Reflection: Adopted by Fifth Harmony

Aloha Oe

“Come on guys! To open presents!” I hear Ally say from the patio. Milika grabs my hand and we walk together to the table filled with gifts.

“You guys didn’t have to do all of this,” I say, my eyes filling with tears at the sweet gesture.

“You’re such a crybaby,” Camila says from the back where she stands with her camera. Everyone gathers around, and they pull up a seat for me.

“Open mine first!” Regina screams, handing me a small box. I smile at her, and open it, careful not to rip the wrapping paper too much. I smile at the contents, she’s gotten me a little nail polish kit, with blue, green, and white polish on the inside.

“Why, thank you little one,” I pull her into a hug, “How about when I come back, I paint your nails nice and pretty?” She nods and claps then sits at my feet.

“Mine next!” Normani says, handing me a purple bag.

Inside is Beyonce’s perfume, and her new CD. I giggle, “Thank you, Mani. We will blast this in the car on the way home tonight. I love you sis!” She comes over to hug me and I kiss her cheek.

It continues like this until it was Lauren’s turn. Dinah got me a new journal with my name inscribed in swirly calligraphy on the front, Camila brought me a whole bunch of new books to read, as well as TFOS on DVD, Milika and Gordon chipped in to buy me two new Playstation games and a pink controller, and Uncle Ken got me a karaoke machine.

Lauren’s gift was extra special. I opened the small black box, and inside were two necklaces. One shaped like a moon and one shaped like the sun.

I looked at her, waiting for an explanation. She seemed really nervous.

I smiled reassuringly and she began to speak, “Well. There’s a saying on Tumblr about the sun and the moon, and when I saw it I immediately thought of you, so I saw these necklaces and they were perfect. I’m supposed to wear one of them.”

I thought about it for a second, there were plenty of sayings on tumblr about the sun and the moon, but I had one in particular in mind. I would ask later, instead, I took out the sun necklace and stood, placing it around Lauren’s neck.

“You’re the sun. Because you shine bright.” I said, causing her to giggle. I took out the moon, and did the same for myself, “And I’m the moon, because…moons are cool. Thanks Lolo.” We hugged and I caught a glance of brown hair rushing into the house.

Oh no.

I think Dinah realized too, because she cleared her throat. “It’s Ally’s turn, right?” She asked and I pulled away from Lauren, “Yeah, mommy?”

“AWW!” Normani cooed, “That was adorable. Mommy.”

I roll my eyes at her, “Whatever Mani.”

Ally comes forward with a large box. The box has holes in it. I raise my eyebrow, “Is something going to attack me?” I ask Ally.

“No,” she laughs, “it may however, lick you.”

“Okay, so at least i know it’s alive,” i joke, making everyone laugh, “I’m gonna open it and prepare to run, because I never know with you girls.”

I slowly open the top, and I’m greeted by a tiny pitbull puppy, “Oh my….awww!”

“Yeah, Paige, it’s totally gonna attack you with it’s cuteness.” Dinah remarks.

“You knew about this?” I ask.

“We decided to get you a puppy after you sat there for hours watching Dogs 101 and taking notes.” Normani explained.

“You like him, right?” Ally asks. I pull her in for a huge bear hug, “I love it, Ally Bear. And I love you, all of you. Thank you soo much for this.”

“No problem,” Milika says stepping forward, “Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua, thank you for celebrating with us.”

The rest of the party went well, except for the fact that I realized Camila and Lauren completely disappeared after the cake. I texted Lauren quickly, “Is everything alright?”

The reply came almost instantly, “Camz was upset, but it’s okay. OMW.”

We danced and talked for a while longer, until it was time to leave.

Saying goodbye was the hardest part, “I promise, Mini Money, i will be back as soon, as I can. And I have your number so we can talk okay? Love you little one.” i kissed the smaller Hansen and her little brother Seth, who grabbed my face in his chubby hands before hugging Miliki, Gordon, Uncle Ken, and everyone else, “Thank you guys so much, for everything. Have a great holiday, and I promise to call when we land.”

As we drive off, a familiar song comes to mind, a song I often heard when I was young, a song my mom used to sing to me all the time.

 

Proudly swept the rain cloud by the cliffs

As on it glided through the trees

Still following, with glee, the liko

The a hihi lehua of the valley

Aloha, oe, aloha oe,

E ke onaona noho i ka lipo

One fond embrace, a hoi ae au,

Until we meet again

Aloha oe, aloha oe,

E ke onaona noho i ka lipo

One embrace, a hoi ae au,

Until we meet again