OMG!!! Uncle Natha... no he asked me to stop calling him that because I'm no longer a little girl. Nathan and my family totally ROCK! Today was my 16th birthday in case you hadn't guessed. Though from the number of birthday wishes I got in my e-mail and FB pages, you all knew that. BTW, thank you all again. I love you guys.
The day started out with my mom serving my favorite breakfast, and dad taking the day off of work at the college. Even my baby brother Geoffrey seemed to know it was a special day, even though he's all of 10 months old. He seemed to want to be with me more than usual. I've never known him to be so cuddly and affectionate, but then again, I'm usually doing schoolwork or practicing special make-up effects and don't always have time for him. I think I'm going to change that. After all, I am his big sister and mom could use a break once in a while. Besides, I'm going to have kids myself one day, so I better get used to handling and playing with one. And so I did.
I helped feed and play with him until I had to go to school. God he squeals so loud when he's happy, and I loved every moment of it.
He cried and fussed a bit when I had to leave for school, which really touched me. I felt guilty and told my parents that birthdays, especially when a girl turns sixteen, should mean a person gets to take the day off. Dad started to agree until Mom shot him a look and he quickly told me to get ready so he could drive me to school.
By the time I was ready, Geoffrey was fast asleep in his playpen. I apparently wore him out, which earned me a grateful smile from Mom. Anyway, school was pretty good. Got lot's of birthday wishes from my classmates, as well as a few conspiratorial looks.
Obviously, something was up, but I had no idea what. Oh, I knew my parents had something special in mind, but they'd been real quiet about it. All they'd tell me was that there was going to be a party at The Crypt. I kept hoping it meant that Nathan was going to be around. I hadn't seen him since school started in September. I know he has other families and friends who live around the country and even overseas, who he likes to visit. But, I was really hoping he'd come back today of all days.
Needless to say I wasn't disappointed. But before I get to that, I wanted to tell you about Marisa. When she saw me at school today she gave me a little present which thrilled me to no end. Even before she gave it to me, I gave her a big hug just for remembering my birthday.
We've hardly spent much time together, but that's been because she's been staying close to her folks. Her dad's been fighting cancer and she's wanted to be there for him as much as possible in case things go bad. I've wanted to be there for her, but she's kept her distance for some reason I still don't understand. But in any case, getting to hug her and know she still cares meant a lot.
Afterwards we spent a bit of time together just catching up a bit, but every so often I noticed a sad look on her face whenever she glanced at my outfit. I know my style has changed a lot since I came back from England last year, but I'm still the same. I started going for a Gothic look after I came back and a lot of people think I'm now a 'Goth', but I'm not. I'm the same person I was before, I haven't gone all gloomy and talk about dark things. I just love the outfits and experimenting with make-up effects.
In any case, we had a good lunch but then had to split up for our respective classes and I didn't get to see her again for the rest of the day. I kept hoping she'd show up to whatever party my parents had planned for me.
By the time I got home, I knew Mom was making my favorite dinner. I could smell her spaghetti sauce from outside and my stomach started growling in anticipation. We had dinner a little earlier than usual as we were supposed to be at The Crypt by six o'clock. Needless to say I was excited. I almost didn't taste my dinner I was so worked up. Just after we finished eating Mom and Dad presented me with big box with a bow on it.
"You'll want to wear this tonight," they told me.
I swear my hands were shaking I was so excited as I pulled the ribbon off and opened the box. For a moment, I couldn't speak. It was a dress, one that I had been dreaming of ever since we came back from England last year.
It was a wine-colored, shoulderless dress, with bodice that tied up the back. I'd seen it back in an antique shop some months ago and had fallen in love with it, but hadn't had the money to get it at the time. It was still there up until a month ago, when I'd finally saved up enough money to buy it, but it was already gone. Now I knew why. I didn't stop hugging my parents for a good five minutes I was so grateful. This was turning out to be the best birthday ever.
But they had more in store for me. After I raced upstairs with the dress I spent a good hour fixing my hair and doing my make-up just so. I have really long black hair, which I knew would look great against the dress, so I took extra care getting my look just right. Once I finished, I headed downstairs where my parents were ready with cameras.
I didn't mind one bit. I wanted to be able to remember this day as vividly as possible.
Soon we were out the door and headed downtown to where The Crypt awaited. It felt kind of funny walking down the lonely alley where the entrance to the club awaited, all dressed up like this. I was expecting to see a crowd waiting around the steps that led down to the door of the club, but no one was in sight. Naturally, I assumed everyone would be waiting downstairs, but instead as we walked down the stairs there was only silence until we reached the door which opened by itself and bathed us in a magical blue light which revealed the most amazing winter-themed room I'd ever seen...
...TO BE CONTINUED