Preston Greens

6. Birthday Party

"I hate this thing." I muttered as I tried to open a drawer with a cast on my arm.I wasn't sure what I hated, the drawer or the cast. It seemed like I hated everything.

I stumbled into the bathroom and washed my face. I looked tired and defenseless. The bags under my eyes were prominent and my expression was lifeless. My blonde hair was tangled and dull. Mom came in my room and sat on my bed.

"Hi honey." She gestured for me to come sit next to her.

I sat next to her on my bed. Today was my birthday and it wasn't going very well. First things first, I had to go to the hospital two weeks ago and I'm still recovering from a terrible encounter with the moaning man, I also broke my arm from either punching the floor in the attic or landing on it when I fell down, and lastly, my mood was the crappiest.

"I know you're feeling bad sweetie, but we need you to come outside and get the mail. We think Josie sent you something."

I reluctantly got out of bed and walked down the hallway. I was curious about what Josie said, but I got something even better.

My dad was in the living room with all my friends and relatives and in his arms was a puppy! I squealed and ran to dad, forgetting about my arm. The puppy had red and white fur and smelled like shampoo. She was lovely.

Lisa hugged me. "Happy thirteenth birthday Carly!" She said.

"I love you Lisa." I replied. "In fact I love you all for coming here and cheering me up!" I cried out to the whole crowd.

I buried my face in the puppy's fur for the millionth time and decided she needed a name. "Her name is Peppermint." I declared. The whole crowd cheered. I sat down at the table where my birthday cake waited. Mom lit the candles and everyone sang happy birthday. Before I blew out the candles, I made a wish. It was a big one and it better come true.

I wish I found out the mystery.

I blew out the candles.

Everyone said they were going to stay at my house the whole day for support, and Lisa, Belinda, Leslie, and my relatives were sleeping over. My mood had certainly improved, but there was something missing, and that was my IPhone. It wasn't time to open the presents yet, so I still had some hope. I was having a grand of a time with everyone!

My cousin Kim was the life of the party- she was so cool, even cooler that Leslie. My aunt Sara and my uncle Tom were chatting with the other parents, including mine. While the adults were dominating the kitchen, the kids were in my room and the attic. Dad hired someone to fix the hole in the attic, which, thank goodness, wasn't very expensive. Mom and aunt Sara decorated the attic with twinkle lights, streamers, and balloons for my enjoyment. I thanked them probably a million times for this amazing surprise, but they were only pleased that I was happy.

"So, what school do you guys go to?" Leslie asked Belinda and Lisa.

"Same school as Carly." Belinda said. Lisa nodded. Kim jumped off my bed and went in my closet.

"Carly, these clothes are sooooo lame! You're gonna be glad that I told you that and that I got you some- wait! I can't say!" Kim exclaimed. Kim always made me feel happy and alive.

Leslie, Lisa, and Belinda were chatting away about some singer I wasn't interested when Kim pulled me into my restroom.

"So Car, what's been going on with you and your house?"

I grinned. "You will only laugh if I tell you."

"Carly pleeeeeease!" Kim begged. I was expecting that from her.