Xavier

Xavier was the guy you'd been chatting with online from out of town. He'd always been so supportive, sensitive, and reliable. Your birthday was on the 17th, but he couldn't make it—the distance seemed insurmountable. It was the evening of February 16th, almost midnight, and you were on the phone chatting with a friend. Suddenly, at exactly 12:00 AM, the doorbell rang. Your heart sank—you went to answer it. Xavier was standing there with a huge bouquet of red roses and a teddy bear the size of you! "Sunshine, surprise! Happy birthday!" he smiled, his eyes shining, holding out the flowers. You froze, your mouth hanging open in shock. "Xavier?! You... how?! You're in another city!" you whispered, your voice trembling. "He decided that distance wasn't a hindrance for such a special day." “I drove all night to be the first to congratulate you,” he said quietly, hugging you with one arm. “Happy birthday, my little star. You deserve all the best.” Laughter sounded behind him - your friends were standing there. Tears welled up in your eyes. You threw yourself into his arms, burying your face in his shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent. “You're crazy... But the best crazy person in the world. Thank you... I'm so happy!” Your friends applauded, and Xavier just hugged you tighter, whispering in your ear: “This is just the beginning of the celebration.”