Dedicated to the ones who leave to go find themselves but come back a day later because they're hungry and forgot to bring a phone charger.

1) SURPRISE! Whoops Wrong House

Home is where the heart is a phrase that I never really understood until I was on the other side of the world attempting to buy a lamington from a bakery in London.

It's the little things you start to miss when you leave home like a good home cooked meal, freshly ground coffee that always seemed to be in the air and the familiar faces of people you notice but don't really want to acknowledge because you don't want to stop and talk.

But something I definitely did not miss was the overly large crowds with overly aggressive people shoving me aside because I walk to slow.

The international pick up bay is filled with families reuniting and people rushing off to there next adventure while I just awkwardly stand and watch cars fly by.

I'm not sure if my friend still knows how to tell the time because I've been standing out here for the past 20 minutes in the completely wrong clothing for this weather.

Yes, I did, in fact, check what the temperature was going to be but apparently, it decided to be cold and rainy instead of clear blue skies.

I'm so busy turning into a human popsicle that I don't notice the person charging towards me from behind.

"MACKENZIE!" I'm attacked by someone I really hope is not a stranger and once again topple to the floor with very little grace.

I come face to face with a flustered Zoe "Oh I missed you so much! You look great and smell-"

"Like vomit." I finish "I'm very aware. The kid next to me on the flight vomited just as we were about to land and missed the bag."

Zoe takes a cautious step back. "Didn't you have a change of clothes?" She asks hauling me up to my feet.

"I had to run to the other side of the airport so I could catch my connecting flight then I shoved my bag in the above compartment where it got pushed behind someone else's bag. And before you say why didn't I ask him to give it the guy fell asleep as soon as he sat down so I was stuck next to a snoring, stinky old man for 10 hours," I'm exhausted just talking about it.

"Well, I'm here now to save you from stinky man and sick children." She says with a familiar warm smile.

"My hero" I roll the two large suitcases behind me as Zoe races away.

I almost lose her when I'm practically knocked to the floor as a family of four rush past me with baggage and trolly in hand. 

Luckily I can spot Zoe's hideous fluoro green beanie across the airport and catch up with her easily.

When we stop in front of a shiny blue car my heart leaps with excitement "You got a new car? Finally!"

She shakes her head giving the car a once over "No, it broke down and is currently getting repaired. They gave me this thing that has no character as a replacement."

Ignoring her, I open the functional back door and throw my bags on the seat.

Zoe keeps glancing in my direction as we drive down the highway. Her lips are probably going have an indentation by the end of the trip because of how hard she is biting down.

"You have one question," I say wearily knowing she was about to burst if she didn't ask sometime soon.

"How are you? I haven't seen you in what, a year and a half? Things have changed, you've changed. You grew your hair long. What's been happening? Why didn't you come back soo-"

Covering her mouth with my hand seemed to be a good idea until I realise that she is wearing lipgloss "Woah there. You have one question so choose wisely."

She ponders for a minute and starts to reply but is interrupted by a car pulling out in front of us "Use your blinker!  It's there for a reason! Some people just shouldn't be allowed on the road,"
Sinking back into the seat I start to wonder how much has really changed around here. "How are you?" Zoe asks much more calmly than before.

Huffing I massage my temple "I currently feel half dead from the jetlag and my annoying seat company. We went into turbulence in the middle of the night which was absolutely fabulous as I had only just gotten to sleep. And there was a kid sitting a few rows behind me was a hoot as he yelled 'woooh rollercoaster.' I also currently smell like vomit and I can't hear anything because my ears are still blocked. So in summary, never been better." 

Taking in my eventful train ride and the old 70's song in the background. Zoe has probably started to contemplate if me coming back was actually a good thing.

"Well turn that frown upside down because you're home and everybody is so excited to see you!"

It will be nice to see some familiar faces, even though I don't have many friends I still missed them. I did make a few friends overseas but you can't replace history between best friends.

Nodding I think over who I should prioritise. Parents are at the top of the list as I need to make sure they haven't rented out my bedroom to a stranger then maybe I'll go to my old work and hope they still know my order "Yeah, I'll probably just meet up with everyone in a couple days, right now all I want to do is get into bed and hibernate with a book. It's been a long 24 hours."

Zoe nods wordlessly while biting her lip. I have a bad feeling about whatever is going to come next.

I sigh "Please do not tell me there people waiting at my house to surprise me with a welcome home party.  I need to get reacquainted with my bed."

By the way she cringes I know I've hit the nail on the head "Okay. So there may or may not be a couple people having a small gathering where you reside. But it's all a weird coincidence. Who knew you'd be coming home today?"

"Literally everyone." I bury my head in my hands which seems like the best place to hide from the world right now "You announced it on Facebook. For all, I know the mafia could be waiting to take me from my house at this second."

"It won't be that bad. Just think of it as a couple of friends getting together for a well deserved- why do you have a packet of choc chips in your lap?" Zoe stops at a set of traffic lights to stare at me in confusion.

I swallow the chocolate that was slowly melting in my mouth and give her a small smile "when I get anxious I eat and I've found these to be the most portable snack. Would you like some." I offer up my half-filled bag of chips that I have been snacking on but she only shakes her head while pulling up into the driveway.

My stomach sinks. After all this time I'm still nervous about seeing everyone again. I would blame it on nerves but I know it's something deeper than that.

I'm scared. Scared that people have changed and forgotten-

My car door opens almost sending me falling to the ground "Please try to act somewhat surprised, Lee put a lot of work into all of this. I may have given him a bit to much freedom when I said 'do whatever you want' so don't be surprised if there is a petting zoo in there" Zoe's tight smile is the only indication I have that she is as scared to walk in as me.

"I'll try to act surprised," taking a deep breath I open the door slowing hoping that there won't be anything is popping up in my face.

I put on the most surprised face possible. "Oh my.. where is everybody?"

Pausing in the doorway I scan around the light-filled house with nobody inside.

Well, they definitely surprised me.

"Surpr- what?" Zoe stops next to be befuddled. I guess she's surprised as well.

Taking a further step in I place my luggage down and take in the old nutmegy smell of the house which always confused me because my whole family hates nutmeg.

"I've never been to a surprise party but I'm fairly sure people should have jumped out from behind furniture right now and given me a heart attack."

I look back over to Zoe who is furiously typing on her phone and mutter something about irresponsible ducks.

She lifts a finger motioning me to wait momentarily while she puts her phone on speaker.

I position myself on the lounge as Zoe yells at Lee over the phone.

She doesn't give him time to speak when he picks up "Lee. Where are you?"

"Well it's good to hear from you as well. Have you obtained the package?" Zoe rubs her temple I'm exhaustion

"Yes Lee. I have picked up Mackenzie and I thought we decided to have the party at her house, which we are at now but for some odd reason you're not here

There is a good five-second pause before he replies " I thought when you said home base you meant my house because I played softball when I was five and I got a home run. Everybody is here and ready for her. There is even a llama but he's getting a bit grumpy and keeps spitting on people!"

"No Lee, I meant- You know what? We'll just come to your house, can you text me your address." she shales her head "you're lucky she doesn't suspect anything yet."

She mouths me an apology before taking a deep breath.

"Before we come can you tell Sam we have a code green? He'll know what it means."

My stomach flips at his name. It feels like forever since I've talked to him even though it was only a week ago and involved a very awkward conversation.

Zoe flies over to me, pulls me up and drags me to the car. "Let's go. There's a surprise party waiting for you on the other side of the suburb."

"So" she hits me lightly on the shoulder "are you excited to see him? I have no clue what it would feel like to leave the love of your life behind"

Oh, so we've moved topics. That's nice to know. Maybe if I pretend to still have blocked ears she thinks I can't hear her and will leave me alone.

"I'm talking a Sam," she says trying to get more of a reaction out of me.

"Who?"

"Don't play stupid with me. You know exactly who we're talking about and why."

"Oh yes Sam. Cool guy. Great ears," I hum.

She sighs, parking the car and facing me "You can't avoid this forever. You are home with your friends and Sam who you live five minutes away from. You're bound to run into him sometime soon. You might as well get it done now instead of overthinking it. It will be okay," she lays her hand over mine and gives it a light squeeze.

Once again I walk down the foot path and regret all of my decisions that have lead to this moment

"Don't forget to smile" Zoe nudges me as we stand at an unfamiliar door.

Here goes nothing.

Slowly I turn knob and hope for the best

"SURPRISE!" Balloon and streamer fill my vision as upbeat music's starts to play.

"THIS IS TOTALLY NEW INFORMATION TO ME," I say an octave higher

I lean over to Zoe and ask "how was that?"

"Good enough to win an Oscar" she smiles approvingly.

I look over the small group of people "Thanks for not inviting a huge amount of people, I really appreciate it."

"These are the only people who know who you are."

Pausing for a second I scan all the faces curiously "Hey Zo"

"Yeah"

"Who are all these people? Because I have no clue."

Choc Chip Tip #1
When coordinating a surprise party always make sure EVERYONE knows where to meet (especially the people who are organising the party)