Who is Blake Evans

Surprise

I'm floating in the ocean but it's calm and inviting. It's sunset and the sky above me and the water around me are all red. It's beautiful and I feel relaxed. There are sparks coming out of my chest. They're shooting stars. There are planets and galaxies floating around where my heart should be. There's a universe inside me. In one of the planets there is a boy and he's got a home in my heart.

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I overslept and I run outside as fast as I can, still combing my hair with my fingers. He's not outside. I decide to text Blake but I notice he's texted me instead.

B: I'm not coming to theater today. I'll see you in Jane's party.

I feel disappointment. It was our last rehearsal before the play. Something really important must have come up.

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I'm walking home with Jane and we're talking about how we would spend the lottery money if we won. Jane stops mid-sentence and looks at me.

-Wait. Tell me everything. What is this thing you've got going on with Blake? And don't say you're just friends because I've seen you act with Liam and with Blake and it's a world of difference. - I shrug. I honestly don't know what to say. Everything happened so fast and it's true that we're only friends.

-Don't kill me but...

-Don't say it!

-We're just friends. - Jane makes a frown. - I like him and maybe he likes me too but we barely know each other yet. - Jane tries to say something but then stops. She smiles instead and hugs me from the side.

-So, tomorrow. What are you planning? - I ask Jane.

-Well, we're making Jjajangmyeon, Tteokbokki, Bibimbap and there will be enough Kimchi to go around. We also bought a bunch of Korean snacks and sweets.

-Wow that's wonderful. I was wondering if we could schedule for 3pm?

-Why so early? It's a dinner party.

-I have an idea that would keep us busy all afternoon. I'll take care of it.

-Okay. A surprise, cool.

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It's the next day, 2.30pm and I get to Jane's house. My Dad is helping me with the stuff I brought. It took me all morning to get everything done. We set everything up and it's around the time we scheduled with everyone.

-Hello everyone! - Blake is wearing old clothes like I asked Jane to ask. I put on protective eye glasses and throw some to everyone. I pick up one of the tennis ball sized balloons I brought. The moment I'm about to throw it everyone starts running away. I mean to throw at Blake's back but I hit Amanda's foot instead, bright orange slime drips down her foot.

-So this is what you do without me? Throw fun parties? - We hear Liam's voice and we all turn around to look at where he's standing, flesh and blood.

-Liam! - Jane hugs Liam. - I thought you could only make it to dinner. How are you?

-Yes, how are you, man? - Blake asks.

-I'm ok. Lost a few IQ points but when you have as many as I do you can afford to lose a few. - We all laugh and Blake jokingly pushes Liam.

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It's the evening and we're still playing, throwing paint filled balloons at each other. The backyard is a mess. Jane's mom calls us to come to dinner. Before that we hose ourselves down and change to clean clothes.

We devour the Korean food carefully prepared by Mrs. Murray and Jane. It's sweet and salty and little spicy and it tastes heavenly.

I notice Blake is looking at me from across the table I smile at him. He smiles back. The corners of his face covered in brown Jjajangmyeon sauce.

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When we are outside waiting for our rides Blake and I are sitting away from the rest of the group. I notice how his eyes are shining in the moonlight.

-I had a great time today. It felt like living, really living.

-You don't think you'll regret missing out on anything?

-Not if I do this... - He leans in and we kiss. It feels like oceans and deserts come together to form a forest that lasts millions of years. It tastes like a rainstorm and it's hot like the sun.

We hold hands until we have to go and even after we've parted I feel him on my body.