Under the Stars

Chapter Four

Note: << means rewind. In this chapter we'll go back to last year to explain a lot of loopholes from the last chap. Enjoy!
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<<March 2005

🎶"Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Eli!

Happy birthday to you!" 🎶

It's my day today. Streamers and banners hung in the window sill. They were in different colors like pink, blue, and violet. I like those colors, they remind me of unicorns. Because today is my day, I made a request that my birthday would be themed unicorn.

My birthday wasn't that much. I only invited people who are close to me. Stacy isn't one of them because I don't like her. She pushes me everywhere she gets a chance to and act like innocent if she get caught which ended me being the one to be blamed. I have little friends. Little meaning that I have two. Some kids wouldn't get near me because they say I'm a freak. Maybe I am because I understand things that they don't. I don't usually think like them. Though I still act like a normal kid. The only thing that was not normal to me is that I am different.

Jake and Caroline never saw me as different, in fact they hang out with me as much as they can. While the other of our classmates are playing outside, we would just stay in the art room and paint. Sometimes if P.E subject comes, our other classmates would play again but we do yoga instead.

They were both becoming my brother and sister.

Jake and Caroline were my 'guest of honors' since they were the only ones being close to me. Mama might have invited my other classmates but I don't know them and they don't like me. They came because of the food.

Both of them wore unicorn headbands but Jake was getting irritated since he doesn't like wearing the horned headband. He said it was ridiculous. But we didn't mind since we three are bestfriends. And bestfriends should stick each other's butts together!

"I love this cupcake Eli. Your Mama is a magician! How did she do this? This cupcake has different colors!" Caroline was amazed and was now gazing silently at the frosted and multi-colored cupcake she was holding.

Mama is the best cook in town, no doubt.

I don't tell how Mama did the magic in her cupcakes because it was our secret. I made a promise to her not to tell anyone about it. And so, Mama is known in our little town the Iron Chef since she can whip delicious meals without fuss. All the people around us asks for her recipes. But answers would always be that to cook from the heart.

I guess it's true. Mama always sings and hums when she cooks my favorite meal— a Filipino dish which the meat of a cow or pork will be boiled and then it will be added with some spices, some green leafy vegetables and potatoes. I hate the vegetables but I love the broth.

No. Mama is not half-Filipina. She is pure American. I don't know where did Mama learn to cook Filipino dishes. But I thank God for that since I love every meal she offers. Adobo, Pancit Palabok and so on.

Looking around, my attention was caught because of my friend who was still gazing at the cupcakes. Time has been ticking but her attention did not go to playing as tutu princess with the other girls around our age. It's fine for me since Caroline is not like me. Everybody likes her, some may be are just shy to talk to her but she is nice. She just didn't know that.