The Nerd's Secret |Ongoing|

☫ Chapter 27 ☫

☫ Chapter 27 ☫

Jaxon's birthday party was a big deal.

     As big as it could appear to a kid, at least.

     I remember feeling overwhelmed at the number of people that were there. It was a fancy party. The type of party where you would have to wear a suit and tie or a dress that sparkles. My parents and I agreed on a salmon-colored button-down dress shirt along with simple black pants. Mom said it would be appropriate to wear either a bow tie or a regular tie. So I chose the blue bow tie. Dad laughed and said it brought out my eyes. I felt myself swell with pride on the decision I made.

     "So... a basketball?" Dad grinned and used his fingers to do cool tricks on it. 

     I had been excited about this event since Jaxon started hinting to me his new found obsession with basketball. My parents brought me to the store and I went directly to the sports aisle. I grabbed the basketball that appeared the best and matched itself with a price within budget. 

     "Hey!" I quickly caught the ball and clutched it to my chest. "No touching."

    Mom gave dad a playful stern glare and a sassy wiggle of her finger. "You heard the man. No touching."

     "So you two are in cahoots now are you?" Dad questioned us with an astonished expression. He shook his head in dismay. "That's fine. I have Jeff. Right, Jeff?!" He shouted over dramatically. 

     "Be quiet!" Jeff called back from the kitchen. "I'm trying to do my homework."

     "Pfft. Nerd!" Dad barked, sneaking a wink at me.

     I hid my face behind the basketball and giggled. 

     By the time we entered Jaxon's party and it was present time my buzzing anticipation had started to turn into anxiety. I wanted to hide. No, I needed to hide. All the confidence I had towards my choice of getting a basketball diminished greatly with each present Jaxon was unwrapping. I lacked the nerve to even hand it to him. I tucked the ball under my seat, my feet concealing it from anyone's view. Jaxon wouldn't notice it despite me sitting right beside him.

     "Happy birthday!" One of our classmates smiled at him and handed over his present.

      Jaxon quickly ripped the wrapping paper, opening it with a curl of his lips and eagerness in his eyes. 

     "Oh! Look, Jeremiah." He turned to me. "It's one of those glowing penny boards!"

     "C-cool," I responded sheepishly, not sharing the same enthusiasm.

     Another few minutes passed by and Jaxon's presents were getting bigger than the last; more expensive and shiny. I got nervous when it came to my turn. My stomach churned and my eyes started to sting. I didn't want to cry, especially at my best friends birthday party and especially over something so stupid. He wouldn't like my present. At least not in comparison to everything else he already received.

     "Jeremiah?" Jaxon's lips tugged from ear to ear. 

     I was going to say that I left the present at home. Then I could buy him something else. But he looked so ready. His eyes were so earnest. I couldn't just not hand him something. With heavy arms and a painful thumping heart, I picked up the present.  I avoided eye contact and gave it to him.