Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

I was brushing my hair in my room preparing for school, when I first heard these voices. They were faint at first, like whispers floating through the air. I paused, listening closely, but they faded away, leaving me to wonder if I only imagined them.

It was my birthday, and I had planned to keep things low-key. After everything that had happened with Logan. I didn't want any extra attention. Just a simple day at school with my friends would be perfect.

The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I was greeted by the smell of pancakes. My mom was busy flipping them on the stove, a bright smile on her face. "Good morning, birthday girl!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Thanks, Mom!" I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm. She had always made my birthdays special, and I appreciated her efforts.

"Sit down! I made your favorite," she said, gesturing to the table. I couldn't help but smile as I took my seat. The warmth of the moment helped to ease my earlier nerves.

After breakfast, I grabbed my things and headed out the door, ready to face the day.

As I walked to school, I tried to shake off the lingering unease from the voices l'd heard earlier. Maybe it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.

When I arrived at school, Mal and Tanya came screaming in my ear almost blocking my ear drum. “Happy birthday!!!!!!” they shouted in unison, jumping up and down in excitement.

“Thanks, guys!” I laughed, trying to keep my balance as they hugged me tightly. Their energy was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile.

“You have to tell us your plans for today!” Tanya demanded, her eyes widened in anticipation. “Are you having a party? Cake? Present?”

I shrugged, feeling a little shy. “ I am keeping it low-key this year.”

Mal pouted. “That’s no fun! You have to celebrate! We’ll make it special, I promise.”

My friends were always there for me whenever I needed them, always there to lift my spirit up, especially on days like today. The morning classes flew by, filled with laughter and silly birthday jokes.

"Happy birthday, Audrey," Warwick said as he approached, a friendly smile on his face.

I was taken aback. "How did you know it was my birthday?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"I overheard Mal and Tanya talking about it in class yesterday," he replied, casually leaning against the wall beside me. "I figured I'd wish you a good one. Got any big plans?"

I felt a mix of surprise and unease at his sudden interest. "Nothing major, just keeping it low-key this year," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Low-key? Boring!" he laughed. "You should let us take you out after school. A birthday celebration is a must!"

I shook my head, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “I really want to keep it low-key, no party or anything,” I said trying to sound casual.

Warwick frowned, but Mal chimed in, “Come on, Audrey! You can't just let your birthday go by without celebrating! It's a big deal.”

“Yeah,” Tanya added, her eyes bright with excitement. “Just a small outing, maybe? We could go for ice cream or something fun!”

I liked the idea of hanging out, but I also wanted to avoid secrets from getting out. “I appreciate it, really. But I just want a quiet day,” I insisted.

Warwick shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Alright, but you are missing out! Birthdays should be celebrated!”

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. I took a deep breath, grateful for the distraction.

The morning passed with classes and laughter and after school, we headed outside to hang out for a while before departing.

I got home, everywhere was dark. I started to wonder what was happening. But before I could turn on the light, I jumped, my heart racing as the lights suddenly flickered on. “Happy birthday!!!!!!”. The room was filled with decorations-streamers, balloons, and a large “happy birthday” banner hanging above the dining table. My mom, Logan, and my cousins stood there grinning at me.

“Surprise!” they all shouted in unison.

I stood Frozen for a moment, trying to process the scene before me. My mom rushed over, wrapping me in a tight hug. “We wanted to do something special for you! She said, her eyes shinning in excitement.

I hugged my mom back, feeling a bit surprised but happy. "Mom, you didn't have to do all this," I said quietly.

"Nonsense," she replied, smiling. "You've been through a lot this year. You deserve a special birthday."

I smiled, even though I felt a little uneasy.

“Happy birthday, Audrey,” Sarah one of my cousin greeted, handing me over a present

"Thanks, Sarah," I said, taking the gift from her. I carefully unwrapped it and found a pretty journal with flowers on the cover. "I love it!"

"I know you like writing," she said with a smile. "Thought it would be perfect."

Mom did not look pleased that I was unwrapping gifts while I wasn't yet dressed for my birthday.

She gave me a look, raising her eyebrows.

"Audrey, you're still in your school clothes.

Why don't you change into something nicer before you open more presents?" she said gently, though I could tell she wasn't happy.

I felt a bit embarrassed, realizing | was still in my jeans and T-shirt from school. "Oh, right!

Sorry, I'll go change," I said quickly, standing up and heading to my room.

I rushed to my room, feeling a bit

embarrassed. I opened my closet and looked through my clothes until I found a black flare gown. It was simple but nice, with short sleeves and a soft fabric that moved when I did. I put it on and checked myself in the mirror. It felt like the right choice for the evening-pretty but comfortable.

I brushed my hair quickly and went back downstairs, feeling a little better. When I walked into the living room, everyone looked up.

"There you are!" my mom said, smiling.

"Much better."

As I walked into the living room, I noticed that more people were arriving. They were friends of my mom and some distant relatives I didn't really know. I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. I wished Mal and Tanya could be there. It didn't feel right celebrating with people I hardly knew.

"Hi, Audrey!" one of my mom's friends said, giving me a hug. "Happy birthday! You look lovely!"

"Thanks," I said, trying to smile. It felt forced

"Look who's here!" my mom said, pointing to Sam, who was chatting with a group of kids near the snack table. I was glad my cousin was there. At least I wouldn't feel completely alone.

I walked over to Sam, and he greeted me with a big smile. "Look who's all grown up now!" he teased, ruffling my hair playfully. "I can't believe you're 18!"

"Thanks, Sam," | replied, rolling my eyes but smiling back. "You're not so little yourself."

"True! But you're the birthday girl. Today, all the attention is on you," he said, glancing around at the growing crowd. "How does it feel?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light.

"Honestly? A little overwhelming. I wish Mal and Tanya were here."

"Yeah, I get it. But we'll make our own fun!" Sam replied, clearly eager to enjoy the party. “Let's check out the snacks and see if there's anything good."

made our way to the snack table, where a colorful spread of cupcakes, chips, and a big bowl of punch awaited us. "Whoa, your mom really went all out," Sam said, grabbing a cupcake with sprinkles on top. "This looks amazing!"

I picked up a few chips, nibbling on them as I watched people mingle. "Yeah, but I kind of wish it was a smaller gathering,” I said softly, glancing at the unfamiliar faces around me.

Sam nodded, understanding my discomfort.

"I get it. Big family gatherings can be a bit much. But hey, it's your birthday! We should make the most of it."

I appreciated his effort to cheer me up.

"You're right. It's just... I feel like I'm celebrating with a bunch of strangers," | admitted. "It's hard to get into the spirit of things."

"Let's change that," he said with a grin. "How about we come up with a plan? Just you and me. We can find a way to have fun, even with all these people around."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you have in mind?"

"Let's start a game or something! You know, like when we were kids. We could challenge the other cousins to a snack-eating contest or something ridiculous." He laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I chuckled at the thought. "A snack-eating contest? That would be hilarious! But I don't think everyone would be up for that."

"Maybe not, but we could at least grab a few of the kids and make it a mini-competition," he suggested. "We could even offer a prize-like the first piece of cake!"

"Now that's an idea," I said, warming to the plan. "Let's do it!"

We made our way back to the living room, where the crowd was buzzing with chatter.

Sam called over a few of our younger cousins, explaining our plan. They all jumped on board, excited at the prospect of winning cake.

"Okay, everyone! Listen up!" Sam shouted, drawing attention. "We're having a snack-eating contest! Who wants to participate?"

A small group of kids cheered and gathered around, ready to join in. I felt a thrill of excitement, grateful for Sam's ability to bring people together.

After some quick preparations, we set up a table and filled it with chips, cupcakes, and cookies. I counted the participants, and we started the contest with a countdown.

As I watched them enjoy themselves, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The atmosphere shifted, becoming more joyful.

Sam stayed by my side, high-fiving the kids as they raced to finish their snacks.

"You're a natural at this, Audrey!" he said, nudging me. "See? You're having fun already!"

"Yeah, I guess I am," | replied, smiling genuinely for the first time that day.

Watching the kids made me realize that I could create my own joy amidst the chaos.

Once the contest ended, with one lucky cousin claiming victory and the first slice of cake, everyone dispersed to grab more snacks or socialize. I felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted.

open gifts. My mom gathered everyone around, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Let’s see what Audrey got for her birthday!”

I sat on the couch, surrounded by colorful wrapping paper and eager faces. My mom handed me the first gift, a pretty box with a bright bow. I carefully opened it and found a shiny car key inside.

“A car?” I asked, looking up at my mom.

She smiled widely. “Yes! Now you can drive yourself around. I thought it would be a great gift for your birthday.”

I felt grateful but also unsure. If my mom hadn’t married Logan's father, I didn’t think she would have gotten me something like this. Still, I smiled and thanked her.

Next, I opened a gift from Logan. He stood nearby, looking nervous. I unwrapped it and found a beautiful silver necklace with a small moon charm.

“It’s lovely,” I said, surprised. I didn’t expect such a nice gift from him.

Logan smiled a little. “I thought you’d like it.”

Then I grabbed one last gift that caught my eye. When I opened it, I found a letter inside. My heart raced as I read the words: **I know your secret.**

A chill went down my spine, and I felt scared. I looked around the room, suddenly feeling like everyone was watching me. Who sent this? What secret were they talking about? The fun atmosphere faded, leaving me feeling alone and frightened.