Chapter Birthday preparation. Snakes and frogs
"I was walking," I easily lifted her off my way " Hey Kirely? " I smiled at Kate's best friend who was busy blowing balloons.
"Put me down hulk" she fumed. I smiled mischievously and twirled her around amidst her screams. Kirely was meanwhile laughing loudly. By the time I put her down, she directly fell on her face, luckily on the couch.
"I hate you" I heard her say.
After I had showered, I helped Kate and Kirely set up the house. I even recalled that I had invited none of my friends,I completely forgot about that. I sent Cruiz and Shurk invites, they were my only friends at school. I decided on not inviting Ashley, she'll just dampen my mood on my birthday. I didn't worry about dad, my birthday date was his phone password, it was literally impossible for him to forget about it.
" That goes there..." Kate motioned me to move the large dining table to make room for another. I was the muscle here, Kate was the organizer, Kirely was the deputy organizer, I wondered even if that was a thing. I basically did all the work.
"How sure are you that so many people will come?" I asked arranging some chairs outside under some tree. My birthdays mostly consisted of my dad, my girlfriend and about half a dozen smoking friends, this big set up really suprised me.
"My dad's workmates and friends , my mom's colleagues and friends, neighbours and some relatives...." Kate counted with her fingers. I widened my eyes, she wasn't even started on her friends.
"She has lots of friends at school not mentioning her friends who don't go to school" Kirely chipped in. I only managed to gulp, Kate was that popular? Good thing my friends are not that many.
"And your friends too. So we have a large number of people who will attend" Kate smiled. At this moment, Meryln drove into the garage, she was from the mall. Kate was right, looking at how much snacks I was unloading from her car, it seemed alot of people would attend the party. Uncle Stark arrived with strong drinks for the older people, me included, I chuckled inwardly.
"I have your birthday outfit" Kate handed me a black polythene bag.
" Thanks, but I already have what I would wear" I refused
" I wasn't asking" Kate smiled
" You can't force me.."
" Why don't you look at it first, you might like it" she continued. Kirely was staring at the bag curiously. I had no choice but to slowly unwrap it.
" Hell no, an official suit? And a pink one. You've got to be kidding me. I hate suits. I can't wear that, I can't even see myself in that at all, never , ever in my life. Not even in my dreams" I spat. It wasn't bad, it was good and all but I just didn't like suits.
" It's so cute" Kirely held it. I rolled my eyes at her.
" It fits perfectly, and will look good on you" Kate looked at the suit then at me as if she couldn't wait to see me in it.
" It looks nice," meryln commented "you should wear it. And dinner's ready"
"If you don't wear it, I'll tell mom and dad of your extremely brave actions at school yesterday evening" Kate smirked evilly. How the hell did she know about that? Uncle Stark and Meryln shouldn't know about my exchange with my teacher at all.
"Fine" I clenched my teeth. Kate successfully blackmailed me. I wouldn't die when I wear a suit, but I might die of embarrassment if one of my thuggish friends from the city came. Good thing they won't come at all.
" I'll hung it over here," Kate hung it over the edge of my wardrobe then proceeded to the dining.
" That smells good" I smiled as I stared at the bowls covered on the dining table. " What's for dinner?" I couldn't help but ask. That was about the most sweetest smell I've smelt . Kirely made to speak but Kate quickly shushed her. I beamed when Meryln especially placed a big bowl infront of me with a huge smile. I slowly opened the lid,
" Wow...you cooked this?" I exclaimed drooling at the rich meat stew in bowl. The meal was literally begging me to dig in.
" My mother had it sent over"
I started eating without even further ado, I didn't even mind who cooked it or who sent it over. Whatever mattered was that it was really sweet. And it tasted kinda different from any meat stew I've had. I finished my bowl in silence, I felt very full and refreshed at the same time.
" This sure isn't beef or pork" I commented
" No it's not," Kate replied while eating sandwich, she was allergic to beef. Kirely ate the same as Kate. Uncle Stark and Meryln were eating pasta so I was basically the only one who ate the stew. Kate stood up and brought me two cold bottles of water.
" You'll need it" she winked at me. I was actually feeling thirsty so I gulped down one of it.
"What was it?" I asked again curiosity getting the better of me.
"Snake meat and frog parts" Meryln answered.
My eyes immediately started to redden as I stared at my empty bowl.
"You're ...... serious?" I stammered
"Yeah.." she smiled apologetically
I put my head between my palms speechless. Did I just clean a large bowl full of wriggly snakes and creepy frogs? I felt an inexplicable urge to puke
"I saw her slaughter them myself" Kate added , I didn't have to look at her to know she was happy. But well, that did it, I toppled my chair as I rushed to the bathroom. I tried to vomit but nothing came out, I tried everything I knew to induce vomiting but I only ended up with a painful throat. Were they trying to kill me? I wondered looking at the toilet bowl. I sat there for almost an hour but I couldn't uneat what was already eaten.
Meryln was standing outside the bathroom with a glass of water. " Water?" she asked. Might as well say snake's pee , I thought. I quickly denied it.
"Are you okay?" she asked
" I have snakes and frogs in my stomach, I'm a little traumatized" I strutted to my room.
" They were cooked.. " meryln added which only made me walk faster to my room. I collapsed on my bed, today I'll be dreaming of reptiles . I just enjoyed a whole bowl like a caveman.
"Maybe you should have told him earlier" I heard Uncle Stark say outside my room
"It has medicinal effects, moreso...." Meryln started
" Go away" I shouted. I might end up allergic to meat if I continued to hear her praise the meal.
Despite all that, I slept.