Chapter 1 Birthday morning

AVA

The scent of freshly baked pancakes filled my nostrils, mom was already in the kitchen doing what she does best. I rolled out from bed as I stretched my body. Today seems familiar, the early morning bird chipping, the sound of the buses moving. A small smile crept onto my face.

It was my birthday.

I was finally turning eighteen. Turning eighteen was like a turning point in every teenagers life, it's a stage where you get to be able to do things that you couldn't do. I was finally being an adult.

I went into the bathroom humming to my favourite song. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair seemed like it had just survived a war, I had cut the long hair I had and made it look shorter. That was my first step in becoming a full grown teenager. I knew I was going to get weird stares from people in school today but who cares. But I didn't know they were going to look like this in the morning. I couldn't hold my laugh as I let it out.

"Ava." my mom called from downstairs, her voice laced with that motherly tone, gentle but deadly.

"If you're not down in five, kiss your breakfast goodbye."

I chuckled at what she said. Kissing my breakfast goodbye means only one thing. Caleb's here.

Caleb has been my best friend since when we were toddlers, he spends half of his day at my place, he was practicing, family that people most times mistake us as siblings.

I strode out of the bathroom and walked to my wardrobe as I picked up a maroon shirt and a black pants.

I wasn't the type that would go extra cause it's my birthday. All the birthdays I've celebrated all my life were just boring. It was just I and Caleb and most times mom but it had always been I and Caleb so today wasn't gonna be an exception, right?

On my way out, something caught my eye. It was the stack of letters and boxes on my desk. They were all from relatives. One of the boxes caught my attention, it was wrapped in black and had my name written on it in gold.

That's weird.

I didn't have time to begin to open them, I'll do them when I got back from class. I shrugged and went downstairs.

_______________________

"And here comes the birthday girl." Caleb sarcastically said as soon as I walked into the kitchen.

I threw my back pack at him as I sat on the kitchen counter.

"Shut up."

"What?" he asked innocently and earned an eyeroll from me.

"Hey mom."

"Hi dear, happy birthday." she kissed my forehead.

"Mom, you don't have to treat me like a kid anymore you know."

"I know." she said as she tucked my hair behind my ears.

"What?" I asked searching her eyes. They seem to hold a lot of things.

"Nothing. You know, just remembered that my little angel is already a grown up. It felt like I just closed my eyes for a second and opening it, eighteen years had just gone by." she wiped the tiny drop of tears that welled up in her eyes.

"Mom, don't be emotional, I don't wanna look all mushed up in school." I said trying to clear the atmosphere.

"You do know I'm gonna tease you with this later right?"

"You wouldn't dare." I snapped at Caleb.

I turned to look at mom and I caught her staring at me, again. But this time, it seemed like she was scared and wanted to tell me a whole lot of things.

"Mom, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. You kids should hurry up with breakfast, you don't wanna be late to class on your birthday." She said, as she cleaned the pan.

Before I could ask further, Caleb beat me to it.

"So Ava, you have any plans for today?" he asked in-between bites.

"Mmm... Not really, just go to class, come home, unbox my gifts and spend time with mom."

"Really, that's all you're going to do." He asked as he stared at me like some idiot.

"What? Wait you don't expect me to go to a club do you?"

He sighed as he dropped his fork.

"You are one hell of a boring kid."

"Adult please." I corrected with a grin.

He rolled his eyes and pushed his plates, "I'll be outside." he said and walked out.

"What was that all about?"

"Maybe he wants to suprise you." mom shrugged.

"Caleb, yeah right." I laughed.

"Or maybe to ask you out."

Okay, that was it. I didn't know why I laughed so hard but I just did. Caleb asking me out was like the last thing he would do. I may have had a tiny little crush on him but it was just there, I mean who wouldn't crush on him. He was amongst the best looking boys in school and he's the reason why I'm known at school cause he's popular so who wouldn't fall for him.

But I guess our relationship can't go across being just best friends.

I stood up from the chair, took my back pack and kissed mom.

"See you later."

"Alright dear."

I didn't know what made me to look at my room but I just felt like. A strange sensation rushed through me.

I walked out and met Caleb leaning on his car.

I remembered what mom said and let out a little laugh.

"What's funny?" he asked as he opened the door.

"Nothing. Just felt like laughing out a little bit."

"Weirdo."

While on our way to school, I decided to bring up the black box issue.

"Did you send any present to me."

"No, why?"

"It's just, there's this box but it's wrapped in black and has my name written on it in gold. So I was wondering if it was you."

"Nah, I didn't send any box. Maybe it's just a relative."

"Yeah, but it's giving out this weird vibe or something."

"Or maybe one of your uncles sent 'em."

"Maybe." I shrugged and decided to let it rest. Besides it's my birthday so I have to enjoy it.

A text from my phone brought me out from my dream world.

It was from mom, I opened it and I felt... Stuck.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, Ava. Always remember mom loves you."