Noah & Navid

Chapter 31- Birthday Noah

Since we moved in together, Navid is almost always the last to wake up. I usually pass out first and then wake up with the sun. I am the early bird, He is the night owl.

I've always been that way so much so that my dad used to put the cereal and bowls on a low shelf in the kitchen so I could help myself and watch cartoons while he slept in. He'd pour little cups of milk into containers with lids and leave them on a low shelf in the fridge. It was the first chore he'd taught me, and I grew up respecting that other people needed to sleep later.

Navid didn't like to wake up without me. I'd usually go use the guest bathroom, wash my face, and brush my teeth before returning to his arms and playing a quiet game on my phone to the melody of his snoring.

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But this morning was different. He'd set an early alarm for himself and slid me off his chest without waking me so he could surprise me.  He was so stealthy about it that I didn't wake up until he kissed my lips and rubbed my chest.

"Happy Birthday, Noah! I make breakfast for you," Navid said as I opened my eyes.

He was leaning over me looking down with a big, goofy smile. I wasn't as surprised to see him up before me as I was that he'd said he had made breakfast. 

Navid never cooked, well rarely. He would make some Persian things every now and then and they were usually decent. But the kitchen in our home was usually staffed only by me.

"You made breakfast?" I asked with caution wondering what he could have prepared.

"Yes! Your favorite I make! Just for you special," Navid fumbled as he hopped off the bed and went to grab the tray. 

He set it down next to me and I knew instantly that Mike must have been awake and helped him out heavily. It was two plates of smiley-face pancakes with whip cream for the smile and strawberries for the eyes, nose and teeth.

"You did this all by yourself?" I asked and then thought maybe I should have said something more appreciative.

"Mike assist me, but mostly me!" Navid's pride was unswayed by my disbelief. He picked up a strawberry, swiped it through the cream, and brought it to my lips. I sucked the cream off and then licked at the tart fruit.

Navid and his friends had rented a house by the beach near Ventura for my birthday weekend.

Outside our window was a patio overlooking the sand dune with a walkway that led from the lower porch to the open coast. 

The house wasn't huge, but it had three bedrooms and a little side area off the dining room that had bunk beds guests used for their kids.

We were at the end of a tiny road and our only neighbor was empty for the weekend so it was like we had our own beach.

Navid and I were in the biggest room since it was my birthday, and Karim and Mike were in the other upstairs bedroom.

Downstairs, Nasri shared a room with Erik. Aram, Bashir, and Miguel shared the bunk beds. Miguel seemed happy to squeeze in next to Bashir for the night. Aram was supposed to have a friend showing up tonight who would share his bunk. I was just happy to have everyone together.

Navid and I finished our pancakes on the little balcony off our bedroom and watched the waves crash into the sand.

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When everyone was awake and fed, we headed down to the beach.