Double Claimed: Marked by Two

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."

AVA

I quietly sat at the back sit in trigonometry class as I carefully listened to the teacher. I was always an A student although I always sit at the back of the class, I didn't have to sit in front and pretend to be engrossed just to make an A. Although, It's really odd to find an A student sitting at the back of the class but I didn't care. I couldn't wait for today's class to end. I really didn't like calculations. I prefer those subjects where I would only explain my self through words and arts not calculations. I couldn't wait to get done with my senior year of highschool and move over to college. I've gone through all the courses to be studied in college but I think I really want to focus on Arts as my major, I really love drawing. It has been a hobby that I got too attached to but recently I haven't drawn anything yet, thinking about it now, I think I'll go back to it. At least to prepare myself for college.

A small smile crept on my face as I giggled.

"Miss Reed, mind sharing with the class your reason for smiling cause I believe there's nothing funny in what I'm teaching or is there?" The trigonometry teacher said jotting me out of my thoughts causing the whole class to erupt with laughter.

"I'm sorry ma'am." I muttered and silently bowing my head in embarrassment.

One thing I really hate is getting embarrassed in public, it always comes with this awkward stares from people and my classmates are really good at giving those annoying stares.

______________________

I didn't wait for the second ringing indicating that it was time for lunch break, I quietly walked out of the class through the back door.

"Hey." Caleb said smacking my head as he stood before me.

"Really?" I shot him a glare.

"This would make a really nice sales, don't you think?" he giggled.

"What?"

He handed his phone over to me, I almost tripped as I saw a video of me smiling in class. I really looked stupid.

"How did you get this?" I whispered.

"It's on the school website and trust me it's really making headlines."

"Fuck." I cursed, biting on my fingers. That's a weird habit of mine to always bite on my fingers whenever I'm scared or nervous. But it surprises me how I still had long nails.

"So... Guess who's in New York?" Caleb asked sitting down on the bench at the cafeteria.

"How would I know who's in New York, people do come to the city." I snarled at him.

"Okay." he shrugged but I saw the smirk on his face.

"Hi Caleb." some group of girls waved at him as they walked by. I couldn't help but glare at them.

"Sluty bitches." I cursed silently.

"I heard it."

"Don't care."

______________________

The rest of the class went by, Caleb drove me to get some few things. He said it was part of my birthday gifts, I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the birthday packages were.

We strolled through the mall as I picked stuffs, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I had earlier felt the stares at school but brushed it off but right now they were beginning to prick at me again.

"Weird." I muttered.

"What?"

"I just kinda have this weird feeling that someone's watching me."

"Ava, I'm gonna be real with you," he placed his hands over my shoulder.

"You've been acting weird lately, first it was the mystery box, then smiling in class and now a weird person is staring at you. Really Ava, you're technically going nuts. Just try and relax, it's your fucking birthday Ava Reed."

"Okay, fine I'll try and calm down." he silently chuckled as we strolled away.

"Mom we're back." I yelled, dropping the stuffs on the couch.

"Hi dear." Mom greeted walking down the stairs.

"Hi Mrs Reed."

"Caleb, staying over for dinner?"

"Oh no, just came to inform you that I'll be taking Ava out tonight. Got a huge surprise for her tonight."

"Oh really, well then, you've got my permission." mom said and he giggled.

I couldn't be more confused than I already was. What other suprise was he talking about.

"But be sure to bring her back home early, I've got something to talk to her." mom chipped.

Okay, something must really be going on.

I waved at Caleb before running upto my room. I needed to rest a bit before Caleb would come to take me away.

As I lay on my bed, my head darted it's way to the pile of letters and boxes on my desk. My curiosity picked the best of me as I walked over to it.

I picked the black box, imagining what could be inside it. A gun, scorpion, what if, a witches portion. I gasped and chuckled at my weird imagination.

Slowly, my hands unwrapped the box, I could hear the throbbing sound of my heart, as it rose and fell back in rhythm.

A cupcake.

I furrowed my brow, I got a cupcake as a birthday gift. I wasn't surprised that I got a cupcake as a gift but I felt why would a person wrap it in a black box.

I noticed that it had also come with a letter, my hands didn't tremble, neither did my heart beat so fast anymore.

"Happy birthday Ava Reed. It is finally nice to see you fully grown, I suppose this is now a sign that we would meet very soon. Be prepared, when the moon shines brightly in the sky, the clock ticks. The sound of the Alpha will be heard.

I await your return Ava."

I read out, now my heart was beating so fast, I held the letter in my hand, unsure of what it meant.

I searched the box, looking for who had sent the package, but there was no name, no address, nothing.

I stood transfixed on the floor, unable to move. I pondered on the letter as I stared at it. Again, I noticed the last line of the letter.

"Eat the cake, this could be your last."

AVA

Caleb honked loudly, enough to startle the entire neighborhood.

"Ava, your ride's here." mom screamed from downstairs.

"Coming." I called out, tying my shoe laces properly.

I was dressed in a black white crop top over a red flannel shirt and a denim baggy pants. I stared at my reflection on the mirror and smiled.

"Good." I commented and rushed downstairs.

Mom was already decorating the sitting room.

"Be home before eight, your cousins are coming over for your party." she warned.

"sure thing mom. What's a birthday party without the birthday girl." I grinned. "I'll be home early. I promise."

I darted out of the house and met Caleb leaning over his car.

"And here I thought, you were getting dressed in a dinner gown."

"Shut up." I glared and entered into the car.

I had other stuffs to think about and not Caleb's teasing.

"Where are we going?"

"It won't be a suprise if I told you, will it?" he winked at me.

I groaned as I eagerly anticipated for my suprise.

"You'll love it. I promise." he grined

I hummed at his response as I stared out the window.

The thought about the strange birthday present and letter ravaged through my mind. The last line of the letter crept up to my head.

"Eat your cake, this could be your last."

What message was the sender trying to rely, how will my birthday cake be the last cake I would eat.

"Are you okay?" Caleb glanced over me.

"You seem off, you're more quiet than usual." he asked with concern written over his face.

"I'm good."

"If I hadn't known whom Ava Reed was, I would have accepted your excuse but I'm not believing you Ava. I'm your best friend, you can tell me. Is there a problem?"

"Thanks for looking out Caleb but I'm fine." I replied, unsure on whether or not I should tell Caleb about the strange letter.

"So, are you still going to play dumb on not knowing who's in New York today?"

"Seriously Caleb, I thought we've been over this stuff." I said getting pissed off with his consistent teasing.

"How would I know."

"Alright, seems you've been out of internet life for a while." He said moving into a parking lot.

"Caleb." I suspiciously called out as we stepped out of the car.

"Yes?" He hummed a response with a huge smile plastered on his face.

"Where is this?" I asked staring at the long line of people.

"Happy birthday,Ava." He said bringing out two tickets to a fan signing event of Xavier Blackwood.

"You've got to be joking Caleb." I muttered on the verge of tears as I held the tickets.

"Does this looks like a joke?" He said pointing towards a black Lamborghini that drove into the building.

My breath hitched as I held tightly into Caleb.

Xavier Blackwood.

His walking was so elegant like he had the entire world beneath those black leather boots. His dressing was so perfect, a pure dark loose cardigan and a denim baggy pants. It was similar to mine and I couldn't help but giggle. His dark shades blocked his eye but even with the shades, he looked glorious. He walked past through the screaming fans with a cute smile plastered on his face, he had a dominating aura as he walked through the rowdy crowd

"Down to earth, Ava." Caleb snapped his fingers at my face.

"Caleb, I love you so much." I screamed, throwing my arms around him and jumping on him.

"People are staring Ava." He whispered into my ears but I didn't care less. I must have been a good person in my past life for me to be gifted with a best friend like Caleb.

"It's your birthday Ava." he whispered softly, holding my hands.

"I had to do something special for you." He said wiping the tears that were about to fall off my eyes.

"Thank you." I sniffed silently and admired my very own best friend. I smiled like a proud mom.

I stood in line as I eagerly waited for my turn. While I waited for my turn, I imagined how it would feel like talking to Xavier. Xavier Blackwood was a well known big time Actor and billionaire CEO. He was the clear definition of being rich. He was wealth itself.

I've always had a huge crush on him but it was just a mere fan crush, but I just didn't care, I was about to meet the Almighty Xavier.

"Ava, we're next." Caleb whispered.

I straightened up myself awaiting for my turn, then it struck me.

I had nothing for him to sign on.

My face dropped as I suddenly turned towards Caleb. He smiled at me like as though he understood me.

He excused himself and walked out, a while later, he came back with a portrait, my portrait. It was one of the drawings made by me some months ago.

"I figured you'd need something like this." I smiled at him and murmured a thanks.

Finally, it got to my turn, I smiled widely as I walked towards him.

"Hi." I greeted.

He smiled back as he stared at me.

"What's the name?" He asked.

"Ava, Ava Reed." He nodded and stretched his hand.

I gave my artwork to him and he let out a gasp.

"You drew this?"

"Yes." I nodded shyly.

He stared at the painting with so much curiosity, he stirred from his chair as he held the painting like as though it had awakend something in him. He stared at it with so much intensity.

"What's behind the inspiration?"

"Nothing in particular, I just sat down and... drew." I explained.

I collectively remembered the day I drew the portrait. I had just finished having little fall out with mom, I walked towards my pencil, as I held the pencil, so many emotions began to flow through. Carefully, I began to draw. The drawing took five hours to complete, I had lost track of time. When I was done, I was surprised to see what I had done. It was a well sculptured drawing of a bleeding girl, standing next to a huge creature, more like a huge dog with blazing eyes that could kill its prey. They were both surrounded by the forest, brown tree branches and green leaves. I couldn't explain how I had ended up drawing such.

He hummed in response and signed on the portrait.

"And here we go." He said handing it back to me and just as I was about to collect it, my hands brushed his and I suddenly felt a jolt of electricity.

I couldn't fathom what it meant but I looked up at his face and caught a glimpse of shock but he immediately covered it up with a smile. I shrugged over it and walked out.

Caleb walked out some minutes later, he couldn't stop teasing me. I let him have his fun just for tonight.

I felt really fulfilled tonight, meeting Xavier was already an accomplishments.

________________

A figure stood just like every other fan, it stared at the retreating figure of Ava as she hoped into the car. A small smile crept unto it's face.

"Alas, she is real."