CHAPTER 20: THE BIRTHDAY
"Did you remember it?" Will asked Cornelia softly.
"Yes, Hay Lin is going to decorate the place." She answered. "And I think the guys are going to help everything to be ready. But we have to entertain her till the party time."
"Does everyone know?" Will asked then after nodding. "Orube? Caleb?"
"Yes, even the rat and the snake." Cornelia said. "Everyone is aware."
"What's so important?" Isa asked putting her head backwards to hear them.
"I was asking Cornelia when the next tryouts are." Will said.
"Yes, I told her I don't know." Cornelia said smiling.
On the back seat, Phobos shook his head. He knew what was going on, and smiled as he knew the guardians were hiding something to the other guardian. Something he would also hide from her, even when he thought those things the others called birthday parties were useless and silly.
He then wrote something down on a paper and threw the ball to Isa who caught it without even looking at it. She opened the note and began reading.
"Do you have anything to do after school?" he had written down on the paper.
"No. Though I think Caleb will come to pick us up." She answered back the same way before Collins turned to try to catch what was going on.
"Then perhaps you could ask the guardians and take me to that department stores you always speak about."
"Why?" she answered back the same way.
"Ok, what's going on here?" Collins asked as he knew something was happening and he couldn't spot what or where. "What is more important than Henry VIII?"
"Nothing sir." A guy said.
"Phobos, are you bothering the girls again?" he asked then.
"I'm not doing anything!" he said.
"Hummm… I don't want another interruption again." He said turning to the blackboard again.
Then Phobos threw another paper to Isa once again.
"I just wanted to check if it's true you can learn about economy at a shop." He had written down.
Then the light and shadow guardian held her laugh as she saw the really basic and somehow silly answer he gave her.
"Ok, let me ask the girls." She wrote down.
Then she wrote down on another piece of paper "Shopping this afternoon?" and handed it at her back so as Will to get it. She soon got stolen it by her and when she looked behind after Will and Cornelia whispering among them, she saw them raising thumbs as they smiled.
"Shopping is the perfect alibi for keeping her far from the party arrangements." Cornelia whispered Will.
After having meal and telling Hay Lin, Irma and Taranee about the afternoon plan while Isa was out at the toilet for trying to mend the disaster Phobos did on her t-shirt by dropping some pasta on it.
"I think that would keep her busy enough till we end the party things." Hay Lin said smiling.
"Hey, we are ending choosing and getting the songs ready." Matt said. "I hope she likes them."
"Of course she does." Phobos said. "She will make Caleb and me mad by playing Cobalt blue, Karmilla, the Spaniards and the mix music CDs each time she is home doing her matters there!"
"I bet he doesn't like the music." Irma whispered Hay Lin making her hold her laugh too.
"I think Peter and Nigel will be choosing the CDs for the DJ." Taranee said. "So if they have to buy any new CD I suppose you could see them around, with a bit of luck."
"No, Phobos. Sincerely, why did you suggest her to go shopping?" Will asked him. "We all know you hate that."
"I thought you were on little trouble so I decided to give a hand." He said picking a French fry from Isa's dish and being hit the hand by Matt. "Furthermore, I'm interested on economy and merchandise things."
"What are you planning, dude?" Matt said. "Taking over this planet?"
"I want to become a chairman." Phobos said ending with his food. "So she told me I should study economy as university career and then begin from 0 to reach the top. That's what I'm trying to do, analysing data from shopping and all that."
That left the whole group gobsmacked as they didn't understood anything. Anyway, they had to drop it because Isa was arriving back.
When afternoon lessons ended Caleb was there waiting for them.
"Shopping again?!" he said shocked. "No, please!"
"C'mon." Isa said holding his arm. "You need to buy a new jean, you torn the last one."
"Ok, ok…" he said giving up. "I'll go just for keeping an eye on the rat."
"Nearly a whole year living together and he still doesn't trust me." Phobos said as being disappointed.
However, when they were shopping, they found Taranee and Nigel carrying some plastic dishes and glasses. Luckily Cornelia was able to avoid Isa seeing them by showing her a skirt stand at their back.
"I think this year skirts are a bit shorter than before." Cornelia said.
"Well, if you are pretty and out for a party then they are perfect." Isa said.
"Do you imagine me wearing this?" Will say joking.
"And what would you wear for a party?" Phobos asked.
He was being a bit too straight about the party topic.
"It depends." Isa answered.
"Depends on?" Cornelia asked.
"On some things. For example, if the guy I like will be there I would wear something sexy and femalish; if it's just friends, I would wear something comfortable and cool. If it was an event I would wear something smart…"
"And for a party with friends and lot of handsome guys?" Cornelia said.
"It depends on the place." She said smiling. "Where do you want to 'for example' have it?"
"The beach." Will said smiling trying to dissimulate.
"Beach, so I suppose it's hot outside, at least warm." Isa said thinking as she put her finger at her chin under her lips. "Ok, first my two pieces swimming costume, then over that I suppose a pair of shorts or perhaps a skirt, yeah, skirt is better for dancing. Then… perhaps a cute top and a jacket tied at my hips height. Casual yet a bit sportive."
"And in a big place indoors?" Will asked then.
"First underwear." Isa said laughing. "Then… I suppose mini-skirt… a funny t-shirt with a sexy logo over the breast… and comfortable yet beautiful shoes."
"Yeah, but think that there would be guys too." Cornelia said.
"Yeah, with those you would not get a guy hooked to you." Phobos said with irony.
"Then I suppose I would wear something sexier." She said smiling. "By the way, there's something I wanted to give you. I found a smart jacket I was thinking on give away because I don't like it so perhaps if any of you want it…"
"Cool!" Cornelia said. "We could get to your place now so you show us!"
"Sure." Caleb said. "Phobos and I will go to buy something we forgot so… you have about half an hour till we go back."
"And don't get in my bedroom." Phobos said. "Last time you got in for something I lost my science project."
"Phobos, meat-eating human-sized plants are not allowed home." Isa said facing him. "Did you really expect me not ending with it?"
"What kind of person would have one at his bedroom?" Cornelia asked Will on a whispering tone.
Then the three girls left for the kitty, rat and warrior's home, they took a bus and soon were there.
When they got in they found the house was more or less tidy, anyway the girls got straight to Isa's room.
"Here is the jacket." She said taking it from her wardrobe where lot of clothing was well ordered on the perches and selves while shoes were on the floor of the wardrobe well ordered too. "Wanna anything to eat?" she then offered while Cornelia looked to a Tommy Highfigger's forgery jacket with shiny eyes.
"A bit of water would be ok, thanks." Will said smiling.
"I think we also have some cookies somewhere in the kitchen cupboards." Isa said before disappearing along the corridor and downstairs.
"Did you saw it?!" Cornelia said. "This is heaven!"
"How many pieces of clothing does she have?" Will asked as she had a look at them. "Hey, I like this skirt."
Three minutes later, Isa came back the room carrying a tray with three glasses, a water jar and a dish with biscuits that left at the only table in the room.
"Did you anything you like?" she asked smiling.
"You have a lot of clothing here." Will said taking a biscuit while Cornelia danced along the room with a beautiful dress she held as if she was wearing it.
"Well, I keep most of my sister's presents so I suppose I have a bit too much clothing. I just use less than the half."
"Why?" Cornelia asked.
"Have you seen all?" Isa asked taking a little miniskirt and showing them. "I can't go around with this unless to discos."
"Why don't we wear that today?" Will asked taking a skirt and holding it as if she was wearing it. "Just for fun. We will return it later."
"Sure, take whatever you want." Isa said. "You can keep it as long as you need it."
Then the three of them began trying some robes on, trying to look as if they were to go to a party. They were so concerned about it that they didn't even heard Phobos and Caleb getting in the house arguing on a high voice.
They just realised on them when they tried to open the door.
"DON'T GET IN!!" the three shouted at once and then when they closed it began laughing.
"We have arrived." Caleb said from the corridor. "Call us if you need anything."
"Ok." Isa said from inside the room.
"Buff, I thought they were coming in and seeing us like this." Will said wearing the skirt and the bra.
"They tend to respect my space." Isa said holding a top against her breast with just one arm for Cornelia zipping it at her back and her hair up with her other hand.
After more than half an hour later they were wearing cool and sexy on Isa's robes. What took them so long was to find something matching their sizes as Isa had more defined women forms and her robes were big at the breast for Will and Cornelia making them look as ironing boards.
"Ok, now the hair." Cornelia said holding a brush from Isa's room. "Do you have any hairdressing products?"
"Yeah, at the toilet." Isa said.
"Ok, then let's go to the toilet." Cornelia said holding her hand to pull from her towards the toilet fast so the guys couldn't see them.
Will went there not long after them and they helped the others combing themselves for a supposed party with tons of handsome guys.
"Hey!" Caleb asked. "Have you drowned yourselves or what? Are you ok?"
"Caleb, girls tend to take lot of time to get ready." Phobos said ending buttoning his trousers. "Just hope they are not chatting while they do."
"They have been occupying the bathroom for more than half an hour!" Caleb said bothered. "And I need to pee!"
Then he knocked on the door again till Cornelia put his head out.
"Hey, wait a minute, we are nearly done." She said.
Then she lock the door again till five minutes later when Caleb was walking up and downstairs to prevent himself from peeing the door opened and the girls went out.
"Thanks god!" Caleb said running to the toilet while the door of the girl's room was closed before they could have a look.
"Women are mysterious." Phobos said brushing his hair while Caleb peed. "Is my hair ok? I want to cause a good impression to the guardians."
"They would never forgive you even if you really showed you are as sweet as a kitty." Caleb said ending and beginning combing his own hair.
"I wonder why women are so mysterious about their clothes." Phobos said ending with his hair.
Ten minutes later the girls went out of the bedroom while Caleb and Phobos were watching TV.
"Hey, you have took too… long." Caleb said ending with his eyes opened in surprise and delight as he saw Cornelia wearing a long patchwork skirt with what looked as drawings on glitter and a nice top matching the skirt, then Will with a tight sleeveless shirt unbuttoned at her belly and neck looking sexy and combined with a straight jean mini-skirt and a wide white cowboy buckled belt with designed little heeled childish shoes. They were combed and make up as stars and looked really pretty.
"Hey, you are lucky to share house with a girl with such ability for mode." Cornelia said moving her hair on an ''L'Oreal, cause I deserve it'' way.
"Where is her anyway?" Phobos asked.
"Toilet." Will said. "Too much water."
Then they heard the noise of the toilet being emptied and the door opening and closing.
While she went down, Caleb's eyes seemed as if they were to fall from its orbs and his jaw would fell to earth.
"C'mon, let's show off a bit." Cornelia said smiling.
"I'm still not sure this is…" Isa began saying shyly.
"C'mon, even those two wore party like." Will said. "And you look wonderful. As a sexy actress or model or star."
"Say it I look too much as a bitc…" she began.
"You look wonderful." Phobos said kissing her hand and offering her his arm to hold. "Let's move, I want to show off you a bit."
"Hey, she is not a jewel you can show off!" Caleb said going out of his astonishment state.
"Hey, we'd better move." Cornelia said. "Shall we take a bus?"
"Ok." Isa said. "Ah, Will and Cornelia suggested going out for having a milkshake."
"Yes, we know." Caleb said. "They told us while you were at the changing rooms on the department stores."
It was funny how easily he said such a lie not feeling any guilty, even more funny was Isa falling for it.
They took a bus and while they were walking towards what looked as the dancing school in Heatherfield some guys whistled for the girls making them to giggle in fun and Caleb and Phobos go annoyed at the guys' cheekiness.
"I think Taranee must be about going out his practices." Will said. "Why don't we go in and look for her?"
"I still don't know the place inside." Cornelia said smiling. "It'd be a good time for visiting it."
"But… terms are held till nine in the night." Isa said. "Oh, it's five past nine. Ok, let's get in."
"Ok, ok!" Matt said. "Here they come!"
"Everyone ready…" Irma said.
"I think there's nobody in." Isa said while the door opened.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" everyone shouted as lights went on.
Isa's face was now astonished while her friends hugged her to say happy birthday. It seemed as if more than half of the young population of the city were there, wearing as if a party was being held there. Even Kevin, her sister's choreographer, and Silvia were there and said happy birthday to her.
Her friends, guys also, were the ones first congratulating her while she smiled in return.
"Hey, you look really… hot in those robes." Peter said smiling at her after congratulating her.
"Thanks." Isa said smiling as she went pink on her cheeks.
Then Cobalt blue began playing and people began dancing with their music.
Soon couples were dancing at the dance floor.
"So that was why you took me to the department stores and then home to begin playing with my robes, wasn't it?" Isa asked her friends.
"They had to make you entertained for you not coming here and finding all out." Irma said.
"Irma, do you mind dancing one song with me?" Joel said.
"Don't get use to it." Irma said going a bit pink and trying to sound as if he was doing him a favour.
Cornelia and Peter were also to the dance floor for a dance, Hay Lin and Eric and Taranee with Nigel. The ones remaining apart were Will, as Matt was singing; Caleb, who Isa was afraid didn't like to dance, and Phobos, who was looking to the group with disgust as he didn't like the music.
Then Sean arrived and stood in front of Isabelle.
"Shall we dance, sexy one?" he said offering her his hand.
She looked to her side and saw Will smiling at her.
"Ok, just this one." She said taking his hand.
"Being the one the party is being held for and you were the one not dancing." Sean said sexily. "I am all ashamed."
"I should be happy but…" Isa said, then she looked to a side and then saw Caleb there.
"Hey, I don't mind sharing you." He said. "Who's your boyfriend? The blond one or the brown haired one?"
"I've got no boyfriend." She said looking back at him. "So…"
"Perfect." He said making her go down on his arm and then trying to kiss her. However she managed to avoid it and he kissed her neck.
"Hey, you are going too fast." She then said while the song ended. "Fine, song's over. A pleasure to have dance with you."
"Another one?" he asked.
"No, I… I have to dance with someone else, him." She said holding Joel's arm as Irma went to have a drink for both.
"What was that for?" Joel said going a bit pink as Isa danced with him.
"Sorry, I wanted to avoid him." Isa said. "As soon as he is lost I let you dance with Irma. Promise."
"No, don't worry." Joel said looking at her worried and then smiling as he looked away. "She said she doesn't like dancing with people…"
"Hey, same goes for me, the guy I felt like dancing a bit doesn't seem to like dancing or to know how to do it."
"Well, then I suppose you don't mind dancing a bit wit me, do you, birthday girl? He he."
"No." Isa said smiling. "I don't mind. Not at all."
They danced at least three songs on a row, just stopping to clap for Matt's band.
Then Peter got to them.
"Hey, Joel, you have had her too long. Time to share, don't you think?" he said smiling and then offering her his hand. "Do you want to dance this hip-hop with me?"
"You hip-hop?" she said as joking as the CD was giving Cobalt Blue a rest. "Ok, let's dance."
Then it was really funny because the dance floor was opened to allow Peter and Isa dance better. Then Taranee and other dance school guy went there too.
People stop dancing to look the two couples dance. The funniest was that it was not even supposed Isa could dance so well.
Isa smiled as she was getting fun; not to say Peter that danced a Latino after it. Where did they got it was a mystery, but it was plain clear Isa danced it perfect. First Salsa with the choreographer and then Tango with Peter. He had downloaded a full course in secret, hoping to dance it with Cornelia, but when he said he knew how to dance it she asked him to dance it with Isa who had told them she learned to dance it on one of her sister's tours.
When the song ended people clapped hands and they stood up to bow as tradition of the dance too.
Then Cobalt Blue went back into the stage and began playing a new song.
"Ok, this song is dedicated to the birthday girl!" Matt shouted.
Then he began singing and Isa was held by the guardians to dance all together on a circle.
After that one, Matt dedicated the next to Will and her eyes shining in tears as she was really moved by Matt having composed it for her.
Then she smiled as she was held by Isa and the rest's arms.
Suddenly lights went off and music stopped.
"What's going on?" people began questioning.
"That music was good." A female voice said. "But this is a party."
Music then began sounding and lights began turning on in an order revealing the musicians and playing over the people excited and joy roar to see Karmilla's band on stage. Danny Doll, Karmilla's guitarist, the drummer and the piano guy were already on stage. Both the old guitarist (Danny Doll) and the new one (Brian Thompson) were there.
Then the Karmilla's voice was heard singing despite of not being anywhere to be seen. Till Isa felt a hand over her shoulder and when she turned she saw Karmilla face to face. Suddenly she felt as if her eyes were filled with all the tears of the world while Karmilla, my sister who was supposed to be in the middle of a tour, held my hand to take me to the front with her. Smiling I was made to sit down while Brian helped me to stand up while Karmilla kept on singing.
"Happy birthday, sis!!" Karmilla shouted happy when they ended the song.
Then, I was hugged by them, one by one. Slowly as Karmilla rubbed my eyes to remove the little drops beginning to appear while she laugh.
From then to about 1 or half past one in the morning the party went on. But then Kevin asked the little people remaining there to leave because he had to close the school. So everyone helped to clean a bit and then they all left.
"Ah!!" Irma said. "I think I can now die!"
"You are being a bit too extreme." Isa said smiling as joking. "That was just my sister, what's so special with her?"
"Yeah!" Karmilla said. "What's so special about me?!"
"Perhaps could be you seem to have… four, four men for yourself?" Isa asked joking. "And cause I made some crazy fans ran from you."
"Hey!" Karmilla said now serious. "You are living with two cute guys! You are having two boyfriends!"
That made me and Caleb go pink while the rest laugh.
"They are no my boyfriends." Isa muttered still. "They are really nice guys, we just share flat!"
"I know, I know." She said.
"Hey! Wanna come and check, or what?!" Isa asked back.
"I'd love to, but…" she said pointing to the entrance where their bodyguards were waiting for them on a bus. "Perhaps you could come my hotel so you will have a suit for you and your boyfriend?"
"Why to get a suit when we can have the whole house for us, hum?" I asked catching her joke and giving it back to her.