16:24. Leo is still staring at his phone. A new private chat opens. It is from Maya.
leo. I saw it.
maya I'm so sorry
I pressed the wrong chat 😭
haha I know 😄
it's ok leo. it's really sweet.
but... the surprise is gone 😔
no! listen.
I can act surprised. I am good at that. 😇
really??
yes!! I love a party 🎂
see you Friday 😊
ok 😮💨 thank you maya!!
Leo goes back to the best pals chat.
ok guys. it's ok!!
maya saw the message. but she is happy!!
she says she can act surprised 😂
omg she is the best 😭❤️
ok ok ok. all good then!! 🙌
see. I said it was fine 😎
ok I feel so much better. like, I can breathe now. the party is still on. everything is fine. we are fine.
Leo puts his phone down. He smiles. At the same moment, his mum is in the kitchen. She is decorating a birthday cake.
Zara is in Class 7B. She is a classmate. She sees Leo's mum through the front window of Leo's house — she lives on the same street. She takes a photo and posts it in the class group chat.
aww someone's mum is making a birthday cake 🎂😍
omg the cake looks so good 😍
wait... is that Leo's house?? 👀
yeah!! I live on Maple Street too 😄 hi Leo's mum!!
14 Maple Street... I can see the address on that letter 👀
The replies come in fast. Very fast.
omg can we come??
I'm free Friday!! 🙋
my mum can drive 🙋
wait wait wait 😭
leo is going to see this 😬
Leo's phone buzzes again. And again. And again. He picks it up.
📷
what is happening in 7B right now
ok don't panic
zara posted a photo...
of your mum. and the cake. and... your address is in it.
my ADDRESS??
yeah... 23 people can see it 😬
some people say they are free Friday...
oh no.
Leo's phone starts to ring. It is his mum.
Leo, a classmate just called my phone. She has a gift bag ready. What? She says the party is on Friday at six. Is that true? Oh no. Mum. Please do not say yes to anyone. ...Leo. I already told her she can come.