You And I

Chapter 32: Celebrations

It was Mei’s birthday, and Ryan had crafted a plan to make it seem like we all forgot. No one was allowed to mention her birthday, and even if she brought it up, we were to act like it was just another day.

I felt uneasy about it. "Isn't this a bit too harsh?" I asked Ryan, unsure about making Mei think we didn’t care.

Ryan waved off my concern. "Nah, trust me. We’ll hang out with her like usual, but when we surprise her later, it’ll blow her mind."

I sighed, agreeing reluctantly. Ryan was always good with these things, but I couldn't help feeling guilty. Mei’s birthday was special, and I didn't want her to think we didn’t care.

At school, Mei was her usual cheerful self, but I noticed how she kept glancing at me throughout the morning, like she was waiting for something. Each time, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. We laughed, we talked, but I made sure to avoid anything that hinted at her birthday.

During lunch, she finally tried to bring it up. "You know, today’s a pretty special day, don’t you think?"

Ryan and Yvonne exchanged quick glances before I could answer. I forced a clueless smile. "Oh, really? What’s so special about it?"

Mei hesitated, clearly expecting one of us to remember. But when no one did, she quickly covered it up with a laugh. "Oh, nothing. Never mind."

The disappointment was clear in her eyes, and I hated seeing it. Still, I stuck to the plan. The rest of the day passed like normal—we hung out in the club, played games, and shared snacks, all while pretending it was just another ordinary day. Each time she hinted at her birthday, we dodged the subject. And with every passing hour, her mood seemed to dip lower and lower.

By the time school ended, Mei was forcing a smile, but I could tell she was crushed. It was hard watching her feel forgotten. After she left, Ryan gathered us in the clubroom. "Alright, it’s time. Here’s the plan—Levi, take her to the park and keep her distracted. We’ll head to her house and set everything up. I’ll message you when we’re ready."

I nodded, still feeling bad but knowing we were close to making it up to her. When Mei and I walked out of school, I casually suggested, "Hey, why don’t we stop by the park for a bit? It’s a nice day out."

She hesitated, clearly not in the best mood, but she agreed. We strolled toward the park, and I could feel the tension building as she tried to work up the courage to say something. After a few minutes, she turned to me and asked quietly, "Do you know what today is?"

My heart sank, but I had to stick to the plan. "Uh... Wednesday? Is your calendar not set or something?"

Her smile faltered, the hope in her eyes fading. She let out a small, forced laugh. "Yeah... I guess I forgot." I could see the sadness creeping in, and it killed me to see her like that, especially knowing she was trying to hide it.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Ryan. Yo, we’re ready. Walk her home now.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, it’s getting late. We should probably head back."

She nodded silently, still trying to act like everything was fine. We made our way back to her house, and the whole walk I could feel her energy draining. I wanted to comfort her, but I had to keep it together for just a little longer.

When we arrived at her house, I led her up to the front door. She looked at me, confused. "Why are we here? You didn’t even say goodbye properly."

I smiled awkwardly and opened the door. "Surprise."

The lights flicked on, and everyone jumped out, shouting, "Happy Birthday, Mei!" Balloons and decorations filled the room, and the look of shock and joy on her face was priceless. Ryan, Yvonne, Kris, and Jane were all grinning from ear to ear, holding a big cake with her name on it.