AN: Happy Birthday, Chloe!

March 11, 2007; Chloe's 13th birthday.

Her smile, brighter than the lit candles on the birthday cake. Her ocean colored eyes showed warmth, filled with joy. I took out my camera to capture the moment and the beautiful look on her face.I was a bit jealous of William since he had a Polaroid camera; I've always wanted one ever since I got into photography. It makes photographs look nostalgic and vintage, and I've always loved that. Ah, well, guess I have to use this disposable camera until I save enough money to get a polaroid. Or at least a digital I guess… I'm tired of borrowing my parent's camera. Which, by the way, I'm not allowed to take around with me.

"Alright sweetheart, make a wish," Chloe's father pressed.

Chloe nodded, closing her eyes with once again another grin on her face as she went into deep thought. "Okay, here I go!" She proclaimed, blowing out her candles. Everyone clapped their hands as the flames disappeared. Chloe bowed in response, causing everyone to let out a laugh.

"Before we cut up some cake, let's have Chloe open her presents," said Chloe's mom as she nodded towards me.

My present was on the table with a birthday card taped to it. I got it off the table and handed it to Chloe. "I hope you like it," I told her, sounding slightly nervous.

"Max, c'mon, you're my best friend! Any gift you get will me is automatically the coolest! Along with Mom and Dad's of course."

Chloe detached the card and tore open the envelope, which revealed the homemade card I did for her. It was kind of lame, and my drawing skills were nowhere near Chloe's. But I wanted to do something like that for her.

"Aw! Max, this is awesome! You drew us as pirates like when we were kids!" She let out a cute giggle before continuing on. "You even added Pogo the Pirate!" She looked over towards her snow white cat Bongo, who was stretching out on the couch.

"'To my very best friend Chloe Price,'" she read. "'Hope you have an uber cool birthday. I can't believe you're already a teenager. Guess I'll be catching up with you one day. Love, your dorky first mate.'" Chloe abandoned the card by displaying it on the table when she wrapped herself around me. I returned the embrace, enjoying her warmth. "I love the card, Max! That's another one for the scrapbook!"

"Thanks, Chloe," I replied. "But, aren't you gonna open the present?"

"Oh! Right, of course." Her attention now went towards the present as she began to the tear the wrapping paper. Chloe's eyes lit up as the present was revealed; It was another volume to a manga series that Chloe enjoyed reading. Man, Chloe is such a nerd! But, it's actually one of the reasons that make her really adorable.

"This is awesome Max, thank you! More Satoshi's Dojo Adventures to add to my collection," Chloe smirked.

"Yeah, to your nerd collection," I teased.

"Hey, you're one to talk Caulfield," Chloe replied as she gave me a playful shove.

Chloe's dad took hold of the comic, studying the cover. "Hmm… Maybe, I should get this guy's hairstyle, and dye it blue like his too," the man joked.

Chloe giggled at her father's goofiness, wrapping an arm around him. "No way dad, you'd look so weird!"

"Really? I thought it would be cool. If this cartoon guy can pull off that hair due, why can't I?"

"Because you're not a manga character dad!"

"So? I think I could pull it off. What do you think Joyce, Max?"

Chloe's mother sighed but had a smile on her face as she gave Chloe's dad a kiss on the cheek. "No hun, Chloe's right. I don't think I'd be able to recognize the man I married."

"I think it's a great idea," I proclaimed as I tried to imagine Chloe's dad trying to pull off an anime look.

"Max, don't encourage him!" Said, Chloe, as she became pouty.

"Sorry, Chlo, I'll keep my mouth shut then," I replied with a grin on my face.

Chloe's mom then left the living room saying she'd be right back and went upstairs, soon returning with a skateboard in hand. The bottom of the skateboard had a blue skull design and a red bow stuck attached to the front. "Here honey, your birthday present from your father and I." She gave Chloe a warm smile as she handed her the gift. Chloe beamed at the present, hugging and thanking her parents, telling them that it was a skateboard she had wanted forever.

"I think Max and I will try this bad boy out," Chloe announced as she gave me a devilish grin.

"No way," I responded. "You can ride the skateboard all you want, but you're not getting me on it. I'll just be on the sidelines taking pictures." I had no intention of falling on my ass or scraping my knees.

"Suit yourself, hippie. Now, let's go before it gets dark!"

"Wait, what about your cake?" Chloe's mom called as we just reached the front door. "And bring your shoulder and knee pads, along with a helmet!"

Chloe looked over at me and rolled her eyes. However, she couldn't help but smile at her mom's concern for her. "Don't worry mom, I'll be sure to bring them! And we'll have cake later!" Chloe then turned to look at me, telling me how she was actually going to ditch the pads and helmet but will eat the cake later, whispering while telling me. Of course, that was something she'd plan on doing.

"Oh, and Chloe, just one more thing!" Chloe's dad stepped into the entryway, bringing Chloe's mom with him. "Happy Birthday Chloe," they said in unison.

"Thanks, mom, thanks, dad," my best friend replied. Looking at her parents with love and gratitude.

Chloe had no choice but to at least bring the helmet with her.

After Chloe skated around the driveway and I took pictures, we went into her backyard as soon as dusk made its way through. We lay on the grass and watched the fireflies flash their beams as they flew around the area. Chloe locked our hands together, causing my chest to pound.

"This was the best birthday ever," she announced.

I chortled, turning my head to face her. "You say that every year."

"I know… But I really mean it this time. And you being here for my birthday always makes it special," my friend told me.

"Chloe, I'll always be here with you. Especially on your birthday." I gave her a gentle poke to her stomach.

"I know you will. We'll always be best friends and we'll always be together," Chloe confirmed.

"Yeah… a lot of things change, but we won't," I said. "Never…"

I then got out my camera and decided to capture the moment. I tightened the connection between our hands, making my chest pound even harder.

A flash erupted from the camera…

Chloe looked so peaceful as she slept that I almost didn't want to wake her; but rather just watch her sleep away soundly. I leaned in, giving her a tender kiss on the lips; She soon woke up and responded to the kiss. Her kiss was sloppy, probably from her barely being awake. But it was also filled with love and affection.

"Hey, 'morning Max," Chloe greeted. Her face groggy, but friendly; and her fading blue hair in fits of knots and curls.

"And good morning to you too, my precious buttercup." I grabbed the breakfast tray and handed it to her.

"Oooh! An omelet, yum!"

"Yup, a bacon omelet, just how you like it," I said.

"And what's this cute little box here?" Chloe questioned, examining it.

"Your present of course," I responded as if stating the obvious.

"Hm? I thought the omelet was the gift. Would've been perfectly content either way though."

"As if! I'm not that lame," I joked.

"Relax, baby, it was only a joke," she chuckled. "So, can I open it now?"

"Of course."

Chloe then scarfed down her omelet and gulped all of her orange juice, clearly enjoying the meal. She really was like the big bad wolf whenever she got super hungry. Or it could've been that she just wanted to open the present.

"Okay, let's see what we've got here," said Chloe as she began to untie the ribbon that kept the box sealed. She soon pulled out a sparkling silver necklace, a stunning blue butterfly hung at the end as a charm, completing the piece of jewelry.

"I know… You're not really into that kind of jewelry," I began. "And I know I've told you that story before of how I saw that blue butterfly in the girl's bathroom when Nathan, you know…" I cut the sentence off, turning towards something new. "Anyway, because of what happened right after I saw that butterfly, including when I discovered my powers, I also think of you when I see it. And this necklace was no exception. I just thought it would look really nice on you. And it goes well with your blue hair, even though it's starting to fade again."

"Thank you, Max, this necklace is beautiful," Chloe said.

"So… you like it?" I asked.

"I love it," confirmed Chloe as she placed the necklace around her, clipping the back to hold it in place. "How does it look? Probably look like shit right now since I just woke up and all."

"No, you look beautiful. The necklace looks even better now with you wearing it."

"You don't have to lie to me Max," Chloe joked.

"Chloe, you always look beautiful to me. No matter how kept or unkept you are."

She leaned towards me, placing a peck on my nose. "Dork."

"You're a dork too," I pointed out, taking the butterfly charm and examining it once again.

"I can't believe that a little butterfly played a huge part in all of this," said Chloe. She placed her hands on top of mine as I continued to hold the charm.

"I know, it's one of a kind, just like you." Chloe brushed a hand along my brown locks, soon bringing us closer together so we could kiss. I melted as soon as her lips brushed against mine; not wanting it to end.

"Happy 24th Birthday Chloe…"