Kiana's birthday 

I go down the stairs, still half asleep, rubbing my eyes from my slumber. Jesus, I'm exhausted. As if it wasn't enough that my father tried to buy my forgiveness by trying to pay off my tuition and my student loans as a way of trying to get me to forget that he legit abandoned his family and left his wife to raise three children on her own. He also has the audacity to call and text multiple times since we met at the café. When Devontae tried asking how I felt about the whole situation, I only gave him a vague answer because I didn't wanna cry in front of him.

That seems to be the only thing I seem to do in front of him, and it needs to stop. I've been doing nothing but trauma dumping on him and dragging him into my family mess when he needs to be preparing for the draft. "Happy birthday!!"

I scream, jumping from my position by the counter about to make myself some coffee to wake myself up but clearly, I don't need that cup of coffee anymore. "Jesus, fucking Christ! What is wrong with you people?" I wheeze, recovering from the jump scare and flip them off. The place is decorated in pink, blue and purple balloons around the living room and kitchen. There's pink confetti everywhere and a big banner on the fireplace with the words "happy birthday". They laugh at me and when I finally recover from my miniature heart attack I speak, ''my god, I hate y'all. I knew y'all were up to something.''

''Shut up and give us a hug.'' Roman says and wraps his bulky arms around me in a hug. I hug them all individually I get Devontae last, and I punch him on his forearm.

''You told me you guys weren't gonna do anything.'' I punch him again and he shoves me, "you have got to stop hitting me, but yes, you should know by now we were gonna honour your wishes."

''I hate you the most,'' I mutter as I hug him. "No, you don't." He answers and I blush. Sasha comes from the kitchen, holding a cake with candles lit. I'm in my fucking pjs and my friends take out their phones taking videos and pictures. As they sing 'happy birthday', I also begin recording on my own phone, regardless of how messed up I look.

''Make a wish, babe.'' Sasha says, I give my phone to Amaal and as I blow out the candles. ''So, what'd you wish for?'' Travis asks and Lucas nudges him with his elbow, ''T, you can't ask what the wish is, it won't come true if she does.''

Travis rolls his eyes, and I shake my head, laughing under my breath. ''Nah, fuck that, we not twelve years old. We're too old for superstitions. What was it?'' Cassie pushes and soon everyone is yelling over on another, pleading for me to tell.

''Okay! Fine. I'll tell you.'' Eight pair of eyes peer at her in anticipation, ''I'm just playing', I'm not gonna tell ya. Y'all might wanna know but y'all can forget about it.'' The gang groans as they sit down. Soon each of them place gifts onto the table I'm about to ask why they got me them in the first place after I said I didn't need any but Sasha shakes her head.

''Just shut up and open them.'' Sasha says, sitting on James's lap. The first one is from Amaal, a small rectangular box with pink wrapping paper. I unwrap it and inside it's a gold necklace with my name engraved in it.

''Amaal. I love it.'' I say, carefully taking it out of the box to get a better look. ''I got it custom made.'' she says, and I get up to hug her. "Thank you," I say one more time. I repeat this a couple of times with every single gift. James got me a pair of limited edition Air force 1's, Roman got me a mini projector, Lucas got me the physical copies of my favourite book series and Travis got me a whole box of Rose. With him bring the alcoholic he is, I'm not surprised.

Next is Cassie's gift and the moment I unwrap it; I regret it, my face becomes hot from embarrassment, and I send her a death glare. ''A dildo? Really?''

''I guess it could help you out with - ''

''Dare say another word and I'll accidently poison you one day.'' I threaten her, pointing the pink vibrator in her direction. Cassie's lips roll into her mouth but splutters into a fit of laughter and so does the rest of the gang. I can't keep a serious face anymore and joins them until they are a mess of laughter and tears.

''Open mine now.'' Sasha says and I pick up the square box, I take off the wrapping paper and takes off the lid of the box, I pause as I stares at the gift. ''What is it?'' Travis asks.

My eyes well up with tears and I give Sasha the biggest hug ever.

Sasha bought a cover for my phone and on the back of it has pictures of me and my family as well as some pictures I took with our entire friend group, ''Wait...this cover isn't for my phone.'' I say aloud and I search through the tissue paper to find a brand new iPhone beneath. The newest release which I could never afford in my own.

''If you don't take it, I will not pay the Netflix.'' Sasha deadpans and I laugh but she doesn't. I stop laughing when I see she's being serious. When she sees the look on my face, Sasha laughs now.

Devontae sits next to me on the floor as he hands me his gift, '''go ahead.'' He encourages. I carefully unwrap the smaller gift and it's the Polaroid camera, I've been wanting for the past year, ''aww...thank you.''

''I've got another gift for you, but I'll save that for later.'' He says and I narrow my eyes at him in suspicion. "Kiki, your phone's ringing." Amaal draws my attention to my phone that's buzzing. She hands it to me, and I answer excusing myself from the noise, ''Hi, baby. Happy birthday!''

I laugh at the exceptional level of excitement and enthusiasm in my mom's voice, ''Thank you, ma.''

''Well, I wish I were there with you, I would've baked you your favourite red velvet cake.'' I groan, ''Momma stop, I haven't eaten yet.''

''Sorry,'' my mom chuckles, ''anyway your brothers say hi.'' I arch a brow, ''they're home?''

''Yes, I'm making brunch for them now but they're helping me out. 'I rolls my eyes, "typical.''

''Yes - no, Trey that's for the bakery. No, you can't some. '' Mom scolds one of my brothers in the background, ''I'm sorry, baby I gotta go before Trey eats us out of house and home. Say happy birthday to your sister.''

'Happy birthday, Kiki!''

'Happy birthday, Ki.'' My brothers' voices carry out through the receiver. ''Uh huh. Stop abusing ma while you're at it.'' I say, wishing I were back home with them.

''What? We ain't doing nothing'.'' Trey defends. My eldest brother laughs when the other shrieks. Their mother hitting him with a wooden spoon or pulling on his ear, ''Looks like I gotta stop our mom from murdering our brother. Enjoy your day, Ki.''

''Bye,'' my voice cracks and he hangs up. I hold the phone in my hand, looking at the screen, blinking profusely. You'd think living away from my family for nearly four years makes it easier, but it really doesn't. I wish I could wake up in the morning to my mom's freshly baked sweet treats and Trey getting me my favourite coffee and Arman messing up my hair. "Hey, you, okay?"

I turn to face Devontae, who's eyes scan my face with concern, "I'm good." He searches my face a little more before pressing his hand on my back, guiding me back to the living room, "c'mon, the celebrations have just begun."

LATER THAT DAY

''You guys are so sweet for doing this for me.''

''Hey anything for the birthday girl.'' Sasha replies. ''Anything for free booze too.'' Cassie says downing her second mimosa. ''Cassie, it's not even ten am.''

''Oh, I'm sorry, mom.'' Cassie mocks Amaal, ''hey, miss can I get a refill? Can you bring a whole bottle?'' she asks one of the workers at the luxury salon. The girl looks at Cassie weirdly before nodding and disappearing to get a bottle of champagne.

''Anywhoo, how's it been going with Jay Jay?'' Cassie nudges Sasha next to her. Sasha arches a brow at her, ''I'mma just pretend I didn't hear you say that, but it's been going well. Like really, good.''

''Oh, it's like that, huh?'' I tease her. ''Shut up.'' Sasha swats me on the arm and the four of us begin cackling like a bunch of deranged hyenas.

''So, I'm guessing he lives up to his reputation after all...'' Amaal gives Sasha a look and they all don't miss the blush on their friend's cheeks which makes them laugh even harder. ''What is this? Ms Sasha Ester Harris blushing?'' Cassie says staring her friend down with a huge smile on her face.

''No.'' she lies through her teeth, looking at down at her nails that the manicurist is currently doing. ''Yesss,'' even though we already knew the answer. The girl comes back with the champagne and Cassie pours herself a glass. Sasha huffs and lays back fully in the chair, ''it's just that...I don't know. I been with a lotta guys, and he has he - ''

''Jay has been with guys?!'' Cassie exclaims and Sasha's eyes widen so does Kiana's. Heads turn their direction wondering what Cassie is making so much noise for.

''No, you drunk hoe, she meant he been with a lot of girls.'' Amaal corrects her and Cassie's mouth makes the shape of an 'O' in realization. ''Ohhh. Well bitch you gotta be careful next time that shit is dangerous for real. You almost gave me a heart attack.'' She says holding her hand to her chest.

''- as I was saying,'' Sasha gives Cassie a glare, ''we been with a lot of people and at first, I thought because of that and many other shit...but it's not. I mean sure, not everyone is innocent especially when you're our age and in college but the fact that both of us have explored that side to us...I guess it helps us understand what we want from each other.''

''You mean physically or emotionally?'' Amaal asks her.

Sasha doesn't answer immediately, ''both.''

I wipe a fake tear from my eyes, '' my baby is growing up.''

''Girl, shut up.'' Sasha laughs. ''What about you, A'? Don't think we ain't seen you acting all cosy with Luke.'' Cassie directs the attention onto our shy friend who looks like she's about to bury her head in the sand like an ostrich.

''It's nothing, really, we're just hanging out.'' A bashful Amaal brushes off Cassandra's question. ''Bullshit. We see it. We all see it. To be honest I saw it when Lucas couldn't stop looking at you after their first game.'' I say.

''What?''

''Never mind but honestly what's going on? Are y'all talking? Are you'll just chilling? 'Cause I know for a fact y'all ain't fucked yet.'' Cassie says matter of factly. ''Who said we didn't sleep together?'' She asks rhetorically. My brows raise in curiosity, ''so, have you?''

Amaal huffs a harsh breath in frustration, ''No.'' Sasha shakes her head and I pinch the bridge of my nose. Cassie's eye twitches and I see her physically swallow the original words she wanted to say and ventures to say, ''Look, babe. You two are made for one other. You're both soft spoken, you're both sweet and unbelievably shy,'' Amaal frowns at her, ''but you can also be the bigger person here and make the first move.''

She bites her lip in thought, ''how?'' Cassie smiles at her like a proud mother, ''that's the spirit. All you gotta do is ask to help him to help you study, we got midterms anyway.'' I snort, ''like he'll believe that. Amaal is smarter than all of us here.''

''He doesn't have to know that, guys love it when you need them to help you with something, it makes them feel like they're needed, and it'll inflate their already larger egos.''''─ their heads too.'' Sasha adds in and it makes us giggle.

''Yeah, '' Cassie says between laughs, ''just try hun. We know you like him.'' Amaal nods as she mulls it over, ''thanks Cassie.''

''Anything for my bitches.'' She says squeezing her cheek. She smacks her hand away and Cassie's eyes land on me, but I holds my hand up, stopping her. ''Oh, no, no, no. don't bring your monk/psychoanalysis shit here. I don't need help.''

''Uh huh, sure.'' Sasha says sarcastically. ''At this point, I give up on you two. I'll have grandkids before you and Devontae finally make it official. The man fucking head of heels over you I can see it in his eyes.'' Cassie says.

''I... I can't, we are at very different points of our lives that's very demanding...a friendship is best suited for us right now.''

''Oh, c'mon you can't be one of those people who still believe that the guy who asked the girl out?''

''No, of course not it's just...''

I'm saved by the bell when my phone rings and sighs in relief 'cause I can't handle any further grilling from my friends about my complicated relationship with Devontae.

Gosh, just when I thought all the gifts and the mani/pedi's were the end of it, we go to brunch too. Chatting it up with the girls is always something that makes my day so much better, especially when I'm having a downright awful day.

Get dolled up with them is a bonus, having each other be each other's stylists is the funniest too. It's like never having to second guess our outfit choices when we go out since we got each other's opinion on them already.

Sasha took us to this other restaurant where they're opening at any time of the day and they have got specials on drinks on each day, today was pomegranate mimosas. Mind you, we're still drunk off our asses from the bubbly we were drinking while we were getting our nails done at the salon. But a little alcohol ain't never hurt nobody.

The table is spread with golden brown waffles, fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs crispy hash browns, juicy sausages, crispy bacon, ham, tea, coffee, a pitcher of iced tea, sliced strawberries, banana, pineapple, lightly toasted brown and white bread with some jam and butter on the side and of course the endless servings of mimosas.

We dig in and I swear it's like I died and went to heaven. The crunch of the buttered toast with the bacon and sausages washed down with the refreshing taste of the pomegranate mimosa. "Eat up ladies, the celebrations have just begun." Sasha says, when we're about one third into our brunch.

Really? This isn't the end? This encourages the girls and I to eat faster, talking in between, "I heard the boys are going to Vegas in November." Sasha adds.

"Really? What for?" I ask, taking a sip of my mimosa. "For the Final Four Tournament, the finale is gonna be against University of Los Angeles." Sasha says, buttering her toast. "They're that confident to think that they'll make it to the finale?" Cassie asks with an arched brow.

"Well, they are the best in the state, if their point average and history goes to say much." Sasha shrugs. I can't help but blink at her, "looks like someone has been reading up on the NCAA."

Sasha gives me a look, "shut up, so I'm sure the athletes are going to bring their significant others along,"

"Well, we'll have to see about that." I mumble, topping up my mimosa. "You ladies ready to go?" The guys join us at our table, pulling chairs for them to sit. Roman steals a slice of toast from my plate and I narrow my eyes at him. James takes a seat next to Sasha, placing a kiss on her forehead. Lucas takes a seat next to Amaal who in response, puts her hair behind her ear. My God, she's a goner. Travis plops into his seat by Cassie, who pretends he's not even there. His arm extends over the back of her chair and her body stiffens. Hmmm.

The woodsy smell of cologne wafts to my nostrils and I don't even have to turn my head to know that Devontae is sitting next to me. He casually copies Travis by draping his arm around the back of my chair and I try to act as neutral as possible. "You dropping me off?"

"Yeah, I'll come pick you up when I'm done."

...

After my shift, I'm so tired then I nearly fell asleep in the car after Devontae picked me up, when we get to the apartment complex, he helps me out of the car and up to my shared apartment.

He opens the door for me and I sigh, I can barely keep my eyes open now, "I also got one more gift for you." He whispers in my ear. That has my eyes open a bit wider.

"What more could you possibly..."

"Surprise!" I hear from behind me and my breath hitches, I turn on my heel to come face to face with my mom and my brothers, "momma?" I ask in shock, and I run up to her, tackling her in a hug, she kisses me on my forehead, her hand brushing up and down my back soothingly. "Happy birthday, baby."

I'm a sobbing mess, feeling like a little girl again in my mother's arms. I missed my family deeply and it couldn't have been any harder having to celebrate my birthday without them, but Devontae legit fly them out and I couldn't be more grateful for him.

...

AUTHORS NOTE

As a Cancer like Kiana, I like gifts that have a lot of thought behind it, it makes it cherish able.