Nathan 

After my parents left the apartment, arrangements for my birthday party was immediately made.

Rachel being forgetful as always, had completely forgotten about our little quarrel and took me shopping. She said she'll buy my suit herself, I protested of course, knowing Rachel I know she'll buy me the most expensive suit she lays eyes on, but she insisted and I didn't like to break her heart. 

This birthday party was a bad idea, but hopefully it can distract me a little from the problems I have. I called Dr. Harper last night and he told me they haven't found out anything yet, I had spent half of the month that I was expelled here, but they have found literally nothing all these time. 

I was a mess the past few days, I spent most of my time in my room, thinking.

Well, overthinking.

But I eventually came out of my room, and distracted myself with this coming party. It's all in my professors hands now, and I can't do anything about it. So why not enjoy my birthday, at least? 

My birthday was today. After taking a shower, and wearing the Armani suit Rachel bought me, I was ready to go. 

I stared at my reflection in the mirror one more time, and smiled.

Rachel definitely has a nice taste. The suit's color, together with the ties, matched perfectly with the way I had styled my hair and my brown- green eyes. If I say so myself.

I put on some Hugo boss perfume on, and grabbed keys to Rachel's car, because I don't own a car.

I drove Rachel's Nissan Altima, thankfully it was it's gray color and not some girly bright colors like pink or red.

We had a little problem with choosing the place, but my mother said she had a friend who owned an event hall in Louisville. So I was on my way Annabelle's event hall. 

I arrived at the place, the outside was gorgeous, there was a nice garden surrounding the place, full of colorful flowers. 

"Welcome sir" a guy in his teenage years said. 

"Thank you" I smiled and nodded at him, as he got in Rachel's car to park it.

Some of my high school friends, and my parent's friends has arrived before me. But that wasn't why my jaw was nearly dropped to the ground. The inside was even more amazing. 

The beige curtains, and tablecloths looked very luxurious with the brown ground, there were pink flowers on the tables (I told my mom not to put on flowers on them, it will like a wedding) which surprisingly matched the beige color very well. 

A nice slow music was playing, and I saw my parents shaking hands with a few of my friends. That was when I saw Dave smiling at whatever my mom was saying to him.

I grinned and walked towards them. 

"Hi" I said. They all stared at me, smiling, and greeted me warmly.

"Hello, son" my parents said.

"Hello, Nathan. Happy birthday" Dave said, we hugged and patted each other on the back. I was so glad he was here, I missed him very much. 

"Thank you, Dave" I said and let him go, he was grinning. I called him the moment the party was decided and invited him. My party wouldn't be complete without him. 

"Dave is very kind to come all the way from Florida for your birthday, Nathan." My father smiled at Dave.

Dave scratched the back of his neck from embarrassment "It's my pleasure, Nathan is my closest friend after all, Mr. Evans"

"Please call me Jacob, you're like a family to us, son" My father said.

"Alright sir- I mean Jacob" Dave mumbled and I smiled politely at my father.

"I got you a present" He smiled, and handed me a small package that I haven't noticed he was holding in his hands.

I stared at the small rectangular package and opened it up, I smiled when I saw none other than a gray Rolex watch. 

"I... figured no one uses his time as productively as you" Dave said nervously. 

"Thank you, Dave. It's splendid" I said as I put it back in the rectangular box. And handed it to the banquet server who had extended his hand to take my birthday presents to the large present table. I smiled at his kindness, and grabbed two glasses of red wine for me and Dave, from the tray he was holding.

I handed one to Dave who gladly took it,  and smiled. We soon left my parents  and talked about all the things I have missed back in Florida.

"Dave, I'm in huge trouble" I finally told him when no one was around.

Dave frowned and sipped on his wine.

"What's going on?" He asked "I noticed you were not yourself when you were packing, I thought you were just tired" 

I shook my head and sighed "It has nothing to do with that, you know I don't care about those things" 

"Then what's wrong?" He asked, sounding worried, and still frowning.

"I have been expelled for a month" I blurted out. Feeling the pain in my chest again, I knew this party was a distraction to me, but Dave was my friend and he had the right to know what's going on in my life. 

After all, I know every little dark secret of Dave. So why not trust him the way he trusts me? 

"What do you mean?"  He said, and gulped. "Y-you have been expelled? Why?" 

"It's a long story" I mumbled.

"Oh god. What's the reason though?" He asked. As he adjusted his tie, feeling breathless and angry.

"They think... I have stolen the filling materials in the lab Dr. Harper has given me permission to work in" I explained.

"You're kidding..." Dave murmured. He ran his hands through his hair, and took a deep breath. "So the dental filling materials are stolen?" 

"Yes." I replied. 

"From the university lab?" 

"Yes." 

"Who would do that though?"

"I don't know. I don't blame them, it costs a lot and it's the university's teaching materials"

"I know. But they don't have the right to accuse you of stealing them."

"They're right though, I should have taken care of the laboratory, it was my responsibility"

"But-"

"It's all in the past now, Dave." 

"Okay. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I mean... I can't do anything except wait for Dr. Harper and pray I won't be suspended this year, or worse suspended from university terminally" 

"Don't say bullshit. They know you..." 

"That's not enough"

"But-"

Before Dave could say anymore, we were interrupted.

"Nathan?" 

Me and Dave both turned turned towards the voice, and saw a girl walking towards us with a kind smile on her face, she was with a guy who was somehow taller than her, and... I could see a relationship vibe here.

"It's me. Emma" The girl exclaimed, and extended her hand for me to shake.

"Hello Emma" I said casually and shook her hand. Then I stared at the guy who was with her.

"This is Samuel Davies. My boyfriend" Emma said and smiled as she said the word boyfriend.  My suspicions were correct. I knew it's him. I was about to ask her if she's happy that she lied to everyone and hid her relationship. But I pressed my lips into a thin line and said nothing. 

We shook hands with Samuel too and I kept staring at the guy who had broken a girl without even knowing  it. 

"Hello. Just call me Sam. Emma has told me about you and your sister" Sam said, smiling politely. 

"Oh, has she?" I said sarcastically.

"Yes. It's nice to finally meet you" Sam said with a smile. Totally oblivious to my sarcastic tone. 

Okay. Now I know why Jessie had a crush on him. Either this guy is just kind and stupid enough to believe his whatever Emma tells him , or he fakes innocence. 

"Where're Rachel and Jessie  by the way?" Emma asked, looking around in search for the girls. Dave choked on his wine, I frowned in confusion but he just smiled sheepishly.

"They're not here yet" I said. "Who invited you by the way?" 

"Rachel did." Emma smiled and grabbed Sam's hand."She invited both me and Sam" 

"I see" I mumbled and stared at Sam looking at Emma adoringly.

"You're taking the same classes as Jessie?" I couldn't help but ask. 

"Yeah. Me and Jessie are taking nearly all of our classes in English literature" Emma smiled " Jessie and Rachel are my closest friends, that's why Rachel invited me, I hope you don't mind" 

What? She has no idea that Jessie has asked out Sam I guess. I stared at Sam to check his reactions. Just as I expected, he pressed his lips into a thin line and looked at everywhere and everything but at us. 

"Of course I don't mind." I smiled. And handed the empty glass I was holding to a banquet server. 

Dave patted my shoulder and walked away from us. Leaving me with Emma and Sam. A faster song was playing, and I could see Dave showing off his dancing skills in front of everyone.

I smiled at my friend, and shook my head. 

"Oh. That's Rachel. I'll come back in a minute baby, stay with Nathan if you want " Emma suggested and gave her boyfriend a peck on his lips. 

"It's all right, I'll come with you" Sam said and grabbed Emma's hand. But he stopped in his track the moment he saw Jessie with Rachel. 

"I'll stay with Nathan. You go and have fun sweetheart" Sam said, and smiled at Emma. Emma ran to her friends leaving Sam with me.

I stared at Sam and realized this was a great opportunity to put a stop to this nonsense and the way Sam is treating Jessie. 

"You did a great job, for not telling Emma" I said.