Birthday Present
MF narrates
Year 2011
Wondering Minds
April is rich, smart, beautiful and single. She can quickly pick any guy to be her boyfriend or lover, but she has not. So, Meagan concludes that April may be a lesbian, as if that was an insult. April had not shown any intention of fornicating or dating any males from the very diverse students or faculty at Columbia University.
Queen B. Meagan, being the insecure, power-hungry, passive-aggressive friend, spreads throughout Columbia that April loves 'the cat', which explains her total abstinence to the men who are completely enamored with her.
"So, a little birdie told me that the new girl is a carpet muncher, she remains uninterested in Josh, Sena and all the others who tried to get her number," gossiped Meagan to her sorority girls.
"Oh well, that Kittie cat is mine then," responded Sabina, one of the girls, as she licked her mouth, bit her bottom lip and purred.
"Meowwww," screeched Jasmine while sticking out her tongue.
"Meagan looks displeased, red with envy or is it jealousy," remarked Geraldine in a sarcastic tone.
The girls break into full cackle. They even teared a little by laughing so hard.
"Girls, girls, settle down... that is enough out of you Geraldine." Stood an angry, mildly sexually confused Meagan.
Confession to Meagan
One day, while talking to Meagan, April confesses to her that she is in love with her best friend Mike and that she does not know how to tell him, as Mike has been very distant since their arrival at the university.
"Meagan, I think I am in love with Mike," stated April, completely certain of herself.
"Mike?" questioned Meagan with dagger eyes.
"Yep, I have it bad for him. But he has been avoiding me ever since we got to Columbia," confirmed April, while being a little upset.
Meagan advised, "the best thing to do is to tell Mike about your feelings for him on your birthday, as he would be more inclined to listen to you because it's your birthday. And because of that, he will do as you wish."
"Huh, just like that?" April in disbelief that Meagan was smarter than she had given her credit for.
"Girl, he will be eating out of the palm of your hand, you are a queen, and he will treat you as such on your birthday," informed Meagan with glee in her eyes.
Suddenly, April becomes silent and frigid as Meagan mentions the word 'birthday.'
Instantaneously, April has a vivid flashback of her thirteenth birthday with Mike present. April becomes even paler at the recollection that she killed her parents and that she may have to kill Mike also if he was to reject her on April 1st.
Meagan stands there somber and afraid as she tries soundlessly to get April's attention. Finally, April resurfaces and displays a terrifying showcase of teeth at Meagan, that some would call an evil smile. She thanked her for her advice. But April is not done with Meagan; she has another confession, more like affirmation.
April confronts Meagan about the gossip and rumors she has been spreading about her, which Meagan denies immediately.
"Meagan, why do you talk about me behind my back?" questioned April, the straight shooter.
"No girl, I would never, ever," squeaked a trembling Meagan.
Nonetheless, April nonchalantly informs Meagan that if she knew any better, she would quit while she is still breathing effortlessly.
"Meagan, you are so beautiful, which is why I do not understand the need to bad-mouth me around campus."
"There should not be a bone of insecurity in your body," continued April fearlessly.
"The last people who meant to harm me found themselves part of an unwanted house barbecue."
Meagan now fears April more than fear itself. She is not so dim-witted as to disregard the darkness surging through April's pores just waiting for the right momentum to surface. Meagan seriously does not want to stand witness when that darkness finally comes out to say hello.
Birthday Present
April
It was late March 31st and early April 1st. I had a hard time sleeping that night. I keep having nightmares of my parents tormenting me on my birthday. I finally wake up on April first at around 09:00 in the morning. I had made up my mind. I was going to tell Mike how emotionally and romantically, I was affected by him, and it was going to be magical. I keep reminding myself that only my parents were evil. Mike will love me and accept my love for him. We will grow old together. I clear my thoughts and text Mike.
"I want to see you today. Will you be my special treat for my birthday?"
He replied almost instantly that he would see me around 6:15 pm.
Usually, I would have wanted to be left alone on my birthday, but this birthday was going to be different, I thought. I was finally going to feel loved and be loved, which was the greatest gift I fathomed anyone could have given me. I remained most of the day indoors.
It is now 6:15 PM, no signs of Mike yet, and then it turns 7:00 PM, still no signs of Mike. Frantically, I start messaging him, but he never answers back.
At that time, I become erratic, scared and confused. I picture some of the most horrible scenarios; that Mike is playing a prank on me just like my parents used to. I begin to cry, and I find myself in the kitchen. There, I envision my past birthdays with my parents. Suddenly, Mike is also there laughing and taunting me with a gargantuan butt dildo.
Thoughtlessly, I picked up a kitchen knife and stormed out. As I am approaching Chi's house, I see an ambulance and the police surrounding the house. Outside of the house, they are pulling on a gurney a body bag revealing someone's brain-splattered face. My heart started to ache.
"Goddess, please no!" I let out a breath. "Don't let it be Mike."
Whispers around the house unfold that Mike was shot dead playing Russian roulettes with planks due to a malfunction.
"Who shoots themselves dead accidently? Such a loser!" mumbled a frat boy to another.
MF narrates
The EMTs zip up the body bag all the way and load Mike up into the ambulance.
An unseen April, almost absent-mindedly, drops the kitchen knife and screams out in agony while running toward the ambulance and yelling out Mike's name.
"Miikkkke, oh no Goddess!" April roared in despair.
April resumes
But he is already dead. They ruled it the result of a practical joke gone wrong. I could overhear the police officers and university security patrols joking among themselves about a rich dumb frat boy ending his own life accidentally.
"Such a dumb rich boy!" exclaimed one of the university security guards while shaking his head.
I turned around to face Mike's irresponsible and unremorseful fraternity brothers with a disgusted look on my face. I ran back to my apartment as if I had a plan to exact Mike's untimely eternal slumber.
Such a burden to bear to be the unlucky one breaking the news to any parents about their children's demise. I facetimed the Stevensvilles to break the bad news. They are understandably horrified.
MF narrates
April is almost too calm, too poised after that call.
Meagan dials April's cell, but she ignores the ring.