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CHAPTER 22
Julian
SURPRISE!!! 
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     NOTHING FROM ANNIE YET, she hasn't sent me anything since last night when we talked until 4am. I give her a call on FaceTime, grinning when she picks up “I’m Free!” i shout, throwing the arm that isn’t holding the phone in, up in the air.
    “Oh, oh my gosh, I’m sorry I forgot.” She says placing her hand on her forehead. I wave my hand, cutting her off. “No it’s okay. Are you busy? Let's take a walk-.”
    “-Actually I can't, homework.” She pans the phone over a bunch of books sitting in front of her. I tilt my head to the side.
    “The Chaos Of Stars?”
    “Yeah, it's one of my favourites.”  She says into the phone and I cut her off.
    “- And I’d choose you-”
    “- In a hundred lifetimes-”
    “- In a hundred worlds-”
    “-In any version of reality-”
    “- I’d find you-”
    “- And I’d choose you.” Annie laughs and shakes her head in disbelief. “I didn't know you knew poetry.” “Wonders will never cease.” I shrug.
    “Maybe we can take that walk later?” She says changing the subject.
    “Liam and Trina are visiting this afternoon,” I say, shrugging sadly. “It's okay. We'll figure something out.” I look sheepishly at her. “I was just, you know, missing you.”
    Annie pouts playfully and smiles at me, her eyes warm, her face happy.
    “There's that smile I love so much.” I run my fingers through my hair. “All right. Talk to you later. I love you.” “I love you too.” She says and blows a kiss through the screen.

☆

     6 hours later into the night, I sit in my windowsill drawing a picture of Annie in my sketchbook when I get a knock on my door, confused but curious, I slide on my black converse. I opened my door and saw a white balloon in front of my door. As I move the balloon, I hear something small in the balloon and see a needle taped to the outside part of the balloon. I double checked that the coast is clear before- POP! The balloon pops and breaks and I reach down and pick up this rolled up piece of paper. It reads,
    Hide & Seek. You’re it.
    And then I realize who it’s by. Annie. I see another sentence that reads,
    Go to the place where we first met. 
    And I begin to think, Elevator. I grab my bag, sweater, stuff my sketchbook in my bag and head out to the elevators. I get out to the first elevator and see another white balloon attached to the closed doors. I pop it with the previous needle and read the next note.
      Picnics.
      I head to the lobby doors and see a picnic basket and find another white balloon taped to the handle of the basket. I pop it and read the note.
    Shallow Waters.
    I head to the pool and pull the balloon out of the water with the pool cue. I pop it and read the note.
    Prom Night.
    As soon as I read the note, a photo pops up of Annie with another white balloon on my phone with the caption underneath that says,
    10 minutes before your special surprise begins. Meet me in the cafeteria at 10.
    I walk into the cafeteria and search for Annie, but she is nowhere to be found. Suddenly, a pair of hands appear and cover my eyes. I recognise those hands anywhere. She takes her hands off my eyes and I see her
    Annie. She looks beautiful. Her hair is out and resting on her shoulders as always, she’s wearing a necklace in the shape of a moon and sun, she has on a light blue polka dot dress with the sleeves cut off, and wearing heels. Which explains why she was able to reach me since I am taller than her. “I thought you’d never find me.”  She says.
    “I’m sorry for this late night meeting, but we had to wait until the cafeteria was open.” She states as she takes hold of my hand and I follow her to the cafeteria. I stop in my tracks and she turns to me.
    “We?” “Mmm hmm.” Annie pulls the slide doors open and Liam, Trina, Kim, Dr. Alter, Annie's therapist Dr. Tulsa, Mom, Dad, Mara, David, Wally, Winnie, Aimee, Winnie’s boyfriend Michael, Annie’s parents, and Annie's older sister Ginny, pop out and yell, “SURPRISE.” 
      My jaw drops, everyone is standing at a completely set table covered in a hospital sheet, white candles laid out across the table casting a warm glow on the table. as I stand there in my spot smiling. I am completely stunned. I look from the table to Annie, knocked speechless.
    “Happy Birthday Julian.”