It's Monday now, and thankfully, I finished my research during the weekend, and my scar healed. When it was English, we continued working on our project. We made a lot of progress and will hopefully be able to finish it by Wednesday, which is when it was due. Thankfully, Zak didn't ask me about my scar. But today, I noticed that he was more... happy? Excited? Joyful? I don't know... he just seems to be in a better mood, I guess. I tried to ignore it at first, but I kept noticing his brighter mood. So, I decided to ask him about it by saying, "Zak, is it just me, or do you seem to be in a better mood today?"

     Zak looked at me and gave me his smug smile. He then said, "Oh yeah, I guess I haven't told you. My birthday is actually tomorrow."

     His smile seemed to get a bit brighter at the thought. At that moment, I had a mix of emotions. I was happy, shocked, nervous, and a little bit panicked at the same time. I then said, "R-really? It's tomorrow!?"

     "Yup," Zak said proudly.

     "Well, I'm glad you told me, I hope you'll have a good day tomorrow."

     "Thanks, Darryl."

     Throughout the rest of class, I couldn't focus much. Why? Because there was one thing I was wondering about. What would I give Zak for his birthday?

     I was asking myself that question for the rest of class. I kept thinking about it as I was walking with Eiza to our next class. Then suddenly, an idea pops in my head. I'm not sure if Eiza will agree, but it's worth a shot. I looked at her and said, "Hey Eiza, I have a favor to ask."

     "What is it Darryl?"

     "Can you... help me pick out a gift?"

     "A gift for who?"

     She looked at me curiously. I was hesitant to say, but it seems like Eiza connected the dots from the look of her face. She said, "Wait... don't tell me it's for... Zak!?"

     I gave her a small nod, and she just sighed. She then said, "But why even bother getting him something. Someone like him doesn't deserve anything."

     "That's not true! Everyone deserves to get something for their birthday."

     She was silent for a moment and then said, "Why ask me, though? You know I hate him."

     "Yeah, I know, but... I just thought you had a good idea for gifts, and you're the only other person in this school that I'm closest to. Plus, just pretend that we are getting a gift for another 11th grade boy, instead of just thinking that it's for Zak."

     She sighed and started thinking. After a few moments, she said, "Fine, but I'm only doing it for you. Don't expect me to go all out on thinking for a gift for him."

     I smiled at her and said, "It's fine, as long as you're helping me is enough for me, considering that you don't like Zak."

     She mustered a smile at my words. I then said, "Is it okay that we go to a store after school?"

     "Yeah, fine by me."

     The rest of the day went by as normal. When it was after school, me and Eiza met outside. We then walked to the mall, which wasn't very far from school. It was only about a 20-25 minute walk. When we got there, we visited various stores. We mostly enjoyed ourselves, but sometimes Eiza recommended for me to get a gift that was just absurd, like alcohol or a dress. Either they weren't a good birthday gift, or I just knew Zak wouldn't like it. Eiza really wasn't taking it too seriously.

     Now we were at a small store that just had a variety of random items. When I was looking, Eiza suddenly said, "Hey Darryl! I think I found a great gift for Zak!"

     I turned to where she was and said, "Really? What is it?"

     She showed me a book and giggled. The title was, 'How to Stop Being a B*tch by Being Truthful with Yourself'. I gasped and said, "What the- Eiza! Language!"

     She just started laughing uncontrollably. "What? I mean- I think he needs something like this, it's great for someone like him."

     "Come on, he's not that bad."

     "Alright, alright. But if you end up not finding anything, we could just do my previous idea and get him condoms."

     "WHAT!? NO! LANGUAGE!"

     She laughed even harder. Once she calmed down she said, "I mean, I think he would appreciate it, considering that he hooks up with someone every once in a while."

     I shaked my head and said, "No. That isn't a good idea for a gift. Especially as a birthday gift. Who would get that as a gift for someone?"

     "Who knows? Maybe someone has gifted it to someone else before because they know they're a horny person. I bet someone has gifted it to their lover so that they can have s*x."

     "LANGUAGE!"

     Some people turned to look at us, and Eiza was just laughing. I shaked my head and said, "You're unbelievable."

     I walked away from her and went back to searching a gift for Zak. I looked for a bit, but soon something catched my eye. I grabbed it to take a closer look at it. Eiza noticed me looking at something and came over to me. She asked, "Did you find something?"

     I showed her what I was holding. She looked at it and gave me a confused look. She then said, "Do you really think he would like something like that? I've never seen him have something like this before. And this design looks a bit... childish for his personality?"

     "I think he'll like it. I remember one time he told me how he used to love wearing a ducky onesie when he was younger. It may give him some nostalgia, even though it's quite small."

     "That's an understatement. (She's talking about when he said 'quite small.') But sure, if you think he'll like it, then go ahead and buy it for him, he's your 'best friend' after all."

     She made air quotes when she said 'best friend'. I looked at the object in my hand and smiled. I said, "Yeah, I think I will get it for him."