Sixteen Years Later.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…" My parents were chanting at the top of their voices. My mum's face was red from the energy she had to put in to expel this amount of sound, she always did have a weak voice.
My name is Bella Wilson, Isabella on my birth certificate but I hate the Isa- part of it so Bella stuck. It's my birthday obviously but for some reason, I am not as excited as my parents. It's a big occasion for a few of my extended family were also huffing and puffing to the song.
I looked out the window hoping that my best friend Mia would soon come bursting through the front door. She never knocks. She was late which was so unlike Mia but I wasn't the least bit worried.
"Make a wish," a shrill voice said and I jerked back to reality. Aunty Margaret had her slant eyes on me, her mouth was still open from speaking.
"Of course," I smiled brightly, my face the picture of the perfect niece.
I walked closer to the cake that had been placed in the middle of the room, I stooped a little, waited about ten seconds before I blew out the whole sixteen candles which I found was a little absurd- just cause I'm sixteen doesn't mean my cake has to say that. What if I turn seventy-two?
"What did you wish for?" The same shrill voice asked.
"It is a secret," I replied sweetly and placed my index finger horizontally over my lips.
Other than my parents, I disliked everybody else in the room. My fat aunt Margaret, her lanky husband Joseph, and their son. I couldn't help but question their union which resulted in the birth of Peter, my eight-year-old cousin who was already twice my size. I turned to look at him and saw that he already had his face stuffed with sweets, typical.
"Yes, yes…" My mother started before aunt Margaret could reply. "If she tells, it ruins it." I could almost kiss the woman.
"Here Bella cut the first slice." My aunt was a loud, domineering woman so hearing her spew orders at me was very common.
It was at the back of my head to protest but I succumbed. I hated conversations with her, arguments were twice as worse. She was nothing like her cool, calm, and collected brother who was also my father. I picked up the knife, my aunt's big tummy was a little too close for comfort. I wondered if I stuck the knife in it, it would pop. I giggled the thought away.
We all stood in a semi-circle as they watch me cut the first slice, from the corner of my eye I watch my cousin struggle to get free. His mother held the collar of his t-shirt, it was a good thing else he would go straight for the piece of cake I was just about to take a bite out of.
Suddenly, a loud bang drew our attention. "Mia!" I screamed, genuinely excited.
Standing at full height Mia barely grazed 4ft 9inches, she was one of the shortest people I know and she was adorable with a naturally brown colored her that was always dyed absurdly bright colors. Right now she had on the color purple that highlighted her hazel eyes and small mouth which as expected was painted black. "What took you so long?"
"Sorry, um had a few errands to run…" She started to explain and that was when I noticed the figure behind her and the rest of Mia's words faded away all I could see, hear was the person behind her.
The figure in question was dressed in all black, with dark shades. Their clothing was too much to discern the gender. I frown and turn to look at my parents, the look on their faces said they were as surprised as I was.
"Who is this?" I asked almost immediately, cutting through Mia's words.
"I am your aunt." The figure said with a tone of finality.
She pushed the door close and pulled down her hoodie to reveal slick black hair that shimmered in the light. She removed her shades and I could swear her gray eyes saw into my soul.
"Aunt?" I had never seen this person in all my life.
"Carly!" My mother screeched breaking the very awkward silence.
Even the name didn't help matters. My mother must have seen the look on my face for she went further to explain.
"I know it must seem strange to you but the last time you saw her, you were very little."
I squint my eyes at my mother's explanation, there were holes in it but I wasn't about to ask that right now and worsen the already gloomy atmosphere. "Hello, Aunt Carly." My voice sounded forced.