Chapter Five: Surprise!

It's mid-December, and yet no snow has fallen. To some, like Gaylen Fowler and his family, the warmer-than usual weather was a relief. To Gaylen and his older brother and sister, the warm weather meant a warmer hearth, easier firewood, and not freezing. To others, like Rue and Skeeter, no snow means a lot of dreariness and a lot of mud.

Rue gets a message one night while she's watching a movie with Skeeter that surprises her.

"Hey," she says, "I got a message from Ben."

Skeeter looks up. "What!? Ben!?"

"Mhm."

"What is it about?" Skeeter seems skeptical. He couldn't help it, really.

"Let's see." Skeeter raises his eyebrow, very skeptical.

"Hm… Oh, nice!" Rue says, smiling.

"What?"

"Tanner's birthday is coming up this Saturday and Ben's having a surprise party for him!"

"Oh." Skeeter didn't know what he was expecting, but that really wasn't it. "Well, that sounds like fun. Where?"

"His place," Rue says, "He asked me if we'd come help set up."

"Oh. Yeah, sure. Let me know the time and we'll get there."

It was kind of awkward, the whole situation with Ben. Ben is Skeeter's cousin, but he wasn't originally on such good terms with the group. He was in a pretty bad place, bitter, angry, and took it out on everyone. After meeting and falling in love with a mutual friend, Tanner Cooper, he started to try and mend his relationships with the others. Some, like Jason Hollow, haven't fully (or even started to) forgive him. Others, like Tanner and Rue, are there when he needs a friend. And some, like Skeeter, are in the middle.

Skeeter still doesn't fully trust Ben, but at the same time he knows that hating him won't do anything. So, he's working on the process of forgiving Ben. He can't give his cousin full trust and forgiveness yet, but he at least doesn't hate Ben anymore, which is more than some can say.

That Saturday, December 19th, is one week off after Tanner's birthday, and the day of the surprise party. Ben would've wanted it to be on the actual day, but finals for college were during that time and Ben couldn't have everyone coming home from college for it. Oh well, Ben knew Tanner wouldn't mind, and that either way he'd be perfectly happy. Besides, it will definitely add to the surprise. Celebrating Tanner's birthday on a Skye call in dark rooms, with hair messy and voice groggy, papers everywhere and a frenzied attempt to study as the clock goes on midnight… Yeah, that was fine, and Ben always liked to hear Tanner's voice, but this would be much more enjoyable for all involved. Rue and Skeeter meet at Ben's house along with some the O'Callaghan brothers, Edward and Kelley. Together the group starts to put up all kinds of decorations.

"How's college?" Rue asks Ben as they hang streamers.

"Not bad," Ben says, shrugging. "A lot of lost sleep."

"What are you majoring in?"

"I'm still undecided. Taking my Gen-Ed classes to knock them out while I try to decide."

"Oh, yeah. That's smart."

Ben shrugs. "Tanner's studying psychology. We've barely been able to talk with finals going on, though. That's why I wanted to surprise him. After the week we've had, it'll be nice to be able to relax.

"Well, good." Rue smiles. She's glad to hear such good news about her friends. She also can't wait to be out of high school and into college. College seems so close now, especially with her and Skeeter applying to college with resumes and essays and scholarships in mind. She's sick of waking up so early just to drag her ass to school and having to ask to go to the bathroom… She's pretty ready for graduation. And so is Skeeter.

Others start to arrive to help with the last-minute tasks. Prim and her boyfriend's sister Posy arrive together, greeting everyone and making polite conversation with Ben.

Locke drags a seething Jason in the door, who is only coming because he actually likes Tanner, although he hates Ben's guts. He tries not to scowl as they go in. Well, he doesn't really try. Locke nags him to be nice as they go, but it doesn't do much.

Santana comes, as well this time without the Irish John Cena, much to Jason's relief. Other alumni appear, as well, bringing lots of cookies and food and happy greetings. Elijah and Nate, who were seniors when Santana was, two years ago, come with their significant others, Linus and Daphne. Linus's friend Arrow, who is also Tanner's ex, comes as well, with his boyfriend Cor. Of all the alumni, Arrow was the one that kept the most contact with Tanner, and there really were no hard feelings between them after the break-up. Other glee club members come, including Ashley and Priscilla, the sophomores, and some of the friends Tanner made from Liberty.

A lot of them have awkward conversation with Ben, but most of the conversations fizzle off. Jason does a favor to Tanner and stays five feet away from Ben at all times. He knows Tanner and Locke don't like when they quarrel, but the fact still stands that the two hate each other.

Locke does go over, though, to chat with him.

"Hey!" he says, taking Ben's hand and shaking it firmly. Ben looks relieved that Jason stayed behind to talk to Rue and Skeeter.

"Uh, hi." Ben and Locke have never really had a real conversation before. Usually it's been Locke holding back Jason as Tanner holds back Ben and Locke and Tanner having a conversation. In fact, this is really the first time they've really faced each other one-on-one.

"How're you doing? How's the life away from here?" Locke asks, the air around him so light and friendly Ben can't feel too awkward.

"Not too bad. How have you been doing?"

"Pretty good, pretty good. And Tanner is doing well?"

"Yeah, he's well. He's still recovering from the low-blow from his parents, but he's enjoying being more independent. I think it's doing him well. His roommate is pretty nice, too, and they're helping each other out. He's doing lots of things, making lots of friends…" And it's making me nervous. But it wasn't really his place to say that at the moment. He trusts Tanner completely, really he does. He's just afraid that Tanner will find someone better than him and dump him.

Locke (that bastard) must see it in his eyes because he pats Ben's shoulder reassuringly. "Hey, man, you really don't need to be worried. You are the apple of Tanner's eye. He's crazy about you, alright? All he talks about is you. The distance doesn't matter."

Ben smiles a bit, nodding. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Locke nods. "It's nice to see you and hear about how you've been. And I think it's really sweet, what you're doing for Tanner."

"Nice to see someone that doesn't hate me still," Ben says, partly as a joke.

"Don't worry," Locke says, "As time passes it'll get better. You'll see."

"Sure." Ben wonders why Locke is being so friendly to him, when Jason can't stand him. Not that he's really complaining. It's nice to have a friend he can talk to in Panem. He's made a group of college friends, but he can't avoid Panem because it is Tanner's home and he's very connected to it and the people there, which means that Ben is indirectly connected to it. Most of Panem hates Ben, many people only came to the party for Tanner and are anxiously waiting for him to arrive. It was nice for Ben to have a civil conversation with someone here. Rue and Locke reached out to him, which he is very thankful for.

Ben checks the time. "Oh, I have to go pick him up!" He leaves. Locke goes back to Jason.

"How could you talk to that Asshole without punching him in the face?" Jason asks him.

"Ben needs some friends," Locke says. "He's really trying, I think."

"He's an asshole," says Jason.

"It's Tanner's birthday, Jason. You have to be nice to Ben for him."

"I'll be civil. That's as far as I'll go."

Locke sighs. "Fine."

"Ben just shot me a text, they're going to be here soon! Everybody hide!"

Everyone hides behind chairs and chairs and Rue shuts off the lights. As the group waits, people occasionally let out giggles and set off laughing fits that are hurriedly shushed. The door opens, Tanner going in first and turning on the lights. Everyone smiles and jumps of their spots. "Surprise!"

Tanner jumps but immediately bursts out laughing. "You guys!" Ben shuts the door behind them, smiling. Tanner hugs the person closest to him, who happens to be Jason. Jason sucks it up and hugs him back. Tanner laughs and so the party starts.

Tanner holds Ben's hand the whole time and refuses to let go, even when he's eating. Tanner bounces all around, talking to everyone, giving one-armed hugs without letting go of Ben's hand. He chatters with his friends from home, Ben awkwardly listening and hanging out.

Tanner goes over to Jason and Locke, even though Ben desperately tugs on his hand to go the other way.

"Hey!" Locke says.

"Hi!" Tanner says cheerfully, taking Locke into a hug. "How have you been, how's your senior year?!"

"It's good, it's good," Locke smiles. "Everything is falling into place for me! How about you!"

"I was kind of knocked down, but I'm getting there." Locke and Tanner had kept close contact. After Tanner had come out to his parents and had been kicked out, Locke was one of his lifelines. Locke was always there for him, and knew what he was going through because Locke lived with Jason's family after both of his parents passed away. They were very alike in personality and could help each other out when the other needed it, which was dire for Tanner as he was thrown into the college atmosphere and had to get out and make some new friends of his own.

"Good." Locke smiles.

"Hi Jason," Tanner says, "How have you been? How's your senior year been?"

"Oh, it's been pretty awesome." Jason grins, trying to ignore Ben. "Really good year."

"Glad to hear it!" Tanner says. Ben stays stiff, trying to not make it awkward. "Say hi to them, Benny," Tanner says, nudging him.

"Hi," Ben says curtly. Jason resists the urge to sneer at him.

"Hi," Jason says. Locke nudges him as a warning to just be the bigger person.

"See? You can get along!" Tanner says.

"As long as nobody pushes it," Ben says.

"I hope you guys are enjoying your senior year. I think that should be the best year of high school, really. It sure was for us," Tanner says, kissing the side of Ben's jaw giggling, while Ben smiles despite himself. Jason feels sick they're so cute. Especially because Ben is such an asshole and Tanner is so sweet to everyone. Ben definitely didn't deserve Tanner, and everyone knew it, especially Ben himself.

"It's been good so far, but it's really only just begun!" Locke says.

Jason groans. "I just want it to be over already," he sighs.

"It'll go by faster than you think, really it will." Tanner laughs. "It still feels like senior year went by in just one day."

"I sure hope so," Jason says, trying to ignore the awkwardness that is lingering as Ben and Jason try to avoid looking at each other.

"Thanks for coming, I'll talk to you later!" Tanner says, and the others wave a bit.

Tanner then goes over to talk to Rue and Skeeter, and Ben follows, resisting the urge to turn around and flip off Jason while saying something about Gutterballs, in reference to their time bowling in summer gym, which Jason sucks at.

He wouldn't possibly do that with Tanner around, though. Ben was smarter than that.

The party goes by with plenty of laughter and fun, and soon Tanner's bidding everyone farewell with last hugs of goodbye. Once everyone's gone, he turns to Ben.

"Thank you for doing this for me," he says. "I had a great time, even if you didn't. So thank you. This has been a great birthday." He gives Ben a gentle kiss, which Ben returns with a smile.

"Come on, let's go cuddle and take a nap."

Ben smiles. "Sounds good to me."