Around a week passed by yet again and I found myself sitting in my bedroom, wrapping up a thick hard-covered book with a roll of colourful wrapping paper with flowers printed on it all around.
Weirdly, Cameron and I haven't texted much this week.
Maybe it was because of the fact that it was so unusually awkward and weird during our last meet up that made us grow apart a little. I still hadn't understood fully why I acted that way but I knew it was the only thing that was preventing me from texting him again.
Every once in a while, I would find myself picking up my phone and going over to our message screen. I was always tempted to just send him a message but the fear that it would be weird and awkward even when we weren't face to face took me down again.
I was much more gravitated towards today's possible outcome, for there was a party that was going to be hosted right next to my house - in Olivia's. I had hope that it perhaps would be a one time thing with the flusteration with Cameron and that today, once I handed him his present that everything would be back to normal.
I folded the edge of the paper, making sure that there were no creases as I taped the wrapping onto the book that I went out on a scavenge when I read about it online. Janarius mall was where I found it, in a bookshop filled with countless shelves of books ranging form all different genres.
With the help of the worker, I was able to find the exact copy as well as a fitting wrapping paper that they sold at the paying counter. The book was about travelling, something Cameron was passionate about. It provided the information that any traveller would need.
It told you what places you could visit in a designated country, the benefits of going there and even the best hotels that were around, given the budget that you were targeting. There were even contact details for any guides and helpers you would need.
The moment I read about the book on the internet I knew it was perfect. It would suit his future travels and the one he was planning as the first trip to New Zealand and tell him all the benefits and all the places worth visiting.
Biting my lip in concentration as I folded the last flap onto the book, I held it in place with one hand as the other obtained a strip of tape from the tape dispenser, that was on my work table. My room was silent as Brown napped on my bed.
The only sound came from downstairs, where my parents were watching their television show. Normally I would join them, but today was a different occasion with the birthday party Olivia was hosting for Cameron.
Ever since that day at Joey's, Cameron clicked with my friends. It was not surprising as my friends were really friendly people and easily got along with anyone regardless of their personality. It was how I'd clicked with them so easily the first time I met Olivia and when she introduced the others to me.
Ever since they found out about his birthday being on today, a Saturday, they immediately thought of hosting this party for him. The thought that everyone was getting along made me smile, glad that everything was going well. It also gave me hope that I wouldn't ruin this day for Cameron with my weird behaviour.
It would only start in less than three hours - Cameron was spending half of his day with his family to celebrate his birthday - which left me time to wrap his present and get ready for the event myself.
I reached for a piece of paper and used a pair of scissors to cut it into a smaller rectangle which then I folded in half to transform it into a square. I added some drawings of both Brown and Snow at the front of the homemade card and in between the dogs, I wrote, "happy birthday!" In a cursive font I hoped would look good using colourful ink pens.
Inside, on the left flap, I drew some flowers and trees surrounding a pond. Then on the right, I wrote a short and small message.
Happy turning eighteen, Cameron! This is for you to find more secret places and perhaps even share them with me one day! :)
- love Heather
When I was satisfied with it, I taped it onto the tightly wrapped present and left it aside, now wondering and planning what I should do before the party was going to start. However, even before I was able to start standing up and rifle through my cupboard for an appropriate dress, my door swung open and Olivia came in dressed head to toe with glam.
Her brown hair was straightened completely and satisfying fell past her shoulders like a dark but beautiful shiny waterfall. She donned a velvety dark green spaghetti strapped shirt with a v-neckline that was tucked nicely into a pair of jeans that clung to her waist with the help of a black belt that looped through her jeans.
Her face was covered with a light layer of makeup, emphasising her features in the most perfect way. Her red coloured coated lips parted as she began to speak. "I was going to ask if you were ready, but I don't think I have to."
I gave her a smile, standing up to walk to my closet. "I'm not. I just finished wrapping up Cameron's present."
"Do you need any help?" She offered. I gave it a little thought. I knew my works around makeup but I wore it so rarely that I hadn't experimented enough to know what look would best suit me or the outfit I had yet to chose. So, I nodded and watched as an excited smile pulled across her lips. "Cool, I'll be right back." She exited my room just as fast as she came in and I went back to searching my closet.
I went to the section where dresses for special occasions hung at the very end of my closet. I picked a few of the favourable options and dropped them onto my bed. I was going to ask for Olivia's opinion on which dress would look the best.
Until I had three dresses laid on my bed, I closed my closet doors, just as Olivia breezed back into my room a small bag in her clutch. She closed my bedroom door behind her and smiled wide.
"Let's get you ready," she dropped the bag in her hands onto my bed next to the dresses and got to work.
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What do you think's gonna happen at the party? 🤔🤔
😂 Thanks so much for reading! Vote and comment and all that jazz, see you in the next chapter (just swipe up! I'm double updating today!)
