"Oh my God, that's terrifying."
Maggie shrugged, "I even got that last year."
Jack chuckled and walked aside to call his mom. The phone rang for a while before anyone answered.
Mom wouldn't not answer the phone, nor forget my birthday, it must be a surprise.' Jack looked confident as he waved for Maggie to head to his place.
By then, it was getting dark, and the neighbor's lights were already on.
They walked and chatted, quickly reaching Jack's house.
At the gate, they stopped; Jack's house was dark.
Maggie pointed at the house, "Is this your place?"
"Yes." Jack swallowed hard, feeling a bad premonition.
"Are you sure you didn't get the birthday wrong?"
"Uh… I shouldn't have." Jack was also now uncertain.
Maggie comforted, "Maybe they want to surprise you."
"You're right, it must be that." Jack hastened back to the front door, his hands trembling as he reached for his keys.
Upon opening the door, the living room was somewhat dark.
Jack pressed the living room's light switch, and the room lit up.
The living room was tidy, usual as any other day, with absolutely no sign of birthday festivities.
On the coffee table, there were some ribbons and birthday party decorations that seemed yet to be laid out.
Jack was filled with questions in his mind.
This was supposed to be a great day.
More importantly, it was embarrassing in front of Maggie.
Maggie surveyed the living room, "Wow, your place… it's really clean."
"Maggie, take a seat for a moment." Jack took out his phone and called his mom again.
The phone rang for a while before Linda answered, "Hello, Jack, it's a bit chaotic here, I'll call you back later."
"Mom, where exactly are you?"
"I'm at your grandfather's house. Your uncle, that idiot, has caused trouble again, and I'm helping sort it out. This is the last time," Linda said through gritted teeth, then hung up the phone abruptly.
Jack scratched his head, standing there feeling helpless, wanting to cry.
Maggie certainly wouldn't like a crybaby.
"Jack, are you okay?" Maggie said with concern.
"I'm fine, actually..." Jack didn't know how to start.
Bringing a girlfriend home for the first time only to encounter such an awkward situation.
Maggie comforted, "OK, you don't need to say anything, I understand.
Adults have their own issues. Once my parents didn't organize a birthday party for me, and I was really upset until I found out my grandmother was seriously ill.
They did the right thing, and later they threw me a make-up party."
"Listen, if you don't mind, I can invite you over to my place. My dad is a great cook, and we can celebrate your birthday."
"Maggie, I appreciate the thought, but no need."
"So… what do you plan to do now?"
"You're right, adults have their own issues, so I'll just celebrate my birthday alone, as long as you are with me, that's enough."
Maggie kissed Jack on the cheek, "I will be."
"OK, I'm hungry now, let's get something to eat."
Maggie asked, "What do you want to eat?"
"Today is your birthday, you decide."
"Fried chicken, I know a place that makes delicious fried chicken, and I really want to have a feast."
Keen Fried Chicken Store.
After a few minutes of walking, Jack and Maggie arrived at the fried chicken store. Before even entering, they could smell a delicious fried chicken aroma, and Jack felt his mood lift considerably.
Both walked into the store, choosing a quiet spot on the other side from where two tables of guests were seated by the window.
Little Fatty squeezed out a smile, "Trust me, the food here is really good."
Maggie nodded, "I think I ordered takeout here once."
Just as they were about to order, the lights suddenly went out, plunging the store into darkness.
"What's going on? We just got here, and the power goes out." Little Fatty grumbled, already frustrated.
The waiter said, "Sorry, it's a bad electrical connection, it will be fixed soon."
"Jack, calm down, it will be okay soon," Maggie soothed.
"Thanks." Little Fatty was somewhat moved, now she was the only one by his side.
She looked so beautiful.
Little Fatty wanted to kiss Maggie.
Wasn't this blackout the best opportunity?
Little Fatty, inexperienced and nervous, just went for it.
Maggie seemed taken aback, frozen.
"Jack, you got pranked!"
Little Fatty, in full pouncing mode, found himself kissing Maggie with a crowd gathered around, creating an awkward scene indeed.
"Wow... you've got my old flair," Grandpa Robert said, giving a thumbs up.
Luke chuckled, "Little brother, you were a bit too eager."
Val shook his head, "That kissing posture is terrible, definitely don't say you're my nephew."
Linda, hand on her forehead, said, "I told you, a surprise birthday party was not a good idea."
Little Fatty quickly came back to his senses, looking dazed at his family.
Grandpa was holding the birthday cake.
The uncle was holding an unwrapped sock puppet.
Mom was holding a gift box that looked a bit like a game console.
Big brother was pushing a mountain bike.
Little Fatty didn't know whether to laugh or cry, looking over at Maggie.
Maggie's cheeks were red, looking somewhat confused.
Little Fatty spread his hands, "How did you know I was here?"
"Nice topic shift," Linda smiled. "You eat fried chicken when you're happy, and you eat even more when you're sad. Is it that hard to guess?
Besides, we had a little helper."
Little Fatty looked at Maggie, "Did you know about this?"
Maggie wore an innocent expression, "Sorry, Aunt Linda contacted me, said she wanted to give you a surprise..."
"Nono, no need to apologize, I was indeed surprised.
I thought you really forgot my birthday."
Linda chuckled, "It seems my acting wasn't bad, a phone call and I fooled you. Should I consider a career in Hollywood?"
Val said, "At least give me half the credit. If you hadn't mentioned my name, he wouldn't have believed it. Uncle Val is the protagonist, the mastermind behind the birthday party."
Robert pointed at his chest, "You guys forgot who came up with this idea? I am the mastermind."
"Nonono." Little Fatty pointed at Maggie, "You all are lame, the real surprise was Maggie.
I couldn't see it coming at all; she's a genius."
Robert said, "Jack, this birthday party took some twists, but we just wanted you to have a unique celebration.
You should know, we love you..."
It's truly an unforgettable birthday, I'll remember it for life." Little Fatty's eyes welled up with emotion.
Aside from the somewhat embarrassing moment getting caught kissing Maggie, everything else was perfect.
Little Fatty's 14th birthday celebration took place in the fried chicken shop, with twists and surprises...
Everyone enjoyed cake, fried chicken, pizza, soda, and beer, chatting away merrily.
In between, Jack's dad also sent a video call to bless Little Fatty.
And he had mailed him a LEGO toy gift.
All in all, this surprise birthday party was almost perfect...