When In Paris

Chapter 13

CRYSTAL

I wake up to the ringing of my alarm and a lot of messages wishing me a happy birthday. Yep, it's the 28th of May – my birthday and I'm 21 years old now.

Birthdays for me haven't been such a big deal for me since my nanna passed away all those years ago, my sister left and all this drama with my mum started. It's just became another regular day for me where you so happen to turn a year older. It just wasn't a big deal for me.

Rachel would always fuss over it being my birthday like it was her own and as much as I wish I hated it. I secretly loved it and I know she knew. 

Just thinking about all the memories of that makes me sad because I don't know if this year she will come over and celebrate with us with the fight we had about Justin. She hasn't talked to me yet and I'm dreading the fact that I will probably see her today at 'Beauty School'.

I reach over and grab my phone to turn my alarm off and while I'm doing that I see all the messages. I start to scroll through them and catch glimpse of a message from my sister Kayla, it reads.

"Happiest Birthday to my amazing little sister! I can't believe you're finally 21 Sis, like what! Time for you to celebrate big! I really wish I could be there with you today but promise me you'll have fun for the both of us and I'm looking forward to hearing all about it. Love you big time Sis, big kisses, and hugs. Love your older sissy K XX"

I faintly smile as I re-read the message and just reading it make me miss my sister. I think about how I really wish she was here to celebrate with me and even more help me fix my drama with Rachel as I reply to her. 

I keep scrolling through all the messages and I'm surprised when I came across one from Rachel.

"Hey Babe. As much as I'm angry at you it would be rude of me to not to wish you a Happy Birthday. So Happy Birthday to my no.1 bestie. I know how much you hate your birthday and all the fuss of it so don't worry I won't bombarded you when I see you the morning, I'll leave that for your party on the weekend. Love you so much babe and see you soon. Xxx"

I reply to her saying thank you and that we'll have a talk about this today. I'm about to read another one when I hear a knock on the door.

"Come in," I call out.

After a few second in comes my mother carrying a tray with 21 shaped balloons tied to it.

I frown at the sight and sigh. "Mum, I thought I told you I don't like you making a big fuss when it's my birthday," I say to her as I stare down at the massive breakfast tray filled with a plate of my favourite blueberry pancakes amongst yogurt and fruit salad all with a cup of tea.

"Yeah, you did but it's not every day my baby girl turns 21 years old," she points out as she sits down on the bed and then leans in and kisses me on the cheek.

"Ok, you can stop now mum," I say as I try to pull away from her as she keeps kissing me.

"Ok, sorry baby," she says as she pulls away and then she rubs my cheek with her thumb and smiles. "I just can't believe my baby girl is 21."

"Mum, don't you dare start crying or I will start too," I warn her when I see her face crumple up.

"I can't help it," she says as she starts to tear up. "My baby girl is all grown up."

I reach for her hand. "I will still be your baby girl despite how old I get," I point out.

She grabs my hand then looks up and smiles at me. "Yeah, I know," she says sighing. "But can't you just let me have my moment that both my baby girls are grown up and don't need me anymore."