There were so many things that have had happened after that Poem contest, we became busy again to our school projects and etc. that involves our studies. And with that Amethyst and I became a little bit close to each other, we both share our lives to each other, our problems... Everything... I guess.
As I was walking in the cafeteria, I met Clarisse and told me about Amethyst's upcoming birthday. "We should throw a surprise party for Amethyst," I nodded so fast I almost dropped my juice box.
"She said she doesn't want anything big," Clarisse whispered, pulling me aside after our student council meeting. "But I think we should still do something. You know… small but sweet."
"Yeah," I said. "That sounds nice."
Nice. That was a weak word. But my brain had already gone blank thinking about Amethyst walking into a room full of purple balloons and fairy lights. And smiling.
Clarisse leaned in. "Art room. After school. Friday. You in?"
I was in. All the way in.
---
Planning the party was actually kind of fun. Clarisse handled the invites, whispering to people in hallways and sending secret messages like a spy. I did… well, basically everything else.
I brought decorations—purple streamers, paper stars, and even borrowed those little LED fairy lights from my older cousin. I made a playlist of Amethyst's favorite songs. Including that weird dance song from that animated movie she pretended not to like but sang under her breath all the time.
I even asked my aunt if she could bake something, but she was busy. So I just bought a chocolate cake and gave it to Clarisse to hide in her locker.
Every time Clarisse said, "Thank you, seriously," I just said, "No problem."
Because it wasn't a problem.
Not when it was for Amethyst.
---
Friday came fast.
The art room smelled like paint and balloons. We taped up purple streamers, scattered star confetti on the tables, and hid behind chairs waiting for her.
Clarisse sent the text: "Coming now. Distracted her with Kristel banner excuse 😏"
We all ducked down. I was hiding behind a cart of fake flowers and glitter glue when the door opened.
"SURPRISE!"
Amethyst stepped inside and gasped so hard she actually dropped her bag.
She laughed, covering her mouth. "What? Oh my gosh!"
Clarisse ran up and hugged her, practically bouncing. "Happy birthday, pretty!"
"This is… you guys did this?" Amethyst asked, spinning in a slow circle.
Clarisse nodded. "Yep! Surprise!"
She didn't even glance at me.
That part kind of stung. But I told myself it didn't matter.
She was happy. That was the whole point.
---
The party started and everything went wild. Someone played the playlist too loud. Aaron was doing this weird dance with glow sticks. People were laughing, dancing, taking selfies in front of the purple star wall I made.
I stood by the snack table, watching. I didn't need to be in the middle. I was used to the corners. That was my thing.
Then Clarisse popped up beside me.
"We're out of cups," she said, eyes wide. "Can you help me grab more? They're in the supply closet near the music room."
"Sure," I said.
We slipped out quietly so Amethyst wouldn't notice. The hallway was quieter, the noise from the party fading behind us.
Clarisse opened the supply closet and stepped inside.
"I think they're on the second shelf," she said.
I followed, the closet door creaking behind me. I spotted the stack of purple paper cups right away.
Then—click.
The door slammed shut.
We both froze.
"Wait. Did that just lock?" I asked, trying the knob.
It didn't move.
Clarisse groaned. "You have got to be kidding me."
---
The closet was small. Really small. I could feel a mop poking me in the leg, and the air smelled like old markers and paint.
"Try the handle again," Clarisse said.
I tried. Nothing.
"No signal in here either," she added, checking her phone.
"Great."
She sat on an upside-down bucket and let out a long sigh. "This is classic middle school drama. Locked in a closet. At a party. Missing cake."
I laughed a little. "Could be worse."
She gave me a sideways look. "You're taking this well."
I shrugged. "Honestly, I've been through more awkward situations."
There was a pause.
Then Clarisse said, "You know she thinks I did everything, right?"
"Amethyst?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"She's not wrong," I said. "You planned it."
She raised her eyebrows. "Nathan. You did, like, 90% of it."
I looked down at my shoes. "I didn't do it to get credit."
Clarisse tilted her head. "Then why?"
I felt my face get warm. "I just wanted her to be happy."
She was quiet for a moment.
"You really like her, don't you?"
"I don't know," I said softly. "I mean… yeah. I guess. But it's more than that. I just… like when she's smiling. I like when she laughs. I like who she is."
Clarisse nodded slowly. "That's kind of beautiful."
I snorted. "Yeah? And we're literally stuck in a janitor closet right now."
She laughed. "Okay, true."
---
A few minutes passed. I was starting to wonder if we'd have to yell for help when we heard footsteps outside.
"HELLO?" someone called.
"WE'RE IN HERE!" Clarisse shouted.
The door opened. Aaron stood there holding a half-eaten cookie.
"Oh," he said. "There you guys are. We were wondering where the cups went."
"DUDE. We got locked in!" Clarisse said, stepping out.
Aaron just shrugged. "Wanna come back? Cake's still alive."
---
Back in the art room, the lights were dimmer, the music was softer, and most of the party was slowing down. Amethyst was standing near the balloon wall, talking with two friends.
I dropped the cups on the table and tried to slip back into the background.
But then she turned.
"Hey, where'd you disappear to?" she asked.
"Uh, just helping Clarisse get something," I said.
She smiled. "Well, thank you for coming. This was really, really sweet."
I nodded. "You deserve it."
She looked around the room, like she was still taking it all in.
"I still can't believe Clarisse did all this," she said.
"She had help," I mumbled.
Amethyst looked at me for a second longer than usual. Then she smiled again—softly, like she saw something more than just my face.
And maybe she did.
---
After the party, I helped clean up. Clarisse was stuffing leftover cake into napkins.
"Still mad about the closet?" I asked.
"Only if you tell people."
I zipped my mouth shut and made a locking motion.
She smiled. "Seriously though… thanks for doing all this."
I shrugged. "I didn't mind."
Clarisse paused, then said, "She's noticing you more. I can tell."
I looked at her, unsure.
"She doesn't know it was you," Clarisse said. "Not yet. But the way she looked at you? Yeah. She's starting to."
My heart did a weird little flip.
As we swept up confetti and turned off the lights, I caught one last glimpse of Amethyst laughing with someone at the door.
She hadn't looked back at me.
But she hadn't not looked either.
And maybe, just maybe…
That was enough.
For now.