A Budding Romance
"Don't worry, Anne," Jasmine said. "you'll see him again, I'm sure you will."
At lunch that day from where she sat with Suzie, Alan, Tom, Layla, and Jasmine, Anne saw Stanley & Liana sitting by themselves, one table away from Henry, Prince Hareem, and Alexa.
Anne saw Stanley trading one of his peanut butter granola bars (Stanley originally wanted to pack peanut butter cookies for his dessert, but Henry snuck in a pack of two peanut butter granola bars into Stanley's lunch box with his bologna sandwich with mayo and potato chips) to Liana for a section of her tangerine.
"Awww," Alan asked. "isn't that romantic, Annie?"
"Yes, Alan," Anne agreed. "it is romantic."
That evening after cake & ice cream, it was time for Stanley to open his birthday presents.
Stanley decided to open Henry's gift up first.
"Oh, wow! A new leather jacket," Stanley exclaimed. "thank you, Henry!"
"You're welcome, Stanley." Henry replied.
Next, Stanley decided to open Suzie's gift.
"A new royal blue button up shirt," Stanley exclaimed. "thank you, Suzie!"
"You're welcome, Stanley." Suzie said.
Stanley decided to open Flip & Nancy's gift.
"Oh, wow! A new music book for the guitar," Stanley exclaimed. "thank you, Flip! Thank you, Nancy!"
"You're welcome, Stanley." Flip & Nancy replied in unison.
Stanley decided to open Mimi & Scooter's gift up next.
"Oh, wow! A new leather wallet," Stanley exclaimed. "thank you, Mimi! Thank you, Scooter!"
"You're welcome, Stanley." Mimi & Scooter replied in unison.
Last but not least, Stanley opened the big gift from Alan, Anne, and Tom.
"Oh, wow! You guys got me the sereo system I've been eyeing," Stanley exclaimed to Alan, Anne, and Tom. "thank you!"
"You're welcome, Stanley." Alan, Anne, and Tom replied in unison.
"And it is not over just yet, my boy." Charlie said to Stanley.
"It's not? What do you mean, Pop?" Stanley asked.
"Liana is outside with your present from Rosa and me." Charlie said to Stanley.