Chapter 5 Birthday fun

Miri's POV

I'm so tired and I'm actually rethinking whether school is even worth it as I walk back home with Alira. Then she says something I didn't even know I was thinking about, or maybe I was just deluding myself into believing I wasn't.

"Miri, tomorrow is your birthday, and in two days time on Coliseum Day it's also going to be their death anniversaries. How about we skip the coliseum?, Do what we normally do, pay our respects to them and binge watch all our favorite movies . Are you interested?"

I giggle slightly at her tone, it sounds like she's coaxing a child.

"Yep. After all, the same way that day is for mourning the parents I loved, it's also for celebrating your escape from the ones we didn't."

We both burst into hysterical laughter. Anyone who saw us at that moment would've thought we were insane. But it didn't last long. As soon as we open the door to our group home, we see a flier pasted to the wall.

"All and every female must be in attendance, and failure to comply will lead to you being dragged there forcefully."

Alira reads it aloud with a loud sigh and slumps down on the floor sulking. I reach out and touch her shoulder.

"Ali, it's all going to be okay," I say, trying to comfort her.

Then suddenly, she jumps up with a smile, the kind of smile that tells me she's planning something I'm absolutely not going to like.

"Miri, if we have to attend, why don't we make the most of it?"

I dread the next words I already know are coming.

"Let's go shopping!!!" she exclaims way too jittery for my liking.

But unfortunately, the moment she said it I stopped having a choice, I'm now dreading tomorrow.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to Miri!!"

I open my eyes to see Ali holding my favorite cake with a ridiculous grin on her face. I take the cake with a small smile.

"Thank you, Ali. I love the cake not a fan of your voice, though."

I barely finish the sentence before a flying pillow smacks me in the face.

"Go get ready! Let's go shopping and do something fun to celebrate your day!"

She's so excited that I don't even argue. I get up, drop the cake on the bedside table, and head to the bathroom. In about fifteen minutes, I come downstairs and find Ali already waiting.

"Did I keep you waiting long?"

"No, not really. I was about to come knocking thought you jumped out the window to escape me again, like last year."

"Geez, girl, you really do know how to keep a grudge," I mutter as I walk past her.

She just catches up to me and slings her arm around my shoulder as we walk out.

We arrive at the mall in less than fifteen minutes and enter Ali's favorite boutique to pick out our dresses. Ali, being the fashion demon she is, already picked out what I'm pretty sure is seven dresses for herself to try on.

"Damn, girl. Calm down. No one's stealing your clothes," I say with a laugh.

She ignores me and keeps selecting more dresses.

"Just like clockwork, my favorite girls are here again! Happy birthday, Riri!"

We both turn to see Seraphine walking in. She's the owner of the boutique and one of only two people who still call me Riri. After Alira lost a bet, she had to stop calling me that, for a while, at least.

"Girl, you came at the right time. I need to choose something for Riri and me to sparkle at tomorrow's coliseum."

"I've got you covered," Seraphine says, pulling out a black high-slit dress with minimal cleavage that leaves little to the imagination.

She hands it to me. "Try it on."

"If I try this on, you guys will have no say in what I actually choose. Deal?"

"Deal," they respond in unison.

I walk into the changing room and try on the dress. Black has always been my color; it complements my pale skin and silver hair. This dress is no exception. With a low-cut V-neck and a high slit, it's fitted enough to trace my curves while still giving an elegant look.

It would be perfect... if it didn't hinder my movement. And it definitely does.

"Heavenly Supreme, how did you make someone so beautiful?" Alira screams as I step out of the dressing room.

"Girl, I want to steal you and lock you up just to admire you. WOW!" Seraphine adds.

"It is really beautiful, but Ali, Sera, remember I don't wear clothes that hinder my movement.

How about we choose something more casual? I really don't want to stand out at the event. Maybe a top and jeans, or even a two-piece your pick."

They both groan like I'm being completely unreasonable, but eventually, Ali and I settle on a matching black and red two-piece. The top is a sleeveless crop tank with a short jacket, paired with high-waisted trousers that show just our belly buttons. It looks simply perfect.

Afterward, we head for massages and get our hair done. We decide to end our day with dessert because if there's one thing Ali and I bond over, it's our insatiable sweet tooth.

"So... did you have fun?" Ali asks while putting a spoonful of strawberry ice cream in her mouth.

"I always have a good time when I'm with you," I reply while eyeing her ice cream.

"Awwwn, Riri" she starts, but I steal a spoonful of her ice cream and shove it into my mouth.

"What the hell?! This girl, touch my ice cream again and I will strangle you!"

"You've said that so many times over the years I've lost count," I tease as she does the exact same thing back to me.

"Ali!! Just because I stole from you doesn't mean you have to do it back. That's so rude."

She gives me the biggest eye roll ever, and we both go back to our ice cream now on high alert.

No more thefts were successful.

I really don't know what I'd do without Ali in my life.

I simply hope the peaceful days never end.

But the heavens have never been kind to me and I don't think they'll start now.