It's been about three weeks since Shawn and I last saw each other in Oakland. The distance has been difficult but we're constantly talking with each other over the phone. Today is August 6th which means that in two days, it's going to be Shawn's 21st birthday. Exciting, right? Well, not for me. I will be in California while Shawn is in Canada. I would go but I don't know where he lives and he hasn't even mentioned his birthday.

It was just a regular day, I'm currently laying on my bed watching television when I heard my phone buzzing next to me on the bed. I picked it up and saw that I didn't recognize the number that was calling but decided to pick it up anyways. "Hello?"

"Hi" The voice, a man, said. "Is this Alana Sinclair?"

"This is she. May I ask who I'm speaking to?"

"Alana! It's Andrew Gertler"

"Andrew! Hey. How's it going?"

"It's going well. I need to ask you something"

"Sure. What's up?"

"I know Shawn hasn't told you but his birthday is in two days"

I nodded my head even though he couldn't see me. "I'm well aware"

"Oh. So he has told you"

"No, he hasn't. I just know because of the internet"

"Oh right! Well, Shawn doesn't like making a big deal of his birthday which is why he probably hasn't told you but I do know that he wants you here for it"

"Really?"

"Yes. He talks about you coming to Canada nonstop. It's getting really annoying. Which is why I'm asking if you want to take a flight to Toronto tomorrow and surprise him?"

"Wow. Um. I'd love that. I'll book a flight right now"

"No need to worry. I already have a flight booked and everything"

"Wow. Thank you!"

"Of course! Just call me when you land at the airport and I'll call someone to pick you up. Shawn should be out with his friends by the time you come so we can sneak you into his condo"

"Sounds like a plan!"

"See you tomorrow, Alana"

"Bye" I said happily.

I immediately called my best friend, Elle, because I knew that she would help me with the one problem that I had. I don't have a gift for Shawn and I don't even know where to start.

After three rings, she answered the phone. "Good evening Mrs. Mendes"

"Be quiet. Hey. I need your help with something really super quick"

"And that is?"

"I'm going to Canada tomorrow to surprise Shawn for his birthday and I don't have a gift"

"Alright. Just come over"

"I need to pack still"

"Want my help? Come over"

"Ugh. Fine. I'll be there in ten" I hung up the phone, grabbed my purse, and drove to Elle's house.

I got out of my car, walked up to her front door, and rang the door. I heard shuffling from inside when all of a sudden, Elle opens the door and pulls me in, dragging me into her room. "Woahhh" I said once she pushed me to sit down on the bed. "What's all the rush?"

"I'm about to leave for the club soon so my expertise is on a time limit" She said, walking into her closet.

She walked back out, holding a medium-sized Victoria Secret bag. "I got this for you a while ago. It was supposed to be a joke because you were very very single. But that obviously changed" She walked over to me, handing me the bag.

"Excuse me, I'm practically still single" I said, taking out the tissue paper from the bag.

She gave a weird look. "Girl. I don't think talking to a man everyday and staying the night on the first date is considered single"

"I'm not going to say he's my boyfriend. We haven't really made anything exclusive" I pulled out whatever was in the bag, holding it up so I could see the entirety of it. It was a red, satin dress with lace at the top. A very short dress.

"A dress?" I asked. "What did this have to do with me being single?"

"Are you stupid? It's lingerie"

My eyes widened as she said this. "Thanks. But no. You're actually insane"

"Trust me. You're going to need it"

"How do you know?"

She looked at me as if I should have known. "Is this your weird psychic stuff?" I asked.

"I'm telling you" She said. "All the visions I've received have always happened"

"I'm not taking it"

"Yes, you are"

"No. I'm not"

She gave me a look that was filled with annoyance. "Fine" I said. "I'll bring it. But it still doesn't help me with my problem"

"What? His gift? I thought the gift was you" She said, laughing.

"You are a child" I rolled my eyes. "Besides, I don't think we're at the stage in our relationship yet"

"Alright. What are the things he talks about the most?"

"Mostly tour. He likes Harry Potter? Guitars. Singing"

"Wow. Never would have guessed he liked guitars and singing" She said sarcastically. "Hmmm" She sat on the chair next to her desk. "Guitars. Didn't you say something about how Shawn was talking about this one guitar that he wanted but couldn't get it because they were sold exclusively at some random store?"

"Did I?"

"Yeah, I think you did" She pulled out her phone from the pocket of her red hoodie. "Hold on a sec"

About a minute later, she faced her phone towards me, showing me a picture of a royal blue electric guitar.

"Oh my gosh. I remember now. Don't they sell it at the music store downtown?"

She nodded her head. "Aren't I the best?"

"Yes" I jumped up, giving her a hug. "I love you" Looking at the time, I realized that it was getting late and that I should go before the store closes. "I better go, thank you for all the help"

"Of course! Be safe in Canada

"I will" I said, giving her one last hug.

I was about to walk out the door when I heard Elle yell. "DONT YOU DARE LEAVE THIS HOUSE"

I stopped, wondering why. She ran up to me, stuffing the dress into my purse. "You almost forgot your gift"

"Ha ha" I said sarcastically, walking out the door.

The Next Morning . . .

Looking at the digital clock on my oven, I realized I was right on schedule. I already wrapped the huge box which contained the guitar in it's case in my car last night so I didn't have to worry about carrying it today. I pulled my suitcase out the door and before exiting, I saw something on my couch before leaving. It was the red dress. Impulsively, I ran over, stuffing it into my suitcase.

After putting my luggage in my trunk, I started the car and drove to the airport. Once I arrived, I took everything down and made sure I got everything situated. Going on the plane and sitting for six hours is easy. But you wanna know what's tough? Trying to hide from Shawn that I was going to Canada. He wouldn't stop texting me and I had to eventually lie to him and tell him that I was going to Elle's house to spend time with her so I wouldn't be able to talk to him.

I sat down in my seat and waited for the flight attendant to announce the take off.

6 hours later . . .

"10 minutes until landing" I woke up from my three hour nap. Checking my phone, I saw that it was 9 o'clock.

We finally landed and I went off the plane to pick up my suitcase and the guitar. During this process, I made sure to call Andrew to let him know that I was in Toronto. He had someone named Roger picking me up and Andrew was going to meet me once I got to Shawn's condo.

30 minutes later . . .

I finally got to Shawn's apartment complex and went up to the eighth floor, asking Roger for help bringing the guitar up. Once we go up, Roger said "Just knock on the door, Mr. Gertler should be in there"

"Alright. Thank you so much for your help"

"Have a good night, miss" He said, walking away.

"You too" I put my hand in a fist and knocked on the door, following Roger's instructions.

Andrew opened the door, cheerfulness in his face. "Alana. You're here. Come in, come in"

I walked in, rolling my suitcase inside, and going back out to grab the guitar. He looked at me, then the box, and back. "Is that the guitar he's been wanting?"

"It sure is"

"You are an angel sent from above. I have been trying to get my hands on that guitar for months"

"Coincidentally, they were selling it at my local music store"

Andrew nodded his head and continued. "So. I need to go back to Shawn so he doesn't start wondering where I am. You can just situate yourself. I bought a box of regular candles if you want to use it by any chance, it's in Shawn's room upstairs. We will probably be back in an hour, I'll just text you"

"Cool. Thanks for everything, Andrew"

"Thank you for being here" He said as he walked out the door. I looked around, taking everything in. Once you walked through the door, the kitchen was to your right. There was a huge space in front of me that sat a beautiful grand piano. To the left was a separate room for the living room. Clear, glass windows sat on the back wall, showing off the beautiful view of the city lights. The stairs going up were on the far right wall.

I took the guitar box, hiding it in a corner of the living room, along with my suitcase. I went upstairs and once I reached the landing, I knew I was going to have to guess which room was his. There were three doors. One on the right and two on the left. I went to the one closest to the stairs first, on the left. I opened it and it was just a towel closet. I went to the next door on the left and saw that it was a mini studio. There were guitars hung up on the wall, a bunch of equipment at the far end of the room, and a bunch of other music stuff.

I closed the door to the room, going across the hallway. Opening the door, I saw that I finally got to Shawn's room. It was a good size for one person. A large glass window at my right, the queen-sized bed with grey comforters towards the left, facing the window. A desk to the right and a dresser to the left. Nightstands on opposite sides of the bed. Next to the bed was the box of candles. I opened it, scattering them around the bed, on the dresser, desk, and nightstands.

Once I finished adjusting the candles, I got a message from Andrew that Shawn was a couple of minutes away. I lit the candles, closed the door, and sat at the middle of the bed, waiting.

I heard the door downstairs open and someone walking up the stairs, butterflies in my stomach. Finally, the bedroom door opened.