You're so sweet to me

In a world that's not always fair

We could watch it from the clouds
We can't stop it anyhow

-Jack Johnson- From the Clouds

Chapter 23—

Mackenzie's POV

"It's April" I sing song to Rose.

She glances at me, "I know, Z, you've told me that the past two days."

I sigh, "So…what do you want for your birthday?"

"Shouldn't you have already bought my birthday present?"

"Who says I haven't?"

"You did, just now when asking me what I wanted."

"What if I was asking for someone?

She eyes me critically.

"Just tell them I enjoy Honeydukes."

I beam at her. "Fantastic!"

"Mhmm"

"So…."

"Yes, Z?" she snaps, "If you haven't realized I'm actually trying to finish some homework so I can go hang out with Scor!"

"Sorry, just one last question!"

…

"What did you get me for my birthday?"

"Go find Ben."

"Hmmph."

Rose and I were born three days apart, so I'm technically 3 days older than her and therefore I should be more responsible than her, based on the age theory. Yet, I'm the one going off to find my boyfriend before even starting my homework and she's doing her homework before going to find her boyfriend (things had been a lot more serious since they said I love you to each other about two months ago—yes she's keeping track).

I'm glancing at the portraits as I walk down the hallway, not really paying attention to where I'm going.

Until, of course, I run into someone.

"Watch where you're— oh, hey Kenzie."

"Hi Al!"

"Where are you going?"

"The kitchens, want to come with?"

"Sure"

"So…Al…"

"Yes?"

"What did you get me for my birthday?"

He rolls his bright green eyes at me.

"A pygmy puff"

"Really?"

"No"

I frown. "I already had a plan! I was going to name if Alfred!"

"What if it was a girl?"

"Alfretta!"

He chuckles and shoots me another look. "You'll find out tomorrow anyway."

"But I hate surprises! And I'm really good at acting surprised! You can just tell me now and no one will know the difference!"

He reached out to tickle the pear.

We quickly ordered two sandwiches.

"You want to take it to go and eat it picnic style out by the Black Lake?"

"Sure!"

We carried our basket outside into the rare, sunny day in April.

"So it's not a pygmy puff?"

"Merlin, Kenzie, give it a rest!"

"Fine fine" I sigh. "So how's Amy?"

"Ames is great. She's really studying for her OWLS."

"Ew. I'm glad those are over. Rose is freaking out too. She about snapped my head off earlier."

"You asked her about your present didn't you?"

I smile. "I might have…"

He rolls his eyes at me and lies down on the ground. I follow in suit.

"That one looks like Fred in his bunny costume." I point to a cloud.

"That one looks like your birthday present."

"Which one?"

Al laughs at me again, "You'll never know."

I hit him on the arm gently, "Now that is not fair!"

"Hasn't anyone ever told you, life isn't fair?"

"Yes, I don't believe them. Karma's a bitch."

He looks right at me again, piercing my eyes with his. He leans closer to me and my breath catches, but his mouth moves past mine and he whispers in my ear

"You really want to know your present?"

"Yes" I whisper back.

"Well it's going to cost you."

I eye him critically for a moment, trying to decide just what it would cost me.

"What would it cost me?"

"Z!" a sudden voice yelled from a few meters away.

I whip my head around in the direction of the voice and I hear Al groan softly.

"Hi Ben" I smile at my boyfriend. Yes, he's still my boyfriend I haven't broken up with him yet. I mean it was Valentine's Day, and then it was his birthday and I just didn't have the heart…

He smiles widely at me. "I was wondering if you were free? We could take a walk?" he asks hopefully.

I glance at Al. He shrugs at me though I know he would be annoyed if I just up and left him in the middle of our picnic lunchy thing- even if it was for my boyfriend. Well he doesn't even like my boyfriend.

Actually I think that Al is the only one of us that is officially single. He swears up and down that he and Amy are just friends—but I cannot deny that there is definitely a trend among those Potter boys…they fall for redheads. And of course, Amy Buchanan is probably the one of the only redheads at Hogwarts that is not related to the Potters.

"Sorry, Ben, Al and I were just reviewing for our charms exam."

Ben looks hurt, but I can't help but look at Al, who looks elated.

"Really? Oh um, okay, then I'll see you later?"

"Sure, Ben"

"And save some time for me in your busy schedule tomorrow, okay? I have a present to give you."

"A present?"

Ben laughs at me too. "Well it is the tradition to give the birthday person a present on their birthday…"

"You don't have to remind me!"

Ben waves and walks away to find some of his friends.

"So, Al now that you have me all to yourself…what do you want to do?

And that's how Al and I spent the rest of the day laughing and the shapes of the different clouds and just hanging out in general. Without my knowledge Al had even snuck a chocolate cake out for us. But he still wouldn't tell me what my birthday present was.

A/N: Watcha think? Sorry for the delay...busy day. I already have the beginning of the sequel written and I'm so excited! Just a few chapters left!

~wwccd