God, Weed & Classical Music

chapter one: birthday parties and chopin

[first dedication goes to my first reader, @Abbigail_D ]

  ♠ ♠ ♠

I straighten up my shirt and look in the mirror. My hair is what I was most concerned about before I started working on it, because for some reason, no matter how much of an effort I put into it, it usually ends up as one big, frizzy mess which leads to me putting it either in a braid, or a ponytail. Now, however, it's flowing down my back in perfectly tousled curls, making me smile.

I go through the door of my room towards the living room where I've moved the big table from the kitchen. Everything is sorted already - napkins, dishes, forks and spoons, drinks. I also took the time to make little tags with the names of my friends - cheesy, but would definitely make them laugh at the ridiculosity of the whole idea which is kind of the point.

I glance at the clock which now reads five to ten PM and I lick my lips in anticipation.

Most of the time I'm not home for my birthdays. I'm either at my grandparents' place because my grandfather and I share the same birthdate, or on a mini holiday with my family somewhere by the beach. Sure, I've celebrated it at home, but only a couple of times. I'd go home a few days after it and see my closest people, but no formalities whatsoever.

This year, though, I wanted it to be different. I wanted to celebrate my eighteenth birthday with my second family and enjoy it to the fullest like I never have before. I even declined a holiday in Greece with both my family and my grandparents for it. But I know it's going to be worth it.

I don't have much planned for tonight. They're going to come at one point, we are going to eat some pizza and talk and drink and go out and basically just have fun.

I smile to myself and sit on the couch, finally resting for the first time today. I've been cleaning and shopping all day long and now that I'm finally done with it all, I can't help but let out a breath of relief.

I fish out my phone from the pocket of my black denim skirt and open Vera's number, calling it.

I wait patiently for my best friend to pick up, trying to ignore the annoying beeping sound. A few seconds later, she does.

"Sup, Ronnie," I greet casually.

"Nala, honey, I'm so sorry, but Trev and I will be a lil' late. You can start partyin' without us, though," she laughs, but the uncertainty is clear in her voice.

I frown. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, yes, don't worry. Just a lil' something got in the way. Will be there in no time." I hear her smile on the other end of the line and I do, too.

"Alright, good. See ya," I bid her a goodbye and hang up.

My eyes are starting to close, the heaviness of my eyelids suddenly too much. I yawn audibly and sigh. Perhaps a quick nap before my guests arrive won't be too bad. They're going to call once they're here anyway.

I grab one of the pillows on the couch and position it near the edge. My head falls on it and as soon as they come in contact, I become dead to the outside world.

    ♠ ♠ ♠  

My eyes flutter open and I stretch, my body stiff. I rub my eyes and let them adjust to the opaque. Once they do, I scan my surroundings for my phone. I finally find it on the table next to the couch and check the clock, only to see that it's already three o'clock in the morning.

What?

I have one missed call from Sonia, but that's it.

I shake my head and furrow my eyebrows at the phone in my hand. I toss it onto the pillow and stand up swiftly, turning the lights on. I look around only to find everything the same way I left it - neat and untouched.