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I understood what he was feeling. Maybe it was because we were both broken souls, we connected to each other as quickly and as powerfully as we had.
“You don't mind, do you, that I'm following you to Columbia?” He asked almost nervously.
“No!”
He chuckled at my adamant answer.
“I realize we're young, but I don't see my feelings for you ever changing; it's different with you,” I said.
“It is different. I feel it too.”
“Are you free on Tuesday?” I asked.
“On my birthday, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“I am,” he said with a wink.
“Can you come to Alfonso's? I have to work, but I have something I would like to give you.”
“A present?” He asked with excitement.
“Yes.”
“Sweet. What time?”
“About six,” I suggested.
“I'll be there.”
***
I had a few days to pull it all together. I called Caden and asked him to tell the others at the garage the day and the time, texted Dominic, Brad and Jim, asking Jim to pass on the word to Bastian's soccer teammates. I even contacted Mr. Carter and invited him and his wife, Marnie.
Mr. Alfonso ended up being really cool about it, and not only reserved a section of the restaurant for the party, but also said he'd provide the pizzas, fries and sodas free of charge. I tried to pay him, but he said I was family and he wouldn't hear of it.
Sophia, Shawn and Poppy were currently crepe-papering our section so it looked like a clown had thrown up, but I couldn't deny that it did look very festive. I even made the cake, a big chocolate cake, from scratch. I sneaked a little and it was really good.
A few minutes before six, we heard the sound of Bastian's bike and we all took our places. He pulled the door open just as everyone screamed, “Surprise.”
His focus zeroed in on me and all of his friends standing behind me. A smile spread over his face.
“Happy birthday, Bastian.”
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me: quick but full of meaning. “A party?”
“More like hanging with pizza, soda and cake, a big chocolate cake that I made.”
“From scratch?”
“Yep.”
He responded by kissing me again.
The party was a success—Bastian had a smile on his face all night.
At one point I stood back watching as Bastian and his teammates laughed and joked with one another. I didn't notice that Dominic had come up next to me until he spoke my name.
