Of Angel Descent

Chapter Six

"Happy Birthday Nilly-bug!" My father's booming voice wakes me up causing me to jump to my feet with my dagger in hand relying on my instincts thinking I am in danger. "Whoa, whoa, easy there honey. It's just your loving father." I rub my eyes allowing myself to register the words.

"Why did you wake me up?" I place my dagger on my bedside table and fall back into bed.

"It's your birthday dork." The mirth in his voice makes me groan.

"It's too early to be awake." I mumble face first into my pillow.

"Do you even know what time it is Nilea?" I dramatically move my arm around my bed until my fingers wrap about my phone. I bring the phone adjacent to my head and turn on the screen. Lifting my head I strain to register the information. April 19, 2022 10:30AM. I drop my head into my pillow again and set the phone down.

"It is too early to be awake." I repeat myself. My father laughs and pulls me out of my bed by my feet.

"Get up Ms. Lazy-Bones. It's time for breakfast." I growl but I follow him willingly as he drags me to the dining room. I groan as I take in the view.

"Awe, dad you couldn't have told me everyone was here?"

"No, what's the fun in that." He chuckles as I glare at him. If looks could kill he'd be a red blast of color on the wall behind him.

"Nice pajamas Ni." I recognize Chris' accent as he withholds his laughter. I look down and realize I am wearing my very embarrassing kiddie Princess and the Frog pajamas and smack my forehead. Even though it's been a little over a month since I've met Chris and Antimony that didn't mean I was ready to show off my very childish pajamas.

"Dad!" I frown.

"Sorry sweetheart, I should've warned you." I glare and walk back to my room to change. I pull on a pastel green t-shirt with a quote that says, 'Don't sit by me, I bite,' and a simple pair of jeans. I admire myself in my mirror flinching when I see my scars on my neck reminding me of my near death experience. I grab my foundation and dab some over the scars. When I am pleased with the absence of the cruel reminders I walk back into the dining room.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting, I am ready to face the living now." They all laugh at my joke as I join them at the table. I smile and look around the table making a mental list of everyone who is sitting around me; Dad, Eva, Curtis, Michael, Carrie, Tara, Antimony and Chris. I hide my sadness as I remember that Andy won't be there to help me celebrate my 21st birthday. "So, what is next on the agenda now that I have been awakened?"

"Now you open you presents." Eva states while she hands me a medium sized box wrapped in 'Happy Birthday' wrapping paper. As I take the box from her I sneak a glance at her left hand. No ring. I look at Curtis with a look of judgement. Knowing what I was referring to he responds by glaring at me.

"That present is from both of us." He comments as a way to cover my look at him.

"Oh lovely." I reply sarcastically. "So it is a bomb. Right?" I stick my tongue out at him and start to rip the paper. It is actually a shoe box filled with the shot bottles of booze. I lift one out to show everyone. "Perfect, I can use this to help forget the embarrassment I experienced this fine morning." I look over at my father as he crosses his arms over his chest. I smile innocently at him as he stares at me.

"Mine next!" exclaims Carrie from across the table. I'm handed a rectangular gift box that was flat like a picture frame. I take the lid off. Good guess. I smile and show everyone else, it's a picture of Carrie, Andy and I. Probably taken by her mom during a family gathering. Andy and I were sitting next to each other on their couch helping Carrie solve a puzzle on their coffee table.