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

Chapter 13: Present Time

We enjoyed the rest of the party and when it was over, and every guest had left, all ten of us - Toby, Riley, Connor, Jaylon, Shawn, Julia, Gentri, Kirsten, Olivia and I - plopped down on the couches in the living room. Mama Joan came in with a beautifully wrapped present in each hand. An walked over to me and Riley, who were conveniently sitting next to each other.

"Present time! One for you and one for you." She said with the biggest grin I've ever seen. "Kaela, open yours first." She sounded excited and a wink followed.

"Thank you Mama Joan! Oh my gosh, I didn't think you knew." I exclaimed after pulling back the paper and seeing a microphone and a pair of recording headphones. I handed them to Toby and jumped up and hugged Mama Joan.

"You're very welcome. And I didn't know until Toby was with me when I was buying these for you guys. He picked them out for you. But even though he picked them out it's also still from all of us."

I turned around to Toby and he smiled real big and set the stuff on the couch, got up, and hugged me. Connor followed, then Riley. "I love you all!" I said, my eyes teared up.

"We love you too Kaela!" They all said in unison like it was rehearsed.

When the group hug was over we went back to our place on the couches.

"Now your turn Riley." Mama Joan said.

He started tearing the paper and got really excited. He tore the rest off and looked like a big picture frame. "Mom, how did you- how did you do this?" He looked like he was about to cry from how happy he was.

Mama Joan walked over to him and knelt down in front of him, "I worked my magic for this to be made. It's from the start to now. I knew that you would like it." She said with a soft smile.

"I don't like it, I love it. Thank you Mom." He set the picture down and gave his mom a hug.

"The boys picked the pictures, and the girls helped me organize and print it." Mama Joan said.

"Thank you guys." Riley said while turning around towards us. "You all are the best."

"No Riley, you're the best." I say getting up to hug him. Kirsten followed, then Gentri, Connor, Shawn, Julia, Olivia, and Toby came behind me.

Someone's missing I thought. I looked around the room amd stopped in a familiar face. Jaylon was sitting down twiddling his thumbs. He looked up and I motioned him over. He smiled and ran over to us.

After the hug, we went back to our respected spots in the couches. Toby put his arm around me and I leaned back to his shoulder. I was almost asleep until Riley said something that made Toby, Gentri, Julia, and I shoot up.

"All I said was that I'm getting hungry. What's up with you guys?" Riley said with wide eyes and a pale face from being startled.

I had to think of something, "Oh yeah. We are too. But I remembered that we had made reservations and we have to get ready." They still just sat there.

I opened my mouth to say something but Toby beat me to it, "We should start getting ready now guys. The four of us offered to help out at the restaurant and help set up for our dinner. So we are gonna get ready now, and we'll give you a call when it's ready. Okay?"

"Kay?" Connor questioned.

Oh no, I forgot to tell him the plan. "Yes, Connor? Do u need something?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Hallway. Now."

I followed behind mouthing Toby to stay in here. He replied with a slight nod. I grabbed Shawn, Olivia, and Jaylon on my way.

"What's goin on? What are u guys doing?" Connor turned to me.

"Okay, yes I forgot to explain the plan, but-"

"What plan?" Olivia asked. "You made a plan and didn't tell me. What kind of friend does that?"

I knew it was wrong that I didn't tell her, but she has a knack for tell people secrets. "Look I'm sorry that I didn't tell you guys right away. We had to finish it first."

"There's no reservation is there?" Shawn asked. "Because if not I'm going to kitchen."

"There is but it's just not at a restaurant. It's on the roof of the studio."

"Why the roof? And why not an actual restaurant?" Jaylon questions with his usual level of Jaylon.

I looked at Jaylon and looked behind me. Toby was telling me to wrap it up.

I took a deep breath, "Okay. So Connor remember when Riley and I went to set up for the party and he needed to talk to me about school?" He nodded, "Well he told me that he likes Kirsten. And then later that night when the girls and I were having a Disney marathon, went downstairs to get Peter Pan and on the way back up Kirsten stopped me. She told me she likes Riley. So I told Toby and he picked Julia and Gentri to help plan something. So we thought that if we did tables for two dinner tonight, then we could put reservation cards on the tables, we could get them two sitting together and talking for a little help."

Connor looked at me with raised eyebrows, "That is an awesome plan!" The all nodded with him.

"So seating be of course Toby and me, Riley and Kirsten, Connor you're with Gentri, Shawn you're with Olivia, and Jaylon you'll be with Julia."

"Sounds like y'all know what you're doin." Jaylon smirked.

Connor's face went from excitement to confusion, "What are we supposed to do it we're not helping?"

"Oh but you are gonna help. We need two of I to distract both Kirsten and Riley. So I was thinking Connor and Shawn, you two get Riley and then Olivia and Jaylon, you get Kirsten."

Connor looked impressed, "Sounds good!"

"You haven't changed one but. You know that?" Jaylon asked bringing back great memories that we had of planning parties and study groups. I was in charge of planning and he was in charge of the guest list. I had to approve or disapprove some but we got it done in two to three days and decorating took the day after planning was done.

I smiled remembering, "Yaknow what, I guess I haven't."

"You ready to go?" Toby said walking up behind me.

I nodded to the group and turned to him and said, "Yep. Let's go." He started laughing. I turned around, "What?"

"One, you still need to change out of your bathing suit cover and aren't you forgetting something? Something short and blue maybe." I looked so confused. Then I saw a blue bow tie in his hand.

I completely forgot that I needed to change. Oops. But what am I forgetting? My dress! I can't believe that I almost forgot my dress! I ran past them to Toby's room. I changed back into my shorts and t-shirt. Then I grabbed my dress bag and my shoes.

I came out and my "escort" was waiting. Toby held out a bent arm and I hooked mine in his. We walked through the living room and out to the car. Toby drove and he made a quick stop by Starbucks. After we got our drinks we were off. When we arrived at the studio, we walked up the stairs to the very top and started to set up.

Tonight is going to be amazing!