TWO WEEKS LATER
Liz’s point of view

“So how is everything coming along?” I asked. Brian, AJ, Kevin, Lana, Howie, and me were all at my house, discussing our plans for Nick’s birthday. Nick was at the set that day since it was one of those rare times when he had to shoot a scene and I didn’t.
“It’s going smoothly,” replied AJ. “Nicky is absolutely clueless, he’ll never see this party coming,” he added with a grin.
“Good, that’s the idea,” I said grinning back. “Bri, did you order the cake?” I asked him.
“Yep, one huge cake with a basketball and ‘Happy Birthday Nick’ on it,” said Brian giving the thumbs up sign.
“Great, how are the decorations?” I asked turning to Kevin and Howie.
“They’re almost done, since we ordered them especially made, they should be ready the day after tomorrow and we’ll go and pick them up then,” replied Howie.
“Okay, and food?” I asked turning to Lana.
“I ordered and bought everything on the list that you gave me,” she said. “Most of it that was ordered will be delivered the day of the party and the other stuff is stashed far in the fridge so that Nick will never see it even if he does open the fridge,” she added.
“Perfect,” I said smiling. “So on the day of the party, I won’t have any problems getting Nick out of his house since we have a scene to shoot that day. I already warned everyone on the set to not even mention his birthday, this way, it’ll be a total shock when he gets home and sees the party,” I stated.
“This party is gonna be so good,” said Brian grinning.
“Definitely,” everyone else agreed.

JANUARY 28, 2002
Nick’s point of view

I woke up and for a moment didn’t realize why that day felt so special. Then I remembered; it was my twenty-second birthday. A smile spread over my face and I quickly jumped out of bed. I showered, got dressed, and ate all in record time and was in front of Liz’s door in a matter of about fifteen minutes. I rang the doorbell and waited for her to answer. The door opened and I saw Liz standing in the doorway still in her pajamas.
“Nick, why are you here so early?” she asked sleepily rubbing her eyes.
“Because I’m just so happy today,” I said grinning and waited for her to say ‘happy birthday’.
“Why are you so happy?” she asked yawning and moved so that I could come in.
“It’s January 28,” I stated.
“Uh huh, I know that, but why are you happy?” she repeated. I stared at her in shock. I couldn’t believe it; she forgot my birthday.
“Um, nothing, go get ready,” I mumbled.
Liz shrugged and went upstairs to take a shower. I planted myself on the couch and tried to figure out what just happened. It was like Liz erased the fact that it was my birthday from her memory. That hurt. I then saw Lana coming down the stairs. I knew that she was actually a fan so it was a definite fact that Lana would know it was my birthday.
“Hey Lana,” I greeted her, following her into the kitchen.
“Hey Nick, why so early?” she asked getting a bowl for her cereal.
“You mean you don’t know?” I asked in shock.
“Nope, do you have to be on the set earlier or something?” she asked.
“No, it’s kind of a special day today,” I said trying to give her a hint. I could’ve dropped hints the size of anvils, they would’ve went unnoticed.
“Why?” asked Lana.
“Never mind,” I grumbled. Lana shrugged and started eating. I went back into the living room fuming. It was totally unreal. Well, at least I could count on the guys to wish me a happy birthday, they would never forget. At that moment my cell phone rang.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hey Frick,” said Brian. I immediately brightened up; I knew that Bri was calling to tell me ‘happy birthday’.
“Hey Bri, okay, go ahead, say it,” I said.
“Say what?” came Brian’s confused response.
“What you wanted to say,” I told him.
“Okay,” said Brian slowly. “I wanted to tell you that we have a photo shoot next week,” he said and my mouth dropped open.
“WHAT?” I exclaimed.
“Geez, Nick, a little quieter will ya?” said Brian.
“Bri, do you know what day it is?” I asked angrily.
“Yeah, Monday, so what?” asked Brian.
“I don’t believe this!” I yelled and hung up. What was I, in the Twilight Zone or something? It was then that Liz came back downstairs.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever, let’s go,” I grumbled and held the door open for her.
“What’s up with you?” she asked taking out her car keys.
“Oh nothing, absolutely nothing,” I said sarcastically. This birthday was going to suck big time.

Liz’s point of view

I looked over at Nick as we were heading to the set. He was mad; I knew he was. I really wanted to tell him ‘happy birthday’ but I knew that it would ruin everything. Besides, the party was my idea so it was important that I keep my mouth shut. The guys told me that it was really hard to trick Nick since he was the prankster of the group, so I figured that the best way to surprise him with the party was to make it look like everyone forgot his birthday.
“So do you know your lines?” I asked.
Nick grunted. “Who cares?” he said.
“Okay,” I said getting the hint that he was more furious than I had realized. We got to the set and I parked the car. Nick got out without saying a word and headed towards the set. I knew that it was going to be a very long day at work.

Nick’s point of view

It was finally seven o’clock and everyone was allowed to go home. I was still unbelievably mad. Even Tanya didn’t wish me a happy birthday, some fan she was. I got into Liz’s car and waited for her to start the engine so I could go home and sulk in private. Liz didn’t say anything on the way home, which was definitely odd, but I wasn’t about to try and figure out why. I had other things on my mind obviously. Liz parked the car in her driveway and I got out, mumbled a ‘bye’ and began walking away.
“Nick, hold it!” called out Liz catching up with me.
“What?” I asked annoyed.
“Nothing, I just wanna talk to you, let’s go to your house,” she replied.
I shrugged and kept walking. I got to my house and took out my key. I opened the door and flipped on the lights. I then heard:
“SURPRISE!!!!!!!” everyone screamed as they jumped out of their hiding places. I almost had a heart attack. In front of me were all of my friends and my entire house was decorated and a huge sign that said ‘Happy Birthday Nick’ hung in the middle of the room.
“What the…” I began and looked at the guys. “I thought you all forgot my birthday,” I said.
“Nick, we could never forget your birthday,” said Kevin as him and the rest of the guys came up to hug me.
“Yeah, we just needed to surprise you and this was the best way to do it, you should’ve seen your face,” said AJ cracking up.
“I’m shocked, thanks you guys,” I said finally smiling that day.
“Hey, don’t thank us, it was her idea,” said Brian pointing to Liz who was standing a little behind me.
I turned around and looked at her. “You did all of this?” I asked.
“Yep,” replied Liz smiling.
“But why?” I asked out of curiosity.
“Because I love you,” said Liz and kissed me. “Happy Birthday Nick,” she whispered into my ear.
“Thank you,” I said and kissed her passionately.
“Okay, enough of that, let’s party!” yelled AJ and someone turned the music on. I laughed and pulled Liz onto the dance floor.

FOUR HOURS LATER

I took another sip of my drink as I looked around for Liz. My house was completely packed, I didn’t even know how many people were there, probably close to like one or two hundred I suspected. Now that was a party. My head was swimming a little because I had to admit; maybe I had a little too much to drink. But who cared? It was my birthday and I was going to have a good time.

A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER
Liz’s point of view

“Bri, have you seen Nick?” I asked tapping Brian on the shoulder.
He turned around and shrugged. “Nope, haven’t seen him for at least an hour, why?” he asked.
“Nothing, just wanted to dance with him,” I replied. “Well, thanks anyway,” I told him and once again began my search for Nick. It seemed like I went all around the house into every room possible and I still couldn’t find him. Where could he have gone? I then went outside to see if maybe Nick went to get some fresh air or something. I didn’t see him, but I did hear a couple making out loudly somewhere in the vicinity of the pool. I couldn’t see them because it was too dark but I was pretty sure that everyone who came outside could hear them.
“Get a room,” I mumbled as I went back inside.

Nick’s point of view

As I was making out with a girl, something in the back of my mind kept nagging at me and telling me that I was forgetting something. I had no idea what it could possibly be since I was pretty drunk, but I figured that it was nothing important, so I pushed it out of my thoughts and continued to enjoy my make out session.

Liz’s point of view

“Hey, having fun?” asked Lana coming up to me.
“Oh yeah, tons,” I replied sarcastically.
“What’s wrong?” questioned Lana.
“I can’t find Nick anywhere!” I exclaimed. “I’ve looked upstairs, downstairs, even outside and still nothing.”
“Maybe he left to go get something at the store,” suggested Lana.
“At three thirty in the morning?” I asked pointing to my watch. “I don’t think so,” I added. “Besides, I saw him drinking earlier and I know that Nick will never drink and drive,” I said.
“You’re right about that,” said Lana nodding. “So where could he be?” she asked.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I said thoughtfully.
“Did you ask any of the guys?” asked Lana.
“Yep, I asked Brian about a half an hour ago and he said he hasn’t seen Nick in a while, and I also asked Kevin and Howie and they haven’t seen him either,” I responded. I then spotted AJ heading towards us. “Maybe AJ’s seen him,” I said shrugging and waved.
“Hey you two,” said AJ coming up to us.
“Hey, have you seen Nick?” I asked.
AJ shook his head. “I haven’t seen him for at least an hour, but last I saw him he was heading outside with some girl from the set,” he replied.
“That’s weird, maybe he was showing her the backyard,” I mused.
“Maybe,” said AJ shrugging. “Did you look for him there?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yep, and I didn’t see him.”
“Try looking again,” suggested AJ. “Now if you excuse me, I’m going to go ask that lovely lady to dance,” he said grinning and walked away. Lana and me laughed and then headed for the backyard. When we got there we found it empty except for the couple that I heard making out earlier. They were still at it and I still couldn’t see where they were.
“Those two are so loud,” I commented.
“Yeah, where are they anyway?” asked Lana looking around.
“I don’t know, I think it’s coming from over there,” I said and pointed to the left. We walked over to the other side of the pool and looked around. We saw a guy and a girl sitting in one of the lawn chairs and surely enough, they were making out. I looked at the guy and my knees almost gave out. It was Nick.
“Liz, maybe it’s not him,” said Lana hurriedly.
I shook my head. “No, it’s him,” I said shakily.
“Are you going to confront him?” she asked.
“I can’t,” I said. Tears were already beginning to fall from my eyes. I quickly turned around and ran to my house not stopping to talk to anyone on the way there.

chapter 11 chapter 13