Changes

7

"Jake," DJ says as he walks into the kitchen this morning. I read the first part of Carlos' journal yesterday. It's Saturday, and I got up early because I couldn't sleep. "I need your help with something."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Well, Lio's birthday's in a couple days, right?" He asks.

I nod. "He's turning nineteen."

"I want to throw him a surprise party, but I don't know if he'd like that. What do you think?"

I smile. "Don't do too much, he doesn't like having a lot of attention on him."

He nods. "So just a small party here?"

"Yeah. With cake and presents and stuff."

"Okay. Thank you."

I smile as he rushes off, almost running into Micah.

"Hi, sweets. What's he so excited about?" Micah asks as he walks over to the table, yawning.

"Planning Lio's birthday party."

He snorts. "He's ridiculously in love. He's never like this."

"Really?" I ask.

He nods. "He's usually all composed, and rarely goes out. With Lio, he's running around the house, and taking him on expensive dates all the time"

"Hm." I say, sitting beside him at the table. "What're you doing up, anyway? You usually sleep till noon."

He huffs. "I do not."

I smile. "Sure. Oh, did Zac tell you I'm going to the party with him?"

"He did. Just a fair warning, his parents seriously suck. Like, they're always commenting on how he's dressed, and why he isn't in college, and his hair."

"Why can't he bring you back?"

"Because they just didn't like me. Apparently I complained too much, and I was rude. They didn't like my hair or earrings, either. Can you believe that?"

I smile. "Yes. Well, not the hair and earrings, but the rude part, yes."

"Whatever. Ryder snapped at them, and they left halfway through. Finn was apparently too childish- they actually said that to his face. Zac slapped his mom, and they left."

"Zac slapped someone?"

"I know, right? He said he felt bad, but she totally deserved it."

"So...what do I not do?"

"You should be fine, you're literally the perfect boyfriend. But if they're rude to you, just ignore it. I don't think Zac will keep you near them long, but if he does, just ignore them."

"When is it?"

"On Wednesday."

So the day before Lio's birthday.

I nod as Ryder comes into the kitchen, Apollo at his heels. He raises an eyebrow at both of us. "You're awake before me?"

I shrug, and Micah huffs. "I don't sleep in all the time."

"Yeah, you do." He says, walking over to kiss Micah's forehead. He ruffles my hair on the way to the fridge, and pulls out milk, then cereal from the pantry, and puts them on the table.

I lean down to pet Apollo, and he lays down at my feet. Micah pours himself a bowl of cereal, then one for me.

Aiden and Dominic come in next, and tell us they're going to go out. Aiden has bright green hair, and freckles. He's about the same height as me, but he's more muscular.