Chapter 7

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I was greeted by an army of balloons. The colors blue and red shined on my face as the balloons swayed. I heard someone giggling before two faces were seen in between the balloons.

"Happy Birthday" screamed Mia and Emma as they both tried getting into the apartment at the same time. After some shuffling, grunting and cursing they were both in the apartment. The whole time I was in a state of shock. I had forgotten that it was my birthday. It felt like Yesterday was May but turns out it is already September. "Are you gonna keep this open all day long?" Mia spoke while lifting my chin with her delicate fingers. I shook my head trying to collect my thoughts. I muttered a thank you while hugging them both.

"We brought you breakfast," said Emma showing take-away containers from my favorite café. I smiled at the sight of blueberry pancakes. Getting close to them I took a sniff and the aroma of blueberries reached my nostrils. I was about to sit at the dinner table, but Mia sent me off to the bathroom telling me to brush and wash my face. I returned after doing the necessities and saw them sitting at the table. A box wrapped with a bow sat at the far end of the table. I tilted my head and raised my eyebrows while they both smiled.

"Go ahead. Open it" said Emma. I walked towards the box and started unwrapping it. "You know you guys didn't have to get me anyth......." I stopped mid-sentence. In the box was a camera. A Nikon D3400 to be exact. Inside the box was a note that read "For your love of art, may there be many years ahead in your life where you do what you love. Always have hope and that beautiful smile." I smiled reading the lines. I took the camera into my hands and examined it.

Emma started speaking then, "It's one of the best ones recommended for beginners. Mia said she saw some pictures that you had taken when you were younger and they were pretty good." I started walking around with the camera, wanting to test it. Emma continued, "Since you are so fond of photographs, we thought you would like this." I stood in front of them and spoke "Yeah I used to take pictures but... it has been a long time since I took one". 

"Candid" I said taking a picture of them. Mia was smiling at me while Emma had been stuffing her face with pancakes.

"I love this gift. Thank you so much" I had wanted to say more but didn't know how to say it. They have always been supportive of me that I was beyond words. We spent the rest of the morning eating and taking pictures together. Making new memories together.

We spent the whole afternoon binge watching FRIENDS and laughing along with it. We were in the middle of another Phoebe-Joey moment when my phone rang I got off the couch to get it. Taking the phone off the table I frowned, not recognizing the number. I walked in to my room to take the call.

"Hello," I said.

"Hello Luna" I froze at the voice I hadn't heard in months.

"mm..mother..."I stuttered.

"Yes."

"Why are you calling me now?"

"You know exactly why darling. Your father and I will expect you to be at the house tonight"

"I'm not going" I spoke in a stern voice.

"You will do no such thing. You WILL come here and behave like a good girl. We have a reputation to uphold."

"Yeah right," I said sarcastically.

"You have to fix what you have damaged and your father and sister thinks it's the perfect time to do it" her voice became louder and aggressive"

"Well I don't have any intention of fixing messes that others have created" I was infuriated.

This time her voice was commanding and I knew I had no choice in the matter when she brought out the big guns. "Why are you being so childish? Act more mature and attend this party we are throwing. Besides your grandfather wants to see you!"

"Fine. I will be there" I muttered in disbelief. She had stooped so low to use grandpa as bait.

"8pm. And wear something presentable" she said hanging up.

I threw my phone on to the bed and buried my face in my hands. This party wasn't for me. It was a ruse. A well planned one. No doubt it was my sister behind this. They had to repair the damages and what better way than to put me on display, portraying me as someone I am not. I never wanted to go. I always hated the parties they threw for my birthday when it was actually a hoax for their business deals. I hadn't thought they would still do it this year after everything that happened. Now I had to go. It was grandpa that I thought about. He hadn't seen me in a long time and I knew how much he loved me. He doesn't know why I left home, he doesn't know what happened and I couldn't break his heart.

I didn't want the others to worry, so I didn't tell them I was going anywhere tonight. Emma stayed till 6 and went home when her brother came to pick her up. After she was gone Mia started whining that she hadn't slept since yesterday so I suggested she go to sleep. By then she had dark circles and her eyes were drooping. It had been exhausting for them. I took her to bed, and she was knocked out by the time I but her covers on her. I kissed her forehead and muttered a good night. Mia wasn't likely to wake up any time soon. As much as I love them, I didn't want to be burden for them. They were already doing so much for me.

At 8:30 pm I stood in front of my parents' house. I knew I was late, but I didn't care. I took a deep breath as the doors opened. The house was exactly the same and yet different. Someone has rearranged all the furniture so there was more room for people to move around. There were already about 20 people waiting outside our gallery. I smiled at some people recognizing them while one of the staff took my swing coat. I had decided on wearing a red dress that hugged my waist and came up to my knees and paired it with black stiletto heels.

I was greeted by people and them wishing me a happy birthday. After a while one of the staff came and ushered me in to the gallery. It was already packed with about a 100 people. I groaned. This was going to be a long night.

A/N:

I was in a mood to write so this chapter became longer and I decided to give you another chapter as well. I typed for 4 hours last night that my armpits hurt (hehe) when I was done but it was all worth it. Please enjoy the story and give lots of love to it. :)

p.s. leave any questions or thoughts in the comment 

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