Marshall wakes up in a cheerful mood, because today is the most important day in his life, it's the birthday he's been waiting for for a year. He turns 17 years old. The Dalmatian expects to be congratulated from the bottom of his heart and given gifts. He got up and went to wash his face. After 5 minutes, he took a water treatment and dressed in his school uniform and went to breakfast. He was greeted in the kitchen by his parents Mark and Chloe, who were preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Mom and Dad," Marshall said with a smile.
The parents turned around and also wished him a good morning with a smile.
"Sit down, Marshall," Mom said tenderly, and the Dalmatian sat down and started eating breakfast.
"Enjoy your meal, son," Dad said in a kind voice.
- Thanks.
Breakfast passed in silence, Marshall did not understand what was happening, he expected his parents to wish him a happy birthday, kiss him on the cheeks, and give him gifts, as they had done since they were 5 years old. And now something went wrong and it made Marshall think about it, but he didn't ask about it, and after breakfast he went to school, hoping that at least his friends wouldn't forget about his birthday.
When he came to school, everything was going on as usual, like a normal school day. Everyone greeted him without congratulating him on his birthday. It was already starting to upset him a lot. He saw his friends gathered around and discussing something. Chase noticed him first and told the others to turn around and smile.
"Hello, Marshall," Zuma said in a cheerful voice.
"Hello, friends," Marshall said in the same voice, trying to hide his sadness about what had happened in the morning. - Do you know what day it is today?
"Umm, Friday?" Rocky asked.
"Yes, but today is a special day," the Dalmatian said, trying not to get upset. "But what day exactly?"
The friends tried to come up with an answer, but fortunately the bell at the lesson saved them.
"Sorry, Marshall, we have to go to class, then we'll talk," Skye said in a soothing voice.
"Okay, fine," the blue-eyed man said in a sad tone.
His friends felt sorry for him, but they tried to hold on so as not to reveal themselves. The lessons passed unnoticed. Marshall was sad all the time, trying to talk to his friends. First with Everest, then with Tracker, Burly, Rocky, Zuma, and most importantly with their best friend Chase, with whom they have been friends since kindergarten and have become best friends since day one. Even he didn't want to say anything.
After class, everyone went home, but not to themselves, but only some had other plans. Rocky and Zuma approached Marshall.
- Marshall, shall we go for a walk in the park? Zuma asked positively, coming up to him and putting his paw on his shoulder.
"I don't know, guys, I'm not in the mood to have fun," Marshall replied in a sad voice, which immediately made Rocky and Zuma feel even more sorry for him and decided to cheer him up until the evening.
"Come on, Marshall, let's go." You'll like it," Rocky said with a smile, also putting his paw on his other shoulder.
"Okay, fine," Marshall said uncertainly. "I'm not sure I'd like that, though."
The guys went to the amusement park, where everyone had fun, played, ate cotton candy and popcorn, various snacks and bought interesting toys. The trio went to any rides, such as the Ferris wheel, where the guys socialized, but during this, Marshall looked down on the city and thought his day was ruined, but hoped it would get better. He had never been so sad. He felt pain and perhaps betrayal from his family and friends. He tried to forget it all, not wanting to think about it. When the wheel went down, the guys were thinking about where to go next.
"Let's go to the shooting range," Rocky suggested, pointing to an amusement ride where people were throwing balls into iron cans.
"Come on, and then we'll go to the roller coaster," Zuma said.
"You threw up there after you skated there and said you'd never go there in your life," Marshall said with a laugh, a little cheerfully, and Rocky and Zuma noticed it and Zuma was glad, despite what happened then. "You were barely able to hold on so that you wouldn't throw up, so that it would all be over."
- Yes, I remember that. It was disgusting to hear the sound of vomiting, but it was also a little funny when you screamed before restraining yourself.
"Shut up, Rocky. I don't want you to throw up yourself," the Labrador said with a little exasperation and a mixture of laughter.
- Don't worry, it won't happen.
The guys went to the shooting range and were able to win a toy. Rocky got it on the first attempt, because he was smart and calculated the shot, Zuma got it on the second, and Marshall got it on the third. They won a bear cub, a fox cub and a dog. Then they went on a roller coaster ride. They had a lot of fun riding extreme. Zoom didn't throw up this time, but Rocky did, because he ate a lot of sweets and it affected his stomach. Fortunately, he was able to stand himself until the end of the trip, and even after that, he did not throw up, much to the surprise of Marshall and Zuma. Evening came, after a walk in the park and relaxing on a bench, and the guys were thinking where to go next.
- Where do we go next? Marshall asked. "Maybe go home?"
"No," Rocky said suddenly and sharply, startling Marshall, but not Zuma, who understood his reaction. "We'll go tonight." Let's go for virtual reality glasses instead.
"I agree, I haven't been there for a long time," Zuma replied happily. - Let's go to the horrors.
"No, we'd better go to the jungle," Rocky suggested.
- I want snow.
- Because of Everest, right? Zuma asked with a grin, making Marshall blush as much as his white fur would allow.
- what? No...I just... I don't know," Marshall tried to protest, but it didn't work out. Friends noticed this and realized that they were right and decided to go out into the snow anyway.
"Okay, fire Romeo, let's go to Juliet's snow," Zuma said with a sneer.
"Zuma," Marshall blushed even more indignantly, playfully pushing Zuma in the shoulder, causing him and Rocky to laugh and began to laugh himself.
After 10 minutes, when the guys looked at the amazing snowy world, where they were also enveloped in water, to Rocky's slight disappointment, they were thinking what to do next, when suddenly a text message from Chase came to Rocky's phone.
"Everything's ready, go home to Marshall."
Rocky showed the SMS to Zuma and instantly his face became serious until Marshall saw and he called him.
- Marshall, let's go to your house.
Marshall came up and said, "Okay, I'll just tell Mom."
- No need, she told me that it is possible and our friends are invited. - Zuma lied.
This surprised Marshall very much, but he did not resist and went home with them, waiting to see what awaited him. He still thought that everyone had forgotten about his birthday this time, even though they had never forgotten. Rocky and Zuma chatted enthusiastically, and even Marshall joined them a little, sometimes asking questions and giving short answers.
When they got home, it was dark. Marshall didn't understand why when the lights suddenly turned on...
- SURPRISE!!!
The lights turned on and Marshall's parents, his friends, and their parents came out screaming. The Dalmatian stood gaping, still not understanding what had happened, until his father approached him with a gift.
- Happy birthday Marshall! - said the father with pride and joy. - Today you turn 17 years old. The last step to your coming of age, growing up, when you cross the threshold of adulthood. We are very happy to have you with us. You always help, always on the positive side.
Marshall was touched by his father's words and his friends came up to him with hugs.
"We're very lucky to have you, Marshall," Zuma began with a smile. - You were a very special dog, despite your clumsiness. We always feel good with you, and we can't even imagine what would have happened if you hadn't been there.
"You were always joyful, even if it was very sad," Rocky continued with a smile. "You've never known what sadness is." I have always known only joy, optimism and positivity. It helps us feel great and stay ourselves.
"I remember how you helped me with Chase to realize that I love him, and I was very grateful to you, who noticed it first and came to the rescue, giving advice," Skye continued with a gentle smile. - I didn't understand how this could happen before, but thanks to you, your observations, you helped me open my eyes. Thank you so much.
- As soon as I joined you, you were the first to give me a helping hand when no one wanted to talk to me and they offended me, and you helped me find more friends that you had. - Tracker said with an almost sad, but at the same time joyful smile. - And thanks to you and the others, no one offends me anymore and I feel at home.
"It's hard for me to imagine life without you, like a stomach without food," — Rubble said with a laugh, making the others laugh. - You were also there when I was sick, injured, after class, treated me, helped me with my lessons, just like the others. There is no better friend than you.
"You're a very sweet, gentle, responsive guy, Marshall," Everest was next, taking his paws in her own. - You were just as funny when you stumbled and you never got upset after that. You could always cheer us up to disperse the clouds of sadness and sorrow. Your support, laughter, smile, and optimism have become a strong anchor for us, not allowing us to get far away from you. I love you very much, I liked you very much. I realized this a month ago, and I don't need anyone else but you. After saying that, she kissed Marshall, closing her eyes, surprising Marshall. The others knew about it, but they weren't surprised, even the parents.
The kiss was gentle, conveying all the words that Everest said with her heart and soul. Marshall couldn't believe this was really happening. He never thought that he meant anything to Everest. He thought he was a buffoon, a clown, that he wasn't worthy of love. But now these bad thoughts have gone away, taking up thoughts of a new life, but only when they turn 18. Marshall returned the kiss and their lips moved slowly. Every move was careful not to escape from the reality they were in. The tenderness that they have intertwined between them, covering the body up to the head like a warm blanket. A minute later, they finished kissing, and just as Marshall was about to speak, Chase became the last one, and Everest stepped back to make way for him.
The shepherd put his paw on his shoulder and squeezed him tightly without hurting him and looked at him with a sincere smile, which he rarely does, hiding his feelings disguised as seriousness.
- Marshall, I do not know how to say this. We've known each other since kindergarten. I was a lonely boy who no one wanted to play with because of my seriousness. As soon as you showed up, you noticed me right away and offered me a friendship I didn't deserve. You showed me that sometimes you can have fun without getting serious. I may not be completely like you, but at least I try to be like you. You've always been there for me, always supportive, helping, just like you've helped others. You're even more than my best friend, you're like a brother that no one can replace. You also helped Skye and me become a couple, helping us realize that we were meant for each other. We all wish you to continue being the way you should be. He was a cheerful, kind, sympathetic, brave dog and never gave up. May all dreams be fulfilled. Happy birthday, Marshall.
After that, Chase hugged him tightly and tears almost appeared in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. The rest of the audience were also very touched by Chase's speech and they hugged Marshall again and Chase too. Marshall was also very touched and tears also appeared in his eyes and he couldn't hide them. He has accumulated a lot of feelings, emotions, of which there are too many to count. He was glad to feel at home with his family, friends and parents. A minute later, the hugs parted and the boys went to the microphones and their father turned on the song.:
Rocky and Zuma: It hasn't been that many years
Ever since the end of summer
You were born,
To bring a particle of light into the world.
Rubble and Tracker: You won't be afraid
No rain, no thunderstorms, no wet wind.
It's good that you're here.,
It's good to have you in this world!
Everyone: Happy birthday, my best friend,
Happy birthday, happy birthday!
From your friends and girlfriends -
Congratulations, congratulations!
Best friends are all around
Without a doubt, without a doubt!
Happy birthday, my best friend,
Happy birthday, happy birthday!
Happy birthday, best friend!
Skye and Everest: Let the house be full of warmth,
And, without any doubt,
It will be the most beautiful day
Your birthday, your birthday!
Chase: You're the most loyal friend.
Of all the people you can meet!
It's good that you're here.,
It's good to have you in this world!
Everyone: Happy birthday, my best friend,
Happy birthday, happy birthday!
From your friends and girlfriends -
Congratulations, congratulations!
Best friends are all around
Without a doubt, without a doubt!
Happy birthday, my best friend,
Happy birthday, happy birthday!
Happy birthday, best friend!
After the song ended, Marshall began to cry with emotional joy. He had never felt before on his birthdays. He had seen many things, but never like this. He ran up to his friends and surprisingly to himself and the others, he did not stumble and was able to hug everyone tightly, not wanting to let them go. His parents took a picture of the moment when his friends hugged him back. They also started crying from happiness that they have such a best friend like Marshall.
- Thank you, friends! — Marshall whispered, still crying.
- You're welcome. Happy birthday, Marshall," The friends whispered back in unison.
After that, everyone started eating the cake. Before that, they lit a candle and turned off the light. Marshall closed his eyes and imagined what kind of wish he wanted to make, and it appeared to him and blew them out, thereby making his wish come true. Everyone applauded. Marshall opened gifts from his parents and friends. He was absolutely delighted and said:
- This is the best birthday of my life.
