Friday. 17:15. Leo is in his bedroom. The party is at 6pm. He has one hour.
leo. how many people are coming tonight
I don't know 😬
I asked in 7B. I said please come only if you know maya.
ok good. so maybe like... 5 people?
yeah. or maybe more 😬
Leo opens the Class 7B chat. He reads the replies.
📷
ok so...
fourteen people said yes.
FOURTEEN
ok that is a lot of people 😬
it's ok!! your house is big. and your mum made a cake 🎂
fourteen people. fourteen. I wanted like... four. maybe five. and now — I don't even have enough cups. I don't have enough cups, guys.
I'm bringing cups 😂
I have crisps. two big bags.
see?? it's fine. we've got this 🙌
ok. ok. I can do this.
18:02. The doorbell rings. Then it rings again. And again.
Leo. the door.
there are three children on the step. they have bags.
coming mum 😭
Leo opens the front door. Three classmates stand there. One holds a gift bag. One holds a big bag of crisps. One holds balloons. Leo stands very still. He does not know what to say.
leo!! we're here!! where do we go?? 🎈
I... uh
leo are you ok 😭
More people arrive. Then more. Leo is still at the door. He counts. Seven. Ten. Twelve. Fourteen. His house is full of people and noise and balloons. Leo has not moved.
bro 😂
Then Maya arrives. She is the last one. She walks up to the door. She sees Leo standing there, frozen. She looks at the house full of people. She smiles.
I've got this 😊
Maya walks past Leo and into the house. She says hello to everyone by name. She tells people where to put the food. She finds the music. She laughs at every joke. Leo stands in the hall and watches. He cannot believe it.
is maya running YOUR party 😂
yes. yes she is.
she is amazing 😭❤️
The party is loud. The music is good. There are crisps everywhere. Leo's mum brings out the cake. Everyone sings. Maya laughs so hard her eyes go red. It is the most fun Leo has ever seen her have on her birthday.
best party 🎂🎈
this is so good 🙌🙌
happy birthday maya!! 🎂❤️
thank you all so much!! 🥹
21:30. The party is over. The house is quiet again. Leo is in the kitchen. His mum is washing cups. Balloons are on the floor.
that was SO good 😭
best party. ever.
leo you did so well!! 🎉
I mean... I didn't really do much at the end. Maya did everything. but yeah. I think she had a good time. like a really good time. so... yeah. it was good.
Leo puts his phone on the kitchen table. He looks at the balloons on the floor. He smiles. Then his phone lights up. One new message. It is from Maya.
best wrong message ever 🎂
Leo reads it. He smiles. He picks up his phone. He starts to type. He stops. He checks the chat name at the top of the screen. He checks it again. It says: Maya.
📷
happy birthday 🎉