Chapter 7 Twenty three gift boxes.

Charlotte. “So that was everything?” I asked, my eyes raking over Laura suspiciously. “Yes. That was it.” She shrugged. Apparently, after seeing the unending calls were from the same caller ID, Damian had picked up the phone. According to Laura, she said he picked up in case there was an emergency or she was worried. “Okay. So that's how you knew his name?” I pressed. “I asked him. You know, to be sure he wasn't some psycho, troll or whatever crazy things you can think of. I was scared you had picked the wrong person.” “What do you mean the wrong person?” I frowned and Laura snorted. “Your choice…” Laura trailed off, shaking her head. “You're a good person, sweetie, but your taste in people.” She shook her head bitterly “But I choose you!” “I'm different. I could easily pass as the greatest choice in your life.” She teased, flipping her hair. “You're crazy.” “Agreed. Now tell me, what happened yesterday? And do not dare to leave out any details.” “Sooooo…” I began and Laura paid her whole attention to me. For the next few minutes, I narrated my experience to Laura, and just as expected, she chirped in questions and teased me from time to time. “That's all.” I clasped my hands over my knees. “You finally did it. I'm so proud of you.” She threw her arms around my neck. “Stop being dramatic, Laura.” I groaned. “It's nothing special.” But it was, and we both knew it. Laura never expected me to agree to the dare, but I did. It was my. wildest act yet. “So, what else happened?” Laura proved and I shook my head. That was basically all. There was nothing more. “Nothing happened. I mean, you almost told me to describe the whole bed action to you. “Well, I wanted to be sure you really did it. What if you didn't and were confused?” “Silly. Nothing else happened, and I took biology classes you know. “Of course not. Something happened. What about his number? When are you going to call him?” “Are you kidding me? I would be crazy to call him. Did you forget it was supposed to be a night stand?” “Can you stop clamoring on that? I mean, there is no rule that says it can't morphosize into something else.” She shrugged. “Silly. I'm not doing that with you. Whatever it was that we had ended when I walked out from the gate. So, do you have anything to say to me?” “Anything? Anything like what?” “Anything like whatever.” “Well, I don't think so. Why?” Laura replied after thinking about it for a few minutes. Almost immediately I got her reply, I stood from the sofa and walked away from her. “Yet she claims I am the first person in her life.” I muttered under my breath. “Where are you going, Charlotte?” Laura asked, spreading her arms out. “Weren't we in the middle of a discussion?” Now she had stood up and was walking closer to me. “Well, away from you. I should get changed and freshen up, no?” Before I could take another step forward, Laura came to hug me from behind. “Happy birthday, baby girl.” She whispered subtly. “I am so proud of how far you have come.” I wanted to say something, but I wasn't sure I could muster any right words. So, I mumbled a low thank you and patted her arms wrapped around me. “Now, hurry. Go freshen up and let's have a mini party. We should celebrate, I should check on what I'm cooking..” Laura unwrapped her arms around my body and walked towards the kitchen. Then, I opened the door to my room, and on the bed were boxes. One, two, three, four….. and twenty three. Twenty three gift boxes for my twenty third birthday. It could only be Laura. “Laura!” I screamed loudly from my bedroom. “I love you!” I heard Laura murmur something from the kitchen, but I was more interested in checking out the gift boxes first. Walking carefully like I was scared of the floor creaking, I walked towards my bed and sat just right beside the boxes. The first box first. I undid the fancy ribbon around it and opened the box. Jewelries. It was a pair of earrings and a tiny chain I had my eyes on the last time I went shopping with Laura. However, I couldn't get back then. The last one was picked by someone faster than me. The attendant had confirmed its availability at another branch, but due to being stressed that day, we couldn't get it, and I had been putting off getting it for a while. I had been busy with my nose at work. “I love you, Laura.” I screamed again, tears stinging my eyes and threatening to fall. How could she decide to surprise me and cause me to be so emotional? “Because of the gift?” She joked and I laughed. “No. I love you genuinely.” Unto box two. It was a pair of heels. Just exactly the type I loved, and I imagined rocking them together with the jewelry. Box three was a fashion bag. It looked like it was created to be twined with the heels. It was a perfect match. “So beautiful.” I whispered, running my hands over the bag. Laura paid attention to details, but from the few gifts I had opened, I could as well say she outdid herself. I went on to the fourth, fifth, and soon, I was on the last box. I had found a gym membership card in my name, sneakers, a dinner gown, corporate wear, cakes, books which included my most anticipated book of the past years, chocolates, and I wasn't sure what to expect for the last. However, as soon as I opened the box, I let out a shrill cry of excitement and ran out of the room. Halfway, I crashed into Laura and hugged her tightly to myself. “You are squeezing out the life in me.” Laura half groaned and I released her from my tight hold. “How did you even get that?” I asked, staring into her face with my voice still all excited. The last gift was a merch from one of my favorite bands in my younger age. Laura knew about my love for them but I hadn't been able to get any of their matches while they were still in vogue. However, not only had she gotten the merch but it also had the band's autograph on it. “I have my ways.” She flashed me a smug smile. “Tell me.” I riled her, tickling her by the sides but Laura didn't budge. In the end I gave up trying to find out. “Thank you. Really. You don't know what this means to me.” “Always mention.” Both of us let out throaty laughs and I giggled at the thought of Laura planning all these. “Wait a bit.” Laura asked as she stepped out of the kitchen. Few minutes later, she returned with a cake in her hands, singing the birthday song. “Cheers to annoying you for many more years. Now, hurry. Blow out the candles.”