Hazy Days

Weird...

When I wake up, I quickly change out of yesterday's outfit, having neglected to change after the whole pen thing. I decide to keep my hair down today and grab my bag. When I get downstairs, my mom hands me a plate and a mug of that yummy tea. 

"Running a bit short on time, are we?" She chuckles as I quickly finish my plate of eggs and buttered toast. 

"Just a little." I smile. I stand from the marble kitchen island and hand her my plate and mug. I give her a kiss on the cheek, "Love you. Gotta go." 

"Love you too!", she calls out. I almost don't hear her cause I'm half-way out the door. I get outside and Connor's sitting in his car, enjoying a morning coffee. He smiles at me as I hop in and throw my bag onto the back seat and buckle up. 

"Nice outfit.", he compliments. I look down, having forgotten what I was wearing. Blue skinny jeans, plain black shirt, black shoes, and pretty much nothing else. Crap. I'm so plain today. I didn't even put my hair up. Wow. I guess I just chose this outfit on instinct. 

"Yeah, thanks...", I reply, rolling my eyes. Meanwhile, he's wearing dark blue jeans, a red t-shirt with print that I can't see completely from this angle, along with his favorite (and often worn) black leather jacket that makes him feel 'bad-ass'. He chuckles and starts driving. We don't talk much on the way to school. We mostly just enjoy the ride. When we get to school he parks in a different spot than usual and turns the car off then looks at me. Um. 

"Yes?", I ask. 

Connor sighs, "Okay. I need to know RIGHT now..." He looks at me with an expression that makes it seems like has waiting for me to get mad. Shit. He remembered. 

"Connor. Don't. Don't you dare." 

He laughs, "What!? You haven't even heard my question! Pleeeease, Melissa!? Pleeeease!?" 

"No. No. And hmmm let me think. No!" 

"Oh come on! It wasn't THAT bad last time! It'll only be a few people this time! Promise!", he pleads. 

"Connor. That's exactly what you said last time. And like a million people showed up and your mom got so pissed at you for destroying your house like that. And we all ended up having horrible hangovers afterwards, anyway. So no." 

He folds his arms and pouts then chuckles, "BUT IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY IN SERIOUSLY, LIKE, TWO DAYS. WE NEED TO START PLANNING!!" I laugh when he starts begging and pouting at the same time and he just keeps at it. "I'll make sure there's absolutely NO drinking and my mom is in on it this time! Oh, don't worry she won't be there but she'll help with decorations and everything! Please, Melissaaaa!? Pleeeease!?" He looks up at me, attempting to give me the puppy dog face but ends up looking constipated instead. I laugh, not being able to hold it in much longer. 

"Okay. Okay. Fine but no presents!" 

He high-fives himself and yells, "Yes!" I laugh as we both get out of the car and start walking to the gate. 

I see Penny and quickly whisper to Connor, "Only Penny gets to know that this is being planned today. Anybody else and it's off." 

"Of course, your majesty." He bows his head sarcastically and laughs. When we get into the cafeteria, Andrew is already at our table. At first, I don't notice but then I see it. He's wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, and black shoes. The exact thing that I'm wearing. He gestures for me to sit next to him so I do. 

Penny explains, "Me and Connor are gonna go...", she snickers, "Get breakfast." They both giggle and turn to head towards the lines. I sigh and silently laugh to myself. They do NOT know how to be subtle. 

Andrew puts his arm around my waist and looks at me, "What's gotten into those two?" 

"No clue.", I answer. 

"You're not gonna eat?", he looks at me. 

"No. I don't think so. Not really hungry. I ate this morning.", I tell him. 

He laughs although I don't know what for. Suddenly he's pushing my hair out of my face and leaning in. Wait what? What's he doing? I think he's going to kiss me but his eyes are open. He has his hand holding up my chin and suddenly turns and whispers in my ear, "Don't think I forgot about what day is coming up." 

My face turns bright pink and I can feel it heat up. He chuckles and reminds me that I told him at the café on our date. I regret telling him my birthday but it's too late now. Penny and Connor come sit back down with their food. 

"What's up with you?", Penny asks, probably noticing how pink I am. I put my head down on the table. 

"He knows. I forgot that I told him already." 

Connor squeaks, "Can I?" 

With my head still down, I muffle, "Go ahead." 

Connor explains, "Birthday Party at my house! I've already got a guest list in my head. Bring food if you want but you don't have to, there'll be plenty already." I put my head up and sigh. 

Andrew Suddenly removes his arm from around my waist then says, "Um. Actually. I won't be able to make it to the party. I have some stuff I have to sort out." 

He looks at me but I just reply, "Oh it's cool. I keep trying to convince Connor that we should have a very FEW amount of people attend, seeing how last time things got a little out of hand." 

Me and Andrew both chuckle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Penny's eyes go wide when Andrew spoke. "Hey, I gotta go if I wanna make it to my first hour. Catch ya' later?", Andrew asks as he stands up. 

"Um. Yeah. See you later." He leaves and heads off to the halls. Penny and Connor are both looking at me. 

"What?", I ask. 

Penny exclaims, "You don't think it's weird that your boyfriend isn't coming to your BIRTHDAY party!?" 

"He said he had stuff to deal with. So?", I question while shrugging, really not getting their point. They kept trying to explain how weird it was for Andrew to miss my party but I just didn't see the big deal. The bell finally rang and, by the time I got to fifth hour, I was pretty tired already. When I walked in the class, Andrew wasn't there.