Misprinted Lies (Alice in Chains/Bruno Mars)

Start of Something Good

The doorbell rang. I knew it was Bruno; he was the only person who knew the code to the gate. I felt like he was planning something. I was so not in the mood to see people.

Before I opened the door all the way he was already singing Happy Birthday. He gave me a hug as he finished the song.

"Thanks Bruno."

It wasn't until we sat down outside in the back that I noticed he was holding an envelope.

I gave him a confused look.

"It's your birthday! You really thought I wasn't gonna get you anything? I told you...I'm gonna blow your mind."

I didn't respond and just smiled down at the envelope.

I got up and walked toward the back corner of the yard where the views were the most amazing. He followed me but stood a few feet behind.

I saw the logo for the Crohn's Foundation at the top. The gold emblem at the top and what the letter could possibly mean distracted me from actually reading it for a second. I was reading it but my brain wasn't telling me what it was about. Then I started to focus a bit more. The gesture alone brought up every single emotion in me. I turned into a blubbering mess.

He donated money to the Crohn's Foundation in my name. I could feel him closer behind me.

"Awww I didn't want ya to cry."

I lunged into his chest, and of course when someone talks about your crying, it just makes you cry more.

When I got myself together, I pulled away from him.

"You like it?"

I could feel my lips quivering again. "I love it. It's the best present ever."

I couldn't begin to explain the smile on his face. He put his arm around me and we walked over to the table.

"One day...you're not gonna have to live with Crohn's, Lil."

"I really love my present, Bruno. You really did too much."

"Oh but there's more. I want you to come over tonight. I wanna cook you dinner."

There it was...a surprise party. I didn't want to say no though. That would be a major slap in the face after what he gave me.

He left so I changed my clothes, and then headed to his house later that evening. When he opened the front door of his house, the lights were on. I suspiciously looked left and right when I stepped inside.

"Just me," he said grinning. "I promise."

I playfully hit him in the arm. "Stop reading my mind."

The sun was beginning to set. I was sitting near the back fence on a lounge chair, memorized by how the sun graced the valley. It was so beautiful.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. He was smiling, holding two plates of steak and green beans. He pulled another lounge chair next to mine until they were connected and sat down next to me.

We ate dinner. We were pretty quiet compared to before when we were talking a lot and laughing. I was so happy that I lost control of my emotions.

"Oh no, it tastes that bad? I tried really hard to not use a lot of seasoning and sauces and stuff cause I didn't want you to get sick...but..."

I shook my head but I was still smiling. "No. It tastes really good, Bruno."

He wrapped his arm around me, taking the plates and setting them on the ground. "What is it then, sweetheart?"

I didn't have words. I couldn't find them. He gave me the best gift ever and the best night. I didn't need a big celebration with lots of decorations. I didn't need a fancy restaurant. I just needed my best friend.

Bruno just kept smiling at me. The spark was so strong that I couldn't ignore it this time.

"I love you, Bruno," I said. I was sure about what I meant, but my voice was so shaky.

"Really?" he replied quietly with the biggest smile on his face.

For some reason I felt nervous, again. I'd never felt nervous around him before.

His grip got tighter around my waist.

"Hey, don't be nervous." Bruno said as he flipped on top of me slowly. I grabbed onto his shirt and fell back onto the cushion. He put his forehead on mine and his brown eyes appeared even bigger. "I love you too, Lily."

I put my hands through his hair as our lips met. They were so soft. I could feel him smiling against my lips. I was a little cold beforehand but all of the sudden, his warmth began to radiate.

"You look so beautiful t'night, Lil," he said quietly, close to my face. I felt his hands bury themselves in my hair.

I could only smile back at him, before pulling him back down once again.

__________________________________________________

Lily beat me to my own plan, but I was okay with it. She felt the same way, and that's I could have asked for.

The stars were sparkling in her eyes. I took her hands as a breeze came by; her skin was freezing.

"Let's go inside for cake."

We walked inside and Lily took a seat on the couch.

"Alright, here it is" I said, bringing out a chocolate cake, plates, and a can of whipped cream to the coffee table. "I made it myself."

She snickered a little bit.

"Hey," I smiled. "Don't make fun of me."

"I'm not. I'm just a little...surprised."

She looked at the cake with the words she already beat me to. I love you, Lily with Happy Birthday written underneath.

"Wait?" she asked, beaming. "You...were gonna...you were gonna..."

"Yeah," I said, kissing her again.

Her eyes started to water when I sang Happy Birthday to her.

She smiled. "You're so sweet, Bruno."

"No," I said grinning and grabbing the whipped cream and spraying a little bit of it on her cheek making her squeal. "You are."

I quickly grabbed her by the waist kissed her cheek right where the whipped cream was. She grabbed the whipped cream container and did the same thing to me.

"I don't even wanna eat this cake. It's so cute. I wanna take a picture of it first," she said, taking her phone of out her pocket.

I cut out two slices for us and we ate and talked. When we finished, I clicked on the TV. I wanted her to fall asleep so I could be sure she would stay the night. The Hangover was on.

"Yes!" she yelled excitedly.

A little while into the movie, she caught me staring at her.

"What?" she asked.

"Did you have a good birthday?"

She clenched her fists and then opened them. "Mind...blown."

"Good," I said, kissing her cheek.

"Hey, you missed."

Lily wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on the lips. Then, she pulled away but I really didn't want her to. I held her close.

She grabbed my hand. "Bruno I think...no wait I know...I want to come to Hawaii with you for Christmas."

I couldn't begin to explain the warmth I now felt. "Good, because I already bought you a ticket."

I held her for the rest of the night, until she fell asleep, until she woke up. This time, it wasn't because she was crying and it wasn't because I had to. It was because I loved her, plain, simple, and amazing.

A/N: One of my favorite chapters :)