Today's my big day. I'm officially eighteen. This past month in Nairobi has been eventful. I got into an argument with Michael of course. It was over something very petty. This was about two weeks ago. We were seated for dinner and everybody was talking and laughing amongst themselves. He was talking to my twin cousins Celeste and Cyrene. Both of them had a thing for Adrian and Troy. When they came to visit they always made sure to see them. Of course Adrian always would shut her down.

Celeste asked Michael about Adrian like any other time she would, but I automatically tensed up. She asked how he's been, he kept it short saying he's fine. Then she went on to ask was he still single because last she checked he wasn't settling down for nobody. He mumbled yeah. Which made me mad. So I flipped out on him. I didn't want him mentioning anything about Adrian because I knew I would be pissed. So I reacted. I was wrong. Which resulted in me crying and being angry with myself.

On a more positive note Leah and Michael are engaged. I have to give it to him he went all out. He did a scavenger hunt on a nature trail. He ended the day at Giraffe Manor a dinner for two at the orchid house and popped the question there. Dining up close and personal with the giraffes, Leah's favorite animal.

My aunt convinced me to participate, which wasn't hard because I truly wanted happiness for them they deserved it.

Sitting in the room, still at my Aunt and Uncles estate, I was folding my laundry. I got a knock on my door.

"Come in."

"Happy Birthday." Leah and Michael came in singing. Not sure why he is.

"Thanks." I gave them a weak smile.

"So what's the plan, what do you want to do?" Leah asked.

"I don't know, Aunt Nitah is making all of my favorites." I said glancing at my brother. He stood awkwardly.

"She's making Ugali, Nyama Choma, roasted maize, and having my favorite spot Tamambo Karen Blixen cater. Their food is amazing and they have some of everything." I started smiling just thinking about it.

"Ooo, is the Nyama Choma that meat stuff she made last month and that cornbread?" Leah asked getting excited.

"Yeah and the cornbread was called Ugali, which is a lot more dense than ours back at home."

"Now I'm hyped, and we can go to Westlands and do some shopping. Maybe we can do Hells Gate or go see if we can get a three day tour on safari." She suggested.

"Ooo we can take a little road trip to Tanzania and do Kilimanjaro, KJ would love that, I just know it. Ok I want to do that." I said excited.

"Ok, well meet us down in the lobby and we can make the plans."

"Ok." I smiled as they closed the door. I was too excited. I love being out in nature here.

I put my laundry away then got myself ready for the day. I went down to the lobby and all the light were off. It was daylight out but my aunt always keeps it lit up in the lobby. I went further in to the lobby close to the kitchen are was shocked by what I saw.

"Surprise!" Everyone yelled in unison and scared the crap out of me

"How did you, when did y'all get here?"

I saw the one person I missed the most out of all and I screamed running.

"I missed you so much. You have no idea." I squealed.

"I missed you too Rai Rai." My bestfriend Sienna squealed back hugging me tight.

The crew was here Rita, Amina, Chance and Troy. Now this is what you call a surprise, I wasn't expecting this at all.

"You guys, wow."

"We've been holding this secret for a little while now. I felt like you needed a little bit of Atlanta here." My Aunt Anitah stated.

"Oh and we already have your birthday plans secured." Leah added giggling.

"Y'all are just foul. Thank you all so much." I was beyond elated because I definetly missed my people back at home.

We ate and celebrated the food my aunt had catered then headed out. We had a three day tour planned on a safari. It was amazing, we got to see the lions, elephants, the gazelles and so much more. I love seeing animals in their natural habit.

This was Troys first time here too so he's been screaming and hollering the whole trip. He was all like 'I didn't know we would be this damn close to the animals, take me back. I ain't feeling this shit.' He had all of us rolling. Especially when the elephant spalshed water on him, he thought he gearing up for attack.

Speaking of Troy, him and my cousin Cyrene are getting pretty cozy. They've been flirting with with each other non stop. Her confidence is at a level I'm trying to get to. Her sister Celeste is more of an all about me spoiled brat type who also has through the roof confidence.

I don't think Troy can handle a woman so forward like Cyrene. She's a risk taker, a go getter and she has no filter. If she thinks something no matter how extreme it is she'll say it.

We were now at the cabin, they rented three of them. We were all piled in one singing happy birthday.

"Now make a wish and blow out your candle." Sienna announced. I did more of a prayer than a wish. I prayed for healing and restoration for me and my brothers relationship.

"And it's my favorite red velvet." I said after I blew my candles out.

"Aight Howard move out the way Hurricane Raina's coming for you." Rita shouted.

"More like a light drizzle." Troy added and everybody laughed.

"Whatever I know how to turn up." I flagged him off.

"Yeah ok Raina, you got your organizer organized and your No. 2 pencils sharpened yet? Troy asked throwing shade. I scrunched my face at him.

"Whatever, stop trying to play me." I replied in denial knowing I was just that excited about starting school. I did low-key have everything written and planned out.

"That's a yes." He retorted, I stuck my tongue at him and he laughed.

"Hey Mike we got a deal on the house. We signed and closed on it." Chance said cheesing.

"You got it? That's what's up man, well hey neighbor. Welcome to the neighborhood, congratulations." He dapped Chance up.

I went over and hugged both Chance and Rita and congratulated them. They got the house they had been going back and forth for months for.

We laughed and clowned around until it was late. I even laughed at some of the things Michael said. Everybody went back to their designated cabins.

Now all I have are a few more weeks until I leave for college. I'm so anxious and nervous.

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