Lost

Birthday

Three months later 

Things hadn't been normal for Emilia. She'd been getting headaches so bad, Charlie almost wanted to take her to the hospital. They wouldn't go away until she yelled for it to stop. 

Things started happening randomly. 

First it was 'visions' and correct predictions. Then a candle lit on its own. She'd be looking at a book on one of her shelves and it would fall off. Languages like French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian, came to her easier than they had before. The list went on with weird things that happened.

The events were far enough apart where Emilia could easily chalk it up to a haunting or even a simple coincidence. 

But she was smarter than that. 

Which is why she booked a flight to Virginia from Washington, with Charlie's permission. Emilia only knew one person to talk to about this.

Of course she wouldn't be leaving until the school year was over. 

While Charlie let her have some freedom, he still kept an eye on her. The only reason Emilia was allowed to fly on her own now is because she would be sixteen when she left. That and she used some of her inheritance to book the flight. It was set for June 15th.

-

The morning of June 13th, Emilia woke up with a groan. 

Rare golden sunlight was peeking in through the cream colored curtains, casting a glow on her floor.

She suddenly sat upright remembering what day it was, her alarm had no chance to go off since she woke up 5 minutes early. Not only was it the last day of school, but it was her birthday. She was officially sixteen! 

The birthday girl raced around her room to get ready for the day, trying to decide between two outfits. She eventually chose comfort over fashion then went to her bathroom to pee, brush her teeth, do her morning skincare routine, apply mascara and black eyeliner on her waterline, then finally her hair.

She grabbed her book bag from her desk chair, despite not needing it and ran down the stairs. "Morning Charlie!" She greeted her uncle cheerfully. 

"Happy Birthday, Emmy." He handed her a few wrapped boxes as she sat across from him. 

She smiled as she reached for the first box. "You didn't have to get me anything, you've already done so much for me in my life!" She said honestly.

She opened the first box and almost started crying on the spot. She pulled out the silver locket that had an Alexandrite gem on the chain. Emilia opened the locket to find a picture of her as a baby, as well as a picture of her family.

This was her mothers locket and it meant everything to her that Charlie had kept it all this time. "Thank you" she said, sending him a teary eyed smile as she managed to clasp the locket around her neck.

"This one is from Renée."
The next box was larger and heavier. There were multiple things inside. Renée had sent a camera, a blank photo album, a pair of socks with palm trees on them (as a gag gift kinda), and $500 in a card. 

The joke is on her, I like palm trees. Emilia thought to herself with a smile on her face.

The last box was a new bed set since she'd been using the same set since she was little (obviously they were washed, but the wear and tear was obvious.)
She checked the time and thanked Charlie profusely as she walked out the door to her baby.

-

When she pulled into the school parking lot she was met with each of her close friends/acquaintances holding a gift, whether it be in a bag or a box. 

She stepped out with her bag and crossed her arms. 
"You guys didn't have to do anything." She said as Mike made it to her side, handing her a small box. 

She opened it and gasped. "Don't get that idea yet. . . It's a promise to always choose you, Emilia Grace Parker." He said.

She smiled, sliding the ring on her index finger. "Thank you."

Angela got her new shades of lipstick. Tyler got her a hoodie. Jessica got her a pair of earrings. Eric got her a pack of hair ties and headbands since she's always losing them. 

Then further on. . .
Alice got her a new dress. 
Rosalie — reluctantly — got her a bracelet. 
Emmett gave her a bear plush (since she may have mentioned he reminded her of a bear). 
Jasper gave her a cowboy hat, which she didn't hesitate to put on (she made a lot of jokes about his accent, and this was the outcome. Jasper didn't mind though). 
Edward — also reluctantly — got her all of her favorite snacks, which once again she thanked everyone profusely.

Now she just needed to make it through the day with a bag full of presents. I feel like Santa. She thought to herself.