Born Wild

Surprise party

"Happy Birthday" Koda said mid-Saturday morning. 

Tala groaned. 

"It's 10 o'clock time to get up"

 She covered her face with a pillow and sighed before she took her time getting up off the couch to get ready for the day. As she brushed her teeth and looked in the mirror, she thought about how much she disliked her birthday.

Every single year before now she had hoped that maybe her birthday would be great and that she would have close friends to celebrate it with. Tala didn't have many friends and was disappointed every year, but never surprised. Every year her dad bought her a small cake and gave her a card with cash, but they weren't close by any means. 

As the years went on she grew to hate her birthday more and more because it reminded her she was alone. She shook her head as if trying to erase her sad past and rinsed her mouth out with water.

She threw on a baggy sweater and decided to take a walk outside to clear her head. She looked back at the house for a moment and realized she was so blessed. Koda was amazing and treated her so well. She hoped for a great night but she set low expectations. She figured if she at least got to spend time with Koda and her friends that it would be a perfect night.

 Later they went into town to look around. Koda was obviously getting her out of the house so the others would set up for a surprise party. They visited the coffee shop of course. Tala always wanted a warm drink, even if she was short on money. They looked around at the bookstore(more for Koda than Tala). Then they visited a small booth with a few plants. Most of the plants had been sold because of the end of summer. They also walked by the bakery, noticing the colorful walls and all of the original painting hung on the walls. They didn't buy anything, but enjoyed their walk through town, with scattered trees.

As they approached the house, it was glowing and beaming with noise. Koda smiled and admired her excitement. Tala couldn't stop grinning. As she stepped inside, everyone turned. 

"SURPRISE!" 

She was stunned. She bubbled with happy laughs. Astrid ran up to her with a dress and wedges. 

"For the birthday girl" She handed it to Tala with a hug.

 "Thank you Astrid" She walked past some people she knew and most people she didn't to go to the bathroom.

Cambria came in to help her put on makeup and curl her hair because Tala didn't wear much makeup. She patted on foundation, swept on eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss. Tala looked so different, but she was still the beautiful girl she had always been. She admired herself in the mirror and played with her hair. 

When she walked out, Koda was leaning against the wall talking to someone. When he turned and saw her his jaw dropped. He got really nervous and warm as he watched her go around the room to greet and thank people for coming. She was beaming.

Koda handed her a red cup with a clear green beverage. "Lime Margarita." he said.

She thanked him.

 "By the way.....you look amazing.." he scanned his eyes down her body subtly. 

Tala smiled. 

Hugo, who was already quite drunk, came up to them. "cheeeeurs!" He clinked his shot with their drinks. 

Tala danced to a few more songs and had a couple more drinks. As Hugo stepped away, the guy playing the music switched to a slow song. She drank her margarita and walked over to Cambria.

"I'm so happy right now, thank you so much for throwing this for me."

Cambria hugged Tala. "You're so welcome." 

Tala saw Hugo glancing at Cambria.

"Look who's got an admirer." Tala awed.

Cambria blushed.

"Go get him." Tala said. 

Cambria went over and Hugo and he pulled her close to dance. She threw her arms around him and they swayed. Now it was Tala's turn. She scanned through the crowd for him. He was already looking at her but acted like he wasn't when she made eye contact.

Tipsy, she made her way closer to him and almost fell until he caught her. 

"Woah there." "Can we go outside?" He laughed

She agreed and they headed out. Koda's breath smelled like beer but he hadn't had more than one or two because he seemed sober. Apparently, he wasn't a big drinker. That made her like him even more. The front door shut and the loud music became a soft muffle.

He soaked in the feeling of being with her. She was absolutely beautiful. Not like a diamond or a jewel, but like thriving green forest filled with birds and trees. He could be with her for hours and not get tired of admiring her or being with her. Her skin gleamed like the sun through the trees and her long hair blew like trees in the wind. She was delicate, thriving, beautiful. She eased his spirit and lifted his soul.She smiled and waited for him to say something. They stood still, their hearts pounding, until he placed his hand gently on her waist and her head, pulling her close. She grasped his strong shoulders and they came closer.

 They heard something move in the trees.

"What was that?" Tala asked.

"I don't know." Koda grabbed her hand. "We should probably go inside."

They both headed back into the noisy house to continue the party. As the party died down hours later, and people started to leave, Koda looked for Tala, he hadn't seen her for a while. He went around the house and called for her. He came up to Cambria and Hugo who were standing close and asked them if they had seen her.

"I saw her go into your room a while ago" Hugo replied while raising his brow. "You better go find out what that's about"

 Cambria rolled her eyes. Koda set his cup down on the counter and walked back to his room, slowly opening the door.