I woke up early and saw my mum and dad preparing some food good for 20 persons only. *laughs* It was just then that I realized, our Barangay was celebrating its annual fiesta. We didn’t prepare much for it but my parents just cooked some just in case somebody comes. I reached for my phone and saw the alarm. “Shirly’s 18^th Birthday! Today!” was on the screen. I got excited and nervous at the same time. I hurriedly took a bath and fixed my hair which was supposed be curly but it as always, it didn’t stay long enough. Time passed really fast and the sun’s already down and I’ve got to leave for the debut party. I left and went to Dessa’s house to meet them there. But when I arrived there, there were only three of them who decided to attend the party. We actually wanted to go at the party at around 6:00 pm but we had to wait for the others who had trouble in getting their service vehicle. We had to wait until 7:00 in the evening. Luckily, the others came across an empty side-car tricycle and they had to pay an over-rated fare just to be at the party. Thank God we arrived at the debutante’s residence. At last! We were an hour late and as we arrived at the place, all eyes were on us. *laughs* I mean, everybody was staring as if we were the reason that the party was delayed for an hour. But, it was true though. Hahaha. Everybody was waiting for our arrival. *smiles* We, then, were settled in our seats and the program started.

Shirly entered the stage escorted by her boyfriend, Aaron Jordan, and they looked great together. You see hearts on my eyes now? *laughs* Dinner was next. Eat. Eat. Eat. Then, the 18^th birthday rituals begun. The 18 Candles and 18 Symbolic Gifts.

Say hello to my bare back there. :D

I was the first one to give a symbolic gift `cause the supposed-to-be-first-person didn’t come. It was so nerve racking when I started to explain my gift and all. I can feel my heart beat so fast as if it was going to explode or something. Good thing I didn’t panic. I pulled it through. Next were the 18 Roses of the lovely debutante. Most of the roses that she invited didn’t make it to the party so my high school friends had to replace them. It was so funny. It brought us back to the old days when we used to tease so annoyingly and yelling at someone until he/she burst out laughing in front of everybody else. Yeah. The boys were going wild and we were very supportive that we then joined the commotion. *laughs*

The last rose belonged to her boyfriend. Their looks were so CHEESY. *giggles* And everybody in the event were screaming and howling. Hahahaha.

We had our picture taking right after the program. The old guys of my high school years. The other boys were not there, though. They were busy eating and drinking at the other side of the house. :D

After the 18 candles, 18 symbolic gifts and 18 roses; we just ate and ate and danced and talked and laughed and ate and danced and talked and laughed and drunk and so on. There was no official disco but my friends and I made an alternative one, it went well and fun. *winks* At 2:00 in the morning, all of us were outside the debutante’s house. We were staring at the clear sky and talked about many things. Teased everyone again and laughed and laughed and laughed. We started to feel sleepy and tired when it was about 3:00 am already. We all walked to the highway road and waited for a miracle vehicle to come. Fortunately, a multicar stopped by and rode us home. We then said our goodbyes. Hugs and kisses were everywhere.  I arrived at home at around 3:30 in the morning. I felt so exhausted. But it was fun to see and spend time with them again. We made the night so great and had new fun memories to keep. Until we meet again.

 *end-of-story*