Do you know how the air of freedom smells like? It's sweet. Yesterday was the last day of exams. It had been a nerve wrecking exam period. Thinking back, my reaction during the first day of exams was a little too exaggerated. It's not my first time seeing them that way anyways. Ah! I shouldn't be thinking of these things today.

I woke up with a smile today. That smile widened after I saw what my parents left on the bed. It's my birthday present, wrapped up nicely with a note on it.

Happy 17th Birthday sweetheart! Hope you liked the present! :)
❤ Mum and Dad

I glanced over my phone and saw that my friends back in London wished me a happy birthday through Facebook. Feeling a little disappointed that my friends here didn't message me. Oh wait, they were not even aware that today's my birthday. Anyways, I'm not those who announced my birthday to the whole world. Besides, for the last few weeks, we were all busy preparing for our exams.
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"Rachel! Your phone is ringing!" I was in the kitchen getting myself a cup of water when my mum shouted from the living room.

I murmured a thanks and swiped the green button to answer the call from Nicole.

"Hello?"

"Hi! Rachel, are you free to come to the park near your house?"

"Erm, yeah. What's wrong?"

Nicole chuckled lightly at the end of the line, "Just come."

Before I could say anything else, Nicole hung up the phone. Odd. I informed my mum I'm heading out and slipped on a pair of flats.
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"Guys?" I called out to them as they weren't anywhere to be seen. Maybe they're not here yet. Sitting down on an empty bench, I started to scroll through my Twitter feed.

There were footsteps sounds before I heard them sing, "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Rachel, happy birthday to you!"

I spun around to find all of them dressed up in party hats and masks. There's a big coloured cardboard with my birthday wishes written all over it. Ella was holding onto the cake, she remembered my birthday.

At first, I was too overwhelmed and just gaze at them with my eyes wide open. That lasted for quite a while when Zachary ask, "Rachel? Could you at least say something?"

I blinked my eyes a few times and let the situation slowly sink into my brains. Wow, no one except my parents celebrate my birthday.

A huge grin gracing my features, I ran over to embrace all of them in a group hug. Ella went to put down the cake before joining us.

"Thank you all so so much!"

Dylan ruffled my hair and they all mumbled a you're welcome.

"C'mon guys let Rachel make her birthday wish and cut the cake!" Helen took out the candles and lit them with a lighter. She brought the cake in front of me and I closed my eyes to make a wish.

"What did you wish for?" Zachary asked after I blew out the candles.

"It wouldn't come true if I told you."

"Bull."

"It's true!" The girls and I said that in unison.

"Whatever." Zachary responded with an eye roll.

We were all settled down at a table for me to cut the cake. My emotions are running wild right now, with a shaky hand I managed to cut the cake decently.

"Hey Rachel, do you know what time is it now?" Nicole asked with a smile.

"Hmm.. Eleven o'clock?"

Ella shook her head and said, "Nope! It's presents time!"

Helen appeared with a pretty box out of nowhere.

"This box contains our presents, except for Zachary who said he haven't bought your present." Ella informed me.

"Woah, soon alright. We've just ended our exams yesterday."

I opened the box and found lots of goodies in it. The girls got me a pair of brown low heel boots, bracelet and a black snapback hat with the word swag on it.

Dylan and Jake have gotten me a Hello Kitty plushie and cup. What the hell?! I'm turning seventeen not seven. These guys are clearly more childish than me. I couldn't help but smile at their presents.

"Well thanks for coming for my 7th birthday party." I said while dangling the Hello Kitty presents with my fingers.

"You're welcome! Glad you liked the present!" Dylan and Jake responded with a wink.

"So that's the reason why they volunteered to bring the box today."

We spent the afternoon laughing and had fun at the playground like we're seven not seventeen. Without saying we've gotten disapproving looks from the people passing by. For once, I accepted the attention given to us and relax.
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I closed the door behind me and sat on my bed crossed legged. Opening the box of gifts again and grinned like a Cheshire Cat. This was the first time ever that someone celebrated my birthday for me. In this case not someone but a group of friends that I only knew of this year. It's totally unexpected and that's what made it more special to me. I would treasure these friendships and memories forever. Every year, my parents would bring me out for my birthday dinner and that's all. It's not our family tradition to make a big deal out of birthdays.

There was a light knock on the door before my mum let herself in.

"Hi mum." I greeted as she settled herself beside me.

My mum looked at the box of presents and smiled. "They're such good friends aren't they?"

"Yes they are! So where are we going for dinner later on?"

"About that sweetie.. The Davis invited us for dinner at their house. You wouldn't mind having your birthday dinner with them right? I told Natalie that I'll ask you first, since it's your birthday."

There's a way lot of first times for my birthday this year. "Okay, I'm fine with it."

"It's good to try out something you haven't done before." My mum kissed my cheek and went out to call Aunt Natalie.

I picked out a simple, short sleeves baby pink dress to Zachary's house. In reality, I took half an hour to choose that outfit.

My sweaty palms are acting up, it only happens when I'm nervous. It's only a dinner, my birthday dinner. Why am I acting like I'm meeting my boyfriend's parents. Urgh no. An edgy mind tends to think not so logically. Please kindly delete that sentence from your minds.

"We're here!" My dad announced rather excitedly. After taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car. I didn't realised I actually spaced out until my mum called out to me.

"Sweetheart! What are you waiting for?"

"I'm coming!"

Author's note :
Yo! I just realised all my chapters are really short :( Well, I'll try to write longer chapters now. Stay tuned to find out about the dinner between the two families! Hope you liked this chapter! If you like the story, it'll be great to vote/comment/share this! Thanks for reading! :)