Sun penetrated through the sheer curtains and shined brightly on my face. I rolled on the bed struggling to still enjoy what's left of my sleep.
Mum barged in with a little cupcake singing a birthday song for me.
"Happy birthday darling blow out the candle."
It's my 20th birthday I whispered, well I wasn't dreaming so there was nothing God could wake me up from.
I smiled at mum and sat upright. "Make a wish." She said quickly before i blew the candle.

As mum instructed we left the country in two days time two years ago. I was so heartbroken but i got no say.

"How are you feeling sweetheart?" She dropped the little cupcake on the table. "Your Dad and sis will be arriving soon." She smiled.

Dad and mum patched things up a year ago. She was driven by jealousy and she misunderstood dad, after staying apart from dad she realized how much she misses him and loves him. I was caught in the middle of their lovers spat. I shrugged as i thought of that terrifying night when mum told me i will be leaving the country.

"Laure," mum calls for my attention. "Your phone is ringing." I stretched to pick it up from the nightstand.
"Happy birthday Laure!!!" Anne shouts.
"You'll burst my ear drum." I chuckled.
"Hurry and come eat." Mum whispered and left the room.
"I miss you so much Laure, so you're throwing a party."
"Mum insisted i couldn't say no."
"You know so well I'll be there if i could." I smiled back at her reassuringly.
"Guess who want to wish you?"
"I hate guessing games Anne."
"Happy birthday Laure,"

Gabriel,her guardian angel fixed his head in the camera. Anne told me a year ago that she decided to date him. They've been deeply in love and insist on getting married next year alongside Edouard and his fiancee. She complains to me every night about how Edouard disapproves her idea. "Fix another date." He'll say.

"Thanks alot Gabriel," I smiled. "Why is he with you early this morning Anne?" I chuckled.
"We can't help being apart." She giggled and place a quick kiss on his lips.
"Have fun on your day Laure." He said as he got up from the bed.
"Don't tell me you!!!!!" I laughed.
"Shuuu!!! Don't say it out loud." Anne burst into laughter. "Say hi to aunt Pauline, gotta go Edouard is yelling at me."

I stared at my reflection on my screen as the call ended. I thought of Liam maybe we could have been like Anne and Gabriel.
"Laure!!!" Mum yelled. "You have lectures this morning."

It skipped my mind, I quickly got up from the bed to get ready.
I walked into the lecture hall late, staring at the crowd I noticed Eric  waving at me so I hurried towards him.

"You are late," he whispered.
"But the professor isn't here." I placed my books on the table and sat down beside him. "I'm quite early."
"Happy birthday," he smiled at me.

After lectures we meandered through the school garden.
"Any plans for tonight?"
"Yes, I'll..."
"Eat dinner, read a book and watch movies all night." He cut in.
"You know me so well Eric but you are wrong, mum decided to throw a little birthday party for me though i am not interested."
"Woah! This is awesome."
"You'll come right, I'll be damn lonely without you."
"Of course." He wrapped his hands around my waist.

My stay here have been pleasant with Eric around. I met him on my first day at college and we happen to be in the same major. We've been very close friends since then. A male version of Anne, laughs.
I got home early because we didn't have much classes. Mum was busy with some party planners trying to make everything go as planned. I stepped into my safe heaven, my room of course and collapsed on the bed. Buzz! Buzz! My phone rang i checked inside my purse till i found it, it's a call from Eric.

"Happy birthday to you..." His deep voice resonates in my ear as he sings for me a birthday song.
"Eric thanks." I chuckled." I didn't know you can sing this beautifully."
"From now on I'll sing to cheer you up."
"Thanks a lot dear, I'll see you tonight right?"
"I will be at your house in 30 minutes time get dressed let's go out."
"Where are we going to?"
"The Beach, let's go build sand castles and make sand cakes."
"Sure," i chuckled.

"I'll be back before six mum." I shouted as i left the house.

We held hands as we walked along the seashore, wet sand tickled my feet while I let out soft laughter.

"What's funny?"
"It's tickling me." I laughed out loud.
"Do you want to have a seat?"
"No, I like this." I grinned. " I love the scenery at the beach." He tightened his grip and I felt safe holding his hand.
"I hardly come here because it brings back sad memories."
I looked at him and saw the pain in his eyes, he struggled to keep the tears at bay.
"Then why did you bring me here?"
"You looked so happy any time you talk of a beach and I want to make you happy on your birthday." He chuckled.
I pulled my hand and stopped walking. "What's wrong?" I moved closer and offered a soft hug.
"Thanks a lot Eric, I'm really glad I met you. "
"We definitely look like lovers right now."
"Hey," I yelled while he chuckled.
"Let's go make sand castle." He splashed water on my face and  ran away.

After hours of playing like children we sat opposite each other at a snack bar.
"I enjoyed myself today."
"Liam," I mumbled while staring at a stranger behind us.
"Who's Liam?" He turned around.
"It's no one." I smiled.
"let's go home you got to look beautiful tonight."
"You'll come right."
"Definitely..."

"Laure," Mum shouted as I walked into the building. "You made me worried sick most of your guest are here."
"Sorry I'm late, we got caught in traffic."
"Hurry up and go get dressed."
     
I laid on a chaise lounge staring at the plane dark blue sky.
I laughed at the thought of Liam as i recalled how I fell into the pool at the Smith's party.
"I wonder what he's been up to, if he think of like I do or he's probably playing with another young lady's feelings." I sighed. "I've known him for a couple of days but why does it feel like decades."

"Here you are." Eric cheerful voice brought me back to earth.
"Hey, you made it."
"What's the celebrant doing here all alone by the pool?"
"I...."
"Shuu!" He cut in." I don't like crowded places." He mimics me while I chuckled. "There aren't much people Laure."
I nodded in agreement. "Mum invited her friends and my close relatives."
"By the way, you are looking lovely don't make your efforts go to waste, your guests need to see you."
"You flatter me." I grinned.
"Ma'am!!!" A serving girl rushed towards us." Mrs Pauline said I should inform you that Dad is here."
"Come Eric I'll introduce you to my family."
"It's not really necessary."
"I don't know you to be this shy."
"Fine..."

"Laure," dad smiled at me.
"I missed you all." I hugged my nephew who stared at me in astonishment. "Micheal is now a big kid."
"You are look beautiful Laure."
"Thanks alot kiddo."
"And he'll be expecting a lil sister." Olivia places her hand on her slightly bulgy tummy.
"Congrats darling." Mum embraced her daughter and covered her face with kisses.
"Who's this young man?"
"I'm so sorry, where are my manners." I pulled Eric who hid behind my back. " Dad meet Eric a dear friend, Eric meet dad." They exchange pleasantries and we all talked for a while.
After few more hours the guests left and my birthday party was over. I staggered to the fridge to get a cool water and aim for my bedroom.

"Laure," Big sis called me."we need to talk."
"Please make it quick." I took few steps and met them in the living room.
"We'll be going back home for the next vacation and i am staying permanently at Menilmontant with your dad." Mum broke the silence.
"What!" I exclaimed.
"Are you not glad?." Olivia chuckled.
"You all expect me to smile broadly and clap for y'all, this decision should have been made when I needed it the most."
"Laure, you are not changing schools you are just coming to spend your holiday with your family." Dad said.
"Read my lips, I am not interested. You can go mum after all I'm an adult I can take care of myself."
"Laure," she yelled.
"If that's all you have to say I'll be retiring to bed i am so exhausted. Vacation." I chuckled as I entered my room.