Birthday Shenanigans: Split Decision Part 3

“So where exactly are you going again?” Eric asks me as he walks beside me in the parking garage to my car. 

I’m heading out on another super important mission today for Lily’s birthday. I know I pissed her off earlier and I need to leave her alone now. I still want to get her something small for her birthday though. Which is a problem within itself. How will I find the perfect SMALL present? I only do big! I have my work cut out for me, that’s for sure. 

“I’m only going to the north central mall” I tell him as I make it to my car. 

“Only? As if that’s a tiny store or something. You’ll probably be gone for hours” Eric says with a laugh. I roll my eyes. 

“Hey, I could very well be there for only an hour or two. If I find Lily’s gift fast, then I’ll be done quick. But if I don’t, well… you know” I say with a grin and a shrug. If I don’t find anything, I’ll spend the night in the mall if I have to. Although I’m not sure that would fly with Eric. He’d probably bring in the entire search team to find me. Yeah, that would not be a pleasant scenario for my butt. 

“I do know. Hopefully, you’ll find Lily something in a reasonable amount of time. At least so you’ll stop stressing and get off Lily's back about it” he says, kissing the top of my head and opening my door for me. I definitely agree with that. I always stress over presents for people I care about. Don’t even get me started on shopping for Eric. It’s not pretty. I give him a quick kiss on the lips before getting into my car. 

“Be safe and behave please” Eric reminds me like he always does. When am I ever not? Never mind, don’t answer that. 

“I will. I don’t get into trouble on purpose” I remind him. Does he think I choose to find myself ways to get my butt spanked? I mean, come on Eric 

“I know. Trouble just seems to find you where you go. Right, baby?” Eric asks. Exactly! I guess trouble is attracted to my amazing sense of fashion. But who isn’t?

“Right” I answer with my usual grin. Eric kisses my lips before saying

“I love you. Try not to be out all day, okay?”

“No promises” I told him. 

I’m on a shopping mission after all. I can’t return home until it’s completed. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Once I make it to the mall, I head to Eternity II. It’s a store that has a huge assortment of clothes, purses, and jewelry. I could get lost in this store for hours. That’s probably why it’s Eric’s least favorite store to visit for obvious reasons. A boyfriend’s worst nightmare. Okay, so I want to get Lily something really special for her twenty first birthday but what should I get? Damn am I tired of asking myself that. Anyways, wish me luck! 

I start to browse the many, many racks filled with clothes. Should I get Lily a new outfit with shoes? Or maybe some new jewelry? Or maybe I should go outside of the usual and get her journal since she enjoys writing and photography ? Ugh! What to choose? Maybe I should keep looking through different stores before I purchase anything? I hate when I got to another store and find something better. Then I have to return what I first bought which is a huge hassle. No thanks. So I exit the store and head to another one that I know Lily loves to shop at. 

It only takes me four hours, six stores, and agonizing over what to get my BFF to finally pick out the perfect small gift. Honestly, four hours wasn’t too bad. Eric said it would be six. In his face. Ha! I decided to get Lily a really pretty necklace with an opal stone. I’m pretty sure she has an opal stones ring that belonged to her grandma that she loves. Hopefully this will remind her of her grandma. I also got her a mini journal with a really pretty pen. I couldn’t resist getting one thing so I got three small things. Since the items are so small, I stuff them carefully into my purse. That’s why I LOVE oversized bags. I can stuff everything in here. My cell phone, wallet, makeup, hair brush, more makeup, snacks, and my umbrella. Not to mention how many receipts I have in here. So Lily’s gifts have plenty of room in here. I start to make my way outside the mall doors. I probably should let Eric know that I’m heading back now. 

“Hey Eric” I greeted over the phone. 

“Hey baby. Sill out shopping?” Eric asks me as I hear the sounds of cheering in the background. He must be playing video games. It’s that 3K game or something like that. Boys and their games. 

“No! I’m finished.” I say with triumph. 

“Finally! I was just about to call you to see where the hell you were at” he says. So dramatic!

“I’ve only been gone for like four hours. That’s short for me. I could shop for like two or three more hours if you want me to? Or will you miss me too much?” I ask with a giggle. 

“Hmm… two to three more hours of peace and quiet? Sounds good to me” Eric answers. I can just see his grin right now. Okay so I can be a bit of a chatty Kathy at times. Or the majority of the time. 

“Don’t front. You totally miss me” I tell him as I walk in the parking lot towards my car. 

“You’re right. I do miss you angel. So hurry back” he says with a laugh. I’m going as fast as my feet can take me. 

“I am! I’m almost to my car now” I say as I see my black vehicle in my sight. 

However, I never quite make it to my car because I am suddenly ambushed by a guy running up to me and tries to snatch my purse off of my shoulder. 

“What the heck!” I exclaimed as this imposter tugs on my bag. Well, try to anyway. I quickly grab a hold of it and pull it away from him. We then start a wild game of tug a war. 

“Cori, what’s happening?” Eric asks worriedly. I’m trying to save my purse. 

“Some idiot is trying to steal my bad. Let go, you jerk!” I shout and try to kick him away. 

“No Cori. You let go! Just let him go” Eric practically shouts to me over the phone. I barely heard him as I’m fighting with this thief. And let my gift for Lil to be lost forever? Not if I could help it. The older man manages to free the purse from my arm and tries to get away. He wasn’t very successful because I jumped onto his back to slow him down. My life could be a movie, I swear. 

“Give me back my purse, you asshole” I yell. I start punching down on his shoulder. I’m not exactly sure where he is headed, but I guess I’ll be going with him. 

“Get off me bitch” the guy yells at me and tries to shrug me off of him. Oh no he didn’t!

“No! Give me back my purse first” I say still on his back. The thief manages to shrug me off his back which I stumble hard onto the ground. 

“Hey! Come back” I yell, helplessly on the ground. Lily’s presents, plus my purse, is getting away! Ugh! My ugh is short lived though because I see another guy the purse snatcher to the ground. My hero! I try to stand up but I quickly fall back down when I realize my foot hurts to walk. The good news is that the perp didn’t get away. The bad news is I think I might’ve broken something. At least Lily’s presents are safe and sound. Suddenly my butt doesn’t seem to have the same feeling; especially when Eric hears about this. 

Birthday Shenanigans: Split Decision Part 2

Lily’s POV:

“Are you sure that there isn’t anything that you want for your birthday? Nothing at all?” Cori asks for what seems like the hundredth time. 

“Nothing! I want absolutely nothing. I keep telling you that” I say looking up from my laptop, slightly aggravated. Cori never gives up when she sets her mind on something. This time it’s my birthday. Oh joy. 

“Come on. I want to get you something. It's your twenty first birthday. I can’t just get you nothing!” She says exasperated as she puts in her cherry colored lipstick. 

“It’s easy. Don’t go to a store but if you do, buy me nothing! Buy something for anybody but me” I tell her as I stand up from my bed and grab my backpack. I know that I seem bitchy right now but I am just over any birthday talk. For the last week, Cori has been bugging me endlessly about what I want for a present. Don’t get me started on how she wants a party to celebrate. Ugh. You know I love her but she sometimes does NOT catch a hint. 

“Come on! Please. Just something. I want to give you a gift. You know I always do. Plus it’s a big milestone” Cori tells, looking at me from her desk. I stuff my laptop and my wallet into my bag and zip it up with a huff. 

“Well why don’t you take my word for once and listen when I say I don’t want anything or to celebrate for my birthday” I say a bit peeves as I open the door and slam it shut. Not my finest moment but my birthday is a real sore spot for me. I make my way out of our dorm and head across campus. I walk to a garden area that has multiple benches and sit down on one. The area is pretty deserted but that shouldn’t be surprising since it’s Friday afternoon. The campus usually clears out by now for the weekend. I take a few deep breaths to calm down. I really dislike this time of year because of my stupid birthday. I know that it should be a happy thing for most people but it’s the opposite for me. I pull out my cell phone and message the one person to truly calm me down. 

Where are you right now? - Me

At the Rec. Center. Why? - Felipe

I really need to see you - Me

I’ll leave right now. Where are you - Felipe

Near the south gardens - Me

Ok Sweet pea. I’ll be there in 5 minutes - Felipe 

I put my phone down and look up at the trees that are waving from the slight breeze in the air. The fall

Weather is coming in full force and it’s a constant reminder of my approaching birthdate.

 I’m sure you're wondering what my problem is about my birthday? Well, it’s a bit complicated. Okay scratch that. It’s way more than a bit. It ought seem simple and stupid but it isn’t that way to me. And that is all thanks to a sad memory. One I hate to remember each year. 

“Hey sweet pea. Are you okay? What happened?” Felipe asks me as he hurries over to where I’m sitting. I quickly wrap my arms around him and take in his familiar scent. 

“I’m just so tired of my birthday talk” I mumble into his chest. 

“Come here. Tell me what happened?” He asks, sitting down on the bench I was previously sitting on. Felipe sits me down on his lap and wraps me into a tight embrace. 

“Cori was just being so annoying about my birthday. She just won’t stop pressing about it even when I tell her I don’t want to do anything. Plus she knows why I don’t want to celebrate it” I say while Felipe rubs my back. 

“I know baby. But you know how Cori is. She means well though” he reminds me. True but I really dislike being on the other end of her meaning well, sometimes. 

“I know but my birthday hasn’t been a happy event for me ever since my grandma died. It’s just hard,

Felipe” I tell him sadly with tears in my eyes. During my

Junior year of high school, my grandmother died unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm the day before my

Birthday. She was my favorite person and the only one who felt like family. She would always take me someone special for my birthday and we would celebrate for the whole day; just the two of us every year. 

“I know, love. I know and I’m sorry. I know how much you miss her” Felipe says, kissing the top of my head and tightens his hold of me. Tears are falling freely down my face now. I just wish this time of year would pass quicker. 

Birthday Shenanigans: Split Decision Part 1

“Oof”

 I am practically shoved into someone else in line and almost dropped my plate of food. 

“Sorry” said by some little dweeb as he runs off with his friends to check out the other areas of the cafeteria. 

Ugh! I HATE when high schools come for a school visit to check out the campus. All they do is take over the dining halls at lunch time. Causing the people who actually belong here to have to wait in long lines and be pushed around. I glare at the kid as I make my way to the table that Eric is currently sitting at. What the…? 

“How did you get your good so fast?” I ask, sitting down with a huff. Every line is miles long. Okay, not really but you get the idea. 

“I don’t know. I guess not too many people wanted omelettes today” Eric says with a shrug. I look over to the omelette station and see a line there too. Sure Eric. 

“Oh, I see. I bet you got special basketball treatment, huh?” I asked him with a playful look. You know, since he is a basketball star and all. 

“Nah, it’s not like that” Eric denies, grinning.

“Okay” I say in sing song tone of voice. He can deny it all he wants but my eyes don’t lie. Although my eyes do tend to exaggerate. Or is that my brain?

“Anyways baby, how’d your test go?” Eric asks me. I had a test in biology which wasn’t so bad. Surprising, isn’t it? Especially for me!

“It went fine, I guess. I don’t think I failed or anything. Think I got a solid B on it” I tell him with a bit of a yawn. The main reason why I did okay was because I pulled an all-nighter last night. Wouldn’t suggest it but sometimes it’s called for; especially if you procrastinate. 

“See! If you actually study it’s not so hard. Although I’m not sure why you always wait until the night before to start studying” he says. 

“It’s the curse of procrastination” I say while taking a bite out of my sandwich. If the line wasn’t so long, I so would have liked a corn dog instead. Stupid visitors. 

Funny how it happens only to detain people. 

“Oh yeah, I forgot about how that makes you wait until the last minute to open your book” Eric says, rolling his eyes. He mocks but it’s true. I’m living proof of it. 

“It’s true, Eric. I’m a living example! It always happens to me” I say, defending my theory. 

“Whatever you say, babe” he says, smiling with a shake of his head. 

“All I know is that I’m happy to give my brain a much deserved break. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!” I say happily while grabbing another fry. Literally, Thursdays feel like Christmas Eve every week; especially since I get Fridays off this semester. Hooray for me. 

“No kidding. This week was draining. Between basketball games and classes, I’m exhausted” Eric says tiredly. Man, I don’t know how Eric does it. His schedule is so much more hectic than mine and I feel just as tired as he is. Or is that due to my all-nighters?

“Let’s just stay in bed this weekend. I’ll give you a back massage” I offer as I kiss his cheek. I give the best massages. Eric always falls asleep during them

 So I take it as a job well done. Or is it because they are boring? Nah, I’m just that good! 

“I’ll take you up on that” Eric says with a grin. I look around the crowded cafeteria when I notice a girl wearing a pink bedazzled birthday tiara. It totally doesn’t go with her outfit. Like at all! Wait a minute…

“Crap! I totally forgot about Lily’s present. Scratch the massage. My weekend is filled” I tell Eric. Yeah, the cuddling session has been postponed as much as I hate to say that. You know how much I love cuddling time. 

“Filled doing what exactly?” Eric asks me. 

“Finding the perfect birthday present for Lily. I still haven’t decided on what to get her and birthday is in two weeks” I say holding up two fingers to emphasize my point. It’s Lily’s twenty first birthday, so it’s a big milestone. Not just any regular birthday celebration this year. 

“The shopping queen is having trouble for once? I’m shocked” he says sarcastically. Har har har. How funny. 

“You're hilarious. Seriously Eric, I want to get her someone special; not just anything” I tell him. Buying a birthday for Lily has always been a difficult task. Let’s just say celebrating her birthday is not a positive experience for her. 

“I’m sure you’ll find something, angel. But is it really going to take you the whole weekend to do?” Eric asks me. I give him a pointed stare. 

“Eric, look who you're talking to. You know scavenge every store three times around if I have to” I remind him and I’m not joking either. 

“How could I forget?” He says with a laugh. 

“But I really gotta find something quick and then I got to get out of Lily what she wants to do to celebrate. She isn’t going to weasel out of some kind of celebration for her twenty first” I say, remembering how she always tries to come up with some kind of excuse around this time every year. I’ll even do something between the two of us. And you know I never go small; always BIG! 

“Alright but just because your old enough to buy alcohol doesn’t mean you can go crazy” Eric tells me while giving me a stern look. Got his message loud and clear. 

“I know. And even if I were to buy any alcohol, Felipe would have a heart attack” I say with a grin. Felipe would really think I was a bad influence on Lily for sure. 

“Within good reason. You and Lily get yourselves into a lot of situations” Eric says rolling his eyes. We get ourselves into these “situations” by accident. It’s not like we purposely get our butts in trouble. 

“I guess but that’s NOT going to happen this time. Lily won’t want to do anything crazy for her birthday, anyways. But that’s besides the point. Finding a present is my current priority and since I believe in no take backs, I’ll still make room for your back massage” I tell him. 

“How did I get such an awesome girlfriend to fit me into her shopping schedule?” Eric asks me in fake wonderment. I stick my tongue out at him. 

“You’re being mean” I say with a pout. And to think I was being nice. Hmph. 

“I’m kidding! Listen, how about this. If I take you shopping and out to dinner, will you give me a massage?” Eric asks with a charming grin. How can I resist his cute face? Plus how can I turn down such a deal?

“Deal. Take me shopping and I’ll rub your back… among other things” I agree with a grin of my own. Wink wink. Nudge nudge. 

“Right. Among other things” he says, giving me a kiss on the cheek. So now I just have to figure out what to get Lily. Maybe I can get something out of her later. I’ll take anything at this point. I need just a hint and I’ll be golden. If only she was easy about her birthday. Sigh.  

A New Series - Birthday Shenanigans

So I’ll be posting a new series about Lily’s birthday. It will have smaller stories within a big story, if that makes sense. It’ll have different POV’s and it will be easier to keep track of the story line; at least for me. It will take place when they are all in college. The first story of the series will be out tonight and tomorrow. 

Ideas!

Hey,

So I think it’s time I put up a new ideas thread. If you ever have any ideas or themes that your would like to see my write about, let me know in the comments. Others ideas help get my creative juices flowing better. So anything definitely helps! The more, the better! 

I’m Alive!

Hey y’all, 

It’s been a long, long time since I have posted anything. Sorry for the long period of not posting anything. I’m still alive but have been through some things. That’s the main reason I haven’t been writing or posting. But I’m back and hoping to get into the swing of things again with my stories. I’ll be posting a Cori and Eric story by the end of the week!