Story of My Life

“Let’s sing now,” my mother decided aloud as she flicked off the light switch. My family surrounded me and my glowing birthday cake.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Amaya. Happy birthday to you,” the family sung in their relatively untalented voices.

“Make a wish, Amaya,” my mother suggested. I stared at the thirteen flickering candles sticking out from the vanilla icing of my ice cream cake. I bit my lip as I though of what I could possibly wish for. I glanced up at the faces of my family. The fiery candles cast a shadow from their unique profiles unto the walls. I was certain that my family was growing impatient, but I wanted this to be the best wish of all. I was turning thirteen, after all.

Finally, I decided to make my wish. I wish I get the best presents for my birthday. The wish was simple, and it wasn’t ridiculous or far-fetched. It was very probable. Therefore, I blew out my candles, all thirteen of them, as my family stared hungrily at my cake. Despite the large pizza pies we had just consumed, my family looked as though they had not seen food in days. My mother quickly sliced into the cake to get it served as fast as possible.

My mother gave the first piece to me. I dashed out of the dining room to claim my seat in the kitchen, where the rest of my family would soon join me. As I ate, wishes popped into my mind. I was regretting my wish. I could’ve wished for anything, and all I wished for was good presents. Why didn’t I wish that I could marry Chase Crawford? Or meet Alex Rodriguez? What about getting into Columbia, my dream school? Why had I wished for good presents?

Before long, the rest of the family joined me at the table — my mother Cameron, my father Nick, my sister Danica, my brother Dustin, my cousins Leslie, Brigitte, and Will, my aunt Sherise, and my uncle James. They devoured their portions ice cream cake before I finished my second bite. I wasn’t in the mood to eat cake — I wanted to open my presents.

“Happy Birthday, Amaya,” Leslie, the oldest child of Sheriseand James, said. She was eighteen years old — a freshman in college. She handed me a brown paper package that was tied up with string and a birthday card.

Before I could open Leslie’s gift, Sherise revealed a big box wrapped in glittery wrapping paper. “It’s from the whole family,” she said, thrusting the box upon me. My mother and father smiled, trying to tell me that their presents would come later after my cousins left.

I opened the box from the whole family, first. I was happy to find several things — clothes from my favorite designer, Arianna Rider, a gift card to the mall, and some makeup from Drew Cambell Cosmetics. Jubilantly, I flashed a smile and thanked everyone.

“Don’t forget my gift!” Leslie reminded. I nodded as I ripped the brown paper up. What is it? It looks like a DVD. Play the Game, maybe? I hope Leslie knows I like softball. Play the Game is my favorite softball movie. Or maybe it’s the new Gregarious Gal: You Think You Like Me. The package was opened quickly, without a second thought, and I was wrong. It was neither Play the Game nor Gregarious Gal; it was a diary of some unknown sort.

“Oh… wow—” I trailed off. I didn’t know what to say. Writing wasn’t my thing. The diary had a shimmery, glitzy cover. It had a lock to protect it. ‘The Diary of Amaya Marlon’ was engraved on the cover.

“Do you like it?” Leslie asked, hopefully. I studied it with one eyebrow cocked. It was fashionable— the type of diary I would want if I even wanted a diary. However, that was the problem — I didn’t.

“Yes, I love it,” I lied. I forced a smile to show that I appreciated it. It was true — I did appreciate her idea. I mean, it is the thought that counts, after all. Writing in and owning a diary just wasn’t my thing.

“Good, I’m glad. You have no idea how important finding you a good gift was to me. When I was thirteen, our cousin, Tara, gave me a diary exactly like it. She got it from her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Then, I joined that sorority when I started college and learned all about these books. In the sorority, you’re supposed to give these diaries as gifts to important people,” Leslie explained.

I tried to picture myself writing in the diary, but just couldn’t imagine it. However, I could easily picture it stashed away in the back of my closet along with the other bad gifts I had received and never got the chance to return.

“Well, thank you so much for it,” I replied, graciously.

“You’re so welcome,” Leslie replied.

Then, the family announced they had to head out to get home. I kissed them on the cheeks and hugged each one of my family members as they left. My mother, father, siblings, and I were the only ones who remained in the house.

I unlocked the diary, just to check it out. There was a personal note from the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sketched on the inside  cover. It read:

 

Dear person reading this message,

You are obviously very special to someone belonging to the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority to have received this diary.  It is a privilege and an honor for you to have gotten this diary. This means you have been selected to be part of our extended sister program. You will receive the contact information of a random sorority sister at the end of this message. You can contact her and she can contact you. When you associate with her, you will be able to become a part of some of our sisterly activities that go on at Kappa Kappa Gamma. We hope you use this diary for good.

Love always,

The Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority

P.S. You’re randomly selected sorority sister is: Cate Collins

Email: Cupcate4love@kappakappagammasorority.com

Cell: 555-285-9427

Her note to you: Hey person reading this. Please contact me! I’d love to hear from you! -Cate

 

It sounded like a great idea— to contact Cate Collins. She didbelong to the same sorority as Lelsie, after all. Immediately, I powered on my laptop and signed on to my aim and e-mail address. I clicked on the ‘write e-mail’ button. Then, I started my letter to Cate.

 

To: Cupcate4love@kappakappagammasorority.com

From: Socialbutterfly@RiverMiddleSchool.edu

Cate,

My name is Amaya Marlon. I’m am Leslie Onnata’scousin, and I have received a diary with your contact information in it. I just wanted to let you know that I am the one who has gotten your information. I was wondering…….what exactly is this extended sister program?

Love,

Amaya<3

 

 

 I sent my message to Cate. Then, I just read a book. It would pass time, and all I really wanted to do was get an e-mail back from Cate. So I read my favorite book, The Noticing, written by Pseudo Nim. After about half an hour of reading, I heard a “ping” from my computer.

Yes! Cate wrote back!

 

 

To: Socialbutterfly@RiverMiddleSchool.edu

From: Cupcate4love@kappakappagammasorority.com

Dear Amaya,

I’m so glad that you got my information in the diary. So, let me tell you about the extended sister program. If you live nearby the sorority (which I think you do if you live near Leslie), I can invite you to some of our events. For example, I am (right now) inviting you to come with me to party on July 8th. You can come and hang out with the sorority sisters before we go to the party. We’ll give you the right clothes and everything. What size are you, by the way? I know the perfect dress that you can wear if your a size 4. I’m a size six, and I bought it, but it’s not going to fit me by the time the party’s here. Anyway, we also have a lot of bake sales, car washes, and more parties (!!!) that we want to invite you to. And by the way, don’t worry about always e-mailing me. Call my cell! I think you have the number, but in case you lost it, it’s 555-285-9427. Okay, well call me anytime! Oh, and of course you can text me.

Love you,

Cate C.

 

 

Amaya minimized her e-mail, then rushed over to her calendar book. She flipped through the pages until she got to the week of July 8th. July 8th was on a Friday, and, according to her calendar, Amaya’s only plans for the day were a dentist appointment at 8:00 A.M. and a luncheon with her friend Chelsia at noon. After that, she would be free. Amaya just hoped that the party was at night. So she decided to call Cate.

As she dug through her purse for her cell phone with one hand, Amaya used the other hand to reopen her e-mail. She pulled out her phone, and found Cate’s number. She punched the digits into her phone.

“Hello?” a girl answered the phone.

“Hi, is this Cate?” Amaya asked.

“Yes, who is this?” Cate asked.

“This is Amaya. You know, the one who was just e-mailing you?” Amaya said.

“Oh, Amaya! Hey, I was hoping you would call,” Cate said.

“Yeah, I was just wondering when that party was on July 8th,” Amaya explained.

“Oh, of course! It starts at 8:00 and it goes until 2:00,” Cate replied.

“A.M. or P.M.?” Amaya asked, praying she would be able to attend.

“8 P.M until 2 A.M.,” Cate answered, giggling.

“Oh, I think I can make it,” Amaya said.

“Great! So would you fit into a size four?” Cate asked.

“Yeah, definitely,” Amaya said.

“Great. And you do live in the area, right?” Cate questioned.

“Actually, I’m a few blocks away,” Amaya explained.

“Super! So, I’ll see you then?” Cate said.

“Definitely. Bye,” Amaya said.

Click. Cate hung up. Amaya did the same, then etched into her calander book “Party with Cate”.