Josh halts in front of me, and I subconsciously tighten my grip on the straps of my backpack. 
"Mia," he starts. 
Right. He apparently knows my name. That's new. 
"We're having a game this Friday." 
I stare at him with a lost expression, not knowing why he suddenly tells me this. Quickly, I save myself from being dumb by replying, "That's great. I wish you all the best for the game, Josh. I know you guys have been practicing hard. I'm sure you're going to win." 
His eyes soften as a small smile touches his lips. "Thanks. I was wondering if you would come to watch the game." 
His sentence surprises me. I've never thought that he would say this to me. He scratches the back of his head, looking flustered. 
"After that, I have something for you," he adds, making me even more speechless. Still hearing nothing from me, he chuckles. "Don't worry, you don't have to decide it now," he says, and I think I find something in his eyes. 
Something like...adoration. It's not possible, is it? 
"I'll be waiting to hear from you, though. Just let me know." With a smirk, he walks away, leaving me nailed onto the ground like an idiot. 
"Wow, that was something, wasn't it?" Keisha echoes beside me, snapping me out of my daze. "Isn't he your crush since...forever? That's one step ahead, Mia." 
I resume my steps, ignoring her. The old me would be fangirling like crazy, but now, I don't feel that excitement. I wonder why. 
"He was just asking me to watch the game," I deny. "Besides, it's impossible that the most popular guy in school has an interest in me." 
Keisha groans, trying to catch up with my pace. "Come on, Mia. Don't tell me that you forgot what day it's going to be. It's Friday. And it will be your birthday." 
I almost stop in my track. Friday will be my birthday, and Cal's too. 
"Besides, I always have this intuition that Josh likes you too. Sometimes, I caught him glancing at you when you weren't looking. Who knows, Mia? That guy might have been whipped for you all this time, and you don't even realize it." 
Gosh, I hate body language. And how we should notice others. Yes, I'm clueless about this. Definitely not an expert. 
"You know, I'm really starting to think that something big is happening to you," Keisha keeps teasing me. "Amelia Davis just brushed Josh Allen off like that. Never in million years would I expect that." 
I can't help but think about what she said. She's right. I should be happy, thrilled, ecstatic that Josh finally made a move. 
There's no reason for me to turn him down. He's a great guy. A good, confident guy who excels in sports and academic records. Josh has got a scholarship to his dream college in Boston due to his achievement in football. 
His perfect future has already been laid ahead of him, waiting for him. He's the kind of guy you want to bring home to your parents. I know for sure that Mom and Dad would love him. Even Dad, who's always strict when it comes to guys, would have no choice but to consider him. 
Despite that perfect scenario playing in my mind, I can't deny that my heart leaps the moment Cal's reply pops up on my phone. 
Cal: Have you finished your last class of the day? 
I unknowingly let my smile spread across my face, while Keisha just shakes her head in disbelief. We reach the lobby of our school, and before I can reply to Cal's message, whispers and murmurs echo in my ears that I look around curiously. 
"Oh my God, he's so hot." 
"Who is he? He's obviously not from our school." 
"Who is he waiting for?" 
My eyes widen in shock as I spot Cal at the gate of my school. I can only see his side view from where I stand. He's leaning back against the wall, crossing his arms on his chest as he stares down at the ground, waiting for me. 
Keisha chuckles next to me, but before she can point out anything, I make my way toward Cal. The closer I approach him, the better I can see him. 
Contrary to Josh Allen, who's well-groomed, Cal is the opposite. Cal's black hair is unruly. He's wearing a black leather jacket that has been used quite often. His jeans are ripped at his knee. And his black boots are stained. 
However, he still looks unbelievably good, and for the first time today, I feel my eyes blessed.  
Cal notices me coming closer to him, and when he looks up in my direction, I'm met again with those mysterious ocean eyes. The realization washes over me, and I know now why I don't pay attention to my long-time crush anymore. 
Whereas I'm supposed to go for the perfect good guy who has a bright future ahead of him, I'm drawn to this guy who emits a bad boy aura wherever he goes. 
Who didn't go to college and is not planning to. 
Who earns money through his voice and an old guitar. 
Whom my parents will tell me to stay away from. 
However, time seems to slow down whenever I'm around him, and maybe it's too late to warn this stupid feeling inside me. 
"Hey." A soft smile touches the corner of his lips, and my heart beats twice. 
"You're here," I whisper, still unable to believe that he came to my school. 
He smirks. "I've got an early birthday present for you." 
Right. In a few days, I will turn 18, and he will turn 20. Now that he mentions a birthday present, I haven't thought of any for him. 
"Birthday present?" I echo. 
Another proud smirk creeps on his lips. He takes something out from his pocket, and my eyes zoom in on two tickets in his hand. 
Two concert tickets. Of Arctic Monkeys. 
Two fucking tickets for Arctic Monkeys concert that will be held on our birthday. Jesus Christ. 
My jaw drops while my eyes widen in disbelief. "That's impossible." My voice is shaking as Cal stares at me with a gaze so intense that it feels like crushing my heart. "The tickets are sold out. It's on the news." 
Cal chuckles. "Not for us. I have a friend who sold the tickets, and fortunately, he still had some left because some people bailed." 
I'm still trying to digest what he said. With how Cal pursues a job as a musician, it seems believable that he has some friends working in the industry. 
Is this real? Am I not dreaming?
Our gazes meet, and I'm convinced that he's telling the truth. Before I know it, I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. 
"This is the best birthday present ever." I giggle.
He laughs and lifts me, spinning me around. Our laughter echoes in the air, and at this very moment, I don't give a damn about what people think as they watch us.