The next days went basically by just like Monday. I went to school, spent my time in class, with the squad and with Amy and when I went home I texted Amy on her new weird phone, she got herself and old one, because she didn't want to spend much money on it when she gets her old phone back soon, and late at night Amy would stop by and sleep over. She just holds me and I can fall asleep with a smile on my face. It's the best thing ever. But in the morning the other side of the bed would always be empty. Always.

Just like today. I woke up and the other side of the bed was empty, yet still warm. She must've left not long ago. But there was a note on my mirror saying "happy birthday! I love you".

Oh right, it's Thursday. I almost forgot. I don't really feel like it's my birthday, I really want to spend it with Amy, why can't I just spend my day with the person I love? Why does she have to be grounded for being who she is? It doesn't make sense to me!

I shake off my thoughts and go downstairs to see my parents grinning at me. They have this weird birthday tradition where they act like it's a normal day until I come home from school and my whole family is here. It's the same every year, but something seems different today.

"Good morning my dear," my mom beams for excitement, what's going on? I mean they literally waited for me on the foot of the stairs. This whole thing is very confusing. "How was your night? Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yeah, thanks. I'm fine." My tone is very skeptical what makes my parents grin even wider. They watch me as I walk to the kitchen and follow me giggling like fourth-graders. I raise my eyebrow and try not to be bothered by their behavior, I mean they could've eaten some of dad's magical brownies, right?

When I enter the kitchen I stop. I just stand there for a while and stare. There's a huge pile of books on the table, as far as I can see they're all hardcovers and I think all from the same publisher.

"Someone left these here when they left the house." My mom says, who's now right next to me. "I think they're your birthday present." I can hear the grin in her voice, it's almost disgusting. But I'm more curious about the books now.

I step closer to the books and take one in my hand. "Wow." I breathe out. That's amazing, I can't believe it. I never told her I want those. Thirteen books, in a nice pile on my kitchen table. Thirteen books that I wanted ever since I knew they existed. I put that one down and take the next one, that's when I notice the card that lies right in front of the books. I put the book down and pick up the card.

Good morning Knockout
I hope you like my present, Lauren told me you wanted these books since forever, so I thought why not buy them for you?
Happy birthday my princess, I'll see you in school.
xo Amy

Can that girl be any more perfect?

"So what books are they?" My dad asks. He has no idea about books, he never reads, he only bought me books when I was younger because I wanted them so badly.

"They're A Series of Unfortunate Events." I turn to my parents with the biggest smile. "Remember the movie you thought was weird because the baby bit in everything?" He nods. "Yeah, it's after those books. I always dreamed of buying them but they're so expensive when you wanna have all thirteen."

My parents smile softly at me and pull me into a hug. "Happy birthday my dear," my mom says. "I'm glad you like your present from Amy." They pull away and look at me. "By the way we made your favorite breakfast. Amy already had some of it, we insisted she'd stay until you wake up, but she said she had to leave."

I smile at my parents and thank them for making bacon pancakes, yeah I know they sound disgusting and unhealthy, but come on, they're amazing. But on the inside I feel like punching Farrah in the face. Amy would've stayed for breakfast if it wasn't for her mother.

Maybe I could ask my parents if Amy could live with us, this way she wouldn't have these problems. But I'd had to ask her first.

I send Amy a text saying thank you, that she's insane and that I love her. But I also ask if she made it home in time so that no one noticed she was gone.

During breakfast my parents try to get more information about Amy and me. They haven't tried that in a long time and I'm getting tired of dodging their questions so I slowly answer them, but I don't give away too much information.

"So Amy is a lesbian?"

"She sure is."

"And you are, too?"

"Nope."

"Okay, does that mean you're bi?"

"Yep."

"So you two are in a relationship?"

"Guess so."

"Oh Karma, that's wonderful! We're so happy for you!"

That's when I looked up from my food.

"Really?" I look at them with a frown on my face and my doubt seems to hurt my parents.

"Why yes, of course. All we want for you is to be happy, if you believe us or not." My mom says, looking over to my father.

"We couldn't be more proud than we are right now, you finally admit to us that you have a girlfriend and that you're happy." My father adds and now I'm confused.

I always thought I wasn't good enough for my parents, but it seems like they are that weird loving bunch everyone sees in them. I'm confused. How couldn't I see it? Why didn't I see it? Or maybe they just act like this because it's my birthday and my brother's not here. Yeah, that must be it.

I mumble a "Thanks," and continue eating my breakfast.

When I'm done I check my messages and there is one from Amy.

You're welcome! Yes, I made it just in time, I had to race home though. But it was worth it. Last night was lovely, I wouldn't miss falling asleep with you in my arms any day. x

That's at least something, last night was really great. We watched Enchanted for like the 100th time and I fell asleep in the middle of it. I don't know if Amy watched the rest, all I know is that I want to do it all over again.

The bus ride to school was boring and it took me twice as long to get to my first period because everyone congratulated me. I hate birthdays. I couldn't see Amy anywhere, and that made the day even worse.

After first period I go to my locker and Lauren and Shane jump up behind me and shout "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" in unison. I jump and almost have a heart attack, I drop everything in my hands and put my hand over my heart that's beating way too fast.

"Can you guys not?" I stare at them with wide eyes and I'm breathing heavy.

"What?" Shane chuckles. "Can't we wish you a happy birthday?" He pulls me into a tight hug, that almost kills me.

"I .. Can't .. breathe" I get out and he releases me. I take a few deep breaths before Lauren does the same. She might me tiny and everything, but that girl is strong!

After almost being strangled to death twice, they stand in front of me with the biggest grin. "Okay so, normally we would have the party as early as possible, but today we will wait, okay? The party will start late, like 9pm late. So for a school night pretty late." Shane rambles. Okay something is fishy, but I couldn't care less. I just nod and turn to my locker.

I never cared about the parties they threw me. It's the same every year anyway, only that with every year, there's more alcohol. It's ridiculous, but what can I say? They love throwing me these parties, so how can I decline? Not that I have a chance to decline anyway.

"Okay, then at 9." I pause and turn to my locker. "Where?"

While I open my locker Shane and Lauren say, again, in unison: "At the Raudenfeld-Cooper residence."

I stop and turn around, one eyebrow raised and a frown on my face. "What?"

Shane just shrugs and Lauren giggles. "Yeah, I begged my dad, and Farrah didn't say anything about it. They'll be out with Amy. Farrah insisted on taking her with her. Lovely isn't it?" Lauren says.

I just shake my head. That woman is ridiculous, because yeah right, it's not me she hates, it's her daughter's sexuality. I almost forgot. I sigh.

"Alright, then I'll be there. Should I help set up stuff?" I turn to my locker again and finish opening it.

"Nope, everything will be ready when you arrive, just make sure you're on time." Shane pats my shoulder and they go away.

That was weird. That whole encounter was just weird. And my parents this morning were weird, too. What the hell is going on?

I get my things from my locker and notice something on the floor, it must've fallen down from my locker. I pick it up and see that it's a note.

For your big surprise you have to solve a riddle.
I know you never like playing the second fiddle,
So go to the place where you can be a star,
The next clue is where you got your first scar.

The fuck?

What is this? I mean yeah, it's Amy's handwriting, as always, but what is she talking about? Surprise? Star? What the hell?

Okay, let's see this in a rational light. Amy already got me a freakishly expensive gift as far as gifts for your girlfriend of a few weeks go, but then there's more? What could the surprise be? I mean Lauren said her mom takes her with them when they go out tonight, so it can't mean that she will be there tonight.

But I bet Lauren knows what's going on.

In next period I silently place the note on her table. After she reads it she looks up at me questioning.

"I know you know what this is about, don't play me Cooper," I whisper, pointing at her.

She reads the note again and shrugs. "Sorry hun, but I really don't know what that is. But it's clearly about the auditorium. That's where you're a star, right?"

No it can't be about the auditorium. But I think I know where the next clue must be. The rest of the lesson is hard for me, I can't concentrate and only stare at the watch to see the minutes go by. I tap my fingers on my desk and all in all I act very impatient. Hell, I am impatient, I wanna know what Amy is up to. That girl just drives me crazy.

When the bell rings I barge out of the classroom and run to the gym. When Amy and I were little there was this talent show and I won. I sang If You Wanna Be My Lover, come on, I was like 7. Amy performed a horrific yo-yo routine, it was cringe worthy, but so were most of the performances. We were still best friends at that time so she supported me when I won and was practically happier than if she had won herself. Even then she was just the best, well before everything changed.

When they announced that I won, I had to go up to the stage, but I tripped and fell, busting open my chin so bad that I needed stitches. You can't even see the scar anymore, but that has to be what she meant with star and first scar. I cringe at myself for her rhyme.

When I arrive at the gym, I stop in my tracks. This looks exactly like it did back then. She decorated everything to look how it did 9 years ago. She's crazy, right? I mean, that's absolutely crazy. Who would do something like that? Who would remember something like that?

I pass the rows of chairs and get to the front, where a stage is set up. On the right side of the stage there are stairs and on the stairs there are rose pedals. Okay, that's the only difference from back then. And there is another note.

Hey, you found it. Bet you searched in the auditorium first, syke! If not, then you're one smart cookie. Okay you're the most intelligent person I know so it was probably very easy for you. As you can see I don't rhyme anymore, because I know you think it's too cliché, but it was the first clue, I had to do it.
As for the second clue: Let's see how well you know the me before we got together. Do you know where I spent lunch most of the time? Go there and maybe you'll find the third clue. Just search for the K and you'll be the lucky winner.

I go directly to the cafeteria. That's where she spent lunch, right? I mean everybody does. At leas that's what I did before I spent it with Amy. And I noticed her there a couple of times, mostly because of Lauren's instant whining when she sees her, or because Liam and her were vandalizing school property. So it has to be the cafeteria.

When I was there I spent the whole time looking under tables and benches, but I found nothing. I searched the whole place, why is nothing here? I go on a search again and then there's a note.

You really think I'd spend my lunches here? Think again Ashcroft.

Damn it, she got me there.

Okay, where else does she spend lunches? She told me that Liam and here sometimes went to the store and stuff, but that's not most lunches. And they mostly did that when they skipped class, so really not lunch. Think Karma, think. Where does she spend most of her time in school? No, I can't think like that, she spent her lunches with Liam.

And that's when it hits me. Oh how could I miss that? That's so obvious! I go to the courtyard to one of the benches. They always sat there, Liam was catcalling girls and Amy just sat there looking to the ground every time I passed. Sounds like a fun lunch, right? I think so, too. But well if she liked it, it's not my place to judge.

I look at the bench and see something, a small carved K in the wood of the bench. I look right below it and find the third note. This scavenger hunt is not that hard!

Guess what that K stands for, I carved it in in freshman year. I hope you like it, I did it in calligraphy, it was the first letter I was able to write, what a surprise.
Anyway, you found the third clue! Amazing, I'm proud of you! I know they're not hard, but why should they be? I just want you to walk around here and have a good time while ditching school, because I know that's what you're doing.
The third clue: This one is really easy, do you know where I always go with Chiron if I'm not feeling alright? Lucky hunting and stuff.

She was right, that's an easy one, but I actually have to leave campus for this one. And she's right, I'm skipping class right now, but it's my birthday, the teachers love me, so I don't really see the problem here if I'm honest. So okay, I'll go to the park.

I go there with this tug in my stomach, it just doesn't feel right to skip school and everything when you always praise how important it is to always attend. I feel like a hypocrite right now, but I shouldn't, should I? I don't even know anymore. I almost forget that it's actually creepy that she carved my name or initials in more than one object or plant. But on the same time .. it's also kinda cute. There's kinda a lot going on in my mind right now.

When I finally arrive at the park, I actually took the bus there, I go to a bench where she always sits. The bench where I went when I talked to her about the letters and our relationship. This bench always gets me a bit emotional, but I go there anyway. I know she always comes here when she feels bad.

After I can't find anything at or under the bench, I just sit down. This hunt is kinda weird, it's really cute and thoughtful and I feel like she just rambled on the notes because she was in a hurry. It's still the cutest think and I appreciate it so much that she does that, but why does she even do it? She misses a whole day of school, that means she won't be able to pass the year.

Something shimmering catches my eye, it's in a tree a few feet from the bench. It's a note with something on it. Something shimmery, golden. I get the note and the shimmery thing that turns out to be a bracelet. It's a charm bracelet with two charms on it: a book and a dog. I open the note.

Wow, I really thought I hid this one well, but I guess the shimmer of the bracelet caught your eye. Let me explain it to you if you haven't guessed it already: A charm bracelet is for good luck, and we seem to need it a lot lately. So the book obviously represents what you brought into my life, before you introduced me to the beauty of books I wasn't into stories and written pages, hard to believe, I know, but I only read the books for school and I resented them. You made me love them. And the dog is Chiron, again pretty obvious, I know. I know you love him to death and he loves you right back. And he really wants to see you again, I can tell, so I might be at your window with a big fluffy ball of joy in the next days, I'll just take him on a very long walk with you, so that you both are happy. I love the smile on your face when you see Chiron. It's a different smile, very cute, very sweet.
I'm getting off topic. So as for the next clue: Go to the place where you first showed me you love me. Not told me, showed me. That's the important part. That's the last clue by the way, after this you made it.

I sit there for a moment, staring at the park. The place where I showed her I loved her for the first time. Not told her, showed her. So not her place.

Oh now I remember, it's my place. My room. But what's in my room? She already got me the books and the bracelet, what else does she want to get me? And all of that time I didn't even see her. That what bothers me the most.

I walk to my place, kinda bummed about not seeing her. I really hope I could've spent this hunt with her, or the night, I'm at her place anyway. Well whatever I can't change it anyway, maybe she's sick or something. No she can't be, she had to create this whole thing.

When I arrive at my place, my parents aren't home. I walk directly to my room, I mean that's the place, right? But I stop right before I enter the room. I hear noises from inside. Why are there noises inside my room? I grip the door knob and take a deep breath before I open the door.

When I open the door my mouth falls and my eyes are wide open.

There are fairy lights everywhere, candles all over my dressers and Amy in the middle, covering my room in rose pedals. She notices me standing there and turns to me grinning, with the most foolish grin I've every seen in my life.

This girl is crazy.

She walks up to me, still grinning, and hugs me tight. "Close that mouth, knockout. Flies might get in there." She pulls away and I just stare at her.

"You're crazy, you know that, right?" I look around my room, gripping her shirt so she won't back off from me.

"Happy birthday my love." She pulls me in and kisses me. I smile into the kiss and completely melt at the touch of her lips on mine. Have I said that this girl is perfect? When she pulls away again, she steps away and motions down at herself. "So, do you like your third gift?"