Happy 17th Birthday!

The buzzing of my phone jolted me awake. I checked it and realized I had missed Penny's five calls and messages.

-

Penny

Hey! I won't be able to accompany you to school today. When I came home from work yesterday, Nicholas texted me, telling me to be to school early and bring the clothing. At the front gate, I'll be waiting for you. I apologize, Alex; I'll buy you ice cream after school. See you later!

-

I returned to bed after placing my phone on my desk. I stretched on my bed, yawned, rubbed my eyes, and yawned again.

"That was a wild dream. Me as a guardian? Now that's a crazy and amusing one. Also, there's a fairy named Elida who calls me master," I chuckle to myself.

"That's because, master, it wasn't a dream."

Ha?

I averted my gaze to see Elida smiling and leaning to the side. I screamed and rolled out of bed.

Elida's face is filled with a worried expression. I just stared at her and blinked a few times before someone knocked on the door.

I yelled, "Hide!"

Elida dashed past the stuffed animals that had been arranged on the shelf. I pushed myself into my bed and yanked on my blanket violently, but it backfired, and I punched my eye. I'm trying not to curse.

When I was finally comfy in my bed, the door to the room opened. He spoke, and his voice was quite recognizable to me, as it was one of the people that are dearest to me.

Papa?!

I took a seat on my bed and turned to face him. Papa grinned and walked up to me, where he sat down on the bed and hugged me. I returned his hug and began to sniffle.

"Hello, hey, hey, why is my Lil angel crying?" Papa inquired as we parted ways.

"It's just that...been it's so long since you came home and held me like this," I said, wiping away tears.

"You know I always do my very best to come home when it's about my children, especially on their day," Papa said as he caressed my face and kissed my forehead.

Their day?

"Don't tell me you forgot your birthday, Al," he widened his eyes as I stared at him.

Is it my birthday?

I examined my calendar, which hung near the bookshelves where Elida was hiding. MY BIRTHDAY IS ACTUALLY TODAY! WHY DID I FORGET MY OWN BIRTHDAY?!!!!!

Papa chuckles, knowing full well that I have forgotten my own birthday. "Here's a present from your mama," Papa said, pulling something from his pocket.

A present from mama...?

He presented me with a tiny package containing a letter.

"Mama...mama prepared a gift for me this whole time? before she left us?" I asked, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Your mama said I should give it to you when you're 18, but...I think it's appropriate for me to give it to you now, Al," he pats my head.

"Happy Birthday, Ally," Atty teased, crossing his arm while leaning on the door frame, a smirk on his lips. "You truly do grow up so fast; the last time I saw you, you were still wearing a diaper while running around the house without any clothes."

Papa chuckles and ruffles my tresses.

Please, Papa, don't make my bed hair any worse.

Papa again peered into my eyes and caressed my face. "My Lil Angel, you grow up so quickly; the older you get, the more you look like your mama," pinches my nose.

I burst out laughing and hugged him. It's been a long time since I've spoken to Papa, heard Papa's chuckle, and...everything! It's like if I've returned home.

"Now, get dressed for school," he said, standing up and walking to the door. "Meet us downstairs, I made your favorites."

"Waffles with chocolate syrup and honey, topped with a strawberry and blueberries on the side, followed by an avocado shake?" I exclaimed, laughing.

Before leaving, Atty chuckles. Papa smiled, nodded, and then walked away.

I was so overjoyed that I cheered and relaxed.

When Elida finally showed herself, she exclaimed, "So today is the day that you were born, master."

"Yeah, it's a little embarrassing since I forgot it's my birthday today," I admitted, "but it doesn't matter anymore because Papa came home earlier than I expected, and-" I paused to recall the gift.

I sat back down and took the box. Elida followed me because she was curious. A compass necklace was found inside the package.

"It's so lovely, master!" she said as she approached to take a closer look.

"It is very lovely," I said as I clasped it to my chest.

"Look, there's a note," Elida said, pointing to a piece of paper taped to the box.

I almost forgot about the letter!

I took the letter in my hands and unfolded it. When I showed Mama's handwritten note, I was almost to cry.

Alexia, happy birthday!

My love, you're turning into such a lovely young lady. Even if I'm not with you right now, realize that I'm always a part of you.

You will always find your way home, no matter how many times you lose your way.

Alexia, I will always love you.

- Mama

I didn't hold back my tears; instead, I let them flow freely. Elida hugged my cheek, unconcerned that the tears would make her wet.

"I'm just so delighted," I said, wiping away the tears.

I hugged Elida and thanked her for hugging me; I was in desperate need of one.

When Atty returned to my room, I forgot that Papa had not closed the door when he left. I quickly tucked Elida into my hair.

"Why are you still in your PJs, Ally?" he inquires.

"I was going to...but I opened the present and read Mama's note..." clutching the necklace tightly.

Atty smiled as he glanced at the necklace and said, "Let me put it on you." He then took the necklace from my grip and placed it on my neck.

"You really look like mama, every day you grow the more you look like her," he says, staring at the necklace before turning to face me.

I averted my gaze and gazed out the open window at the blue sky. "Then she truly lives in me and you," I responded with a smile.

After that, he ruffled my hair and exited my room. Elida appeared from my hair after I twisted the pendant and smiled.

"That person was your older brother, master? He's so handsome," I chuckled as I caught her by her wings. "Not so fast, Elida," I said, as she pouted and sat on my palm.

"Listen, I'm going to school, and I'd want for you to stay here," I said, poking her in the face with my index finger.

"Master Alexia, please let me accompany you," she pleaded, pouting.

"You know you can't. What if someone sees you? What will happen next?" pats her head with my middle finger. "We both know it's better if you stay put and wait until I get home."

"Fine, but after your class, I'd like to take you somewhere, and that would be my Ummm...what you humans call a gift," she smiles at me.

-

"Pa, I'll see you after class!"

"Bye, my Lil angel," he said.

I was walking alone and bored, so I took out my phone. Because of the wallpaper, I unlocked it and smiled. It was a photograph of our entire family. I was still three years old in the shot, and Atty was five.

When I turned off my phone, I noticed a strange reflection on the screen. I brushed it aside, assuming it was just a speck of dirt, but upon closer inspection, I realized it wasn't a bit of dirt at all! It had a screaming tone to it.

It took off at a high rate and flew straight for me. Because it was still early, there were not many people. I was about to flee, but it grabbed me as if I were a meal.

Wait, a MEAL?!

All I can do is screaaaaam as it flies higher in the air!!!

"Put me down!" I demanded.

It hurts my ear the more it flies higher in the air and makes a screech.

"On second thought, let me go- AAAAAAH"

It lets me go; is this the end for me? I continue to shout, but it catches me off guard. Perhaps God has given me a second chance at life.

"Thank you, and please don't let me leave again- AAAAAAHHH"

Are you kidding me?!

This thing is just playing around! It flew down about the height of a tree and dropped me like a toy a few minutes later! My body collided with the branches and a hefty root injured my back. As I rise to my feet, I groan and cuss.

"Stupid creature!" I exclaimed, clutching my back.

Penny was waiting for me when I arrived at the school gate limping. "Alex, good morning, and- uh, what happened to you?" she asks, pointing to the leaves and twigs in my hair and the small holes in my shirt.

"It was a rough morning," I said as I snipped a twig from my hair.

"We're heading to the clinic, honestly, you seem like you're having a terrible ride," she says as she eyes me down from head to toe.

"You have no idea," I sarcastically remarked.

-

When we arrived at the clinic, I took a seat on the clinic's bed, while Penny went inside the drawer to retrieve the first aid box. I came upon a mirror and grabbed it.

"Sheeesh, this is one nasty bruise," I said, putting my hand near my left eye and trying to touch it.

After that, I start removing the twigs and leaves from my hair. Penny sat down next to me after getting the first aid kit and began treating the bruises and scratches.

"Did you have an accident while riding your bike today?" smearing alcohol-soaked cotton on my scratches.

"No, I didn't ride my bike; it's more like...I was flying to get here...?" I hiss and bite my lower lip.

"Uh-huh..." she said, dropping Povidone-iodine on the cotton ball with an odd and uneasy face.

"No, truly, this creature physically dragged me up into the sky, and I was so afraid that I believed it was preying on me, but it was just joking about and dropped me after," I explained while making the gestures.

Penny's jaw dropped when I told her the story; I know it's ridiculous, but it's true!

"Did you notice its face or structure?" she inquired as she rested her hands on my shoulder.

"No, not really," I answered as I carefully moved her hands on my shoulder.

"That's because the thing you were describing was a Griffin,"

When I heard a familiar voice, my eyes widened. I swear I left her at home.

"Griffins can be rather playful, especially when they spot something they want."

Elida appears out of nowhere and laughs at my predicament. I should have put her in a jar.

"Didn't I tell you to say something at home? What if someone sees you here?" trying to catch her.

As she sprints near the desk, she says, "I'm only keeping an eye on you, master."

When we heard a knock on the door, I grabbed Elida and stuffed her into my pocket. We hurriedly returned to the bed, and the door opened, revealing Nicholas.

"Hey, Nicholas, what's down, I mean up!" and then the finger guns.

I give an uneasy smile and blow out the hair strand that is blocking my vision. Penny had just poured alcohol on my scratch, so I gritted my teeth.

Penny responded in a low voice, simulating a smile, "Well, that's kind of embarrassing."

Nicholas was really anxious about seeing how I was doing. Rushing towards me, he bends over and asks, "What happened to you?"

WHAT IN THE ROMANCE?!

Penny broke the uneasy silence by clearing her throat and raising her brows, "So Nicholas, what brings you here?"

He rose up and faced Penny, who was carrying the alcohol, he then said, "I was looking for the both of you, we would be holding a meeting regarding selecting the characters for the forthcoming event."

Elida told me she'd be taking me somewhere else, so it rings a bell. "I will be unable to attend the meeting...my it's my birthday, and in honor of it, we'll be having a family meal for the first time in a long time."

"Of course, and Happy Birthday," he added softly, a warm smile on his face.

"Thank you, Nicolas," I said, smiling.

-

I did respond to his query with an excuse, which is more like a lie. I can't tell him about Griffin because he could think I'm insane! He took his leave and walked to his first subject when the bell rang.

That was a piece of cake, to be sure.

Penny also departed and went to her first lesson, but she insisted on keeping me at the clinic to relax. Since my first class is math and Ms. Worcester, eek!, I can't argue. She's a nightmare! The mere mention of her name gives me the chills, brr.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***