Birthday Boy

"Are you ready Tyler?"
"I guess."
"Come on dude, you already committed to this."

Tyler sighed and looked at Marcel. He gave him a reassuring look.

"Let's go, we're going to be late."

The two arrived at David's house an hour later.

"Where have you two been? The party started an hour ago. You know David was excited to have you guys here."

Brock looked at them. Marcel rolled his eyes.

"Excuse us, we were late because someone had to chicken out."

He elbowed Tyler.

"Shut up dude."
"Well come in. Better late than never, I guess."

Marcel grinned before walking in. He looked back at Tyler who hesitated before stepping foot into the house as well. He was immediately greeted by David.

"Tyler! I thought you'd never make it."
"Well here I am."
"What took you guys so long?"
"Marcel."

He lied. David laughed.

"It's been a while."
"Yeah."
"It's a little awkward seeing you here. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy your company, but do you know what I mean?"
"I understand. We haven't talked in a while."
"How come you never answered any of the guys' calls?"
"I was busy with other things."

Another lie. After Tyler discovered his sexual orientation, and his feelings for David, it was hard for Tyler to hear his voice or even stay in the same room as him. He thought back to all those missed calls and sighed.

"You seem stressed."
"I'm not. It's just been a hard week."
"What's up?"
"Nothing."
"Come on Tyler! Talk to me. You haven't said a word to me for a while, it's the least you can do."

David gave him a pleading look.

"Alright then."
"Yes!"

Tyler sighed and thought about his options.

"So there's this guy, right?"
"Well obviously."
"I've known him for a while, but I've sort of felt weird around him."
"Aw! Tyler's got a crush!"
"You sound just like Lui."

David chuckled.

"Anyways, it's hard for me to do anything without thinking about him."
"I understand. I've felt that way before too."
"Really now? Tough potato boy finally developed feelings huh?"
"Shuch up Tyler. He's important to me, you know?"
"I know."
"He's always been there for me, you know?"
"Yes David, I think I see the point."

Tyler chuckled.

David swallowed his heart coming out of his throat. He took a deep breath before speaking again.

"I'm serious, Tyler."
"What's up with you being all serious and quiet now? It's your day today! You're supposed to have fun, and be loud! What happened?"
"I just, I don't know. It's complicated."
"I told you things, so why won't you tell me?"
"Like I said, it's complicated."

Brian heard the commotion from the next room over, and made his presence known.

"Come on David, everyone's finally here! Why are you alone here with Tyler huh?"
"Don't push it."
"Well then let's go!"

Brian went downstairs with Tyler and David following behind.

"David we have everything set up."
"Thanks guys."
"Anything to help the birthday boy."

They all gathered around David as they cut the cake and opened gifts.

"Where's your gift for me Tyler?"
"David, there's something I want to tell you."
"And?"

Everyone stopped and gathered their attention towards them. Tyler sighed.

"I think you'll like it better than any birthday gift."

Marcel butted in. David was confused and looked at Tyler.

"Come on dude, you got this."
"Is this about the guy, Tyler?"
"Yes David, it is."
"What about him?"
"I know him. But I don't know if I know him well enough."
"What are you talking about?"
"The guy I like is here right now. Actually, he's the main attraction today. You might know him."

Tyler looked at his bookshelf and pulled out a book. He went through it page by page. They were all about the guy he liked. They were notes about the small things Tyler noticed. He sighed and flipped through more pages. He finally landed on the last page. It was dated June 6th, 2015. Tyler smiled.

"Today's the day."

It was now June 6th, 2019, Tyler looked at the book from 2015. He smiled and remembered everything he wrote. Every last word. Every last sentence. Every last paragraph. He remembered what he told David June of 2015. He wrote down everything as soon as he went home with Marcel that night. He sighed and held the book in his hands.

He carried it downstairs with him. He opened the back door and sat down on the grass with David.

"What's with the book Tyler?"

David chuckled.

"Here. I've has this for a while and decided to give it to you."

Tyler smiled and handed the book to him.

"Aw, Thanks."

David hugged him.

"How much trouble did you go through for this."

He looked at Tyler.

"It was nothing. Happy birthday birthday boy."