TROUBLE

twelve

I'm officially 20!!

It doesn't feel much different, the only thing that's different is I'm waking up soaking fucking wet and cold.

Why you may ask. Well my wonderfully delight twin brother and cousin decided it would be just perfect to wake me up at 6:30 on a Thursday, jus because it's my birthday!!

And what do I benefit out of all of this? Absolutely nothing!

Just fake sympathy from my brothers, my cousins and my papa.

Deciding I want to warm up I take a steaming hot shower and get ready for the day ahead. This morning it's just family, opening present, a lunch out at a restaurant and then tonight it's Cyrus and I's party, well joint party with Angelo. He felt left out since he didn't have a party so was all up for sharing a party tonight.

We have closed Club Luxe tonight so we can all go there safely and just have fun. I mean there's quite a few people going to be there so it makes perfect sense in all honesty.

Getting out the shower I get dressed in a floral slit skirt that's pastel blue in colour and a white satin crop top. I don't bother putting shoes on yet since we aren't going anywhere till later on. I do some light makeup, meaning eyebrows, a light base and a dusting of bronzer and blush, with just a thin coat of a nude lip gloss. I tie my hair up into a mid ponytail, slightly curled. I pull a few pieces out at the front to frame my face.

Time to face the music.

I walk down the stairs towards the living room and hear the low hum of chatter coming from inside.

"Good morning guys." Everyone turns their attention to me with a smile. I am shocked to see Gio sitting on the sofa too, with a small smile on his face.

Everyone comes and gives me a hug and wishes me happy birthday, I walk to sit down as they were excited to do gifts the only available seat was beside Gio and he realised this too. He groans a little before moving over to give me some more space and I sit down. But I don't miss him relaxing slightly.

"Papa you go first. Then everyone else can just follow." Rocco addresses everyone and in response he gets a wave of nods.

Papa gives me a neatly wrapped box with a white bow on top. I open the lid and there's two things inside. The first thing inside is a new laptop, I've been needing to get one for a few weeks since Cyrus broke mine 'accidentally'. The second thing confused me it was a silver keepsake box. Inside was a watch. A Tiffany watch.

I opened the others presents, I got some new clothes, accessories, gift cards.

Cyrus went all out an planned a trip for us and our friends to go Barcelona for a week in a few months time.

I looked around smiling and thanking everyone, while Cyrus as opening his present from me. "Cece."

"Hmm."

"You got me.."

I nod and before I can say anything I am being spun around, I laugh hugging him back tightly. "I can't believe it. You didn't."

"What did she get you Cy." Giovanni asked, looking at us confused, again this is the most relaxed I have seen him in a while. "She got a limited edition Eagles jersey, it is signed by everyone on the team." I laugh at his overexcitedness.

Cyrus is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan and tries to go to every single game they play, wherever it is in the country. Rich problems. He often drags me along too and I couldn't complain I actually quite enjoyed football but my preferred team was the Patriots.

***

It's been a few hours since the gift exchange and the lunch out with the family. It was surprisingly pleasant. I was sat between Flavio and Giovanni, and I felt a sense of deja vu about the everything, but conversation was light and easy, even Gio spoke to me. It was mainly replying to my questions but it made me think everything was going to be ok.