Unexpected

• Chapter Thirty-Six •

My advice for life: dance and sing your song while the party is still on. ~Rasheed Ogunlaru

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On Christmas Eve, it's tradition for all of us to help with the baking of several desserts. Normally, we all pick one thing to make; I usually go for brownies with white chocolate chunks. It's a bit boring for Christmas but you just can't go wrong with them. My mum also does the chicken by stuffing it and seasoning it before placing it in the fridge to allow the flavour to soak in.

On top of that, we have a lot of our family coming over to stay the night. It just makes sense since they're travelling all the way from London. We have my aunties and uncles, my 5 cousins and my grandmas and grandpa. Including us that makes 18 people in one house. I'm not really sure my mum fully thought about this but luckily, we have enough space for them. Anyway, they should be arriving any minute now since its almost four. My mum plans to have a Christmas Eve party which also involves Rolo's family and Abel's since he's my boyfriend. This is going to make one busy house.

"Boys! Get your butt down here and help me make sure everything is set up!" My mum yells.

"How come you didn't call Keziah!" Marcel yells back.

"Don't question me Marcel! Just get down here."

I hear multiple steps rushing down the stairs to meet my mum.

I'm currently in my room finishing getting ready. I've decided to go for a red skater dress that cinches at the waist with a sweetheart neckline and thick straps. I've paired it with silver hoop earrings and silver heels. For my makeup, I've gone relatively simple with my usual stuff but with a silver shimmery eyeshadow and a golden glow highlight that accentuates my cheekbones. My plan is to make Abel speechless since I haven't seen him since his birthday. I have to make it clear what he's missed.

Despite not seeing him, we've talked everyday and not once have I got bored. I don't think I'd ever get bored if I'm honest.

Once I'm ready, I head downstairs to find everyone hanging up last minute decorations and placing a few of the homemade desserts and food out on the counter.

"You look lovely dear!" My mum says while hugging me.

"It's only because she wants to impress Abel." Points out Marcel.

"If Abel is coming, does that mean Tristan and Tatiana are too?" Asks Nolan.

For once, I can actually say yes to the boy.

"Yes, they are." I respond.

"Finally!" Nolan pumps his little arms in the air and smiles so brightly at what I said.

"Omari, that means Zane is coming too. Try and actually talk to him this time yeah?"

Omari simply nods at me and goes back to whatever he's doing on his phone.

My dad then walks into the room whistling away, "Hello family! Who's ready to party!" He hollers in excitement.

This causes shouts of happiness to echo throughout the room from all of us.

All of a sudden, the sound of the door bell ringing alerts us to the arrival of our family members. In an instant, many many faces appear around the corner.

"Keziah!" My youngest cousin Zola who is 4-years-old runs straight into my arms for me to lift her up. I tickle her stomach in response resulting in several giggles escaping. She's pretty small for a 4-year-old but she still has time to grow. Her hair is pulled back into two afro puffs showing how long her hair has grown. On her wrists are the never-ending number of bracelets that she basically never takes off; she claims that it makes her more mature and who am I to disagree?