5| Birthday Present

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Nancy's POV:-

After a long hot shower, I went downstairs and saw Mr. and Mrs. Hardy and Dad sitting at the dining table and talking. " Nancy, sweetheart! Come, let's eat together. " Mrs. Hardy said once she noticed me. I smiled and sat down.

" Umm... Have Frank and Joe already eaten? " I asked, as those two were nowhere near. Mrs. Hardy looked at me with a look of 'are you serious' and said, " They are probably still arguing about who shall shower first. Believe me, Joe dosn't need to eat. He already ate a large chesseburger on the way. Sometimes, I feel like his stomach is a huge drum. " The last statement made me burst into fits of laughter.

By this time, Frank and Joe had already come down, Frank looking handsome as ever in casuals, his perfect toned arms on display, hair combed in a-

Wait! Why am I thinking all these things? He is just a friend! Or even like an overprotective elder brother.
Okay too far, but still, he is just a friend!
Is he? My subconsciousness asked.
Yes he is, now shut up!
Whatever floats your boat. My subconsciousness teased.

Whoa! My own subconsciousness is teasing me? Great, just great!

Note the sarcasm

We were having breakfast, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, I noticed a pancake missing from my plate. I looked at Joe, and found him licking the honey syrup with his eyes closed...... FROM MY PANCAKE!

" JOE! Put it down; it's my pancake! " I shouted at him, to which he opened his eyes and looked like a child caught stealing candies from a container by his mom. After composing himself, he replied " Shut up, it's just a food. Besides, you should eat less; you're getting fat. " Oh he just didn't go there-

I narrowed my eyes at him and said, " You did not just say that. Take it back! " Joe grinned at me, slowly getting up from his seat and said, or rather shouted, " NEVER! " Saying this, he ran up the stairs, with me at his tow.

* after a ticklish ten minutes*

We were lying on my bed, after tickling each other for a long time. By 'we' I mean Frank, Joe and I myself. " Yo Nancy! Do you still have your laptop? The one in which we played the last time we came here? " Joe asked, looking at me. I thought for a second before replying, " Yeah, it's in that drawer over there. The bottom left one. "

Joe got up from the bed in Usain Bolt speed, leaving Frank and me laughing at his actions. He opened the laptop and started playing Call of Duty. And for your record, I never had it in my laptop. He downloaded it and started playing, not even asking for permission. Not that I would have denied, but it's kind manners. Guess Joe has long forgotten about it.

" Hey Nance, do you still have those stamps? The ones I loved seeing? " Frank asked, getting up from the bed. " Uh, I guess.... Yes? Let me check. " I murmured, not sure if I still had it. I mean, I loved collecting stamps and all, but it was two years ago! So much has changed since then, so many things were dumped since then, I wonder if the stamp book was one of them?

As I was rummaging through my drawers to find the diary which contained all of my stamp collections, I decided to stuck up a conversation; as I was feeling awkward under Frank's intense gaze. " So, Frank, when did you and Callie break up? " Frank seemed to come out of his trance as he sat on the edge of the bed, still staring at my each and every move before replying " A month ago. "

" Really? And have you found someone else- or do you- I mean-  like someone? " I asked, surprised at my own curiosity. Frank shook his head in 'no.'

" He already likes someone. Someone like you. " Joe suddenly blurted out, making my eyes as wide as saucers. Someone like me?

" What? " I asked, thinking that I might not have heard correctly. Frank shot Joe a murderous glare and Joe cleared his throat before saying, " Uh... I mean- someone as kind, caring and loveable like you. You know, I'm tagging examples at each sentence nowadays. "

Was it just me, or there was a tinge of pink in Frank's cheeks? 

Nah, it's probably just me.

Before I can say anything, I heard Mrs. Hardy calling for us from downstairs. We headed down hurriedly and saw Mr. and Mrs. Hardy standing in front of the door, ready to leave. " So soon? " I asked, sadness dripping from my voice. Mrs. Hardy pulled me in her embrace and Mr. Hardy followed suit, before taking out a box from his bag, wrapped in a beautiful dark blue paper with a white bow in the middle and handing it to me. Sensing my confusion, he said " I hope you like your birthday present. "

A gasp escaped my mouth as soon as I opened the box. Did they really actually truthfully-

I looked at Mr and Mrs Hardy to find them smiling. I couldn't find words to express how excited and happy I felt. My eyes twinkled with joy as I ran towards them embracing in a big hug. " Thank you, thank you so much! I can't believe it! Thank you! " I rambled on as Mrs. Hardy chuckled at my excitement.

In the box lay three tickets to a cruise for ten days from the River Heights harbour with a note saying-

Dearest Nancy,
Wish you a very happy birthday. May your life be showered with happiness, love and bliss.
This is a small token of love from us on this wonderful day of your life. Hope you like it.
Love,
The Hardy's.

I was so happy I couldn't even form words as I looked at the tickets in awe.

Holy Cricket! I was finally able to go on a cruise, with two of my best friends Frank and Joe, for a total ten days! There is no better way to start my day as this. I feel like jumping with delight, screaming my lungs out saying "I'm the luckiest girl out there in this whole wide universe! "

Let the fun begin!
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A/N:- Hi there! I'm alive!
What was Joe saying about Frank liking someone like Nancy? Creepy much?
I was largely surprised to hear it too...... Well, not largely, but a little bit.....
Okay fine, I was not surprised to hear it.

But what about Frank's cheeks turning pink when Joe said this? Was he actually blushing or was Nancy imagining things?

Hope you liked the chapter, and if you do, please don't forget to vote and comment. See ya!

Love
granger 197 ❤

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