When we got home, the house was silent. The sound of the door opening can be heard as I opened the back of the house.
"They're not here."
"Maybe that had their own things to do."
Latrelle lazily slacked off the couch in the living room. He opened the television and rested his feet on the mini table.
"If you want, you can sleep. It's just almost two in the afternoon."
He's right, I need to sleep because I slept late last night. I opened the curtains first to let the wind enter.
I laid down and immediately felt the wind softly invading the room. It lulled me to sleep as it caressed my face now and then.
I woke up with chuckles from downstairs. The four guys probably got home.
Marcus' eyes widened when he saw me walking down.
"Hey! Kaoree! It's still early!"
My forehead creased. Latrelle signalled him something which I don't understand. He went to Marcus. Even if I want to hear what they're whispering about, I couldn't because of the distance.
Jez was shocked to see me, too. Her face was drenched with sweat, I couldn't spot a BB cream on her face. She pulled my arm to her.
"Come here in my room, I'll dress you up."
She didn't even greet me. It's upsetting. Even if she's busy, she's always the one to greet me even before my parents could. She calls or texts me at exactly twelve midnight just to greet me, but there was none today.
Even earlier in the morning, she didn't smile at me when our eyes met.
Someone knocked on the door as she pulled my hair into a bun. It was Wyn in his favourite mint green polo.
He handed a paper that Jez placed on the bed.
"Girl, take care of everything. Oh, right, wear that. It suits you. Happy birthday." I pouted when she briefly kissed my forehead.
I thought she forgot.
She was about to go out when she returned. "My gift for you."
She raised my hair and placed a necklace around my neck. Its chains were gold with a red rose as its pendant. It looked expensive.
"This is too much, Jez! It looks expensive!"
She hit me softly. "Of course, your birthday comes once a year, we should spend it in the best way."
I kissed her cheek and hugged her. "Thank you!"
"Come downstairs after a bit."
I smiled and nodded.
I quickly got dressed and looked at my reflection. I looked beautiful.
I looked like Cinderella because of my blue dress. It was made shiny with glitters and little diamonds.
I turned around a few times. I really looked like a Disney princess.
I went downstairs where Jez greeted me. She hurriedly blindfolded me.
"Ah, right." It was Wyn's voice. I felt him kneel.
"Hold on to my head for support. Wear this." I almost lost balance because of wearing the shoes.
Jez was quick to guide me. It took quite a while before I could walk stably due to being blindfolded.
Jez kept on saying that I should be careful. I felt happiness rose from my chest.
I felt like something good is gonna happen, or maybe it would go beyond my expectation.
I heard Jez turned to doorknob open, a sign that we're outside. I immediately felt the wind clashed on my skin.
I removed my blindfold and...
"Happy birthday, Goddess!" I closed my eyes as they chanted.
I'm so happy! Finally, even just for a day, they accepted that I'm a goddess. A goddess of beauty.
As I opened my eyes, I saw how Jez fixed some things, as if they hired a catering group.
The theme was blue and white. It looked like a debut event and I'm the debutante.
"Is it beautiful?" I raised a thumbs-up and smiled widely. I can't help but tear up.
"Of course, I didn't plan this alone. I'm with your other friends."
The four guys were standing together with Wanwan and Melissa while holding a birthday sign. The two-layered cake caught my attention.
I felt shameful when I saw that. It was more than my salary for three months.
"One, two, three..." Marcus counted.
They started singing and gave me one rose each.
I just noticed that T. H. wasn't here. My forehead creased as my chest became heavy. I looked around.
"Are you looking for someone?" Melissa said and pulled me a seat.
"Huh? No, nothing." I sat beside her.
At the other end of the long table were the cake and a chocolate fountain. I drooled. First time in my life!
"Girl! Your wish for your debut back then was a chocolate fountain!" Jez said. I guess she felt that I was sad.
"Jez, thank you, really!"
She smiled at me and did a salute. She walked to the front. She looked like an emcee at a birthday party. She said a lot of things but I didn't understand a single thing.
I should be happy because they prepared this for me, but not seeing T. H. here made my heart heavy.
I took a deep breath. He really had to be busy today.
One by one, they came to me and gave me their birthday gifts. I thanked each of them.
Bruno arrived late and was catching his breath.
"Sorry, I'm late. I got lost." Everyone laughed at him.
I also laughed because his clothes were different from everyone's. He was the only one wearing a tuxedo.
"You really prepared for this, huh?" Melissa said while suppressing a laugh.
"Of course!" Bruno said proudly before handing me his present.
"Happy birthday, Kaoree!" He kissed my cheek.
"Guys! For the highlights of our celebration. Let's welcome, T.H with Lucky and Lolita." Everyone clapped at Jez's announcement. I cried in happiness when I saw Lolita smiling. She was wearing his favourite pink dress while Lucky was in his jumper shorts.
T.H was in a simple polo shirt and cream shorts finished off with just a simple pair of slippers.
"Happy Birthday, my granddaughter!" My grandmother hugged me tightly.
"Happy birthday, Ate!" I also hugged Lucky, until the three of us hugged together.
Lolita wiped my tears. "Stop crying. Lolita's here." She kissed my forehead.
T. H. was at my other side. I smiled at him.
After greeting each other, we sat in our own seats.
I went to Jez. "I really know you planned all this! Thank you!"
"Hm, Hm! Nope!" She raised her brows.
"They planned it. My plan was different. T. H. was the mastermind behind all this."
I stared at T. H. who was serving food for Lolita and Lucky.
"Tell me, is he making a move on you, girl?"
I blinked a few times.
"Uhm. Jez, the important thing is that all the important people in my life are here."
I walked back to my seat.
"Hey, I'm intrigued! Are you avoiding the issue, huh?"
I laughed at what she said and shook my head.