Chapter 36: The Present

                                    

                                          
Phred (1st person)
The next day, at school, Joy approached me while I was trying to put my pre-algebra book back into my locker. I was internally freaking out, since she'd probably seen me with my friends yesterday when we did the whole lizard thing. It didn't really make sense that she'd single me out, though, since I didn't have much to do with it. "Hey, Phred," she said, leaning on the locker next to me. "...Uh ...Hi," I said, scanning her face for any sort of anger. I didn't see any. "Hey, I know it's late, but here," she said, handing me a present. My birthday had been the weekend before. I stared at the gift, at a loss for words. She was the person I'd least expect to get me a gift, or even know when my birthday is. "Well, aren't you gonna open it?" She said, holding it out to me. "Oh, uh... Sure..." I said. Now that she'd given it to me, I was skeptical. Maybe it was one of those prank gifts where a snake jumps out at you. I hate snakes. There's absolutely nothing likable about them. 
Anyway, I cautiously accepted the neatly wrapped gift and began unraveling the ribbons. Inside was what looked like a resealed box. Before I opened it, I looked up at her face for any sort of contempt expression, but I only saw excitement and anticipation. I opened the box and saw numerous smaller white boxes. "What are these?" I asked. She didn't answer, so I flipped one over. The latest YPhone model, the YPhone 15. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I've never had anything that expensive in my life. It probably costs more than a years worth of rent where I live. "I hope you like it. There's still more, though," she said. She was right; there were still more white boxes I hadn't flipped over yet. "...I..." was the only thing I managed to say. A few seconds later, the bell rang, and I was officially late. "You can open the rest later," she said as she turned and walked away from me. I gathered my things and headed to lunch, still in shock. 
"Hey, Phred. What's that?" Phil asked when I sat at our usual table. We used to sit with everyone; Smiley, Lauren, Lila, Zack, and Pico, but now Pico doesn't sit with us anymore. Lila won't go anywhere near him. 
Anyway, I pushed the box over to Phil and told him it was a late birthday present from Joy. "Woah," Phil said, not as shocked as I was. Zack frowned. "She didn't get me anything for my birthday," he mumbled. "Your birthday hasn't passed yet, Zack," Lauren said. "I know, but still," he said. "I'm sure she doesn't just hand out YPhones. No one's that rich," Smiley said, probably trying to comfort Zack. "Sure. Hey, Phred, since she loves you so much, maybe you could put in a good word for me? I could use some YPhones," Zack said. "...I- Sure, Zack. How did she even know when my birthday was?" I said, wanting to turn the conversation back to Joy. "I have no idea... No offense, but why does she care?" Lauren said. "I don't know. She's been acting sort of weird lately," I answered.
 "Are you gonna finish unboxing this, or..." Zack said. "Why don't you do it," I said, pushing the box to him. He seemed very enthusiastic about it. "With pleasure. Okay, let's see here... a YPhone 15, a YPad 15, a YBook pro, a YPod, a YPencil, a YWatch... Wow, you're lucky," he said. I'm sure all of that stuff is worth more than my entire apartment complex. "...Yeah..." I said, not understanding how and why she spent so much on me. "Well, if you're ever not using any of it-" "I'll use it plenty, Zack, thank you very much," I said, sliding the box back towards me. I don't like Joy, but I certainly liked the gift. After school, when I got home, I started opening everything. I tried not to get too excited, since there was still the possibility that it was fake. However, I found a few minutes later that it was all real, brand new, and fully functional. I just don't understand why Joy would do something like this...
Zack (1st person)
After lunch, I decided to find Joy so I could talk to her. I couldn't find her anywhere, so I waited until after school, where I found her walking home with her other friends. "Hey, Joy," I said, going up to her. "What do you want?" She asked, clearly annoyed. "Uh, well... You spent a lot on Phred. Why? How do you know when his birthday is? Do you like him?" I asked. She and her friends stopped walking and turned around to face me. "Ew! No! I don't like him, no one does!" She yelled. She was blushing. "Then why'd you spend so much on him?" I asked. Her friends glanced at her, probably curious as well. "I- I don't know... He..." she trailed off. Me and her friends all stared at her. After a moment of silence, she looked up at me angrily. "You're lucky you aren't in your locker after that whole lizard thing, so why don't you just mind your own business." she snarled. I put my hands up and backed away. "Alright, alright..." I said. I'm pretty sure she likes him. It seems like she has since the beginning of this year. I wonder if Phred would give her a chance...
Phil (1st person)
"She likes you. There's no way she doesn't," I said. I had gone to Phred's apartment the next day after school to hang out and help him set up all of the stuff he got from Joy. "You think so?" He asked, stroking his cat. "Definitely," I answered. "Hmm... Well, I'll see if she changes. If she gets better, maybe I'll consider giving her a chance." He said. "Really? Don't you like Alisa?" I asked. He shrugged. "That was more last year. Right now, I don't like anyone." He said. "Okay. Make sure you don't end up on her side, if she's bad," I said. "I won't. It'll be fine," he said. "If you say so," I answered. It would be a nightmare if my best friend ended up on our bully's side. I'm sure that won't happen, though...