Falling for the nerd

Chapter sixteen - Unhappy birthday

Elle's POV:

I can't believe that Alex stayed for a sleepover. Now he is not that shy boy, who he was. Well, when he is with me. In school, he is the same, but I won't lie that I like that. This way I can have him for myself. Not like I am obsessed with him or something like that, but I see how people treat him. I have to be crazy to let them be his friends. No matter real or pretending ones. As I have said million times, Alex is nice and treats me very well and this is why he is my friend. There might be people who still find this weird, but I don't care. I won't replace him. 

Today is my birthday and I will lie if I say that I am not happy. Moreover, I have never told Alex when it is so it'll be a surprise. I want to spend my afternoon with him and then get ready for dinner with my parents. I know that we have dinner together rarely, but it's my birthday and they can't miss it.  This will be only one night so they can make an exception. 

As always when I am in good mood, I dress a little bit better. I won't lie that Alex's choice the last time was very good so I decide to dress similarly. I put ripped jeans, cropped top, jacket and sneakers. I put on a little bit of make-up and let my hair down. Ponytails can be painful after six hours. When I was done, I walked downstairs for breakfast. Martha and Andrew were at the table. I sat down and Martha put in front of me a plate with pancakes and on the first one with chocolate was written "Happy birthday!” 

- Thank you, but you didn't have to do that. 

- You have a birthday only once. 

- Only once every year. - I laughed

- Nobody knows what might happen until your next one. 

- What do you mean?

- Maybe the next year you will be in Paris with your boyfriend. 

- You wish. Moreover, Paris is the last place where I will be. 

- But why? Everybody loves this city. 

- People talk too much about it. I don't see anything special. 

- Wasn't that the city of love or something like that? - Andrew asked

- Yes, it is. One more reason why I don't like it. 

- It's not too late to start. If I had someone to go with, I would. - Martha said

- You can go with Andrew. I am sure that he will be great company. - I laughed

- No way! - both of them said in sync

- You never know what might happen. 

- Don't copy my words. Not eat or you will get late. 

With that, I shut up and didn't say anything else. From time to time Martha and Andrew were giving each other looks, but they were more like "I don't like you" looks. I believe that they actually like each other, but pretend to hate for some reason, which I don't know. Maybe that is better, but I still think that these two one day might get together. 

I finished with my breakfast and walked to school, where I saw Alex. He was in front of his locker as usual. I left my things in mine and walked up to him with a smile. Yes, I am happy and no one can ruin my day. It take him some time to realize that I was in front of him. He looked at me with a smile and I gave him a hug. 

- Someone is happy today. Can I know why? - he asked 

- Because, first, it's my birthday and second this afternoon you are coming with me. 

- Oh, I didn't know that. Happy birthday then and where are we going?

- Thanks and I don't know yet. All I know is that I want to spend the day with my friend. 

- I won't complain. 

We didn't say anything else and walked to our first class. For now only my parents, Martha, Andrew and Alex know that I have a birthday and to be honest that's how I prefer. I don't want everybody to know it and to say the fake "Happy birthday!" without actually meaning it. No thank you. Moreover, I want to be around people who like me. 

In one of my classes, I was thinking about where I should go with Alex. Usually, we go to diners, but I want to be somewhere more special and not fancy at the same time. We can order pizza at some restaurant or something else. To be honest I have never asked Alex what food does he like. Maybe I have to leave him to decide. I don't know many restaurants in this part of the town. 

After my last class, Alex and I went home so I can leave my things. Martha and Andrew came to us. When Alex went to the bathroom, I looked at her. For some reason, both of them are looking at me. Did they do something or just want to tell me something? I don't know, but there is one way to find out. 

- Will one of you tell me what is going on?

Martha didn't say anything and gave me a bag. I opened it and saw a card and something looking like a notebook. I looked at the card.

Happy birthday Elle! We wish you to have the best birthday ever and to make many more memories with Alex. We love you.

From Martha and Andrew. 

I won't lie that this is sweet. I have told them to don't buy me presents because I don't need them, but they never listen. I looked at the notebook and it turned out to be a diary of memories. I opened it and on some pages, there was space to put pictures, on others to write. This is a very good present. 

- I hope that you like it. We thought that since you have a new friend, it’s better to keep the memories with him somewhere. 

- I don't like it. I love it. Thank you so much. - I said and gave her a hug, then one to Andrew as well

Soon Alex was done and we walked out. I asked if he has any preferences, but no. I guess that it's my choice. He said that since it's my birthday he is the one who has to buy me a treat, but I denied it and just grabbed his hand. It's only for today so he has to roll with it. Both of us walked to one restaurant and sit in the garden. It had a small lake and flowers around it. When we ordered our food Alex looked at me. 

- Is it only because of your birthday or there is another reason to be happy?

- It's only that because it means that my parents have to dinner with me. They can't miss it. 

- So it's a double win?

- What do you mean?

- You will have dinner with your parents and a lot of presents. 

- I won't say much, but yes, it's a double win. - I laughed and he joined me

We talked for a while before our food come. I won't lie that it was delicious. Alex and I ate it all and even ordered a dessert. I won't lie that the chocolate cake isn't like his mom's one, but it's not that bad. 

- It's not the same. 

- What?

- The cake. Your mom makes it better. 

- Thanks, but I think that it's pretty good. 

- After you ate it all, of course, that you will say it. - I laughed

- So what will you do until dinner?

- I was hoping that you can be with me. 

- I would love to, but I can't. I promised to help my mom with something. I'm really sorry. 

- It's ok. We can go out tomorrow again if you want. I am glad that you spent some time with me today. 

- I would love to. 

After like an hour Alex walked home the same as me. I won't lie that I wish that he was with me until dinner, but we can hang out tomorrow again. I walked in and heard Martha singing from the kitchen. I chuckled to myself and went to check on her. Sometimes she does that without realizing it. Andrew and I find it very fun. I don't know what she is cooking, but it smells good. 

It was around 5 pm and I decide to watch a movie to make the time pass faster. After my movie, there was a knock on the door. It can't be my parents, because they have a key. Then who is it? I opened the door and there was a man with something like a notebook. 

- Can I help you?

- Yes, I have a delivery for Elle Baker. 

- This is me. 

- Ok, sign here and I will bring you the package. 

I did what the man said and he came in a big box. What the heck is that? Even I can fit here. I won't lie that I got curious. The man left and since I couldn’t lift the box, I started pushing it. All I did was move it from the front door to the center of the room. Martha and Andrew came with surprised faces. 

- What is that? - Martha asked

- I have no idea, but I am curious to know. - I said and tried to open the box

- Like that, you won't open it. I will bring you a knife. - Andrew said

Soon I opened the box and saw an envelope on the top. I took it and saw that there is a card on it. 

Happy birthday Elle! I hope that you like my present. I'm sorry that I didn't give it to you earlier, but it was kind of hard when I understood today. Have a great day. I'm sending you lots of hugs. 

From Alex

- What is it? I got curious. - Martha said

- It's from Alex. This is the card and I see chocolate candies. - I said and pulled out a box with candies

- This is so sweet. Is there anything else?

- Yes, but I will need help with it. Can you help me?

- Yes, sure. 

- Ok, I will pull out whatever this is and you will pull the box. 

Martha nodded her head and did it. After like five minutes, I pulled out the big present. Alex had bought me a giant teddy bear. I don't know why he did it, but it's so cute. This is the first time when I am receiving something so big. I wonder how much money he had to pay for this. 

- That's a huge teddy bear. - Andrew said

- It is and I love it so much. - I said and hugged it

- I think that we need to give him the guest room. - Martha chuckled

- No, he will sleep with me. Now I want pictures, so who of you two will take them?

- I will. You need to pose. - Martha said

Martha took a couple of pictures, which I send to Alex. This teddy bear is a lot heavier than I thought. Somehow, I manage to put it on my bed. It was already 7:30, but there was no sign of my parents. I hope that they will come. I walked back downstairs and both Martha and Andrew looked at me with sad expressions. 

- Why are you looking at me like that?

- We have to tell you something. - she said

- Ok, go on. 

- Martha found something, which you might not like. She received a message from your dad. 

- Awesome. When they will come?

- Yeah, about that... - she said and gave me a bag

I opened it and saw a box comes with a card. It was a new iPad like mine is old. No matter that I bought it last year. I read the note and felt tears in my eyes. 

Happy birthday, honey! We are sorry that we can't be with you today. We love you.

From mom and dad

I threw the bag on the floor and went into my room. Everything. Why do they always have to ruin everything? I asked only for one dinner. Nothing else. Why they are doing this to me? Like it's not enough that I almost never see them because their work is more important than mine. I laid on my bed and snuggled in the teddy bear from Alex. Well, I guess that the only people who care about me are Alex, Martha, and Andrew. I heard a knock on the door but didn't answer. Martha and Andrew walked in. 

- Hey, we are sorry. - she said

- Why do they always have to do this?

- You know them. 

- I only wanted one dinner. 

- We can have dinner with you.

- I know, but I wanted to have with them. I am always eating with you. Not like it's bad, but I wished that for once they will leave their work and look at me. 

- I know someone who can help you. 

- Who?

- Alex. Why don't you call him and tell him to come here? I am sure that he won't deny it. 

- Maybe I will do that. 

I called Alex and luckily, he said that he will come. I didn't tell him anything on the phone, except that I needed him. Soon he came and I gave him a giant hug, coming with more tears. As my friend, he asked me what has happened and I told him everything.

Until the end of the night, we watched movies and ate the chocolate candies, which he gave me. At least he is here. Otherwise, I probably was going to cry the whole night in my room, while cuddling with the giant teddy bear. That's why I love him. He is always here when I need him and I know that he won't leave me. Thank you Alex for always being with me. You are one very good friend.