[a/n: i added a video of what Filipino Debuts look like. the video depicts a REALLY extravagant one because it's of a Filipino actress from the Philippines. but i mention an 18-flower dance in this chapter & if you want to see what i'm talking about, start the video at 2:28.]
ARI.
I wanted to stay in bed and eat Hot Cheetos all day. But of course, my Saturday plans were immediately thwarted the moment my mother bursted into my room to wake me up. You'd think the wheelchair she was temporarily confined in would slow her down, but it seemed like it only sped her up. Her signature scent of citrus and peonies wafted into my nostrils, and behind that welcoming smell was another of buttery, syrupy french toast.
"Anak, wake up," there was a tender rub against my back and I responded in a groan.
(translation: child)
"Two more hours mom," I negotiated, my voice muffled against my soft pillow. Though I couldn't see my mother's face, I knew that she was rolling her eyes.
"Ari, tama na. Wake up, now. You've got a long day ahead of you," mom explained. "Your Ate is cooking your favorite breakfast, there's Starbucks, and even a bag of Hot Cheetos for the ride over to the Ritz."
(translation: stop now; older sister)
I let out a huge disappointed sigh, rolling around in my covers to face my mother. She sat in that wheelchair with a big smile on her face and the excitement of my party was radiating through her skin - she had a glow about her that she couldn't eschew and it was a beautiful thing to see. I let out a small grin before lifting myself out of the comfort of my warm blanket.
"Only cause there's Hot Cheetos," I groggily noted, slipping out of bed and scratching my right butt cheek.
Mom chuckled at both my words and my actions as I yawned and trekked out of my room. With my mother right behind me, she took no hesitation in playfully smacking my ass. I teetered slightly, holding onto my rump, as I glanced back at my mom with my jaw dropped to my chest.
"Mommy!" I shrieked.
"Happy Birthday, Ari," mom chuckled, before shrugging innocently, prompting me to shake my head in disapproval. Mom's sense of humor was never really lost, and when she started to regain her health back, the corny jokes and ass-smacking came back too.
Downstairs on the kitchen table, were a big plate of french toast stacked high. With maple syrup oozing from each slice, my mouth salivated at the enchanting sight before me. Mia caught my ogling and chuckled, setting down another plate of mouthwatering goodies- eggs, hash browns, bacon, and Filipino breakfast staples of rice, red hotdogs, and Spam.
"Happy 18th Birthday!" Mia greeted happily. She stood at the stove, a spatula in one hand and a cup of coffee in another.
"Thanks Ate. When did you get here?" I asked Mia, taking a seat at the table. "It's barely 9:30 in the morning. Didn't you have a night class?"
(translation: older sister)
"I got home around midnight," Mia told me, "After class, I swung by the apartment to grab my dress before coming here," she pointed to the empty plate in front of me, "eat up baby sister. Seriously. You're gonna need the energy today."
"Ugh, don't remind me," I grumbled, grabbing food and piling it onto my plate. "This whole thing is stressing me out."
"Trust me, I know. I can see worry wrinkles already developing on your forehead," Mia poked my face before I slapped her hand away. "But you'll have fun tonight, I know you will. Your closest friends and our entire family will be there. Even if you accidentally goof up on one of your dance routines, it won't matter because it'll just be another memory to laugh about later."
I didn't vocally respond. Instead, I just gave her a smile and nodded in agreement. My sister was in fact right. My Debut would be a special night, one to remember for the rest of my life. Several months of planning went into this one night - it would be the most extravagant soiree I'd ever plan. My future wedding wouldn't even be this crazy. But like most parents, they tend to have dreams for their kids. And mine, they just wanted to throw a special party.
Between stuffing myself with food, showering, gathering the shitload of my Debut belongings, checking out the ballroom, catching two episodes of Pretty Little Liars, and stuffing myself with food again, did I finally find myself sitting in a large hotel suite at the top of the Ritz Carlton getting my hair done. My lotion-lathered skin was smooth against the pink, silk robe as I sipped on an iced coffee and watched a movie on the large television screen hanging from the wall.
To keep my anxiety at bay, I tried not to think about the party. I even tried to zone out the joyful commotion coming from the main living area on the other side of the walls where my cousins were getting ready. With my eyes glued to the screen, and my concentration on the movie, I didn't notice the knock on the door, nor did I notice when a few new presences entered the room. It wasn't until the smell of fresh cologne wafting into my nostrils and the feeling of light kisses on my cheek and temple did I finally address it.
"Oh you guys," I gushed joyfully, grinning from ear to ear as my eyes fell upon Calum, Ashton and Michael. "What are you doing here so early? The party doesn't start for another four hours."
"As your best friends, we sensed your stress and decided to come to your rescue," Ashton's voice was deep as he threw both hands to his hips in attempt to be superhero-like.
"That, and your sister may have called and asked us to come settle your nerves," Calum explained, draping an arm around my shoulders. This was the cue that prompted the hair stylist to walk out of the room in order to give us privacy.
"Talk to us," Michael initiated, "why are you so anxious? Aren't you excited?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. "I mean, I am a little excited but it just doesn't feel right."
"Do you feel like you don't deserve it? Because if anyone deserves this party, it's you," Ashton declared, "hell, Michael deserves a party after getting his brains shot up."
"Gruesome much?" Michael chuckled.
"The point," Ashton continued, "is that today is special. And we understand that it feels weird to party when you're missing two very important people in your life but Ari, your dad is watching you right now and I know he'd want you to be happy. As far as Luke, he might be in the middle of nowhere, but he's there to get better. He's here in spirit."
"Smile for us Ari," Calum poked my cheek, causing me to let out a small grin. "Also, you can start insulting us again, maybe beat someone up because badass Ari has been a deficient in my life."
"Seriously," Michael agreed. "All those years you've pretended to be tough because you didn't like people portraying you as weak, weren't pretend. That is you. You are one tough motherfücker Ari and I know your boss-ass bitch-ness is still inside of you."
"You guys are too much sometimes," I laughed, pulling my boys in for a hug, "but I love you endlessly. I promise I'll do some parkour, swallow fire, take a shot of gasoline and beat a hoe soon."
"That's our girl," Ashton beamed, punching me in the arm playfully. I responded by punching him back, to which I didn't realize was much harder than I had anticipated because Ashton winced from the sting.
"Sorry dude," I shrugged, grinning up at him innocently.
"Do you think you'll be okay for the rest of the day? You still have about..." Calum's words faded as he took a quick glance at his watch, "twelve more hours till this whole Debut-thing is over. Can you handle that?"
