It's Not Always Good BYE (Toby McDonough) (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 6: Birthday Surprise

There we were, caught by Ms. Copper, sitting in front of the stage. When she, Ms. Copper, was gone, I quickly turned to see really worried faces on Kirsten, Gentri, and Olivia faces. Even Briaden and Thomas weren't sitting with them. What's going on? Are we in trouble or not. My friends don't even know what's going on and that worries me. The rest of the boys aren't with them either! What the heck is going on here! Why don't we...

My thoughts were interrupted by people screaming in the bleachers. Not scared screaming, it was actually scary because they all started all at the same time, but it was a kind of joyful I haven't heard or seen in a long time. I know exactly what's going on now. I turned to look at Riley and then the stage and I saw all four of them. Toby, Connor, Thomas and Briaden standing on stage with instruments and their mics plus two. They also had big smiles and looking down at us with wide open eyes.

Toby was the first to speak..."Good morning fellow classmates!" The screaming got even louder I thought I was going to lose my hearing, "Okay so me and my brothers, which only Riley goes here because Connor graduated last year, and our two friends, Briaden and Thomas, went on tour which started the 4th of August. So we didn't celebrate two things that month." Toby looked down at us and smile. He first glanced, only for a second, at Riley... and then turned to me and stared into my eyes like the gateway to my soul. I couldn't revert my eyes from his.

Connor saw what was happening and started where Toby left off, "The events were and still are important and special to the family and to all our friends. I think it's time to tell you all what it is! What do y'all think?" He waited for the response he wanted and he got it! Everybody screamed their heads off. So loud I had to cover my ears and shut my eyes. When I open them Toby is right in front of me still looking in my eyes. He raised an eyebrow and grabbed my hand and then looked at Ri and chuckled. He started running and grabbed Riley's wrist, pulling me behind him. I looked at Riley and started laughing and he smiled at me with bright eyes.

Once we were up on the stage, Toby put Riley at the mic next to Connor and me next to his place on stage. I saw my friends with big smiles and wide eyes. They were mouthing something but I couldn't understand what it was though. I heard Toby clear his throat.

"Here's the thing. When we tell you what the occasion is you have to treat it like a big deal even if you don't think about these two a lot. They mean the a lot to me and the band. Oh, and this girl right here, she...she means the world to me. I love you!" He meant it too. I saw it in his eyes.

"I love you too!" I said back.

He gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek before saying,"Drum role please! Today we are celebrating Riley's and Kaela's birthdays! They were both in August when we were on tour and neither of them got to celebrate because we left. We normally have a family party at our house but that's hasn't been planned yet.

"So we're going to sing "Happy Birthday" and then a couple of our songs and you're going to sing with us!" Connor said those last words staring me down. He could tell I was nervous so he came over and gave me hug, which was then joined by Toby, Riley, then Briaden, and lastly Thomas.

I was so squished in the middle of this... whatever this is and I couldn't breathe. I had to say something, "G-Guy-s you're-you're suffocating me-e!" I don't know why it didn't come out all at once. It was either all the laughter or the fact that I couldn't breathe. They all let go and turned, along with their mics, to me and Riley. They started to sing "Happy Birthday" and I started smiling like the shy girl I used to be and I looked at Riley and he was trying not to laugh. His cherry red face explained it all... he was both happy and embarrassed. Riley McDonough... embarrassed? No way! This is rich. I love him but this is hilarious to see him like this.