My birthday's on Saturday, and today was Friday. I was exhausted from all the prep, and I slept a lot today. I woke to the noise downstairs, but it wasn't just downstairs... it was getting closer to my room. I didn't wanna be in bed till they got here, so I woke up and ran to the bathroom.
As my grandma and other relatives got into my room, they chorused, "Happy..." and just like that, they went silent. "Michelle, where's your daughter?" my Uncle Jimmy asked. "She should be in there... why?"
I came out of the bathroom and acted like I didn't know they were here already. "Ahhh! Y'all came!" "Of course we came!" And we group-hugged. I wasn't even able to hug everyone, as I was unable to wrap my hands around everyone, but I was so happy.
"Cleopatra!" I hollered. "Was good!"
Cleo was my favorite cousin; she's one year older than me, but we're pretty much the same in size. She's a whole chat box, and there's never a dull moment with her. As we started to talk about stuff we love, my other family members left to help Mom out. The house is so packed; you'd think we were running a business... and also noisy! I could hear Grandma telling one of my aunts not to add black balloons for the pink and black combo, putting out her own POV, and how she thinks it doesn't go together. I looked at Cleo, who was also listening, and we laughed so hard our tummies hurt.
Riley and O'dessa came in an hour later, and then Luca... and the four-gang, my BFF and the pack, was complete. We got dressed to hang out in the park.
At the park, we had so much fun and felt dizzy doing all the activities, and so hungry... so we went to grab a few snacks and drinks. Emory! I whispered. He was standing in front of the counter, paying for his order. I could tell from the back it was him, alright... but he was not alone; he was with a girl. I hissed softly as we walked to where they were standing to get our snacks.
"Melanie Hudson," what? Who dare call me that? It was Layla. "Early birthday," with a smirk on her lips.
I was going to be rude and not answer, but Luca cut in immediately, "Her fake birthday wishes... uhmm, she's having a birthday party, aren't you? Invited?" which was so obvious; he knew she wasn't. "No, I think she forgot."
I didn't say a word; we got our snacks and left. "She's with Emory... Emory is with her... it just kept ringing in my head. I was humiliated in school by Emory and Layla, and he also didn't want her... an' on arrival, they're now an item? My mood went from hundred to zero, and I stopped walking without even knowing.
"Mel, are you coming?" Megan called.
"Huh?" I replied.
O'dessa ran up to where I was. "Come on, Barbie, let's go have some more fun!" Rubbing my cheeks, I smiled, and that felt better. Thank you, O'dessa.
We went to get some great birthday songs for the DJ mix, and I had a lot of songs in mind, but nothing could match my mood than "Birthday" by Anne Marie. I needed to convince myself I wasn't still in love with a guy who is as selfish as Emory.
On our way home, I gave everyone a short notice, which is... we all are having a sleepover at my place, since tomorrow is my birthday. What best way to start the morning? And birthday girls always get what they want.
We all went round to get their stuff; we were at Luca's last. He asked us to seat, and he went to his room to get his stuff. A minute later, he was done, and we left for my house. Finally! Mom didn't want me to come into the house; after we all agreed that she would help me get my things from my room, and also Riley, O'dessa, and Cleo's stuff... we would have our sleepover in the basement.
We settled in the basement, laughing and unpacking our stuff. The room was buzzing with excitement, and I felt my mood lifting. Birthday girl's perks, right?
Cleo flopped onto the couch. "So, Mel, what's the plan for tomorrow?"
I grinned. "Mom's got the party sorted. We just need to have fun."
Luca chimed in, "And eat a lot of cake."
We all laughed, and the chatter flowed as we planned our night. Midnight snacks, movie marathons, and plenty of gossip.
As we settled in for the night, I couldn't shake off the Emory-Layla thing. But with my crew around me, I knew I'd be just fine.