Well, there they were; Gwen and April. It came to me as no surprise that they were here, of course. This is one of my favorite places to shop at, and wherever I go, you can guarantee that these yes girls will follow. Some may even say that it's just the natural born leader in me.

"Skipping class for a little R&R, girls?"

"Classes were canceled today so that they could finish renovating the east wing of the library," April smiled, clearly happy that she didn't have to take a test of any sorts. Let's just say that it's a good thing the girl is kind of pretty. Otherwise, she wouldn't get too far with that walnut of a brain she has.

"And what about you, handsome?" Gwen batted her eyes up at Ryan. "Cutting to spend a little quality time with our dear, Daisy?"

"Actually, classes were canceled due to a faulty gas leak," he responded.

"So, Daisy," Gwen quickly changed the subject. "What's the deal on your birthday? I mean it's, like, in three days and we have no idea what the plan is."

"Yeah, Daisy," April pouted. "I need time to prepare for parties as extravagant as yours. Last year, it took two weeks for my bikini set to be custom made."

"Oh. Well, that's, um, because this year I want it to be more of a private thing, you know," I told them, slightly caught off guard.

"Private?" April questioned, a look of confusion showing through her blue doe eyes. "How? Like when you bought out Disneyland for the day of your Sweet Sixteenth?"

'Ugh, don't remind me', I thought, refraining myself from rolling my eyes way back.

I still remember all of the random nobodies who tried sneaking past security, due to their names not being on my guest list. That pathetic lot, Lindsay, being one of them.

"Been there, done that," Gwen yawned.

"No, not like Disneyland. Just-- I don't know," I sighed, unable to find the right excuse, "exclusive." I was hoping that they would take the hint that I didn't want to be bothered on my special day. That I wanted to change things up by being lowkey instead.

Gwen, however, had a curious look on her face. Her auburn eyes scanned my figure as if she was looking for a deeper reason in my words. "Ohhh!" She then omitted as her face lit up in excitement like a Christmas tree. "I totally get what you mean," she smirked.

Whew. Thank you. Now if everyone could just drop this whole thing I-

"April and I would be thrilled to throw you a surprise birthday party!" She clapped in utter joy.

Now what would give her that idea?!

"Wha- no, that's not what I meant. I-"

"Ah!" Gwen silenced me by putting one finger up with a stern look to match. "No need to be modest, Daisy. Naturally, we should have planned this for you anyway, considering how good to us you are," she said with a look of full sincerity.

"Totally!" April beamed. "We'll plan everything! Don't worry about the preparations!"

"Exactly! We'll text you what to wear and the location address by tomorrow!" Gwen added on.

"And feel free to bring him," April cooed, eyeing Ryan.

"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes at her obvious behavior. I'm sure she would like Ryan to be there more for her own amusement rather than mine.

"Well," Gwen flipped her hair; in the similar way of how I do. "We must be on our way. There are many preparations to be made before Saturday." With a short wave, they both headed out of the store, leaving Ryan and I behind.

"Your friends are, um?-" Ryan pondered.

"Hopeless," I groaned.

"Yeah," he nodded in agreement. "It was quite obvious that you didn't want a party."

"Thank you, finally someone who gets me," I sighed, placing a hand on my forehead.

"Which is kind of strange though," he said as he eyed me quizzically.

"How?" I furrowed my eyebrows as I browsed through the remaining three-wick candles.

"You just seem like the type of girl who would want to celebrate with a huge party," he shrugged as he toyed with one of the novelty reindeer keychains that hung from a hook on a shelf.

"Looks can be deceiving," I simply told him, folding my arms.

He turned his attention towards me, looking down with that cocky smirk of his. "You really are full of surprises, aren't you?"

"More than you know," I smirked up at him with a sexy wink.

He chuckled lightly before taking his large hand, patting the top of my head twice, "You got five minutes left," he said before striding off deeper into the store. A warm feeling then rose to the top of my cheeks as I placed a few candles in my carrying cart.

Ugh, I need to get a grip. Usually I'm so confident. How can him simply touching me cause these stupid butterflies to come fluttering back in my stomach?!

Exactly five minutes later, no thanks to Ryan, we finally exited the store. Looking down at the sparkly, pink shopping bag in my hand, I felt satisfaction. I had picked out the perfect body spray and lotion gift sets for Aunt Hana and Natalie. I even threw in two large candles, one for each of them; the graham cracker and whipped cream scented one, and a winter gingerbread scented one that Ryan even agreed smelled nice.

I also bought a strawberry marshmallow scented gift set for myself. I might even wrap it up and put it under the tree to surprise myself on Christmas morning!

Ryan guided us to the men's shop where he got his dad's briefcase from. Thankfully, he helped me pick out a good quality, medium sized, faux leather black one with a gold handle and locks. It should be ready to pick up no later than next week because I paid extra for them to engrave daddy's initials on both latches.

D.N.
Daniel Nickels.

Finally, I saved the best for last. Haha. Just kidding, more like the most expensive for last! Mother. I usually gift her with the number one thing she loves most in the world. And no, it's not me. I think I'm a really close second.. to Tiffany diamond tennis bracelets.

You know, ever since I lost it, I've come to appreciate the value of a dollar and just how much of it I used to spend on a daily basis! I couldn't afford her usual design, you know, the one that cost $28,000! So I had to settle on a simple, silver, double heart tag pendant necklace with matching, triple drop earrings.

She better be lucky that she's my mother because she basically just blew out my wallet. Meaning, the only place I could shop at now was the food court. Maybe!

▪︎▪︎

"Took you two long enough," Natalie stated, half-sipping on her drink as we approached her sitting down at a table in the busy food court.

"Well you know what they say," Ryan huffed. "Time flies when you're shopping with a woman."

"RETRACT THAT STATEMENT, RIGHT THIS INSTANT!" I angrily told him, my fists knitting together at his annoying remark.

"Daisy," he sighed as he took a seat across from Natalie at the long table, "you literally tried on every single ring at Tiffany's. We weren't even shopping for you."

"I couldn't help myself! A girl like me can't just merely eye fine jewelry like that!" I countered back. "I needed to feel the luxurious diamonds against my skin," I sighed in utter bliss, remembering the smooth feel of the princess and emerald cut diamonds. The princess cut being my absolute favorite.

"Well I can't feel my feet now," he grimaced at me.

"Just look at the bright side!" Natalie intercepted as she took reach for a fry on her tray. "At least now you know Daisy's ring size. You know, for future references," she winked as she took a crunchy bite.

'I'm going to kill her one day', I thought as I narrowed a death glare at her.

"Size 6.5, how can I forget," Ryan groaned as he stood up and smoothed out his shirt. "I need a burger now," he sighed as he headed off to the In-N-Out line.

"He's so moody," I narrowed my eyes as I watched him get in line across the other end of the food court. I turned my attention back to Natalie who was mindlessly dipping a chicken tender in ketchup. "Did you at least get my cheese pretzel and raspberry lemonade?"

"The line was too long," she shrugged. "So I decided to get chicken tenders and fries instead."

"Ugh, fine," I sighed. "I'll go get it myself." I placed my bags down next to Ryan's. "If you look in those shopping bags, you're dead meat!" I threatened her.

"Aww, does that mean you got me something?" She giggled.

"Whatever," I narrowed my pretty brown eyes at her before leaving. She thinks I'm going soft! The audacity of this girl! How dare she be slightly right?!

One thing she was completely right about, however, was the line at Andy's Pretzels. Critically acclaimed as the best pretzel chain in California, and rightfully so. Only downside, everyone knew that as well. Bedrugringly, I made my way to the end of the long line. I blew a strand of my long, black hair that fell in my face as I folded my arms under my chest, tapping my foot impatiently.

Great, I'm going to be standing in this line for at least a good ten minutes.

I soon felt a large, hard object harshly impact with my back, knocking me out of my thoughts and causing me to stumble a step forward. Ugh! This is why I hate people!

"Oh! Damn, I really need to watch out. I am so sorry!" The perpetrator apologized sincerely before I could even turn around to rip him a new one.

I smoothed my now messy, side-parted high ponytail back to its original, neat and tidy state as I turned around. "Yeah, you should be."

"Oh-- um, Daisy?"

I looked quizzically at the guy before a light bulb went off in my head. "Brodie?"

"The one and only." A sly smile formed across his warm honey colored face.

"Wow," I omitted upon meeting with the familiar jock again. "I haven't seen you since-"

"Since you abandoned us all alone at Valley Water High," he lowly chuckled.

Allow me to introduce someone; Brodie Sinclair. See, Valley Water High is notorious for its football team, and there are four friend players that are the absolute best in the state. Chad, as we all know, is the captain and number one quarterback. Brad, the number one linebacker. Thad, the number one full back. And finally, we have Brodie, the number one wide receiver.

Their raw talent on the field definitely makes up for their generic frat bro names, trust me.

"So how's home school life treating you?" He asks with a warm smile as he folds his muscular arms across his torso.

Of course everyone at Valley Water High thankfully still thinks that I'm "home schooled"; all thanks to me for telling Gwen that lie. "Pretty well, I guess."

"That's it?" He questioned me with a short laugh.

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely concerned with what he meant.

"The Daisy I know would have given a longer, elaborate answer than that. Borderline boastful I'd even say," he says the last line with a smirk.

"Well I've changed a bit since then," I folded my arms as I told him simply. "If that is even any of your business," I rolled my eyes.

"Still cheeky as ever though," he says with the same smirk. "You know, it's a shame that Chad snatched you up before I ever got the chance to make my move." A confident glint beamed through his dark hazel eyes as he eyed me down and back up.

Did I forget to mention that he's also a notorious charmer?

I playfully gave him a flirtatious look, taking in his athletic, six-foot-one stature. His shoulders have gotten even broader, due to excessively throwing footballs, "such a shame it is."

"Oh really? Well I'm glad you agree." He slowly bit the corner of his bottom lip before showing me his pearly grin. The small dimple in his defined chin becoming more prominent.

"Too bad you're both old news," I broke character as I subtly rolled my eyes.

"Ouch," a laugh erupted from his chest. "Please take it easier on me, Daisy. We all heard about how you dropped Chad like a bad habit."

"Ugh, don't even get me started on that," I rolled my eyes at the mention of his name. "Like, Lindsay? Seriously?!"

"I know right. I told him he was crazy for that," Brodie said. "And now that you're gone, Lindsay's been acting like she owns the school," he rolled his eyes.

Oh that conniving snake. How dare she think that she could ever take my rightful place at the top! I only wish that I left Gwen in charge after my absence. Now this hobbit thinks that my territory is free reign!

"Why am I not even surprised?" I said exhaustively as I placed my hand on my forehead.

Brodie then reached into his black jean pocket, pulling out his now lighting up cell phone. "Well, well, well," he grinned while scrolling. "Looks like someone's gonna have a huge party on Saturday."

I arched my brow. "How'd you know-"

Before I could finish my sentence, he held his phone eye level to me, letting me see the newly received text message. It was April inviting him to my "surprise" birthday party, letting him know to be on the lookout for another text tomorrow for the location deets.

My lips quivered as I tried holding in a giggle whilst reading the new text bubble. "What is it?" Brodie questioned. He brought his phone back to face him, his eyes widening slightly in excitement as he read the message. "Hmm," he smirked as he eyed the screen. "Seems like April wants to be my date to your birthday party."

Of course she does. I can't help but wonder if he knows that she most likely has mass texted all of the guys she thought eligible of being her date, and will just choose the one who accepts first. "Well what are you waiting for?" I smirked. "I'm sure you're dying to take her up on that offer."

He then lowered his phone to his side as his greenish brown orbs bore into mine in such a deviously, flirty manner. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm hoping that a cute, little flower in front of me wants to be my date instead?"

"I already have another in mind, but thanks anyway," I cheekily smirk.

His head hung a bit as he let out a husky chuckle. "Can't blame me for trying." Bringing his head back up, his gaze went further past me. "At least let me buy your pretzel."

"Sure. When this line ever gets moving," I rolled my eyes.

"Daisy," he gave me a half smile.

"Hm?"

"You're up next."

"Oh!" I turned to the front, seeing the long, empty queue that once was filled with people. "Well it's about time."

▪︎▪︎

"We were about to send a search team for you," Natalie folded her arms as I made my way back to the table with my bagged up cheese pretzel and drink in both hands.

"That line was ridiculously long," I sighed as I sat down in the empty seat on Ryan's left.

"Told you so."

"Oh and I also ran into a friend," I added as I broke off a piece of the salted treat, dipping it into the small cheese cup.

"Oh. Was it Gwen, April, or another one of the girls?" Natalie asked.

"No," I shook my head. "Well, he actually was always more of a friend of Chad's for some reason. Brodie Sinclair."

"Brodie Sinclair?!" She gasped.

"Who?" Ryan asked. His face was scrunched in slight annoyance at the volume of Natalie's outburst.

"He's only like the youngest, best wide receiver on the West Coast!" Her eyes widened as she threw her arms out in excitement. "Not to mention the dreamiest," she sighed as she rested her cheek inside the palm of her hand.

"Yeah, he's alright," I shrugged as I took another bite. Over the years I've grown used to hearing girls squeal over Brodie, and honestly I couldn't blame them. The guy was good-looking. From the way his brownish-black hair always shined without looking greasy, to his top male model-esque features and muscular build to match.

So yes, he definitely had a good physique, but his annoyingly cocky, flirtatious personality was definitely not a turn on of mine. And I know it may sound like I'm shaming the guy, but how would you feel if he were to gaze down at you with those alluring hazel eyes of his, making you grin like a blushing school girl, only to endure watching him shamelessly chat up another girl only a few moments later?

Yep. I've seen it happen once or twice before.

"And just how close are you two?" Ryan turned to my right. I knew by the tone in his voice and the way his features were set that he was getting irritated.

Ugh, what's his deal now?

"I already said that he was always more of Chad's friend than mine," I said flatly. "What's your problem?"

For a moment, his eyes widened. It was as if he suddenly realized something important. But just as quickly as it happened, he went back to his usual, calm and collected self. "Nothing," he muttered as he picked out one of his animal style French fries.

I questionably peered over at him as a thought processed in my mind:

Ryan couldn't possibly be jealous, could he? I mean, he doesn't even know Brodie!

Reality then set back in as I chuckled to myself, grabbing my cup of raspberry lemonade to take a sip.

Ha! Of course not. He seems perfectly content as usual while he's eating right now. I bet he was just hangry at first.

Yeah. Totally. I mean, it's clearly out of character for Ryan to express such emotion. Sometimes I even wonder if the guy is simply an aloof robot?

An almost frown soon approached my lips as I took another glance up at his compelling face.

I wish you'd just tell me what's going on in that head of yours sometimes, instead of always holding back.

Why?