Chapter 70 - Accepted

A few days before Evan's birthday, Lola started acting more than suspicious. It didn't look like she had any bad intentions, but Evan could sense where her thoughts were headed. They'd been friends too long for her not to know when his birthday was, and being Lola, a.k.a. the ultimate friend, she was definitely planning a celebration.

She hadn't mentioned anything to Evan yet, though, so he couldn't talk her out of it. He didn't want to start this conversation on his own, as he didn't want to presume that she was actually planning something for him, but he also didn't want to spoil her joy if that was indeed the case.

So, he had no choice but to wait.

Two more days passed, and the atmosphere in the school changed again. Evan had noticed it before but didn't care until it affected his group of friends. He didn't notice it right away since their group was less of a group and more of two neighbouring states, but they still told each other the news so they could enjoy it together.

He got the big news from Lola. Her blue hair swirled around her as she ran down the hallway with a wide smile on her face, hardly pausing when she finally found Evan and Angie in the crowd.

"What caused that grin?" Angie asked immediately, catching her around the waist to stop her without a chance of falling.

"Kieran got accepted to NYU," she blurted out quickly, not hiding her joy at the news. Immediately after she finished, she squealed and waved her arms as if to encourage her friends to be happy as well. However, that wasn't necessary as they both automatically started smiling as well.

On one level, Evan felt hurt, on another, he was thinking that their futures would continue to be intertwined, and on the third, he was excited for him as well, as he had no doubt that Kieran more than deserved it. He'd done everything he could in the last few years to further his studies, and Evan had always known that he would one day achieve great things, starting with university.

"That's amazing. He deserved it," Evan voiced his thoughts aloud.

"Right? He still can't believe it, like he's not capable of it." She rolled her eyes at that statement, losing her smile for a moment, but it came right back.

"I'm so proud of him." Angie expressed. Evan did not doubt that she wanted to tell him in person, but their relationship had been strained since she'd spent more time with Evan than with him after their breakup, giving the impression that she'd taken his side, even though she hadn't exactly.

"I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it." Evan hinted, and at the same time, showed her that it was okay.

"It's Kieran, Ang," the blue-haired girl added, and there was no need to say more. Kieran was the last person who would have brushed her off if she wanted to congratulate him. He probably wouldn't brush Evan off either, but he didn't know if he wanted to risk it.

"I hope you celebrate properly. I bet he'll protest, but don't let him downplay it," Evan's words were directed at Lola, and she frowned as soon as she heard them.

"Maybe you should congratulate him first and start a peace offering," was her counter-suggestion.

This time it was Evan who frowned, though he'd been thinking the same thing a moment ago. He didn't want to ruin Kieran's moment, but he also didn't want him to think he didn't care.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Lola."

"It's Kieran. I'm sure he won't think you're trying to take advantage of the situation, especially with your birthday coming up. You'll have your own moment to shine, you have no reason to steal his," Angie argued.

They were both encouraging each other to talk to the nicest boy in the world.

"Speaking of your birthday..." Lola started, but Evan immediately cut her off.

"We're talking about Kieran now. There will be plenty of time for my birthday."

"Does that mean you'll speak to him?" She asked immediately.

"I'll see about it," he replied, not promising anything he couldn't deliver. He was eager to talk to Kieran again, even though he no longer had any feelings for him. On the other hand, he was prepared to give him as much space as he needed, even if it meant he had to wait years. He didn't want to make the first move if there was no indication that Kieran wanted the same thing.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Lola encouraged him, and he just nodded.

He had the perfect opportunity to test this theory after the second period. Kieran was currently standing by his locker with no other friends around. No Josh lurking around the corner.

Evan froze for a moment as if unsure whether to take the next step, but he was actually gaining courage. He had thought about it too much and was worried about his feelings, which made him feel selfish again, so he decided to take a deep breath and automatically started walking toward him.

Kieran didn't notice him right away, as he was looking for something in the locker, but when Evan was less than three steps away from him, he slammed the locker door and spotted him. Their eyes met as they had so many times before, but their gazes no longer held the warmth they had before.

Evan finished the last step and remained standing a foot in front of him. At first, they were both silent, but then he cleared his throat and decided to take a chance.

"I heard you were accepted. I just wanted to say congratulations. You really deserved it." He tried to show his sincerity and acknowledge his words with a smile at the end, but he was afraid he couldn't afford it. So, he opted for only a half-smile.

Kieran seemed surprised that Evan had even addressed him, but instead of leaving without a word, he leaned his back against the locker, never taking his gaze off him.

"Thanks," he said eventually.

Evan waited to see if he'd say anything else, especially as he remained standing in place as if he wanted to continue this conversation, but Kieran remained quiet.

He shifted from foot to foot, crossing his arms behind his back so he could play with his own fingers to calm his nervousness. Kieran was giving him a chance anyway, and he couldn't waste it. Especially when he didn't know if he'd get it again.

"I'm glad you're doing well," he uttered automatically, not realizing his mistake. As soon as he finished the last word, he knew he had given Kieran the perfect opportunity to brush him off, so he decided to try and save it.

"I meant at school. I know you've always been particular about your grades, but still. Getting accepted to university is a big deal, and I had no doubt you'd make it," he blurted out quickly.

Kieran watched him the whole time with raised eyebrows, and somewhere in the middle, he folded his arms across his chest, indicating to Evan that he really didn't want to hear the wrong words. The longer Evan watched him, the more he thought it was a mistake to approach him.

"Thanks, E. It was really nice of you to tell me. I don't want to ruin the moment, so we'd better end this conversation." Evan immediately nodded in response, or rather, started nodding quickly like an obedient dog, which amused Kieran, as his small smile and sparkling eyes betrayed.

"Of course, I won't bother you anymore. Once again, I'm really proud of you. Bye!" He blurted out again, faster than he'd planned, and immediately turned on his heel and headed down the hall, even though he had the next class on the other side.

But that wasn't the worst part. Evan had no doubt that he would think about this conversation many more times as his mind liked to recall his most embarrassing moments in the middle of the night, and this was easily included.

But at the same time, it was progress. Not only regarding his relationship with Kieran but also his conscience. He felt like he could breathe better again, and the thought brought a smile to his lips. A smile that lasted him for the rest of the day. Of course, his friends also noticed this, and Lola gave him a knowing grin.

"I heard it went well," she started the subject. Since Evan hadn't told her anything yet, he assumed she heard it from Kieran, and if she used the same words he did, the weight dropped off Evan's heart. In the end, their conversation wasn't as painfully awkward as he thought.

"I embarrassed myself to the maximum as if I were talking to him for the first time, but it went better than I expected," he admitted honestly.

"I'm glad. I know you still care about each other, and it would be a shame to throw it away. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but maybe, just maybe, we could use it on your birthday?" she phrased it as a question, implying that it was only a suggestion and he could decline, which he was happy to do.

"I don't think it's a good idea. I don't want to force it, Lola. Besides, even if Kieran agrees, Josh and Aiden might not. You really don't need to think of anything special for my birthday," he explained to her. He had been avoiding this conversation for several days because he didn't want to spoil her joy, but he couldn't put it off any longer.

"But it's your birthday," she argued with a pout.

"And we can have coffee to celebrate after school. That's really enough, Lola. I don't need to have something special every year," he used his counterargument. He didn't want to celebrate with only half of his friends since that might be nice (or definitely would be since he had great friends), but it wouldn't feel like a real celebration.

This year he simply decided to skip his birthday and didn't let himself be talked out of it.

Well, that was the original plan until Ryan showed up at his door on the night of his birthday.