One month has passed since my visit to the Old Witch. Today is my 18th birthday and I am not sure what I am feeling about this birthday. A part of me was excited for my 18th birthday because you only turn 18 once in your life and a part of me was anxious because of what the Old Witch said to me.
Suddenly, Lydia came to me humming a weird and stupid song ,wearing headphones and said to me, "Sis, What are you doing ? Why are you not ready? "
"Ready? For what? Don't tell me you both have planned to keep me out of the house till mom prepared for my birthday party with the excuse of shopping"
"Oopss! You knew about our plan? How come? You used your mind reading power on us. Right? Mom told you not to use your power at home. Why did you do it? Now what is the fun in that", she said in such a sour face that I could not resist telling her,
" Lydia, it's not like that. I don't use my powers on my family and friends. You and mom do this ever year so I could just predict it. Ok. Now I am going to change and let's go shopping giving mom time to prepare for the party. "
After shopping for the entire afternoon and eating brunch ,we returned home. When we reached home, I found my parents, friends and some close relatives at my house. My Dad was also back from his business trip. Everyone wished me Happy Birthday and Mom said, " Laura, Go and get ready.Our other guests will be here in an hour so, go and get dressed up, quickly."
My best friends, Taylor and Eliza followed me to wish me my birthday. Eliza also wanted to choose my dress, so all three of us went upstairs. Eliza and Taylor have been my best friends since I first discovered my powers. They are the only two people besides my family who know about my powers and accepted me for who I am. Eliza loves to choose dresses for me and do my makeup.
We sat down to catch up upon my visit to the Old Witch. We don't have any secrets between us. I even told them the last part of my conversation with the Od Witch which I did not tell mom. After that, we brainstormed on the last part where the Old Witch told me that I will find some answers on my birthday. Taylor asked, "So, did anything happen till now? "
" No, I only went shopping with Lydia, that's all".
"Maybe she was wrong", Eliza suggested.
" Then what will you say about her reaction after seeing that mark on Laura's hand and what in the world was that mark on your hand? ", Taylor asked looking at me.
"How will I know. It disappeared after sometime. ", I told them.
"Ok, fine, take your breath. Both of you. Now let's think about all this later. Today is my best friend's birthday. Let's party. Let's choose a dress for the birthday girl now", said Eliza.
"Ok but don't forget that the witch Laura met was the most powerful witch alive. Laura, you only told us this. What if she had some kind of hidden meaning in that? Did you run into anyone, by chance? ", Taylor asked.
" TAYLOR... ", Eliza shouted, staring with murderous eyes at Taylor. It looked like if Taylor did not stop, Eliza will kill him and Taylor knew it. He also got scared but, he said
" What? I was only suggesting to think about it . Ok I am leaving. You girls come down after getting ready. Oh! Laura, I met a very nice guy yesterday. We became friends very quickly. I also invited him to your party. Is that ok?".
Before I could answer Eliza said, " You are asking after inviting an unknown guy to Laura's party. Are you serious? "
I said, "Of course Taylor. It's completely fine All your friends are welcome and Eliza stop getting angry. Now let's get ready"
After preparing my dress and doing my makeup, we both went down.When I reached the hall, I saw that nearly all the guests have arrived. Taylor was talking with some guy and on seeing them Eliza concluded, "This must be Taylor's friend he was telling about. Let's meet him Laura". Before I could reply, Eliza pulled me to where Taylor was standing and called Taylor.
When Taylor's friend turned to face us I noticed that he seemed quite familiar. Eliza whispered, " He is hot. Oh Laura , he is looking at you. Read his mind. Read his mind girl, now." I gave in to my peer pressure and read his mind. He was thinking 'Wow! she is a today beauty. Just like I heard, I can't take my eyes off her'. I smiled then coughed a little to get his thoughts back and said "Hi, I am Laura, the birthday girl and you must be Taylor's friend we heard a lot about " , I said giving out my hand for a handshake.
He said, shaking my hand lightly, " Yes, I am Oliver. You are quite beautiful. "
I replied, " Thank you but have we ever met before. You seem quite familiar." "I don't think so. I could never forget such a beauty" , he said trying to flirt.
Suddenly my mom called me to introduce me to some distant uncle. After sometime, Eliza came to me and asked, " You seem out of it, today. Did something happen? "
I replied, " No, it is just that Oliver seems quite familiar as if I have known him for a long time but he is right we have never met before. Nevertheless I am not able to shake off this weird feeling I am getting."
Eliza asked, "Do you like him?" I replied "NO, no way". She then said, " There is no need to deny so firmly. So, did you read his mind? What was he thinking? "
So, I told her and then she said laughing, " Good for you. I think he likes you. Look at the way he was looking at you. Oh see, he is coming. Now go and talk to him". As soon as she completed her sentence, she pushed me towards Oliver.
Now we were face to face but both of us did not speak a word for ten seconds. Then I broke the ice and said, " Are you enjoying the party? "
"Yes", he replied.
" Isn't it quite stuffy over here. I was about to go to the garden to get some air. Do you want to join? "
"Of course. It's not like I know many people over here and Taylor is drinking. I was thinking about talking to you anyway" .
"Let's go, then. ", I said.
I asked, " Why didn't you join Taylor in drinking? "
"I am not a strong drinker".
We talked like that for a while about ourselves, our families, life, school, friends. Then I thought to read his mind because after each reply or question he looked at my face for some seconds. I thought maybe he really likes me. He was thinking, " Should I now tell her about what she is? "
I could not resist and asked "WHAT? What do you mean? "