Chapter Fifteen: Cringe

After applying moisturizer to my body, I blow dried my hair until it fell down to my breasts in soft waves. It was my birthday, so I was allowed to ditch the uniform and wear whatever the hell I wanted to wear, granting me the attention I deserved. And last time I checked, no one in Westerbridge had the same birthday as me. Did I want to go for my usual girl next door look, or do I want to switch it up with a bit of grunge? I unfortunately can't wear my baddie clothes to school. It's a hot day so I decided on high waisted ripped blue shorts and a black lacy bodysuit I was sure would get me in trouble. Over that, I layered it with a black denim jacket, and slipped my feet into black Doc Martens. Clinching my waist with a black belt, I take a moment to examine my outfit in the mirror. I need a cute bag and some accessories, and I'm done. I painted my lips with Uncensored, from Fenty Beauty and lined my eyes, coating my lashes with mascara when I was done. This was me, rock chic. My books are in my locker at school, so I chose a small square black side bag and put in all the small things I would need throughout the day. I was in too much of a good mood not to have breakfast in the main house today. It's my birthday after all!

I could hear the excited morning chatter of the adults in the dining room, and the sound of kitchen help at work in the kitchen as I stepped into the house through the porch doors. I was a little nervous about sitting around the same table with Jackass, but I sucked it up and reminded myself that it was my day today. Everybody stopped talking when I walked in, eyes wide and jaws dropped. A reaction I've grown to love.

"Morning oldies." I sang happily and sunk into the seat beside my dad, giving him a small peck on the cheek that left a red mark behind.

"Good morning Azania. And happy birthday! Look at you! Growing up suits you so well." Porcelain exclaimed. I'm pretty sure I look the same as I did yesterday, but I gave her a genuine smile nonetheless, before spreading some Nutella on my pancake. My dad made a face.

"Looks to me like this growing up thing is going to be a lot harder than I anticipated. Is it always going to be short bottoms and dark make-up? And how much sugar does your body need before it says enough?" He asked when he eyed my Nutella covered pancake.

"The skirts get shorter the older I get." I mocked, "And don't judge my breakfast. It's my birthday."

"You're joking right?" he said in pure horror, everyone at the table laughed.

"Of course, I'm kidding tata, haibo! What do you take me for?"

"My beautiful, smart, intelligent baby girl." He said with a proud grin on his face and I scoffed.

"Here you go Azania. This is from Anthony and me. Happy 18th." Gia said excitedly as she handed me a silver gift bag with tissue paper piling out on the top. I hadn't expected a gift from either one of them so I was shocked, but I took the bag anyway with a wary expression on my face and set it on the table, looking at it like it might attack me.

"It won't attack you Azania. It's safe to open." Jackass said for the first time since I sat down, almost like he was reading my mind. I fought the urge to blush; instead I rolled my eyes and made an incoherent sound. I reached into the box and my fingers brushed against a velvet box, so I gripped it and pulled it out of the bag. I was shocked to see Michael Kors printed delicately over the black velvet of the box in gold. I looked up, overwhelmed with emotions. Why would they get me such an expensive gift? I hadn't opened it yet, but I knew that it was beautiful. It was MK after all.

"Aren't you going to open it?" Jackass asked, and I almost felt like kicking him for rushing me, but I decided against it and opened the box slowly. My breath was taken away at the sight of the stunning watch. It had a rose gold diamond encrusted band, with more diamonds circling the face of the watch. There were more diamonds inside the watch, where a digital screen told me the date, and the current time. It's gorgeous. It's a little extravagant but I was as extravagant as they get so I loved it. I looked up at the couple once again, this time with teary eyes.

"I don't know what to say. You shouldn't have." I muttered but Porcelain was already shaking her head before I even finished my sentence. Jackass just stared at me, not giving anything away.

"Seriously though, it's bad enough that you guys are letting us stay here for free, I can't allow her to accept such an expensive gift. You have done so much already." My dad said softly from beside me, and this time; it was Jackass who shook his head.

"You're my brother, just as much as Aiden was. It's because of you that I didn't off myself and follow him. I cannot even thank you enough, but this is a start. Azania, my wife and I would really love it if you accepted the gift. You deserve lots more on your birthday." He said, and I didn't miss the emphasis on 'wife'. Almost as if to remind me that he was not only my principal, but he was also happily married. My dad reluctantly agreed on me keeping the watch and helped me put it on. The diamonds that were encrusted in the watch caught the morning light and sparkled, making me feel expensive. I stood up and rounded the table so that I could thank the couple properly. Gia laughed as I practically squeezed the life out of her, but she returned my hug, nonetheless. Jackass was a little more reluctant and hesitant to hug me, but both my dad and Porcelain told him to stop being a jackass just for my birthday, and he eventually agreed. The hug was somewhat awkward and weird, since none of us knew what to say to each other. But as I was pulling away, he squeezed me and leaned into my ear, crouching down to my level because he was way taller than me.

"Happy birthday kiddo." He whispered softly, making me flush with irritation at the nickname, and blush from the wish at the same time. I returned to my seat after that and we finished our breakfast while listening to my dad narrate stories of my childhood. I would have been embarrassed if it wasn't for the fact that I was so happy. Nothing was going to ruin my day.

"Azania? Shouldn't you have left by now? Where's that friend of yours?" Jackass asked as the kitchen staff cleared the table. I quickly unlocked my phone, ignoring all the incoming texts from well-wishers and scrolled to my best friend's name. She picked up on the fourth ring,

"I am so sorry chomi! My car wouldn't start, and my dad can't find the stupid cables to do the power transfer thingie majig. I know it's your birthday and I really don't want to ruin your day by making you wait. I was actually about to call you. I am so so sorry." Her frantic voice filled my ear and I almost burst out laughing. But instead, I just chuckled lightly, and told her it was fine and wished her luck with her car. After a long string of apologies, we hung up.

"Ayanda's car won't start. Tata, would you mind taking me to school?" I asked sweetly. I didn't want to take an uber today.

"Its times like these I wish you could drive Azania. I have to be at the office in the next 30 minutes. The big guns are coming today. You can just call your boyfriend to come pick you up." He suggested and my face immediately dropped into a scowl.

"Or you can just ride with Anthony?" my dad added when he saw my expression at the mention of Kevin. We both turned to look at the said man to see him fixing his suit blazer while his wife fixed his tie. The scene sickened me.

"Of course, she can ride with him! They will have fun talking about their birthdays and detention and stuff. Right babe?" Porcelain prompted and fluttered her eyelashes. What was with the female population and thinking that batting their eyelashes like that was flirty or sexy?

"Uhm, yeah sure. Get your stuff. I'm leaving now." And the Jackass was back!

"Anthony! Be nice." Porcelain warned after giving her husband a chaste kiss.

"I'm always nice." Said the cocky bastard. He winked at her, saluted my dad and walked out of the house. I gave both dad and Gia a hug before heading out as well. I wasn't shocked when Jackass pulled up in an all-black Mercedes Benz G Wagon SUV. Everything from the rims to the windows, exterior and interior of the car was black and black was beautiful! Yet another car-gasm at the expense of Jackass' most prized possessions. I blew out a low whistle as I carefully stepped into the car.