I stir in my bed as sunlight beams into my face through my window. I lay there for a bit and rub the sleep from my eyes. When I hear the loud clanking of what I know are baking pans in the kitchen, I automatically remember what day it is.

I roll out of bed and make my way downstairs to get breakfast, preparing myself for what's on the other side of that kitchen door. As soon as it flings open, Dad stops stirring the mixture of batter and looks over to me with a huge, stupid grin.

"John, happy birthday!" He pats me on the shoulder and hands me a wrapped box. "I got you something really special for your big one-eight!"

I gave him a curious look and carefully peeled open the box, then opened the flaps. Inside was a mysterious set of keys. "Um… thanks?"

He could clearly see the confusion on my face and laughed, "Take a step outside, son."

I narrowed my eyes at him, but did as I was told. As soon as I got out the front door, and saw what was in the driveway, the whole situation made sense. I'd recognize that car anywhere. It was the one I had had my eyes on ever since I got my licence a while back. A black 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429. My absolute dream car. It took every ounce of dignity I had to keep myself from jumping all over the place and attacking my dad. Instead, I turned to him with the most excited look I'd ever given him.

"Wow! Oh god! Thank you so much, Dad!" I gave him a big hug. "I seriously would have never expected this."

Dad hugged me back with a smile full of pride spread across his face. "You're welcome, son. Now, you should go eat up, okay?"

"Yeah, you're right," I chuckled, heading back inside and into the kitchen to grab a bowl of cereal.

After my breakfast was finished, I rushed upstairs and turned on my computer. When I opened up Pesterchum, as expected, three windows started flashing. I was greeted by a "happy birthday" and "did you get my present yet?" from both Rose and Jade, returning them with a "oh my gosh thank you" and "not yet but they should get here in the mail later today". When I finally got to the third window, my heart leaped for joy like it usually did when talking to this person. It was strange.

- turntechGodhead [TG] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 10:24 -

TG: happy birthday man!

EB: hey thanks!

TG: what did your old man get you?

TG: please don't tell me he just baked you some lame cake like last year

EB: no actually you know that car i've been wanting?

TG: that mustang?

EB: yeah that one.

EB: he actually got it for me! :D

TG: wow i never expected that

TG: your dad's definitely outdone himself

TG: especially compared to all these years before

EB: i know right!

EB: i almost flipped my shit when i saw it

EB: but of course my cool guy exterior would never let that happen

TG: …

TG: you're really fucking funny egbert

TG: no like seriously a riot

TG: i'm actually pissing myself right now that was so funny

TG: shit my aj is everywhere now

EB: haha alright i get it already okay

EB: you're a fucking riot dave

TG: oh have you gotten my present yet man?

EB: no not yet i won't get it till later when the mail comes

TG: i know man just checkin ya

EB: okay well i should probably go shower and stuff so i'll talk to you later

TG: okay man later

EB: later

-ectoBiologist [EB] ceased pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 10:48-

As I showered, I couldn't stop thinking about Dave the whole time. It seems I couldn't get him out of my mind lately. I really didn't understand that. Every time we chatted online or Skyped or anything like that just over the internet, I got this tightening feeling in my chest and I never knew how to explain it. It had been like that for almost all these years I had known Dave. And I'd never even met the guy. I really didn't understand how someone I'd never met could affect me like that.

I was drying myself off as these thoughts just kept escalating. I tried to just ignore them and started getting dressed. I pulled on my green slime ghost boxers, blue jeans, and black t-shirt. I slipped my glasses back on and opened the door, walking back into my bedroom.

When I stepped inside, I stopped dead in my tracked and gaped at the sight before me. There, sitting on my bed with the most casual expression ever, was none other than my best friend in the entire world, Dave Strider.