Come as you are

‘Come as you are. This party is a celebration of your innermost self. If you are a stylist, come dressed to the ninths. If you are a struggling artist wear your most messed up painter’s frock. If you are a chef at heart, show them your chef’s attire. Whoever you are at heart, that’s who we want to see at this event!’

Amanda Wong had read and reread the mysterious invitation time and again. It did not say who the invitee is or for what the occasion is other than that cryptic statement about being ‘a celebration of your innermost self’ and the date, time and venue of the event.

She would have thought it was some stupid prank her friend Trina was playing, had she not receive an excited phone call from said friend earlier also wondering about the invitation that she too had received.

Amanda decided that she would go to this event and find out what it is all about.

Later at the event

“Friends, the most outstanding appreciation of tonight’s theme, Amanda Wong who came dressed simply in T-shirt and jeans, the epitome of who she really is at the moment, a self-assured teenager whose 16th birthday we are celebrating tonight! Happy Birthday Amanda!” Came the voice on the loudspeaker and everyone at the party cheered for her.

Amanda was stunned. She had totally forgotten that today was her birthday, so fixated was she on the mysterious party and as it turned out it was all for her!