The plan to surprise Casey should wow him. That's what Snow was going for; she thought to make up a day for him to make it feel like how a birthday should be.

He didn't know about it, but he'll find out after she would set up everything right here on her front porch. Why her front porch? For one, her front porch was wide enough for friends to hang out, and two, it was rather cozy and inviting, and that's something he might enjoy. It wouldn't be an extravagant party or at a place crowded with other people.

It would be a party of their own—a mini party with friends.

Normally they wouldn't plan a date on the weekends since it wasn't necessary, but this was an exception. A filled Sunday, just making someone's day a little special. She just would add today as part of their relationship mark.

She couldn't help thinking about the planning, surprise, and how everything would be put together. Sure, she only threw small parties for her close friends, and it was safe to say that they loved it and was ecstatic about the turnout. It wasn't just because she was friends with them, but because they let her know how much they appreciated her and the effort she went through.

And Casey, she hopes she was getting closer to reading his mind. It was hard to tell if he likes everything they had done so far or if he wanted something more different.

Snow had asked her mother about having a small party between her and her friends on the front porch, explaining it would be for one of her friend's friend. She couldn't define Casey as her friend yet, since they were still working out their relationship to better it first before they could become that. Although her mother had a bit suspicion it was that guy who took her out on that "first" date, she was okay with that and granted her permission as long as she was to let her father know about it too.

She did that when she went into their bedroom as her father was getting ready. She told him about the small party she's planning to have and that her mother knew of it. He asked whose birthday it is, and she responded that he doesn't know him, and it's a guy.

Now Snow's parents were generally cool with guys because it's her friends that they know, and they're comfortable with them since they were trustworthy and she's happy. To say it's a guy that they didn't know, maybe her father was more alarmed than her mother about it. He wanted to know who this guy is.

"Really? I should meet this fellow," her father said.

"Sure, we're having it tonight. I think when you come home, you can meet him," Snow assured him.

The guys were on their way with gathering the materials after she texted them what was needed. It wasn't a lot but some things that she didn't have and think would look good to add more liveliness to the party.

Her front porch already had comfortable patio chairs with cushion and decorative potted plants. Snow stretched her hands out. Her fingers positioning in a camera portrait mode as she stepped back to get a vision of how she imagined the setup would look like it. Before her, she saw everything look perfect with the table, lights, and friends having a good time.

After having lunch of a good chicken pesto sandwich and watching a favorite series, she went back out to her front porch to see Malloy's parked car. And him getting out of it with a cake packaging box in his hands.

"I got the cake," Malloy said as he walked up the porch steps.

Snow peered into the transparent view of the box and saw a moist, dark brown cake with a nice velvety-smooth and creamy texture. Around the corners of the cake was covered in brown frosting in perfect swirls. In the middle was written in white that said Happy 20th Birthday Casey!

"Chocolate Fudge Cake." He let her know. "He's gonna love it."

"Awesome," Snow said approvingly. She quickly led him in to her house and to the refrigerator where the cake would be stored.

Malloy helped her out carrying the lightweight coffee table from the backyard out to the front porch. They moved out the chairs to spread room for when they walk through.

Snow gave him a quick hug, rewarding him.

"No hug for me?" They turned to Kyle with a playful grin on his face and his hands holding up bags.

"Of course for you." She moved toward him and completed his request as she hugged him.

Now that she have the both of them here, they all began to take the stuff out of the bag and set up the decorations. 

❥

The front porch was entirely decorated. A dark navy HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner with gold glitter letterings hung up on the ceilings with the letter H and Y for Happy had a dark navy and white ribbons next to them. Across the roof were the small fairy lights in a V pattern. The balloons matched the banner theme as the strings tied onto the railings. Although not much happening on the coffee table, there was a thin piece of white lace floral tablecloth and artificial flowers in a vase in the center.

Even though at her own home, Snow changed out of her comfy clothes to a dark khaki brown fisherman sweater and dark black mildly ripped jeans. She brushed her hair and decided to keep her face natural.

She had texted Casey to come over to her house, and when he asked what it was for, she just said it was an emergency and he needed to be over here ASAP. No matter how much he asked why, she told him only if he comes then he'd know. It took some persistence until it annoyed him to that point. Through his dry text messages, she could imagine him grumbled, but he said he was on his way.

The sky fell to a quiet, blue like a melancholy mood, and the gray clouds filled up the spaces, and the moon stayed doing nothing. A tint of orange shied a soft glow, letting the world know that it was about to go down soon. Across the streets and different houses, their front door lights were on and some of the windows light. Snow switched the fairy lights on as they casted a bright yellow underneath the porch's roof. All that was waiting was one guest.

The guys came out from inside the house, taking their seats on the chairs. They were waiting for him too.

Waiting for him was a drag because she's anxious. Checking the time on her phone, it was 7:38 pm. Where is he?

Then she spotted his car parking close to the curb. Snow eyed the guys, signaling them to get ready.

Casey started coming closer, and just when he saw the three of them, they all yelled out, "Happy Birthday, Casey!"

He stood while his eyes were scanning every details of the porch, like he didn't believe the decorations were there, and they had to be fooling him. Looking back at the three of them, he bestowed a shocked expression.

"What is... all this?"

"It's for you," Kyle stated.

Although he may not give the most expected reaction like an excited person would, he was not expecting what was coming for him, and he was processing all this. "Thanks," Casey said.

He stepped up to the porch, and looked at the lights they're under. "Is this what you were up to?" he asked Snow, and she nodded eagerly.

Kyle and Malloy greeted Casey. Kyle gave repeated pats on the shoulder and Malloy steadfastly punched him on the front of his shoulder, mouthing him off how he didn't tell him it was his birthday.

Snow ushered them to the patio chairs. She sat next to Kyle but was seated across Casey as he was next to Malloy. They chatted for some time, mostly giving Casey more attention than what he was quite used to. She asked him if he ate dinner yet, but he hadn't, luckily.

The front door opened. "I heard commotion. It must be a good thing." Snow's mother popped out in her ponytail. Her eyes rested on Casey. "Oh," her mouth opened, "you must be the boy Snow hangs out with."

Casey looked like he wanted to cut his own throat. "Hi."

"Is it your birthday?" She shot him an interesting look.

"Was, it was," he corrected.

"Ahh," she said, fixing her demeanor to a more welcoming one. "What's your name?"

"Casey."

"Happy Birthday then, Casey. Are you hungry?" She not only looked at him but to the others.

She brought out a huge plate of Mac and Cheese Pork Sliders. They looked like they were made not too long ago. She came back plates of their own for them and a drink of their choice.

"You guys have fun." She smiled at them.

"Thank you, Annaleigh," Malloy said comfortably with the food on his plate.

"For reals, you make the best meals," Kyle added.

"Yes, thank you...," Casey paused as he didn't know how he should address her.

"You can call me Annaleigh too, but if you're not comfortable with that, then Mrs. Wilson will do just fine," she assured him.

"Yes." He nodded. "Mrs. Wilson," he said quietly.

The four of them were left by themselves to eat their meal, having just some time to talk about trivial things and then it became squabbles like who would win a race, lion or zebra. Snow joined in on the action because she couldn't resist the burst of excitement.

After some snacks, there was one thing that was the most anticipating. Snow placed down the birthday cake on the table, and her eyes gazed at it then to Casey. She positioned the candles around the cake and lighted it up, the flames bursting in the air.

She clapped her hands. "Ready?"

"You're not going to sing the Happy Birthday song, are you?" Casey asked nervously.

"That's part of it." Snow's expression looked strained.

"That's how birthdays goes." Malloy clapped Casey on the back.

Before Casey could get a say about it, Snow, Kyle, and Malloy sang out the Happy Birthday song together. Casey sat, not knowing what to do, and his glances were quick to change as if he couldn't decide who to look at.

"... Happy Birthday to you," they finished the last chorus.

"Make a wish and blow out the candles," Snow commanded.

"And if you don't, I will," Malloy interjected, raising a brow at Casey.

Sitting up, Casey stared at the cake, his face still but concentrating. He let his eyes closed for just a little bit, and shortly, he opened them, leaning closer to the candles and blowing the air out of his mouth. 

"It's time to cut the cake," Snow announced.

Each cake slice went on their plate, and as each of them enjoyed the taste, Casey definitely did when his eyes slightly widened. "Is this..."

"Yeah, Chocolate Fudge Cake," Malloy answered. "You can say 'Thank you, Malloy. I love you.'"

Casey chuckled, looking at him with a small smile. "Thank you."

"You too." His gaze turned to Snow.

He didn't want to hog the attention, and he wasn't good with making a speech, so he just told them that this party was not what he was expecting and he had woke up from his nap to come all the way. The guys teased Casey, and Snow just watched them, savoring the moments.

A slice or two of the cake was good enough, and Snow wanted to get on with the next thing. Next to her chair leg was a blue gift bag. She picked it up and shoved it to him. "I can't wait longer. Here you go, Casey."

The gift now in his hands, he blinked, letting the bag rest on his lap. "You got me something? You didn't have to."

"You say that, but we did," Malloy said, showing his, but it's in a yellow present box with a red ribbon on top.

Kyle took out a violet present box with a tag that said To: Casey From: Kyle

"Did you really have to?" Casey asked, his eyes shifting awkwardly at the different presents.

"Of course, we care about you. Now open them." Snow gestured to her present.

"You should open mine first," Malloy said.

"No, mine. I gave it to him already," Snow asserted.

"He's my friend, so it means my gift should be unwrapped first," he argued.

"So, he's... my practice partner," she completed.

"Okay, but bromance over romance," Malloy said smugly.

And before Snow and Malloy could butt heads, Kyle stopped them at the spot. "Just let Casey choose. It doesn't matter."

Casey put down Snow's gift to the side but didn't take Malloy's gift either. He gestured to Kyle to hand him his gift. "I'll just go for the smaller one first."

Snow and Malloy matched a straight face as they watched him tear off the wrapper.

It was a shaving cream, and it came in a small set. Casey glanced at him. "In case you start growing facial hair, you'll need it," Kyle shared.

He looked at the packaging, a faint smile appearing. "Thanks."

The next gift he took was Malloy's as he undid the ribbon then tearing another wrapper. A black box was presented, and he opened the top lid, finding a cologne and a pair of sunglasses with cool black frames and a reflective mirror coating. 

Malloy leaned forward to Casey. "It makes you more manly with them." He clicked his tongue.

Casey finally got to Snow's gift, and she was waiting for it too. He took out the pink tissue papers that were blocking the way. He saw something that looked like a jar and pulled it out. It's the Aromatherapy Eucalyptus Spearmint Single Wick Candle from Bath & Body Works.

There was another gift in the bag that Casey saw. A white packaging box from See's Candies.

"No way," he muttered to himself as if he had received something so great to mankind.

Casey checked for something else in the bag, and it was wrapped in white wrapping paper. It was something sensitive that was not meant to break. Several seconds later was revealed to be a regular grey marble coffee mug.

Snow told him about the birthday card included inside. It was just a sweet short message how she hoped that he have the best birthday and that they could get along better. He said thank you again for the second time.

A car slowly approached the driveway, and she knew it was her father. The garage opened as he made his way inside to park the car. Snow heard the door shut and saw her father sauntering to the front porch.

"What do we have here?" her father said, glancing at the decorations curiously.

Her father had light short brown hair and light skin like hers, but she didn't adopt his blue eyes. He came back from his job as a desktop publisher working for a publishing house, and currently for a nature book.

"Dad!" Snow smiled at her father.

He looked handsome that no one would believe he was in his forties. If it weren't for his stubbles, he would look a lot younger. Her father made eye contact with everyone, as his hands were placed on his hips, jubilating a strong presence as he said hello to everyone.

His eyes watched Casey cautiously and observed his appearance. He had a troubled look as to thinking what kind of person Casey is. He was waiting on for Casey to say something first, and when he didn't speak, that's when Casey felt intimidated under his stare. When her father goes into a serious mode, he is different than his usual upbeat self.

No one spoke.

"Hello sir, I'm Casey. It's... nice to meet you," Casey said formally.

"Hmm, you got that polite down. So, how did you and Snow meet?" her father asked.

"Right, um... I became friends with Malloy through our anthropology class, and when we started hanging out often, then I got to know her when he introduced me to his friends," Casey answered, then touching behind his ear.

"I see."

Snow prayed that he just wouldn't further question him. Casey's gaze was settling on the floor.

Her father looked at Snow, taking the hint and smiling to himself. He wished Casey a happy birthday and walked into the house, closing the garage door.

The time passed when the group continued to chat, play some fun charades, and even take pictures together. It became late at night and her friends said goodbye and went home. Casey had stayed behind, taking some stuff to his car since Snow insisted that he should keep the decorations for memories. Everything was at his car, and he was just ready to say goodbye.

"So, did you have fun?" Snow asked, standing timid in front of him.

"It was... definitely something to remember," Casey admitted.

"Yeah," she said, not knowing what else to add.

Did he really appreciate it or was he just trying to be nice? Snow could tell that he was himself with the guys, but with her; it was like he was just polite. She wanted him to treat her like one of the guys. She could be just as fun and humorous if he were to let himself be more comfortable around her.

Maybe that was the thing; she was also only polite around him. She could be just as bad then.

"Okay, I guess—"

"I know I'm not the most expressive person, and sorry if I'm not how you want me to be. You're more than what I thought, but I do appreciate what you're trying to do for me, and that's the most I can say for right now," Casey said.

The words he just let out in the open even in just a few sentences had her stunned. He was always so bottled up that she was walking around him instead of walking toward him. She looked in his eyes, and how should she say about it?

It was sweet. Like he had touched her.

Snow took a step toward him, placing a hand onto his shoulder, and on her tippy toes, she leaned in for a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Good night, Casey," she said as his eyes were raised and astounded.

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Merry Christmas! (Or an ordinary day if this pass) I hope you find this chapter sweet! We're still in an awkward stage because I feel it's right that they're still getting to know each other and still learning about each other. But I'm sure along with the next several chapters we might see something.

And probably even some tension rising.

Please vote and comment as it means the world to me.