That evening, I called Myo.

“Hello?” I could hear him sniffle and try to adjust his voice when answering.

“I didn’t see you at the hospital today.”

“Oh, something came up. But it’s summer break now. I want to spend every day with you.”

I giggle. But my suspicion was confirmed. He knew. “I’d like that… anything on your mind?”

“…Nothing much.” He whispered.

“Ok. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow. How about after three?”

“Yea, see you then.”

“Good night.”

“Good night, gorgeous.” He hung up after doing his best to put on a cheerful tone.

His mom’s request lingered on my mind as I lay in bed. I thought I knew everything about him, but I was foolish. Now I must find a way to help him.

The same way he did for me. Regardless of the result, even if it may have seemed hopeless, he never faltered. And now I’ll do the same.

“Ahh, but how do I do that?” I twist and turn in bed until I remember something. I searched through my phone and found Catalina’s number. My thumb stops just before dialing. “Come on!” I force my thumb to do as I wish.

“Hello?” Catalina has a pretty voice even over the phone.

“Um, Catalina. Hi.” I mutter, this being the first time I’ve called a friend.

“Hey Manami. Everything ok? You surprised me.”

“Yea. I need to ask Toro something. Could you add him to this call?”

We planned to meet in the morning the next day at a local coffee shop.

“So, what did you want to talk about? Is Myo not coming?” Catalina asked as we sipped our iced coffee. I like mine with some milk but hers was a concoction meant for heart failure.

“No, I want to keep this a secret from him.”

“Well, that may be a problem then.” Toro added, he settled for water.

“Why?”

“They pass by here on their way to the hospital.”

“What?!” I jumped up in my seat looking around for their car.

“Why didn’t you mention that earlier.” Catalina pinched Toro’s arm.

“Sorry I…” Toro stopped as he looked outside. “Hide!”

Toro turns his back to the door which allows Catalina to use him as cover. I folded my straw hat down hoping he wouldn’t recognize me.

But a voice calls over to us. “You’d have an easier time hiding a bull you giant!” None of us move, I hear the chair beside me move and someone sit in it. “But you’ll always be the first one I notice.” He whispers near my ear as I do my best to ignore him.

His words never fail to make me happy. As our cover was blown, we all smiled and greeted him. “Hey.” I say, hoping he would be in a hurry to leave.

“Hmmm?” He leans the back of the chair forward and gets his face close to mine. I thought he wanted to steal a kiss, but he stopped before they connected. “Hiding something from me, are we?”

The tone of sadness was gone from his voice. I may have thought it never existed had I not talked with his mom yesterday.

“No…” I mutter.

“I see.” He stands up and wraps his arms around me from behind. “I have to admit I feel a little jealous seeing my woman with another man. But I’ll let it slide just this once.” He gives me a peck on the cheek and walks beside Toro. “But if it’s about my birthday.” He said in a loud voice. “I think Toro knows how I feel about that. Right little bro?”

Toro nods at Myo’s question. The biggest guy in our school seemed frightened of Myo, who’s not small but there is a good difference. The rumors of Myo being a fighting maniac must have some truth.

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After getting his order, Myo leaves but not before blowing me a kiss.

He always does his best to make me smile. But him hiding what he knew, and how he felt about it made me frustrated.

“Let’s talk on the beach.” I said, afraid that Myo might return. Knowing him, he’d be willing to be late to his shift if it meant spending time with me. Any other day I would have asked him to.

“Does he not like his birthday?” Catalina asked as we enjoyed the crashing waves.

“It’s not that. He doesn’t really care, so he asks that we don’t bother with it.”

I walk over to Toro and whisper in his ear. “Do you think it’s because of his family?”

Toro jerked back. “Did Myo tell you?”

I shook my head. Catalina looked confused but I’m not comfortable telling her about his past. Repeating what I heard is too painful. “His mom did.”

“Oh… yea, I think it is. They used to throw small parties and invite close friends. Diana and I were always there. But after she left and everything else happened, he just didn’t seem to enjoy it.”

“His birthday is this month, isn’t it?” I asked.

“Yea, how’d you know?”

“Well… he’s always been the only person to talk to me so I kind of remembered stuff about him.”

Catalina giggled and gave me a smirk. “You must have liked him for some time.”

I could feel myself blush; she was right after all. “When is it?”

“Hmmm.” Toro looked through his phone’s calendar. “Oh, it’s Thursday.”

“What?!” I have much less time than I thought. “I want to throw him a party, will you two help me?”

“Of course.” They both replied in unison.

“Great! Thank you.” I’ve taken the first step. They shared my excitement with me. But just as I wanted Myo to open himself up to me, I felt guilty about hiding anything from my two dear friends.

I cleared my throat and warned them about what I was about to say. That if they preferred to not hear difficult news then I would keep it to myself. They didn’t refuse, perhaps knowing what was to come.

Toro looked down, doing his best to hide his emotions.

Catalina hugged me. I felt guilty for making her cry, but the relief of not hiding this from them felt good. I’m sure Myo would feel the same.

“Manami… Manami.” Catalina repeated, doing her best to find something to say.

“It’s ok.” I rubbed her back.

“Does he know?” She asked.

“He heard.” I replied. She squeezes me for a while longer. Afterwards, we left to prepare for his birthday.

After Myo’s shift, we met up at the food mart.

“Eating my girlfriend’s food, I’m truly blessed.” He said as he walked through the store.

I led us into the baking aisle and Myo became quiet. But having found my determination, I pressed myself against him and asked a question. “What kind of cake do you like?”

He did his best to resist me, but a few more nudges were all it took. “I like Tres leches. My mom used to make them for me when I was little.”

“Tres leches?” I’ve heard of the cake before, but I don’t know how to make it. After looking up some ingredients on my phone, I picked up the supplies I needed and put them in my basket. Since his mom had experience, I’ll make it alongside her. “Next aisle.” I grab his hand, but he stands still.

“Manami, you don’t have to do anything for my birthday.”

“I know.” I turned and pulled him closer to me. “But I want to. You won’t say no to eating a cake from your girlfriend, will you?” A few blinks combined with a whimpering smile pulls a “I wouldn’t dare.” from him.

He’s far too easy to manipulate, but I get the sense that he would like to enjoy his day. Not just with me, but those who have been there for him.

Who will be there for him.

I want to thank them all.

“Now come on.” This time he doesn’t resist as I pull him.

“Since I can’t stop you, what else are you planning?”

“Hmmm.” I didn’t want to say. But he has his ways of pulling it out of me as well. “I’m going to cook your favorite foods. I want your friends to be there… and we’re going on a date before the party.”

“A date? Where to?”

“Oh, now that I won’t tell you.” I smiled.

As I did, he took the basket from my arm. He did so because it was beginning to look quite heavy, but if we were alone, he would have done what he could to pry the information out of me. I could tell from the look in his eyes. I’ve gotten to know him quite well.

“Is there anything you want as a gift?” I asked, hoping he would take the bait.

“Hmmm.” His eyes took on a mischievous sparkle. “Well, if it can be anything…”

I smacked the top of his head with some peppers. “Maybe I shouldn’t give you that freedom.” I say as I turn back to look for the rest of our items.

After shopping, we took the train and rode to the station near my house. Against my will, he decided to take me all the way home on his back. I couldn’t refuse him; we would have stood at the station all day and I needed to prepare.

“Fine!” I yelled, but I hopped onto his back with enthusiasm. It’s when we’re the closest. While he focuses on getting us somewhere safely, I’m free to focus on him. On how happy I am.

Say it.

“Myo… I- I…” No. I’m grateful for all he has done. For walking into my life and turning it upside down. But I believe I’m doing a great injustice to him. I don’t regret kissing him, but I stole his first kiss. His first relationship. For that to be taken by someone who will leave him alone, it tears me apart.

I can’t take anything more from him.

But like always, as if he could read my thoughts, Myo begins to speak. “Sorry Manami.”

“What for?” I like to keep my arms tight around him and speak near his neck as it makes him blush, just like now.

“You’ve told me thank you and about how happy I make you, but I’ve never told you, have I?”

Have I? How so? I’ve just been there, never reciprocating as a girlfriend should. “Have I?” My curiosity and selfishness won.

“Of course. Every day. I wake up excited to see you, wondering how I got so lucky to be the guy you chose. Eating your lunches, spending time with you, our late-night conversations, staring at you when you don’t notice. I want to thank you for making me the happiest guy alive.”

I put one hand on his face so he wouldn’t turn to see me crying. Darn you, Myo. Always saying the right thing. Always making me fall deeper for you. “I…” I still can’t say it.

“I don’t want you to feel like you need to do something big as a thank you. Just show me that beautiful smile until…” He stopped. Almost spilling his knowledge.

“I don’t want you to look at me right now, so.” I gave him the best squeeze I could. “I hope this makes you happy.”

“More than you could ever know.”