Chapter 41: The worst feeling is when you smile to hide your true feeling

Jace's birthday was only a week away, and everyone was buzzing with excitement. Grandma, Joseph, and Agnes had been planning a big surprise for him. Joseph, of course, had decided to include Agnes in the plans, after all, she was one of his closest friends, and he believed it best to have everyone on board. At Dorah's house, while the preparations were in full swing, Miranda gently caressed Dorah's hair as she asked, 'What do you want your birthday to be like?" Dorah lay on the sofa, lost in thought, when Jace joined Miranda. With a teasing smile, Dorah repeated, 'Yes, how do you want it to be?" Jace groaned playfully. 'Why are you people even asking me the same question all over? Grandma asked me that same thing this morning," he whined. 'Just answer the question!" Dorah replied, rolling her eyes in a playful manner. 'Honestly, I just want it to be like always, nothing special. I'll be in school that day, then I'll go home and maybe play some games," Jace said with a shrug. 'Boring," Dorah teased, while Miranda chuckled at his response. 'To you, maybe but to me it's the best," he said. 'That's how I've celebrated my birthdays for the past five years." He paused, his eyes distant as memories came flooding back, the bittersweet realization that he had stopped really celebrating since his mom died. 'Oh," Mira mouthed softly. After a moment, Dorah brightened and suggested, 'Jace, how about playing PES?" 'I'm in. You ready for some good beatings?" Jace grinned, his competitive spark ignited. 'Actions speak louder than words," Dorah quipped as she retrieved the gamepads and tossed one to him. He caught it with a chuckle while Miranda headed off to the kitchen for refreshments. Jace stepped out of the car and took a deep breath of fresh air. 'Hey, buddy," came a warm greeting as Max swung his hand over Jace's shoulder. 'You nearly scared the crap out of me!" Jace replied with a frown, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as Max chuckled. 'Happy birthday, by the way," Max added, ignoring Jace's exclamation. 'Oh, now I remember it's my birthday. Thanks," Jace said sarcastically, though there was genuine warmth behind his tone. From behind them, Ronald and Jason's voices rang out. 'Birthday boy!" They turned, and Ronald exclaimed, 'Look who we have here!" Jason joined in with a singsong tone, 'It's the birthday boy!" Jace chuckled at their antics and shook his head. 'Happy birthday, buddy," they said in unison, sealing their greeting with a special handshake that only true friends shared. 'Thanks, guys," Jace replied. Then Jason chimed in, 'So, I was thinking maybe you should come over to my place after school today. Ronald and Max are coming over too." 'Well…" Jace hesitated for a moment, when suddenly three excited girls bounded toward them. In perfect unison, they shouted, 'Happy birthday, Jace!" Jace looked around, momentarily confused as to how everyone had known about his birthday. The girls reached out and handed him a few wrapped gifts. 'Thanks, girls," he said with a big smile as he collected them. One of the girls, her voice teasing, whispered, 'Gosh, your hand touched mine," causing them to all chuckle as they ran off. Jason unwrapped a box, and as he did, Ronald and Max exchanged knowing, amused glances. On opening the gift box, Jace found it inscribed with the words 'You're my star" a designer wallet. He frowned for a moment, trying to brush off the sudden swell of sentiment, then looked up. 'Are you good?" Ronald asked as if reading his thoughts. 'Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Jace stuttered, forcing a smile. 'I hope this is the first and the last gift for today," he added, attempting to change the topic so his friends wouldn't worry. 'Sorry, bro, but this is just the beginning," Max said, and they all laughed. Jason recalled his own birthday memories. 'I remember my last birthday, Mom thought I went on a spending spree," he said amidst laughter. 'Come on, oh gosh…" Jace whined playfully. Before class, greetings and gifts continued to pour in. 'Okay, please tell me, how does everyone know about my birthday?" Jace asked, looking around with a playful frown. His friends exchanged smirks and shy glances. As they opened the class door, ribbons and confetti unexpectedly cascaded over them. 'WHAT THE HECK?!" Jace exclaimed, startled, as his classmates burst out laughing and cheering. 'Happy birthday!" they all shouted, clapping and singing a rousing birthday song. Touched, Jace walked to the front of the class with a surprised smile. 'Thanks, guys," he said as the song ended. Then Marie, the class president, appeared with a white cake and declared, 'To the most handsome guy in class!" She placed the cake on Jace's desk and discarded the box. Ronald theatrically pounded his chest. 'Wow, I'm hurt," he teased, causing more laughter. 'Now, make a wish!" Marie said as she lit the candles on the cake. Jace closed his eyes tightly, clamped his hands together, and made a wish of his own. The rest of the day flew by. Jace continued to receive gifts and greetings, sometimes even having to dodge overly affectionate classmates, especially girls and endure Miranda's constant teasing about being the boyfriend of every girl. When the final bell rang for the day, Ronald bumped Jace's head. 'Are you leaving or not?" he demanded. Jace and Miranda, engrossed in their conversation, barely noticed the dwindling crowd of students. 'Oh, we're about to leave," he said, standing up. 'Yeah, true," Miranda murmured, though she seemed a little uncomfortable with how the guys were all staring at her. 'I think I'm smelling love in the air," Jason teased, faking a serious expression. 'Yeah, as much as I can sniff," Max added, pretending to take in an aroma. 'Seriously, guys? We're just friends, nothing more," Jace said as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Miranda's gaze fell to her fingers, nervously fiddling with them. 'Come on, Mira, let's go," Jace said, gently taking her hand. Ronald teased, 'Lover boy, easy there!" and laughter broke out among the group. 'Let me get my backpack," Miranda said, gathering her things. 'Oh, Dorah must have been waiting for me," Jace remarked as he checked his watch. 'Her message said she left," Ronald said, showing his phone. 'Oh, that's a first," Jace mused, puzzled by why Dorah would leave without her. 'My driver is waiting for me already," Miranda explained, pointing to a car in the parking lot. 'Oh, okay," Jace agreed, letting go of her hand. 'Till tomorrow?" he asked, raising a brow. 'I think so," Miranda squinted and shrugged. 'Alright, come on," Jace said as he spread his arms. Miranda smiled and bounded into his waiting embrace. They shared a quick goodbye before Jace rejoined his friends. 'We're just friends, you know," Jace said when his friends gave him that look, and Max grinned, 'We never said otherwise, star." The guys piled into the car with friendly winks and teasing glances. 'You guys are acting creepy," Jace laughed as he entered. Later, in the house where they all gathered, the mood shifted as plans for an impromptu night out were discussed. 'So, since Mum and Dad aren't home, I'm thinking maybe we should go out for some fun. Max will drive," Jason said, jogging down the stairs. 'Let's ask the guys," Jace agreed, and soon, Jason took off with a cheerful shout, 'Hey, guys! Jace and I are planning to go out, wait, is it time already?" He changed his tone when he saw Dorah and Miranda in the living room with Ronald and Max. 'Yeah," Dorah answered, 'we're here." 'Time for what? And what are you all doing here?" Jace asked as he approached them. 'Just to give you this," Dorah said, presenting two shopping bags. Jace opened one and was surprised to find a designer. The other bag contained a neatly wrapped box. Carefully, he opened it to reveal a pair of pristine white sneakers. 'Gosh, babe, I love you," he exclaimed, his voice thick with excitement. Before he could say more, he scooped Dorah up and spun her around in a playful twirl. 'Let me down!" she protested between bursts of laughter. 'Thanks, babe," he said, setting her down gently and kissing her forehead. A flicker of jealousy crossed Miranda's face, but she quickly masked it with a smile. 'It's just a peck, we're all friends," she thought.