She didn't answer immediately, instead, she took her time to closely study me. She came closer and I could tell that she was at least a full foot taller than I was. Her stare was so intense that I wanted to look away but I forced myself not to.
She made as if to touch my head but I whipped her hand away. She rubbed it, she seemed a little surprised but she quickly covered it with a chuckle.
"Well, that's expected." She finally raised her eyes to take in the whole room. "I'll be upstairs if you need me. Happy birthday Isabella."
I unconsciously cringed at my name, she placed a small case on my hand and with a quick swish of her cape-like coat, I was still a little stunned by her appearance to acknowledge the cape when she fled up the stairs. She was so fast I was certain she took the stairs three steps per foot.
The instant she disappeared, the intense air in the room faded and everyone resumed their activities as if nothing had happened. My cousin as expected had immediately rushed to the cake. I wanted to comment more on what had just happened but decided against it, instead I studied the item that laid on my palm. It was a gift box about half my palm size, I absently placed it on the table.
Less than an hour later, my Aunt Margaret- since an Aunt I have never heard of had suddenly joined the family -her awkward husband and gluttonous son took their leave.
"I'll be seeing Mia off now," I said to my parents.
"Alright Bella, don't stay too long. It's pretty late" My dad returned.
I nodded and together with Mia we stepped out the door. We walked in silence for a full thirty seconds then I broke it. "Why were you late?" I grumbled.
"I told you, I had a few errands to run."
"Your mum?" I was a little curious that she couldn't tell me specifically.
"No my brother."
I understood immediately, Mia's mother had remarried and her stepbrother who is autistic occasionally needed special attention. Mia loved her brother but the subject of his autism was a little touchy for her, she never spoke about it.
"Oh okay."
We were gradually approaching the junction that divided houses, the designated middle. "Didn't you find the lady weird?"
"What lady?" Mia asked just as we stopped at the junction.
It was dark so I could barely see the expression on her face so I couldn't tell if she was joking or not. "You're joking."
"No, I'm not. Stretch out your palm."
I did so and watched as she fiddled with my outstretched hand but I couldn't see exactly what she was doing for she covered my view with her petite structure.
"There! Happy Birthday, Bella."
I held my hand up to the light and saw it was a skull charm bracelet. The exact one I had seen on the internet a few months back. "Mia! You didn't have to. I love it." I gave her a big hug. "Thank you."
"Nah don't mention it." But I could tell she was blushing. "I have to go now." She added.
I frown but don't argue. We say our goodbyes and I go back home. I get to the front porch and for some reason I decided to look up and there she is staring at me. I'm startled for a few seconds but wave the thought away that it is merely a coincidence.
I walked into the house to see my parents sitting by the television, my mum's head laid on my dad's lap as they both shared the couch. Times like this, I couldn't help but admit their love was beautiful.
"Bella." They both called out in unison.
I smiled and replied, "I am going to bed now. See you tomorrow." My eyes caught sight of the gift box lying on the table and I picked it.
"Sleep tight, sweetheart. You sure you don't need me to tuck you in." My mum chuckled at her joke.
I don't bother responding, rather I walk up the stairs, my destination was my personal space. To get to my room I had to pass by guestroom which I was certain Aunt Carly was in. All of a sudden it felt wrong to make any kind of noise so I simply tiptoed.
It was dumb I knew, my parents downstairs had already alerted her of my presence. I briskly walked past her room and I didn't stop or look back until I got the door of my room. There I stopped with my hand placed on the handle and looked towards the direction of her room.
I felt the hair at the back of my head tingle and I could hear a sound that indicated the door was about to open. I fled so fast into my room, I bruised myself against the wall. My door banged against its hinges giving my position away.
I laid with my back against the door. I was scared as I was curious. I perfectly understood why I was curious but the scared part was a little confusing. True, Aunt Carly was a stranger but that didn't seem anything to be afraid about.
I shook my thoughts away and concentrated on the box I held. I found myself guessing what it could contain but nothing seemed to fit. The box was wrapped in a green and red gift wrapper, this was very odd. It was nowhere near Christmas but this was obviously a Christmas gift wrapper.
I loosen the gift wrapper only to reveal a box. It took me a while to get it to open and within it was a ring. I took it out and held it to the light. Its design was nothing I had ever since before, it held a huge deep red gemstone that I immediately assumed to be Ruby.
The gift was as puzzling as it was beautiful. Why would she give me an old ring? Who was Aunt Carly? These were questions I wanted answers to but I knew I would get them this night so I placed the ring by my bedside table and prepared for bed.