Lorenzo sat in his place, working through his last assignments of the year, last minute again. He kept his lunch next to him, only taking a bite of his sandwich after he finished an exercise on his paper otherwise he knows he will not work on it.

Students’ chatter filled the hall around him as he tried to focus. He swore he’d finish these early so he wouldn’t have to worry about it later today, and he could just have fun. His mom told him to decide where he’d go, or what he’d do, before the end of the day. He had so many ideas, but had yet to narrow them down. As much as he wanted to right then, he had to finish his work. 

There was a set of footsteps that became louder, before someone dropped to the ground  next to him. He raised his head then, her light brown hair swinging freely, bent into waves. She smiled, extending a box to him. “Happy Birthday.”

Lorenzo raised his eyebrows, confused, but also a bit annoyed. “I didn’t tell you when my birthday was.” He said. He didn’t, right? He thought to himself. He had missed her birthday back in February (She didn’t tell him when her birthday was), so he promised himself he wouldn’t tell her until it passed, so they would be equal. 

“Yeah, which was rude of you to do. You know I can easily figure it out.” She pointed out, almost laughing. He rolled his eyes, taking the gift from her hand. It weighed down on his hands, shaking slightly. 

“I didn’t get you anything for your birthday, so you shouldn’t have gotten me something either.” He told her. 

She shrugged her shoulders, her smile dropping. “I don’t celebrate my birthday, that’s why I didn’t tell you. You do celebrate, so take it.” She explained. He still didn’t understand. Who wouldn’t celebrate their birthday? Especially a teenager. 

He opened the present, ripping through the wrapper, to see a pair of shoes. Not any shoes, the one’s he saw when his mother took him out to a shop the day his father would send money in. “What the hell, how did you get this? These are like three hundred dollars!”

“I saved a lot. Mom gives me money for food sometimes, and I don’t use it. I don’t eat much anyway.” She pushed it away, like it was nothing. But he was almost hurt. She stopped eating to save for a gift he didn’t even want to make her buy. 

“This is expensive, Val. Why would you get it?” 

“Well, you’re kind of rich, so I couldn’t get you anything, it wouldn’t fit your standard.” Her voice was hesitant, as she was starting to regret getting it in fear he didn’t like it. 

He frowned. Had she really spent that much money on him? He didn’t even need it, she didn’t have to do anything for him. “I’m going to kill you, Val.” 

Her face had fallen slowly, her eyes glistening in the light of the hall. “Do you not like it? I can get you something else, I just need a couple of days. Or even today, I can borrow some money from mom and go get something after school.” She blurted out. 

He sighed. “Val, that isn’t what I meant. Who the hell were you friends with?” He asked, sorry for her now. 

She dropped her head to the ground between her legs. “No one. You’re kinda my first friend.” She uttered quietly. 

He placed his hand on her shoulder, raising her attention back to him. “You don’t need to stop eating and spend this much on me, you do know that. That isn’t what being friend’s about.” He clarified. 

“Oh. Yeah, you’re right, it hasn’t even been a year, maybe this is a bit too much. I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t apologize.” 

“Right, sorry.” 

“Val.” 

“Yes, so–” She stopped herself, biting her lip, and nodding her head. 

He grinned. Was she really doing all that for him? Why? Was she worried that what she was already doing wasn’t enough? It was, though. To him, she was doing more than she should, and she didn’t even have to do anything. She just had to be there, and they’re connection was already the strongest ever. She had nothing to worry about. “You’re actually crazy, Vi.” He chuckled. 

“So do you like it?” She asked in a shy voice. 

“Yes. But I’m going to pay you back. You could’ve just written me a card.” He stated. She smiled again, glowing her face back up. Her light green eyes shimmered, like the stars. Her eyelashes curled, framing her eyes in a dark color. She was always pretty, and the smile added to her beauty. 

She turned her body to him now. “Great, because I also got you cupcakes. They’re in my locker, but I promise I didn’t buy those ones, my mom made them and I helped decorate. My mom is an amazing chef, trust me, especially when it comes to sweets, I promise.” She rambles on. He let her talk, because her voice was the only voice he wouldn’t get tired of. 

At that moment, he decided exactly what he was going to do for his birthday.

 

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