Big Time Birthday.

July 4th.

Today is my birthday.

I threw on my favorite plaid shirt and looked at my helmet.

"Another year goes by," I whispered.

I slipped on my Vans and walked outside. I found James and his mom munching on hamburgers my mom had prepared.

"Happy Birthday, Kendall!"

James ran to hug me.

"Thanks buddy."

We all hung out in the backyard eating and talking about the school year coming up. I couldn't help but let my mind drift away into a different world, a world where Carlos was here celebrating my birthday with me. I shook my head at the thought. I couldn't figure out what was coming over me, this really weird feeling. I don't know how to explain it. I only knew one thing for sure.

I really missed him.

Ugh, but I didn't understand why. This is a GUY, I'm thinking about. I shook my head harder.

"Dude, are you okay?"

I heard James' voice and looked up to see myself surrounded by confused faces.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry."

They returned to their conversation and I returned to my world.

My thoughts were interrupted again by the sounded of a honking truck.

"What's with all the honking?" I heard my mom say.

Everyone stood up and walked to the front of my house. I saw a woman pulling out the 'for sale' sign from the house across the street.

"New neighbors cool," said James.

"We should go meet them," My mom added.

We walked across the street to greet the new family.

The woman was first, her name was Kendra, and she's weird. The husband, Will, was also weird. Next we met their daughter, and she was definitely not weird. She was wow, just…wow. She was different from her parents, very different. I caught myself staring. She didn't notice. She had her eyes locked on James.

"I'm Sarah."

"I'm Kendall."

She shook my hand, but I could still tell her focus was on James. Sarah and her parents took a break from unpacking and came over for a hamburger. As hard as I tried to prevent it, my mom got everyone to sing me the birthday song. HUH. It was embarrassing.

"Hey Kendall?"

James came up to me while I helped clean up.

"What's up?"

"Um, the fireworks are about to start at the park, and umm, I asked Sarah to go with me. I really didn't plan on leaving early, but-,"

"Dude," I interrupted. "It's okay. Go ahead. It looks like you guys really hit it off."

He smiled.

"Thanks and happy birthday."

I watched my mom walk our guests to the door and then I ran up to my room.

I jumped on my bed and hugged my helmet.

I miss you Carlos. I wish you were here right now, with me. We could've gone to watch the fireworks together, it would've been really romantic and the perfect birthday present. Actually, your presence would've been just fine.

I stood up immediately and shook the thoughts away. I couldn't be thinking like this. Something was happening inside of me, something I couldn't prevent. I don't know what it is, but I had to find out.