Today was the birthday, and Brooke didn't feel any different; she only remembered when she saw the calendar on the wall.  She quickly put on her school uniform, she was late already, and went out to eat breakfast.

"Morning, " said Kane.

Brooke replied, unsure of whether she enjoyed having no one acknowledge her birthday.  It was just another normal day to him.

"You've got some mail here Brooke, from Perth."

"Oh, just leave it on my bed, " her heart skipped a beat.  Someone remembered.  "I'll read it later."  She grabbed a random piece of toast from the counter and left the apartment.  Kane stared at the card.  He hadn't had much experience of them, but he had a suspicion that this was a birthday card.  What else could be in a lilac embossed envelope that said 'Hallmark'.  Trying not to tear it, he peeked inside.  He could see a badge saying '17 today'.  He was dumbfounded.  How could he not know when his own sister's birthday was?  It had to be today; otherwise she wouldn't leave so abruptly.

He punched Kirsty's mobile number into the cordless phone.  She picked up instantly.

"Hello future husband, " she whispered.  "What's up?"

"I have a pretty good idea that it's Brooke's birthday today, and I want to throw her a surprise party."

"She's seventeen?  That's huge!  Where were you gonna have it?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet.  Maybe here."

"Nah, it'll get trashed.  You could have it in the back room at the gym, where they have aerobics and stuff.  I'll invite everyone, when is it?"

"Tonight.  Tell everyone to get there at seven-thirty, " he said making up details on the spot.  "You'll have to distract her."

"Yeah, she's got detention till five, so I can help you until then, and I can take her late-night shopping in Yabbie Creek for a dress.  You do know how to organise a surprise party Kane?"

"Sure, " he said half-heartedly.  "How hard can it be?"

***

Brooke went through the motions of a normal day at school, but somehow it didn't feel like one.  People seemed to be talking about her, conversations stopped when she entered the room, and she guessed they were about the fight with Jade.

"Brooke, " an excited Kirsty rushed towards her.  "I'm getting married this weekend, and we're all going to New Zealand on the ferry Friday night but I'm gonna need a dress so what I'm really asking is can you come dress shopping with me after your detention?"

"Woah."  It was a lot to take in all at once.  "I suppose, its not like I have anything else to do.  So you're going to elope?"

Kirsty nodded.  "This Saturday.  I can't wait.  I take it you'll be my bridesmaid?"

"Sure.  So you're not telling Jade?"

"No way, my parents would kill me."

"So when do you intend to tell them, because they will find out.  Parents always do."

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet, " said Kirsty.  "Anyway, how are you since the big fight?  Jade's annoyed because she's been suspended for a week."

"Oh you know, looking forward to my two weeks of detention and an angry phone call from my mother.  Listen, I'd better go, I have to report to the library during my free periods, but I'll see you at five?"

"I'll meet you outside the form room."  Kirsty smiled as she left.  She was completely oblivious; it was almost as if Brooke didn't know it was her birthday.  She couldn't wait to surprise her.

***

The detention passed surprisingly quickly for Brooke, and before she knew it she was back where she was a few days ago; the Real Image shop in Yabbie Creek, staring at the same blue dress.

"You should get that, " said Kirsty.  "It's a great bridesmaid dress.  Almost too great."

"I doubt I'll upstage you, " said Brooke.

"Try it on anyway, " she said as she caressed a nearby ivory dress.  "This could work.  What do you think?"

Brooke nodded, as she picked up the blue dress.  It still cost the same.  "Yeah, go for it."

They both went through the usual motions; retiring into separate cubicles, tugging at the dresses to make them fit and staring at themselves obsessively in the mirror.  Eventually they came out.  Kirsty looked beautiful; the dress was perfect for a wedding.

"It's great, " said Brooke, who couldn't help thinking it was a weird way to be spending her seventeenth birthday, watching her brothers fiancée try on wedding dresses.

"Are you sure?"  Kirsty felt strangely emotional.  It felt weird to be wearing a wedding dress, she'd only ever seen photos of her mum wearing one and now, she was like her.  She was about to be married.  "I'll take it."

***

Kane felt seriously out of his depth.  Here he was in his gym with a table full of snacks and alcohol, about 30 teenagers hiding; ready to jump out at any moment and a really bad feeling.  Perhaps he shouldn't have organised a surprise party; Brooke obviously didn't want anyone to know for a reason.  He feared it would all blow up in his face.

He could feel his phone vibrating in his pocket.  That was the signal; Kirsty would ring him when Brooke was in the vicinity.

Brooke was slightly confused.  First Kirsty had made her change out of her uniform for seemingly no reason, and then she'd dragged her to the gym to see how Kane was. 

"I still don't see how I fit into this, " she said, slightly annoyed.  "I could be sleeping."

"At seven thirty?  I don't think so.  Lets just see Kane for a bit, " said Kirsty as she led Brooke into the Surf Club.  "He should be in the back."

They walked through the gym, into a darkened room. 

"I can't see anyone here, " said Brooke, before it happened.

"Surprise!"  The lights suddenly came on, and about 30 slightly familiar looking people jumped out.  Kane and Kit were at the front.

"What's this?" said Brooke with her wide mouth open. 

"It's your birthday party, " said Kirsty.  "You are 17 today?"

"Yeah, but I didn't think you'd find out."

"Sorry, " Kane stepped out of the crowd.  "I saw a card in the mail.  I invited some people from your school."

"Not Jade, luckily, "said Kit grasping a cup of fruit punch.

"Wow, thanks.  I suppose we'd better get this party started then."  Brooke let Kirsty pin a badge to her saying '17 today, ' and grabbed a cup of punch.

The music started; Kane had to borrow some of Brooke's rock CD's to play, and people started to dance.  Brooke went over to Kit. 

"I think this punch is spiked."

"Ooops, " said a slightly tipsy Kit.  "I didn't notice.  Don't worry, I won't drink any more."

"Come on, you need to sober up.  Lets go outside."

Kit followed Brooke outside, to the Surf Club car park, and they sat on a nearby bench.  They could still hear the music, playing loudly. 

"I didn't know you liked this band."

"Yeah, I used to go to their gigs all the time in Perth, " said Brooke, longingly.

"Do you miss it?"

"Only the place, not the people."

"Why not the people?"

"You know why, " she took a deep breath.  "They made my life hell and all that.  But here is better, well it was meant to be."

"Why isn't it?"

"Because everyone's pretending that everything is perfect, when it really isn't.  It's like they're all in denial."

"I take it we're not talking about the fight with Jade here?"

"No, we're not.  That was just a result of how I was feeling; I shouldn't have taken my anger out on her.  And I shouldn't have slept with Nick."

"I know how you feel, " said Kit sobering up.  "He seems to have that effect on people."

"You probably don't know how I feel; it was the worst thing I could have done."  Brooke shot a look at Kit.  "It went against what I really wanted."

"So, what did you really want?"

"This, " Brooke leant into Kit and kissed her.  Kit did respond; it felt different and exciting, and though it took her by surprise, she didn't want it to end.

"Brooke?"  Kirsty was calling.  "Come back to your party, we want to sing 'happy birthday' to you!"

Kit sprang back from Brooke, not looking at her.  "We'd better get back."

"Yeah, "she said wiping her lips and straightening her clothes. 

Silently, they went back to the party.