It was a weekday morning in late February. For the past two months, Taylor and I had gotten closer and closer. We hadn't been able to go on any dates, though, as a result of the recording. Anne and Zac were still technically going out, although like Taylor and me, they hadn't been able to actually go out lately. Anne was still more than a little resentful that Zac was choosing music over her. Michelle and Isaac had become very close friends. Both were currently dateless. Isaac was still trying to figure out who the girl was in his dreams, and he told me that he would not go out with anyone until he found her. It was hard sometimes not to tell him everything about Jamie and the dreams, but I kept the secret. Although I thought Jamie might appreciate it, I knew it wouldn't be fair to tell.
On this particular morning, as on most mornings, I was in the school library, reading and waiting for the bell to ring. All of a sudden, I remembered that I had a Calculus test that day in first period. I quickly took out my book, because although math had always been my best subject, I knew this test would be hard. I opened my book to study, but for some reason I couldn't concentrate. My thoughts kept turning to Taylor. I knew his eighteenth birthday was only a few weeks away, and I wanted to do something special for him. The deafening ring of the bell brought me back to reality. I grabbed my backpack and hurried off to Calculus.
An hour later, I turned in my test and returned to my seat. I had a half hour to think about Taylor before I had to go to my next class. After a little thought, I decided that I wanted to throw a surprise party for him. I didn't think we could actually have it on his birthday, because that was a Wednesday, so I decided to have it the Saturday after his birthday, which would be the 17th. After several more minutes of planning, the bell rang, and I had to go to my next class.
After second period, I went to the cafeteria for lunch. As I paid for my food and went to find a table, I heard Michelle calling me. I hurried over to her table.
"Hey Michelle," I said, putting my tray down.
"Hi. What's up?"
"Well, I think I bombed my Calculus test."
"Monica, you did not! You probably got an A!"
I shook my head. "Nope. I didn't study at all."
"So? Math has always been your best subject."
"Yeah, but Calculus is so hard!"
"Don't worry about it," she said, smiling reassuringly. "I'm sure you did fine."
"I hope so," I said. "So...how about you? How was your morning?"
"Oh, nothing special. We reviewed for the Algebra test. I'm going to have to study really hard." Then she changed the subject. "Hey, isn't Taylor's birthday coming up?"
"Yeah. I've been thinking about having a surprise party for him."
"Great idea! When? I don't think it could be on his birthday. Isn't that a Wednesday?"
"Yes, it's a Wednesday. I was thinking to have it the Saturday after."
"Yeah, that would probably...wait a second! That's the week of Spring Break!"
"Oh my gosh, I forgot that! Well, I guess we could have it on his birthday after all."
"Who are you going to invite?"
"Well, his whole family, of course, and Anne and you, since you and Ike are still friends, and our parents. Um...is there anyone else you can think of?"
"No, I guess that's all. Where is it going to be?"
"I thought it could be at my house, since we have a big yard."
"Okay. Now...the most important question: what are you going to give him?"
"Um...gee, I don't know. It has to be something really special. What do you think?"
"Monica, I can't help you. This has to be your idea. Don't worry, you'll think of something."
I sighed. "I sure hope so. I mean, it's his eighteenth birthday. This present has got to be perfect."
"As long as it comes from your heart, I don't think Taylor will care what it is. Anyway, I just thought of something. How are you going to get him over to your house, and have everyone already there? I mean, your family and mine will be easy, but how will you get his family to come over without him finding out?"
"Getting him to come over is the easy part. I'll just call and tell him I'm having trouble with my history homework."
"But...since it'll be Spring Break, would we have homework?"
I hadn't thought of that. "Oh, I guess not. Well, I could just ask him to help me study."
"Yeah, I guess so. So how will you get his family to be there waiting?"
"I don't know yet. Any ideas?"
Michelle laughed. "I just had an idea, but it's so mean!"
"What?" I asked.
"You could plan this with his parents. Anyway, the whole family is going to go to...say, the movies. Or something like that. Then Taylor's mom or dad tells him that he can't come, for reason of some chore or something he hasn't done. Then, instead of going to the movie, the family goes to your house to prepare for the party."
I laughed. "I love it! Oh man, Taylor will never suspect a thing! This party will be absolutely perfect!"
When I finished eating lunch, I went up to the library as I did every day at lunch. I looked around, trying to find an empty table. Michelle and I had talked so long that I hadn't had a chance to get to the library when I normally did. Finally, I spotted my friend Melanie at a table in the back.
"Hey Monica," she said as I pulled out a chair and slung my backpack onto the floor.
"Hi Melanie," I replied. "Did you finish the English homework?"
"I'm working on it right now," she said, pointing to a sheet of paper in front of her.
"You better hurry and finish!" I exclaimed. "You only have..." I glanced up at the clock on the wall. "...ten minutes," I finished.
"Oh, I'll finish," Melanie said confidently. "I'm almost done already."
I pulled out a book and began reading, but my mind kept wandering. What on earth could I get Taylor for a birthday present? It couldn't be too expensive, since I didn't have a lot of money.
Once again, the bell interrupted my thoughts. I dumped my book back in my backpack and followed Melanie off to English.
Chapter 32
Love Takes Time
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