I left Kia at her room to continue with her business and ran to mine to take care of mine. I took a quick shower, put on my pajamas and ran to Kia. She is out of the bathroom and in pajamas as well.

"Did you eat?" I asked Kia. 

She nodded a little, with nothing but just the same blank expression on her face, eyes set on the floor. I dragged her to her bed and climbed along the other side. I took the duvet and covered us both. I hugged her to rest her head on my shoulder. I wondered what is the rejection Ivan was talking about earlier? Like not getting through an interview? or not approving a project she worked hard on?

As far as I remember she's not doing any of it. I ran my fingers through her hair hoping that could help sooth her from whatever she's been suffering. 

" You know that you can talk to me about anything right?" She looked at me and gave me a sad smile. 

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" She shook her head and went back to resting her head on my shoulder, avoiding my gaze.

"Oh girl! I want you to know you always have my support. No matter what is it you are worried about. I know that it is something you deserve, but didn't get it in the end. By the look of it, your family has your back. you have mine too. Okay?"

With that, Kia hugged me tight, and started weeping and whining. I kept rubbing her back and kept cradling ourselves. After sometime, Kia slept. Gosh! what even happened? this girl here cried herself to sleep. But, as much as I remember, she never cried over anything before. She has always been an example to me of how strong a girl could be. What could go so wrong to crumble such a girl to tears?

I took my mobile out and called Andrew only to meet the voice mail. I sighed in desperation. My brothers unavailable since three days now as far as know. I fought the tears, threatening to escape my eyes. My brain kept wandering from here to there and there and eventually, I sailed to dreamless sleep.

******

I woke up to sun seeking through the window blinds, over to my face. Kia is sleeping peacefully beside me. A smile crept up my face and I instantly remembered Andrew. My mobile always had a birthday wish from him by this time. I hopefully took out my mobile only to regret. My heart clenched painfully when I couldn't find one. I released my breath that I was holding apparently,

"Happy Birthday Lily" I muttered to myself sadly.

'Happy birthday Lily. Don't be sad.' I heard a voice. 

I searched the room for the source but found no one in the room. The door is still locked, just the way I left it last night. I narrowed my eyes on the sleeping beauty beside me. This girl is seriously something. Was she not crying like her life's about to end, night yesterday? Just after a night's sleep, she's ready to prank me? well, I'm not falling for it though!

I came out of Kia's room and headed towards mine. As I am through the corridor, I can't help but notice the fragrance of waffles coming from kitchen with a mix of sweat, that I knew for some reason belonged to Ivan. I could faintly hear ruffle duffle of papers from somewhere. I frowned at myself. For some reason, my senses were working more than the necessity.

'it's because of the heightened senses, dear' I heard exactly the same voice that wished me minutes earlier. 

My frown deepened. What exactly is happening? I went to my room, brushed my teeth and took a hot shower to relax my muscles. I dried myself and took my maroon jumpsuit that I've bought for the day.

I gasped in shock over the girl in the mirror. Something is different about me today. Even though I don't believe in magic, it happened! My skin feels smoother and flawless, my eyes hold a unique glow and feel interesting, my hair rested on my waist rather than mid waist. My body, is so curvy. You know the right curves at the right places?

The jump suit didn't fit me earlier, like it did today. It's a fold over style sleeveless jumpsuit. What I wanted was a cute look and ended up getting a sexy one. The v cut neck does nothing to hide my feminine features, Instead I could see how curvy my upper body is. The belt fits my slender waist perfectly. I turn around and roll my eyes. Gosh! why in the world does this dress pop my ass up?

I struggled for a while whether to have this one on or not? you know I've never worn anything so sexy till date and finally let it stay. I pulled my hair into a pony and got out of my room. As I was about to enter kitchen and greet Emily and Kia, who is also in, and I know it, I can sense it, I was distracted by someone whistling behind me. I turn around to find Ivan wearing a boyish smirk, eyes implying mischief.

In a moment, his look was replaced to one of amusement. 

"Lily, it's you?" he stated, raising both eyebrows.

'Looks like we look awesome' I heard the same voice again. 

So, this girl is not gonna stop now!

"Kia can you stop fooling around, please?" I said a little loud. 

"fooling around? what are you even talking abo.." I saw Kia gasp at me.

"How is this even possible?" muttered Kia covering her mouth with both her hands and looking at me as if she has seen something unbelievable. Hell! I couldn't believe myself. Does everyone have such a change on their eighteenth birthday? I remember Kia had that change. Is that why eighteen is the age where one is considered adult?

Kia started shaking her head and I can see the dullness in her eyes, she doesn't look like she is in the mood to fool around.

She grabbed my wrist and and pulled me to the dinning. We took adjacent seats an she started scanning me head to toe and back in amusement.

" Happy birthday Lily, tell me what do you mean by fooling around." she narrowed her eyes on me. I raised my eyebrow to her.

"The prank you were playing since I got up?"

"But, I didnt.... Wait! what was it actually?"

"Talking to me and hiding at the same time?" Her eyes flew wide open and jaw dropped down to the floor as if she had seen a ghost.

"MOM!" she yelled at the top of her voice while Emily was already listening to our conversation standing behind Kia.

"let's have breakfast first. we can talk later!" Emily's face was bearing no expression but, voice was stern to command.