The Chronicles of Life. (Complete)

This was your big idea?

It had been a week since the friends moved into the mansion. Preshani and Mike had been staying in the same room, needless to say things were good with them. The rest of the friends had also settled into their new state of affairs.

Ashley and Mariska had insisted on helping Dineo with her mom's birthday celebration that day, the rest of the group were going to join them later. For as long as they could remember, the friends would always come together to celebrate the incredible woman.

Dineo's father had sadly passed on when she was 12 and her mom had done such a good job keeping it together for the both of them. Her dad had always been the one who insisted they celebrate her mom's birthday in a big way every year so they did. When he died her friends had promised to keep the tradition alive. It had meant the world to the girl.

"Mom, what are you doing back here so early?", the girl asked her mom in frustration. She had one job. "I thought you girls might need some help", the older lady answered not understanding her daughter's frustration. What was the big deal? "No mom, today's all about you! We booked you that spar treatment so you won't have to do anything", the girl explained. "But Nono I always help out with the party. What's so different about this year?", she questioned. "Mrs Molefe, why don't you let me work on your make up for today and help you get ready?", Ashley asked trying to save the mom from the daughter. Mrs Molefe didn't waste time taking Ashley's hand as they went upstairs. She knew her daughter was stubborn and that was a potential argument she was never going to win.

Dineo was used to her mom being her savior, but she wanted to be the one to save her at least for one day. That had been why her dad started the tradition in the first place. To give the woman a break. The only reason the friends couldn't organize it alone all those other years had been because they were young and couldn't really do much without an adult, but that hadn't been the case anymore.

Connor, Nathan and Siya chose that moment to walk in. Mariska had texted them earlier because they needed some man power. "What's got you all twisted?", Connor had asked the smaller girl. "Her mom came", Mariska answered. "What did I tell you?", Nathan asked Siya as they chuckled. They knew the older woman well. She was too much of a superwoman to just want to sit around and let others pamper her, so when the girls had explained to them their plan they just knew it wasn't going to work.

"Ok ok! Jokes on us. Are you guys just gonna stand around there chuckling or will you actually help out?", Dineo asked annoyed. They were having a laugh at her expense. The boys listened and started lifting chairs and tables to set up outside.

"Hey what time are the catering people coming?", Dineo asked Mariska after realizing something was missing. "Uh, I thought you were handling that?" Mariska responded. Shit. They'd forgotten to order food.

"I have an idea", Connor had stated after watching the girls overreact for over an hour. They had been frantically making calls and occasionally stopping to ask themselves how they could forget the food. Who forgets food?

A few minutes later they heard the door bell ring. "Oh god, please don't tell me people are already arriving. Could this day get any worse?", Dineo said as she buried her head in her hands. She'd ruined her mom's birthday. "Hey relax", Connor said as he ran to get the door.

"This was your big idea?", Dineo asked in bewilderment. Was Connor trying to give her a heart attack? She took one last look at the boxes of pizza before breaking down. She stormed upstairs to her room. She had ruined everything.

"Hey kid", her friend had said a few moments later. "I let him down", the girl said sadly. "How could I be so naive to think that I could do this on my own? He would've never let something like this happen if he was still here." the girl finished as new tears made their way down her cheeks. She really missed her dad. "If your dad was here he would be so proud that you wanted to do this on your own to start with", the taller boy started. " I'm sure he's looking down on you right now proud of the amazing woman you turned out to be", the girl was now facing her friend. "You really think so?", she asked sadly. "Are you kidding me? Look at you! Miss soon to be doctor. You were top 10 of the most achieved students in high school and you passed with 7 distinctions! And not only are you studying to be a doctor but you're studying it at the number one university in the entire continent.", He said looking into her eyes. He needed her to see was he saw when he looked at her. "Yea I'm pretty great aren't I?", the girl joked as she wiped the tears off her dark brown cheeks. "You're right. The last thing my mom's gonna want today is to see me cry. I have to get myself together! Today's all about her", the girl said as her mood changed. "I cannot thank you enough Nate. You're a great friend", she said then hugged him. "I meant it all.", the boy said hugging her back.

Hours passed and things had turned out great with the party. Guests surprisingly loved the pizza idea. It was different but who didn't love pizza? Dineo had thanked Connor for coming up with idea and apologized for how she had acted. Of course the boy forgave her.

Bongi, Preshani, Mike and Taylor had also joined the friends. Mike had complained about how he had to wait hours for the girls to get ready. The group had laughed about it.

Dineo's mom had expressed to her how happy and proud of the young woman she had become and that she was sure her dad was proud too wherever he was.

Now looking at her friends all together, the girl couldn't be more thankful. When she lost her dad they had been her cheerleader. What would she do without them? She hoped she would never have to find out.