karl.

“Oh, that,” groaned Todd, disappointed.

Karl frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“It’s your birthday, dude!” said Brian, ruffling Todd’s tousled hair.

“It’s when there are cakes and babes!” added Peter.

“Pete, you’re the one who loves those,” countered Todd. “Not me.”

“Right,” nodded Peter thoughtfully. “Because you already love something else. Or should I say, someone,” he added, grinning.

Todd gave him a look. “Don’t start with me, Peter.”

Peter pulled up his hands by his chest defensively.

“Just lightening up the mood, man.”

Brian clapped his hands once.

“Okay, then!” he began. “Let’s go downstairs for breakfast, shall we? The girls are preparing the food.”

“After that, let's go swim!” declared Karl, throwing a fist in the air.

“Yeah! We’ll see hot girls in bikinis!” rejoiced Peter, going after Karl who already headed downstairs.

Todd sighed. This was why he hated his birthday. Everyone always treated him special even when he didn't want to be. A simple birthday was enough. Having a moment with his friends worth treasuring for was enough.

Brian smiled, sitting on the bed.

“Not to mention, you have to open your gifts.”

Todd chuckled. “Why do you always do the things that I don’t want you to do?”

“Because, my dear friend, the things that you don’t like me to do are the things that makes you feel special,” shrugged Brian.

“Brie! Todd! Get your butts down here so we can all eat! Karl and I are starving! Have some mercy!” complained Peter, calling from the bottom of the stairs.

“Come on! Let’s eat already!” pleaded Karl.

Todd and Brian laughed, starting to move. Brian went to where the others were, leaving Todd to put casual clothes on. Eventually, Todd followed to where everyone was at. The table in the dining area was filled with different kinds of food.

“Happy birthday!” exclaimed Kim and Jen in unison.

“Thanks,” murmured Todd.

He looked around and didn’t see the girl he was looking forward to seeing the most that morning. He was about to ask where she was when Karl asked it for him.

“Where’s Max?”

“She ate early,” answered Kim. “Then, she said she’d just take a walk.”

“She looked like she was in deep thought,” added Jen.

Deep thought about what? thought Todd.

He was a bit worried. He wasn't sure why but he suddenly had this strong urge to look for Maxine. But he dismissed it, not wanting to over think things.

After the main course, they served the dessert that was the cake made especially for Todd. They sang him a ‘Happy Birthday Song’ which quite annoyed him. And finally, it was time for opening of presents.

“I’ll go first,” volunteered Jen. She handed Todd a square-sized flat thing.

Todd opened it and was shocked to see a Sky Deviants album.

“It’s your demo, but sort of like an album already,” explained Jen. “I thought you might like it.”

“Thanks,” said Todd appreciatively.

Jen just beamed at him.

“My turn,” grinned Karl. He handed Todd a basketball which was signed by the most famous NBA players of all time. “I know you like Basketball next to music. Just don’t ask how I got it,” he added as he gave the basketball to Todd.

“Awesome. Thanks, dude.”

“No problem.”

“Now, I’ll give you this,” said Peter, handing out cards to Todd. When Todd showed a confused expression, Peter stated proudly, “Those are VIP passes for all the bars and clubs in Manhattan.”

“Pete, why would I need VIP passes when I don’t go to those kind of places in the first place?” asked Todd with a raised eyebrow.

“I don't know,” shrugged Peter. “Why ask me when you’re the one who’s going to use it?”

“Because you’re the one who gave it . . . ?”

“True.”

Todd let out a small laugh, shaking his head.

“All right, here’s my gift,” Kim piped in, then gave Todd a small red box.

Todd opened it and saw a Gold Rolex watch.

“Honestly, that’s the best that I could think of,” she admitted, smiling sheepishly.

Todd snorted. “Thanks.”

“And here’s mine.” Brian placed an Apple Mac laptop in front of Todd. “Actually, the real gift is in the laptop. There are our favorite music videos, songs, and movies . . . and of course, pictures when we were little kids . . . the gang’s pictures, as well.”

“Nicely done,” nodded Todd, impressed. After a few moments, he stood up. “Thank you, guys. Really, thank you for all these gifts — even though you didn’t have to bother.”

The gang smiled at him, as they watched him slowly make his way to the door backwards.

“Uh — I’ll just take up some fresh air outside,” he informed them, casually opening the sliding door toward the beach.

When he was gone, the others exchanged looks.

“I have a feeling he’s gone find Maxine,” guessed Jen dreamily.

The rest nodded, grinning.

☺ ♪ ☺ ♫ ☺ ♪ ☺

“Oh, goodness,” mumbled Maxine to herself, as she sat on the sand and stared up the sky. “I need to think of something to give him. Why didn’t the gang tell me?”

She sighed and looked around the beach. Out of nowhere, a shiny thing near the sea water caught her eye. Curious, she crawled toward it and picked it up.

It was an astonishingly shiny blue rock, about half the size of her thumb.

“Wow,” she breathed, awestruck. “How beautiful . . . Hmm . . . What if . . .?” she paused thoughtfully. “That’s it!” she exclaimed happily. “This is what I’ll give him!

“What will you give to whom?”

Maxine jumped in surprise. She whirled around and immediately saw Todd, his blue eyes staring at her curiously. For a moment, she grew still. She liked it whenever they made eye contact. Yes, it made her heart beat abnormally which was most likely bad for her health. It was worth it, though.

Then, she remembered that it was his birthday. And the fact that she didn't have a gift for him . . . The rock!

Her eyes fell back on her hand and realized that she wasn't holding the pretty blue rock anymore. Oh, no! She dropped it!

And as if fate was playing a cruel joke on her, the sea washed it away right at the moment.

“No!” she cried, running towards the sea and diving under to find the rock. She rose several seconds later and looked around hysterically. “Where is it?” she whined desperately.

“What are you looking for?” Todd called, from the place where Maxine was sitting just a few minutes ago.

“The blue rock!” she cried distractedly. “I lost it,” she groaned.

She walked toward him, her shoulders slumped. Her her and clothes were soaked wet. It was a good thing she wasn't wearing her slippers when she jumped in the water.

Her eyes found his again. Now that she wasn't focused about the rock, she wondered why her was there.

“What are you doing here?” she asked suspiciously.

He rolled his eyes. “How is it any of your business?”

“I was just asking out of curiosity,” she muttered, slightly pouting.

“Whatever.”

All of a sudden, he pulled off his shirt, showing his astoundingly fine body; it was not too masculine nor was it too slim, it was just perfectly lean.

She tried very hard to keep her lips tightly closed to keep herself from mouthwatering. She also focused on other things than to stare at Todd’s body.

But then, his necklace caught her eye. The necklace looked strangely familiar. She tried to recall where she'd seen it before, and it suddenly popped in her head.

It was the necklace that she gave him for Christmas; a plain silver necklace. But now, there was something round dangling from it: a silver ring.

She audibly gasped, her eyes widening.

It was the wedding ring that the senior at the marriage booth gave them.

He kept it, she thought. I thought I’m not the only one who’s keeping the ring. He also kept it, after all. He even wore the necklace I gave him with it. What does it mean? I want to faint. I want to tell him how I feel. I just hope he’s falling for me, too . . .

But knowing him . . . that seems impossible.

Without warning, Todd handed his shirt to Maxine.

“Here,” he said, looking away from her, “cover yourself. It’s embarrassing.”

She looked at him with a confused expression.

When she looked down, she gasped in horror. She saw her Mickey Mouse patterned bra. It was seen through the wet shirt that she was wearing.

She quickly grabbed Todd’s shirt and wore it. Her cheeks were blushing furiously red. She looked at him, her face getting hotter and redder.

“Did you see?” she demanded anxiously.

He looked at her, now that she was wearing his shirt.

“See what?” he queried indifferently.

“You know what I mean!” she hissed, her voice shaking in embarrassment.

“Calm down, dummy,” he chuckled. “I didn’t see Mickey Mouse, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Maxine’s face, if possible, grew the shade of deep crimson.

“I’m going back,” she declared, walking back to the beach house.

“I’m coming with you,” he said as he followed.

While they were walking, there were a lot of girls around their age that kept glancing at Todd. But he paid them no mind. Maxine felt irritated at the girls, though.

“Are you still mad?” asked Todd, as they walked.

“No,” snapped Maxine. She instantly bit her lip, regretting her outburst. “Just – Just embarrassed,” she added quietly.

“Don't mind it,” he replied seriously.

She gazed up at him, studying his expression. He looked sincere enough.

But then, he grinned.

“I like Mickey Mouse.”

He burst out laughing.

Maxine shook her head and left him there, walking ahead. She could still hear his laugh a few feet away. He sounded like he was enjoying himself.

Wow, she thought, rolling her eyes. And he called me simpleton.

_________________________________________

I'm not sure with this chapter, other than it's cute. Haha. At least, that's what I think. :)

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