Maybe It Was Fate

Chapter 14 - Birthday Surprise

Chapter 14 - Birthday Surprise

Reina

I wake up to a very chilly morning. You can tell Christmas is just around the corner. I try to barely think about the anniversary that is also around the corner, just a week away actually. Today is my 19th birthday. My birthday used to be fun and exciting but that was before the accident. Now it's just a reminder that it's only a week away. I don't really feel like getting out of bed today. I never do but I used to for mom, she used to get so worried. She tried to hide it, her sadness, but I could still see it. I tried really hard to look happy for her, to make her smile. I don't have to do that anymore.

A tear falls from my face to the sky blue sheets of the bed. I don't know how today's going to be. I haven't really celebrated my birthday with Karina since he died. I know December is especially tough for her. She keeps blaming herself for his death. I miss him so much. He always woke me up singing "Cumpleaños Feliz" (Happy Birthday) and brought me pancakes with chocolate chips, my favorite. On that first birthday without him I watched my door expecting him to come in singing. He didn't of course.

There was this one time on my 8th birthday he woke me up and said I was sick and wasn't going to school. I was really excited. We spent the whole day together going to the zoo, the beach, the ice skating rink and my favorite the music store. Music had always been something dad, Karina and I loved. He taught us how to play the piano and a little bit of guitar. We used to do concerts for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We'd dress up like pilgrims, elves or Mrs. Santa.

The tears have dried up and have been replaced with a smile. I look around the dark messy room. Clothes lie on the floor coming out of the duffle bags. We came back yesterday from Northampton. It was really fun, there was some tension at first with the Liam-Cleo situation but everything worked out. We talked and laughed and watched movies in the tour bus. I love that bus! It's amazing! Nova got hurt. Again. This time instead of Zayn answering the phone and leaving she picked up and talked to the famous Sydney. Apparently Sydney thought Nova was his sister. It really upset her but then I found them all snuggled up in the bed room. Nova said she'd fallen asleep while he played with her hair. She was so happy the rest of the way. Its true what the boys say, I hadn't realized it until I found them. They both love each other but neither is willing to tell the other. Which has caused some problems and I know will cause more. I just hope Nova doesn't get hurt.

A knock at the door makes me realize I've been staring at nothing. Nik pops her head in the room. The light coming in from the hallway hurts my eyes momentarily. She turns on the light and I have to squint to see her face. "Morning birthday girl!" She gives me a beaming smile. Her light brown hair is in a messy bun on top of her head.

"Hey" I smile at her. Nik is always so happy, always laughing and enjoying herself. Kari used to be like that. Before the accident. She's changed so much, we all have. I guess my face looks sad because Nik's smile falters and a worried look takes over.

She sits at the edge if my bed. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking I guess. "

Her eyebrows furrow for a second but she accepts my answer. "Okay. You need to get up. We are going out."

"Where? It's like noon." I ask extremely curious.

She smiles mischievously and gets up. "Shopping, wherever you want to go. Just get dressed." Nik throws some of my clothes at me and leaves.

I wonder where we're going. I love to shop and I haven't had that much time to shop here considering we're always traveling. I put on my favorite yellow cashmere sweater with my white skinny jeans, some brown boots and my warm leather brown jacket. I let my hair down even though it's not behaving. It's way too cold outside to have my hair up. I go to Kari's room but she's not there. Actually nobody seems to be upstairs. '