The morning began with a quiet stroll through a high-end decoration store in the heart of the city. It was one of those places where every item seemed designed to impress, from crystal chandeliers that reflected golden glimmers to handmade centerpieces with intricate details. I knew this was my moment to shine. The decoration for Olivia's birthday not only had to be epic; it had to reflect who she was: extravagant, affectionate, and full of energy.
As I walked through the aisles, reviewing lighting options and curtains, my phone buzzed repeatedly. I didn't need to look at it to know who it was. Olivia's messages were predictable, but always filled with her unique theatrical flair:
—Message from Olivia: Have you decided anything yet? I hope it's epic!
—Message from Olivia: Remember, Lindsay, this has to be unforgettable. I should write a book about how to organize perfect events after this.
—Message from Olivia: Details, details… Make sure everything has a personal touch. Something that says: "Here was born Olivia Hart, the undisputed queen of all things fun."
I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. Olivia could be intense, but she also knew how to keep things interesting. I quickly replied:
—Reply to Olivia: Relax, I'm on it. Everything will be epic, just like you.
I tucked my phone back into my bag and continued exploring. I found some ivory silk curtains that might work well for the main dining area, but when I tried to imagine them alongside the details I had in mind, I realized something was missing. I needed something more… Olivia.
I decided to make a quick call to Sack as I walked toward the lighting section. He answered on the first ring.
"How's it going?" he asked calmly.
"Good, but I'm trying to find the perfect balance. I want everything to be elegant but also fun, something that combines glamour, nostalgia, and a bit of humor. You know, like Olivia."
Sack let out a small laugh.
"Of course. If anyone can pull it off, it's you. But maybe you should divide the decoration into themed zones. For example, a main area for dinner, another to display the memory album Ellie prepared, and another for more relaxed activities. That way, you cover all aspects of her personality."
I stopped in front of a display of hanging lamps and nodded, even though he couldn't see me.
"That's a great idea. We could do something like that. But there's a problem: some of the items I wanted are already sold out. I'm thinking of getting creative with alternatives."
"Creative alternatives?" Sack asked, intrigued.
"Yes, something like making crafts with Ellie. Maybe customized decorations with photos and iconic phrases from Olivia. You know, something that says: 'Here's Olivia, being incredibly dramatic but adorable.'"
Sack laughed again.
"It sounds perfect. And you know Olivia will appreciate anything that includes references to her memorable moments. Maybe you could even use one of her classic lines, like 'I should write a book about this' or 'Details, details.'"
"Exactly," I replied, excited. "I think I can work with that. Thanks, Sack. You're a genius."
"I'm just doing what I can," he said modestly. "Let me know if you need help with anything else."
After hanging up, I felt renewed. I had a clear direction, and I knew that with a little creativity, we could make everything work.
Back at the Hart Estate, I found Ellie working on the memory album in the main hall. She was so focused that she didn't even notice me come in.
"Hi, Ellie," I greeted softly, setting my bags on the table.
She looked up, surprised.
"Lindsay! I didn't hear you come in. How was your day?"
I quickly explained what I'd found at the store and what I was planning to do.
"But some of the items I wanted are already sold out," I admitted. "So I thought about making something more personalized. What do you think about crafting some decorations ourselves? We could use photos and iconic phrases from Olivia."
Ellie smiled widely.
"That sounds amazing. I love the idea. We could make little cards with phrases like 'Details, details' or 'I'm the best organizer.' It would be fun."
We spent the next few hours working together. Ellie was surprisingly creative, and soon we had a collection of decorations that perfectly matched Olivia's personality. Though it initially seemed like a lot of work, we ended up having fun while turning our vision into reality.
Later, everyone gathered in the main hall to oversee the initial placement of some elements. As we adjusted the lights and arranged the tables, Olivia suddenly appeared, snooping around some boxes labeled "decorations."
"What do we have here?" she asked, pretending innocence as she lifted a box. "Are these the decorations? Why won't you let me help?"
Ellie and I exchanged nervous glances. We knew we couldn't let her see anything before time.
"Oh, don't worry about that," I said quickly. "They're just some basic materials. Nothing important yet."
Olivia raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious.
"Nothing important? Come on, Lindsay. I know you're planning something big. Let me help you."
In a desperate attempt to distract her, I improvised a hilarious excuse.
"Oh, the fireworks!" I exclaimed, pretending to remember something important. "They're supposed to arrive today. Maybe you should go check to make sure everything's ready."
Olivia's eyes widened with excitement.
"Fireworks? With my face on them, I hope!"
I nodded, holding back laughter.
"Of course, of course. With your face on them. Go make sure everything's perfect."
With a triumphant smile, Olivia ran off toward the yard, leaving us momentarily at peace.
At the end of the day, Sack and I sat on the balcony, enjoying the cool night breeze. I was exhausted but satisfied with what we had accomplished.
"It's incredible how every little detail tells a story," I commented, gazing at the starry sky. "Not just about Olivia, but also about us. Every photo, every phrase, every decoration represents something special we've experienced together."
Sack nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right. This event isn't just to celebrate Olivia; it's to celebrate what we've built as a group. Despite everything, we've formed a bond that's truly special."
I smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude.
"Sometimes I wonder how everything would have been without you all. Without you, without Ellie, without Olivia. I'd probably still be focused solely on studying and working, unaware of how important it is to have true friends."
Sack gently took my hand.
"And I'd probably still be that overly serious guy no one really knew. We've all changed thanks to this friendship."
We stayed silent for a few minutes, simply enjoying the moment. I knew that, despite the stressful moments during the planning, seeing Olivia's reaction when she entered the decorated space would make it all worth it.
"Thank you for being here, Sack," I finally said. "I couldn't have done this without you."
He smiled, squeezing my hand affectionately.
"The same goes for you, Lindsay. The same goes for you."
And so, under a sky full of stars, I felt that everything was exactly where it was meant to be.