Happerent

Behind the door, I flopped into my bed without taking notice of anything else. Hold up, why wasn't it comfy?

Something was out of place, something poking my back. Sitting upright, I pulled out the book from underneath my duvet.

`Bruteʼ

My chest rose and fell with each breath I took. It was emotional pain. Guilt. I felt guilty. Seeing as Aurum just accused me of cuddling the said book each night. She wasn't wrong, but it was gut-wrenching.

Who knew I would be bound to this same book 7 years ago?

The present I desperately wanted nothing to do with. The birthday present from him.

"Makena?" Mum poked her head into my bedroom. It's a good thing it's never locked. If not, I bet she wouldn't be getting so much free access.

Dropping the magazine I was glancing through, "Hi mom." I was bored anyway.

"Are you really not celebrating your birthday?" She flashed a suggestive grin at me. 18 years of existence, and it's still the most important grin to me.

I couldn't help but slump my shoulders in exasperation. This was a conversation we have had multiple times and it hasn't changed my mind. Yes, I am still not interested in throwing a party.

"Does going to Dee's count?" Smiling sheepishly, "I'm going with Corianne. I think Aurum is tagging along too." Shrugging, I remembered how Aurum practically begged me to tag along. She was always tagging along these days. Not that it was any bother.

Dee's was farther away than it is now. Right now, it's down the block. Back then, we needed to walk for about 10 minutes. It was located around the busiest area.

Despite my sheepish smile, "You don't seem excited." I am either an open book, or she's a mind reader. Maybe it is just mummy instincts...

"I am not." I said truthfully, but my eyes lit when I continued, "I was excited yesterday though."

Finding a way to sit beside me on my bed, "What did you do?" her brows arched in question.

"I made Cory eat, drink and wear peanut butter. It was terribly interesting." And terribly disgusting. But the thought of it sent my tummy into rumbles with laughter. You'd be surprised at how creative I could be when I tried.

"Oh, heavens." After opening and closing her mouth multiple times, she eventually settled on saying, "I don't think I want to know how that happened. How do you wear peanut butter?"

For someone who doesn't want to know what happened, I don't think asking a question is a smart idea. Of course, if she asks, who am I told to withhold such important information?

Shrugging, I was about to jump into an explanation, "It is surprisingly easy. All you have to do is -"

"Shush." She shut me up, satisfied that I stopped talking. "I don't want to hear any of it. It's best if a mother doesn't know all about her children. Especially the weird one like you."

Cocking my head to the side, "You think I'm weird?" She shouldn't say that, it's weird to hear that you're weird from your mother.

"Erm...." After stuttering, she finally got the hang of speaking, ".... you're different. It's better than being unhappy."

"But most mothers will like to know all that her children are doing." Corianne's mum surely would, she would hire an investigator to trail after her if she could. Come to think of it, I'm not sure she hasn't done it yet.

"I guess I'm different."

"That's a good thing." I didn't doubt that, for her smile reached her eyes and they equally twinkled with delight. I knew what they were saying, ` You're different, and that's a good thing. ʼ

"It is mum." Equally putting on a captivating eye-twinkling smile, "It really is."

She gushed, "Are you certain that you don't want to celebrate your birthday? I can throw a party in 2 hours.", taking my hands into hers. I didn't pull away, while trying to come up with ways to gently let her down.

"I have no doubts about that. After all, you planned Aunty Jessie's wedding within a week."

"It was a splendid one too." Wiggling my brows, I remembered the finesse details of that event. Mostly the food.

But, the interesting part was that she planned the entire wedding within a week. Aunt Jessie found out that she was pregnant and wanted to get married immediately. Mum didn't want her sister running off to Vegas for a quick wedding. So, she threw one for her as quickly as possible. I don't know how she did it, but she managed to pull it off.

I am certain she would also be able to pull off a birthday party in under a few hours, I just didn't want it.

She saw that as an opening, as her face lit up with hope, "Does that mean you're taking up my offer?"

"No mum." Shaking my head negative, "I don't want a party." It was time to remove my hands from hers, and I shrugged.

"How did Corianne celebrate her eighteenth birthday?" Her gaze was on me scrutinizingly. I bet she was still looking for a way to convince me to change my mind.

"Her father took her to Disney land."

Cocking her head to the side, "Isn't she too old?"

"Tsk Tsk..." I couldn't help but click my tongue at her oblivion, "Rule number one of life, you're never too old for Disney." I mean, never ever ever.

Corianne was most certainly not old when she wore matching mickey mouse shirts with her dad. She was also most certainly not old when she had fun on the Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted mansions. She was also not too old to post cute selfies regarding the trip and tagging me and Aurum on Instagram and Facebook.

"Was that what you wanted?" There was that look of hope on her face. That was the funniest question I've ever heard.

She might as well just ask me whether dogs could fly.