This happened a while back, but today is New Year’s Day, the birthday of a year. I’m wishing all of my friends a happy birthday (ahead of time) and a happy new year. Merry 2009, everybody!

Yet another year has gone by, and another year will soon go by, but birthdays are very dear to most people. So, in the spirit of this long-lasting tradition, I’m writing about his birthday party… again.

It seems people really do grow up, as far as parties are concerned. You can find a whole lot more of the cursing, cussing, throwing, and all that good (not really) stuff.

The party started off decently. People played games, ran around, and when bored, went to the Legos over and over again. It was quite amazing how much fun people can find in Legos.

Dinner came, and we ate some pizza. Then my dad dropped by, for some crazy reason, and started chatting with Rocky’s mom. I snorted at Rocky, and said, “JUST checking, you know? Making sure we’re not doing anything bad.”

We all laughed.

Then came the fun part: the “sleeping”.

It’s quite famous by now that the word “sleepover” is a synonym for “overnight stay”. It does not mean that anyone at the party will sleep, attempt to sleep, but everyone will (and I guarantee) be pretending to sleep.

Point taken, let us fast forward to 12:30 AM, the next day.

Mr. Sunshine and Rocky are playing a game underneath the covers, some other friends and I were throwing stuffed animals at each other, and another friend was singing a baby song as loudly as possible.

Suddenly, footsteps in the hall are heard. Rocky drops the game system into the little gap between the wall and the bed. I grab a stuffed animal and chuck it next to the desk. The singing stops.

The door creaks open, and I can see Rocky’s sister’s head peeking in. Her eyes are dipped low, with annoyance.

Somebody snores a bit too loudly. A mass giggle ensues because of the faux-snoring. Rocky’s sister picks up a stuffed animal and chucks it at someone.

“OW!” What was that for?”

“Oh, you’ve woken up?” she says sarcastically, and then closes the door.

—-

Later, I dragged my sleeping bag out of the room because I was so tired and I wanted to sleep. From that position, I looked at the crack under the door.

The lights would turn on and off sporadically. Some screaming would follow. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was a haunted house.

Finally, a loud “OW!” and then the door flew open, and yet another person dragged their sleeping bag out.

I grinned.

I wasn’t alone.