SORRY FOR NOT POSTING LAST WEEK. I HAD COLLEGE WORK I HAD TO DO, AND I ALSO WAS IN ARIZONA FOR THREE NIGHTS, LEAVING SUNDAY MORNING. I COULD HAVE ONE DAYED THE LAST CHAPTER, BUT I WAS ALREADY EXAUSTED. HOWEVER, I MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE IF I CAN'T GET MY WRITING TO A FLASH DRIVE SINCE I'M GOING TO BE IN NEVADA FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THE UPDATE DAY IS ALSO A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY, SO CONSIDER THIS A SPECIAL UPDATE AS WELL. ANYWAYS, ENJOY!

Chapter 21: Birthday

"So, what have you been up to these last two weeks?" Chrissy asked Hikaru, who was actually quite nervous. He had been very secretive, and trying his best to act normal, but he was about to be found out.

"I'll tell you later. I promise," Hikaru spoke, trying his best to stay calm. He had been talking with Miyako more lately, and Sayuri, who have been just as secretive, if not more.

"And why can't you tell me now?" Chrissy demanded, Hikaru knowing that his back was against the wall. He knew that either one of two things could happen depending on his actions and answer.

"All I'm asking is for you to trust me. Please? I'm not doing anything with them, I swear," Hikaru pleaded, hoping that I would work. All he had to do now is wait until tomorrow for everything to fall into place.

"I don't know if I can," Chrissy replied softly, Hikaru hugging her.

"You can trust me. I promise, everything will make sense very soon," Hikaru whispered into her ear, seeing Miyako approaching him. She saw what was happening, and took out a paper and pen, quickly writing something down and showing it to him.

Cream cheese or creamy valina?

Hikaru mouthed one so that Chrissy wouldn't hear, and Miyako was able to understand. She pointed at the first one, and Hikaru gave a thumbs-up, and Miyako ran back, knowing what she had to do. Miyako and Sayuri were about to get everything put into place, and now it was Hikaru's job to keep her busy until tomorrow.

"I hope so," Chrissy whispered, not wanting to feel like this much longer. "Hikaru?"

"Yes?" Hikaru responded.

"Can you stay with me tonight? I don't want to feel lonely tonight," Chrissy asked, Hikaru smiling.

"Of course I'll stay with you. I love you, and nothing can change that," Hikaru answered, looking at Chrissy in the eyes. Just by the look, Chrissy knew that Hikaru wasn't lying, and she fell into Hikaru's chest, Hikaru smiling. "Should we at least go to your house?"

"Sh. Just a little longer," Chrissy smiled, wanting to stay like that all night.

"I'd rather get you home than your dad being on my ass along with your mother. Not too sure what your brother would do, but I'd rather not know," Hikaru answered, knowing that they were going to be in town one more day. He picked up Chrissy, his right arm supporting her legs while the other was behind her back. Chrissy held Hikaru as they walked home, Hikaru knocking once they were at the door. It was Ryan who had answered the door, letting them in.

Ryan leaned next to the ear Chrissy was father from and spoke. "Is everything ready?"

Hikaru smiled towards him, letting him know that everything was on track. Ryan nodded, and headed back to the living room.

"What was that about?" Chrissy asked Hikaru.

"He was wondering if I was going to be staying here, considering how I am holding you," Hikaru smiled, keeping the secret as best he could. Hikaru made his way to Chrissy's room, and Chrissy let go of Hikaru, Hikaru taking that cue as she wanted to stand. He let his right arm relax a bit, Chrissy standing. She hugged Hikaru, and he gladly returned the hug.

/-Sunday December 13, 6:30-/

Hikaru had woken up before Chrissy, the two cuddling when he woke up. Right now though, he was downstairs, completely alone in the house save for the sleeping Chrissy. He was in the kitchen, smiling and humming to himself, making something simple yet special.

He felt a pair of arms around him, startling him, dropping the pan, which landed on the stove and not on his feet.

"Aw, you ruined the surprise," Hikaru informed, Chrissy still hugging him. "I was going to wake you with breakfast in bed. Happy birthday."

"I'm sorry. Can I have breakfast with you instead?" Chrissy asked, already knowing the answer.

"Of course. Your family left a little while ago. Said they needed to get something," Hikaru spoke, knowing what they were getting exactly, and where it was. "Wait, no, they wanted to get somewhere and we meet them there once we are ready. I think I overheard them talking about lunch or something."

"Okay. Probably lunch. I know that Ryan and my dad are leaving tonight. They are returning for Christmas this year. Why don't you stay?"

"You know why. Anyways," as Hikaru was about to continue, the smoke detectors went off, Hikaru mentally swearing, seeing the pan smoking. He sighed, and removed the now burnt pancake from the heat, and opened a few windows, the alarm stopping after a minute. "I think I should have paid attention to it." Hikaru sheepishly spoke, scratching the back of his head.

"It's okay. I know you wanted it to be special. I really appreciate the thought," Chrissy smiled, releasing Hikaru from the hug. Hikaru realized that he was still in the clothes he wore yesterday, and sighed.

"I think I should change," Hikaru smiled, not wanting to stink up the area.

"The bag you brought is still here. I've been keeping it safe, and I might have worn a shirt or two from yours," Chrissy smiled back, Hikaru quickly kissing her cheek, knowing where the bag would be.

/-Five Hours Later-/

"Okay, where are we going?" Chrissy asked, Hikaru smiling to himself, knowing that everything was in place. Earlier, he had received a text from both Miyako and Sayuri telling him that everything was ready.

"Trust me, you'll love it," Hikaru smiled, knocking on the door in front of them. After a few seconds, an older Zoroark answered the door.

"Ah, you must be Miyako's friends. Please come in," she smiled, Chrissy's mood changing to irritation.

"Relax. Nothing is going to happen that you'll hate," Hikaru informed, kissing her cheek.

"She's down in the basement. Been down there a lot lately. Enjoy," she smiled, Hikaru walking to the basement door, opening it, and leading Chrissy down. As they hit the bottom landing, it was pitch black.

Hikaru flipped on the lights, and Chrissy was momentarily blinded. Once she could seem clearly, she saw her friends and family in the extremely spacious basement, Sayuri waving.

Before Hikaru could react, a punch to the gut was delivered by Chrissy.

"That's for being secretive for the past two weeks," Chrissy informed, bending down meeting Hikaru at eye level. "And this," Chrissy started, kissing him. "Is for the party you planned."

"Tough love?" a new voice asked Hikaru, Hikaru looking at the source, seeing a Tyranitar who was only eighteen, arms crossed leaning against a wall. He had on a gray sleeveless hoodie that was zipped up, hood down, a black canvas military cap, and gray pants. Around his wrists were two bandanas, one on each arm, a black one on his right, and a white one on his left. "Trust me, it's worth it. Party you should attend." He spoke, joining the lively activities, along with Hikaru. Everything was great: the talk, games, even the red velvet cake that was made, along with the cupcakes due to Miyako making too much red velvet.

"Happy birthday love," Hikaru whispered, standing behind Chrissy with his back to her. She rested her back on his, and he smiled, liking the closeness they had.

HEY! SORRY IF YOU DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS AS GOOD AS MY TYPICAL WRITING, BUT I'M NOW DONE WITH MY FIRST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE, SO MORE TIME FOR WRITING UNTIL I GET A JOB! AND KEEP IN MIND, THE CHARACTER THAT IS KIND OF INTRODUCED WON'T BE SHOWING UP THAT OFTEN AND WILL NOT BE GIVEN A NAME YET. ANYWAYS, NEXT WEEK, CHRISTMAS CHAPTER AND REGULAR UPDATE! I HAVE FOUND MY NOTEBOOK THAT IT IS WRITTEN IN, AND IT SHOULDN'T TAKE LONG! UNTIL NEXT TIME!