The Other Side of the Story

Chapter 11

I felt someone shaking me and I grumbled in response. “Lavender princess. I’m sorry I took so long.” I heard Micale say. “Open those beautiful eyes for me, love.” I might be confused but I think he said L-O-V-E not L-A-V-E but I might have misheard.

“Hey. What took you so long and what time is it?” I asked.

“I was caught up in something and it’s almost 6. Sorry for making you wait for almost 3 hours Lavender.”

“It’s ok. Where are you taking me?” I asked getting up. He had my bag slung at his back so I just followed him.

“Can’t tell you. I’m gonna put a blindfold on you and please no peeking.” He said.

“Got it.” He put it on me when I was seated on his car. I heard the engine roar to life and we went out of school.

Wherever he was taking me I don’t think it’s at town. “We’ve been driving for 30 minutes. Are we there yet?” I was getting impatient and excited.

“Almost another 5 minutes I think.” He replied and I heard his phone go off.

“It’s been five minutes! Please tell me where here?” I asked hopeful.

“We are.” He replied I gave a satisfied sigh and was getting giddy. I wonder where he brought me.

“Ok. Since you’re temporarily blind I’ll carry you and no I won’t listen to your protests.” He said. I pouted and let him carry me. He put me down and helped me steady. “I’m taking your blindfold off now, ok? But promise that you’re gonna keep your eyes closed until I count to 3.”

“Ok.” I was nervous and excited and giddy and everything. I wonder what he’s done. When the blindfold was off I still had my eyes closed.

“Ok Lavender. One” He started counting. “Two and three.” I opened my eyes exactly as people shouted ‘Happy Birthday’ and people popped out of random places coming up to hug me.

“Oh.” Was all I could reply. I was crying in my dilemma and drama I forgot that it was my birthday today. “Thank you everyone. Who planned this?” I asked through my tears.

“Happy Birthday honey. You’re very lucky to have him.” My mom came up to me and hugged me. “You’re presents are on the table on the side at the living room.” She whispered. I laughed and everyone started singing ‘Happy Birthday’ with Micale holding a big cake. It was beautiful and at the top there it was written ‘Happy Birthday Lavender. Best wishes –Mom, dad and Reed’ and a sloppy design ‘And Micale’. I laughed and blew out the candles.

“Speech!” I heard a random person say.

“Well, ok. This is really overwhelming. I’ve been having hard days these past few weeks that it made me forget my birthday. Thank you everyone for this. I appreciate all of you orchestrating this surprise party and I see that only close and dear people came here to celebrate my 18 years of existence. I thank God for giving me a chance and giving me all of you here to make me happy. I thank my parents and brother for always being supportive of me and I thank Micale Houston for being there for me even if I’m a bitch sometimes. So everyone again thank you and enjoy.” I said. I was genuinely happy. It was the best birthday anyone could give me.

I didn’t need big celebrations I loved the small and sincere ones rather than people coming just so they could have a little taste of the rich world.

“Happy Birthday princess.” Micale came up to me and gave me a kiss.

“Thank you. So who planned this?” I asked.

“It would be all Micale, baby sis. Remember yesterday? Mom and dad were at Aunt Griselda and I was picking up things somewhere? The whole truth was he talked to us the night before and planned it.  Mom and dad are going to invite people who are close to the family and you. They told me that they would invite all your friends in school but I voted against it since you don’t really have a lot of really friends at school.” Reed explained.