A few weeks after Chi’s birthday, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Johan and I still didn’t talk in person—but we kept texting. We sometimes caught each other’s eyes in class, only to look away just as quickly. Still, those glances gave me butterflies.
My birthday was coming up in five days—on a weekend, thankfully—so I could spend it with my family.
~ In Chat ~
Johan: hey
Stephanie: Hey!
Johan: I got a question
Stephanie: Sure, what is it?
Johan: when’s your birthday?
Stephanie: In five days!
Johan: WHAT
Stephanie: Yes?
Johan: WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?
Stephanie: You didn’t ask!
Johan: That’s not a good excuse for your boyfriend! Do you want anything?
Stephanie: Hmm... I think I do.
Johan: What is it?
Stephanie: You.
Johan: Wow hahaha you got me there for a second. But seriously, is there anything you want?
Stephanie: Not really. I’m fine with anything.
Johan: Alright. If you say so.
Stephanie: Thank you! Oh—my parents are calling. Gotta go. Bye, love you!
Johan: woah o-okay, bye!
My birthday landed on a Saturday, and with no classes, I couldn’t help but wonder—how would he give me his gift?
On Friday, I was unusually giddy. My friends noticed.
“Hey Stephanie, you seem really bright today. What’s up?”
“Nothing!” I replied.
After lunch, Chi asked me to meet her in another building. I agreed. But when I got there, it wasn’t Chi I saw—it was Johan, standing against the wall. As soon as we made eye contact, he ran up and grabbed my hand!
It caught me off guard. He led me to a quiet spot and handed me a bag.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“It’s your present,” he said, slightly nervous.
I wasn’t expecting him to give it early.
“Can I open it now?”
“Yeah, I want to see your reaction.”
Inside was a soft, light-brown stuffed dog. It was super fluffy—and weirdly… familiar.
“Wait… this dog looks like you?” I laughed.
“What? No way! I picked it because it looks like my dog,” he chuckled.
“You have a dog?”
“Yeah, I do!”
That made it even cuter somehow.
Without thinking, I blurted out, “You’re cute.”
My eyes widened. I couldn’t believe I said that out loud.
But he just laughed. “No, you’re cute.”
I swear my face turned into a tomato.
Just then, the bell rang. We rushed back, and to avoid suspicion, he told me to take the short hallway while he took the long one.
“Smart,” I thought.
I entered the room first and tucked the bag away. Johan came in moments later. We exchanged a secret glance across the room.
After class, he ran up to me.
“Tell your parents Chi gave it to you, okay?” he whispered.
“Got it,” I smiled. I really appreciated how thoughtful he was.
On the way home, my brother spotted the bag and immediately pulled out the stuffed animal. “Oooh soft!” he said.
When my parents asked about it, I told them the same thing—it was a gift from Chi. They were relieved.
Later that night, I stayed up, waiting for midnight.
At exactly 12:00 a.m., my phone buzzed.
Johan: Happy Birthday, Stephanie.
He was the first to greet me. I smiled so hard I thought my cheeks would hurt. Moments later, other friends started sending messages too.
I went to bed feeling full—of joy, of love, of soft happiness.
It was the best start to a birthday I could’ve imagined.
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