Written in the Stars *EDITING*

Chapter 29: Surprise! It's an Emotionally Confused Teenage Boy

On Friday, two days after Nathan's eighteenth birthday, Mia and Hazel were singing in the car on the way to school. "If you wanna be my lover," Hazel crooned.

"You gotta get with my friends," Mia sang back off-key.

It was like every day was a sunny, happy day for Mia. Sure, teachers assigned lots of homework and she had chores, but she was becoming less and less afraid of the world and she had loving friends who were there for her when she needed them. As they finished serenading each other, Hazel pulled into the school parking lot. "Are you ready for another boring day in hell?" she questioned quite dramatically.

"Yes because I have my best friend right by my side."

"Ok that was cheesy," Hazel replied.

"But cute," Mia responded.

"Cheesy but cute."

At lunch, Nathan and Mia were eating their questionable pizza slices and making small talk. Hazel was spending lunch getting extra subject help from a teacher. Mia tried to get him engaged in the conversation, but Nathan was quieter than usual. She had noticed over the past few days that his mood was considerably low. He cracked fewer jokes and smiled less. Mia put down her slice. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?"

"Over the past few days, I've sort of noticed you've been sad. Is something wrong?"

He finished chewing the bite he had just taken and took a deep breath. "I know I said it wasn't a big deal, but I've just been bummed about my birthday. I guess I've let my mood sour over the past few days. It's just, I really wanted to spend my birthday with you," he sighed. He scrambled to continue, "With you, Hazel, and Evan."

Mia felt a tug in her heart. The point of the surprise party was to make him happy, not sad. "I'm sorry you've been feeling that way. Here, how about this. You and I can do something on Sunday and I can give you your birthday presents."

"I'd love to hang out, but you are not giving me presents. What you gave me at Christmas is more than enough."

"What if I already bought the presents?" she sheepishly inquired.

"Then return them," he said matter of fact.

"No way."

"Yes, way. I'm serious Mia."

She tried a different approach. "If I give you your presents on Sunday will you pretty please with a cherry on top not get mad at me?" she gave him her best smile.

The corner of his mouth tugged upwards. "How can I be mad at you when you give me that adorable smile?"

"Yay! Trust me, you'll love it," she assured.

It was finally Saturday and Mia woke knowing today would be a good day. She would go over to Nathan's house at two p.m. to start decorating with his Mom. All the guests she had invited would arrive two hours after. For the first half of her day, she made sure everything she would need was in the car she was driving. Streamers, balloons, games, and more. She would also stop at the store to pick up the cookies and creme ice cream cake she had ordered, Nathan's favorite flavor.

After brushing her hair she started to get dressed. A light blue skirt and a dark blue sweatshirt with her yellow vans. The shoes matched the sunflowers on the sweatshirt. Saying bye to her parents, she drove to the store and then to his house. His mother had sent him on various tasks so they would have enough time to decorate and for all the guests to arrive.

When she entered the house with the cake she greeted Nathan's mother who took the cake to put in the freezer. Mia went back to the car to grab the two bags worth of decorating stuff. "Ash!" she greeted when the little girl ran down the stairs to give Mia a hug.