Birthday

 

My parents can, on occasion, be wonderful people. They got me boxed sets of all the available seasons of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI Miami available on DVD for my birthday presents. For a party, I’d decided on a sleepover. As undistinguished as it sounds, I had plans for this slumber party. The fridge was fully stocked with goodies by Tuesday. The party was on Friday, a day after my actual birthday.

Mom bought me rum. Actually, the reason she bought it for me was so I could bake my birthday cake. It was vanilla cake with a rum glaze. I’d made it before, and decided that if I was going to have a cake, it should be one that I loved. The only drawback of this cake was that candles were out of the question. I couldn’t risk igniting the alcohol.

My party invitations were mixed CD’s with the information written on them in sharpie. Of course, I broke the rules of mixed CD’s because my music collection isn’t exactly extensive.

The rules of mixed CD’s:

• Never put two songs by the same artist/band on it.
• Use at least two different types of music.

• Use songs with different lyrical patterns, kinds of instruments and ideas behind the songs.
   

  Needless to say, Crimson, Bunny and Skull received different combinations of Metallica, Black Sabbath, Green Day, Queen, The Beatles, Marilyn Manson and Tool. As always, I received instant affirmative RSVP’s, and the festivities began on Friday at five.

Bunny showed up with two bags filled with all sorts of things for me and his backpack loaded with overnight stuff. The only reason I’d talked the parents into letting him sleep over is by insisting that he could stay in my brother’s room. Bunny had crinkled his nose at the idea of spending any length of time in Jeremy’s room, as it was dirty and masculine, but if it meant sleeping over, it would do.

Skull arrived with a present for the entire family: a puppy. Her Aunt’s Lab/Shepard/Dalmatian mix had given birth just in time for the thing to wean before my birthday. Along with the puppy came a small tin of puppy chow and a carrier. I’d been warned, and had, as a result, set up a crate and chain in the backyard. In keeping with the nickname scheme our circle of friends had, I’d decided to call the creature Spike. It seemed appropriate.

Crimson came with a small box and a huge smile.

This party was going to be about me. Oh God. All about me. We sat down for dinner after everyone had gotten to my house, and after the meal, the torture began.

“Happy birthday to you!” They all started singing in unison. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Blair! Happy birthday to you!”

I blushed as the delectable rum cake was lowered in front of my face. A lit taper candle was stuck in the middle. I wished for another good year for all the people I loved in this room: Mom, Dad, Jeremy, Skull, Bunny and Crimson.

After cake and ice cream, I was made to open presents. Crimson had gotten a necklace made with the Blair Witch Project emblem engraved in silver on an onyx charm. It must have cost her a fortune. My eyes popped, and I couldn’t help hugging and thanking her. I put the necklace on immediately.

Bunny shoved his bags into my lap, and I pulled out three dresses from one of them. One almost matched his little black number. The second was a red off-the-shoulder, and the third was a full-length gothic-styled sleeveless dress with D-rings and chains falling down the skirt in all directions, and a corset-like bodice. He grinned. “You’ve outdone yourself, sweetie.”

“I know. I saw them and thought of you.” He smiled innocently. “Look in the other bag.”

I inhaled and peered into it. A pair of cream pumps (to match my prom dress, I’m sure), and three colors of hair dye (pink, blue and black) stared back at me. “Wow. You’ve really outdone yourself.”

My eyes widened as I smiled. “You spoil me.”

“You’re well worth spoiling.”

I swear, at that moment, I wish I could have told my parents that Bunny was gay.

Jeremy fidgeted and handed me a box I hadn’t seen before today. I opened it to find an iPod and some gift cards for music. “Wow!” I had no idea Jeremy cared about me enough to spend so much on me. “Oh my God, thank you!”

He grinned. “Welcome. Hope you can add to the little music collection of yours.”

Eighteen years had entitled me to huge gifts and wonderful friends and family. I could have cried. Instead, I hugged every one of them tightly and smiled until the moment I fell asleep at three am.

Reviews

[Marth47]

Aww...I really liked this chapter! It was really cute!

[Brie]

Haha, I like the mixed CD rules. I should think about that next time..... hehe.
-Brie