1 Chapter 1: 18th Birthday

I threw myself flat on our house's couch. Playing volleyball made my body too sore to even move an inch as I let myself lie down and rest to end my almost productive day - unless I wash the dishes, clean my room, answer my homework, and take a bath to clean my sweaty ass and oily face out.

"Aurora, darling! Mom's home." my mom, Lydia Ramnoute just entered the door in front of me. Me, who's still not moving, just breathing hardly from sticking my face on the pillow because why not? I managed to say

"Welcome home, moom" still facing the pillow almost inaudible. My mom directly went to me trying to kiss me on the face but when I moved to face her she playfully slapped my face instead. I was still so sweaty, still wearing my wet ass jersey and almost stinky socks from playing my sport so she did not continue kissing me at the end hahaha.

I laughed as she did that and she walked into the kitchen to place what she brought home for the day. She works at an office that pays less than how nurses are paid in small countries with economic debts from foreigners. She manages to give me almost everything so she is just fine, best mom.

I'm not saying I don't have a dad though, I have one and he still isn't at home so expect him to receive an earful from mom when I finally enter my room. They don't fight as much because it takes a corny joke from dad to settle mom with a hug and a peck on the lips to calm down and forget about dad being home late haha, kinda cute for a couple with a single ass child.

I wanted to have a brother and or a sister but they couldn't give me one for some reason. Sure hope my wish comes true on my birthday this coming Tuesday.

I went to the kitchen to help my mom with the groceries so she could rest along with me afterwards. I also have to receive an earful about the dishes but mercifully, nothing nor a monster of mental fracturing words came out from my mom's mouth today so congratulations self. Well, I'll do that now anyways before going to my upstairs to wash up.

"Darling, what should we do on your birthday? Do you have plans about the program or what not?" my mom casually asked opening the topic about my birthday while placing the cans of my favorite spam and goods on the upper kitchen cabinets.

I shrugged not knowing what I want my birthday to look like or what to do during that day, it's good enough for me as long as I see my parents at that special time. I continued to pile up the toiletries on their designated cabinets while listening to mom's ideas on how to do my birthday celebration since I'm about to turn 18 this year. I even laughed when she suggested having a piñata for the games. My mom still sees me as her little girl that's why they should make me a brother or a sister lol.

As soon as we finished arranging the groceries, I hugged her despite being a little sweaty and athletically smelly so she keeps pushing me away as if I'm very dirty so I teased her and she still let me hug her and told me she was gonna take a bath anyways.

"I'm home girls! I want a hug too" my dad, James Carter Ramnoute who is wearing his suit and always bringing with him his ultimate lawyer bag. He works at my grandpapa's law firm so he works harder when grandpapa is sent to the hospital at times being the reason why he comes home late and gets scolded.

"Ew! Stay away dad, no daddy hugs! Mom bought me my favorite spam what's yours?" I teased my dad as he acted like a little boy who wants hugs from us. We laughed and let dad in our group hug. I was almost taller than my father as if I'm growing like a guy but I like it when I'm ranging to 6 ft now. It's advantageous for my sports too.

After our afternoon talk since we sat down before I could plan to race up the stairs to my room, my dad actually brought Oolong Tea and British biscuits on his way back. He bought it at the new bakery that just opened near our street so we tried it out a while back and 'pre' planned my said 'debut'. My parents are very excited about it but I feel sad for no reason, I guess it's because I don't want to grow another year yet.

I opened my door and saw my light matte-sapphire coloured room. It was comforting after a very tiring day. I thought of jumping and throwing myself on my bed but chose not to since I feel so sticky and would just want to take a bath right away.

I grabbed my bathrobe hanged on the cabinet hook and took off every single cloth that covered my sticky body and tossed it on my laundry basket. I wore my bathrobe and went inside my shower room. I moved faster instinctively from the excitement of having to finally clean myself. I was giddy upon opening the shower.

"AHH! Too cold, too cold!"

I shouted. Laughing at myself afterwards while adjusting the temperature of the water dripping down the shower. I wiped my face to clear it off from my hair and the water. I sighed at the satisfaction of water running down every inch of my skin, I raised my face to accept the water falling down my face. I scrunched my eyes as the droplets fell. I skimmed all over my body trying to imagine taking away all the dirt and bacteria from every area of my skin when I felt quite the pain on my wrist.

I tried turning it clockwise and counter clock but it kinda hurts more when I try to feel the pain in the area. I hissed and almost stopped moving my wrist. I may have strained it from all the receiving of balls when we were training. The training actually focused on receiving today so I may have pushed myself too much. I stopped giving it attention and continued my bath.

As I was putting on some clothes it stung so much that I had to grip my wrist tightly. A bruise welcomed my sight as I released my left wrist from my grip. How much did I do today that I had my wrist bruised? I've been playing for a year now but I somehow managed to get a bruise NOW.

The pain left after I saw the bruise and shrugged it off. It was pretty normal for me. I even checked my lower limbs and saw three bruises on my calves and one on my knees. Those knee pads I bought at our nearby convenience store was a waste. I knew it when I first saw the packaging almost torn completely but I was in a hurry that time so I had to purchase those 'disposable' knee pads that cost me around 6 dollars. Geez, I would've bought 24/7's hotdog buns through that but yeah. I took off the towel I swirled to wring my hair and dry it out. I have beautiful dark lilac hair that I inherited from my grandmama. When I was only 6 years old, I cried about not having mom's hair color. She has beautiful red, almost crimson-coloured hair that lights up when reflected by the sun's rays. I loved how it flows down her shoulders and maybe that was one asset my dad fell for.

I lay in bed with my hair wet, uncombed. I did not bother combing it since it's gonna untangle as it dries anyway. I sighed only hearing the rough sound coming from the aircon almost howling to produce cold air; it pleased me unable to notice that I was already wandering off dreamland.

"Rise and shine, sweetheart! I saw your schedule on the fridge. You have fine arts with Mrs. Clinton this morning. Hurry up, sleepyhead"

my mom woke me up at around 7 am when my classes start at 8:30. I rose up and reached for the sky. That woke up my system quite well, I smiled and went on my way to change my clothes into a comfortable brown floral dress that reaches below my knees. I wore my white sneakers and ran down the stairs.

My parents were both busy preparing for tomorrow's event. Today's a Monday, which just means I'm getting old by tomorrow. I sat down to eat breakfast with dad who's also trying to eat despite having to call people for tomorrow. My mom is cooking along with my Aunt Jema who will be baking the cake and the pastries tomorrow. I guess it's gonna be a big one since mom and dad wanted to make up for all the birthdays I have had when in fact it was like this every yesterday of my birthday as long as I remember. They gave me grand birthdays and despite not asking for it I know they're trying their best to let me know they love me and even just having a cake with both of them would suffice to celebrate my birthday. I looked at dad being so busy with what he's doing, I would like to thank the Gods above for letting me see this view. I turned to the kitchen and saw my mom and aunt enjoying their test cakes. Thank you, and I hope to keep them always.

I rode on my bike and went to school. Petra's waiting for me, I bet. Without a mistake, she was waiting for me. She's Petra Hinsens, 18 years old. My bestest friend in school. She stuck her tongue out when she finally saw me on my way. I did the same to counter and we laughed at each other. We went on our way to C5 room where fine arts is always held. Some of my classmates are already inside when we arrived. We sat at the back.

I was beside Athena, who was always the quietest person in the entire world but never made it boring to be with her. I don't know how she does it but, I like it anyway.

"Hi" I opened to converse with Athena.

she gave me a nod and gave me her sweet smile and that made it comfy for some reason. The class started with painting. It was actually a free-painting session so we can paint whatever we want but we still have to pass an output before the 2 periods end. Fine arts was my only schedule for the day unless I get in the mood to attend my contemporary dance classes my grandpapa signed me in. I agreed to it because of dad so I guess I will or won't attend it anyways.

I am planning to paint what pops out of my head. So I closed my eyes and started to have a vague picture in my head. Athena started to paint a treehouse, she's really good at painting while Petra's painting a white horse? I guess that's what she's doing with all her color mixing techniques with weird names like 'abuuwow' for mixing red and yellow/ I giggled at the thought and reverted my thoughts to what I'm gonna paint again.

I let my hand loose, placed the mixture of brown, yellow, pastel peach, to create a mixture of gold metal. I did not know where that came from nor how I have been doing it but this is what I always do during art class. I can't properly explain it but it gives me the highest grades in this class anyways.

I closed my eyes and opened it again repeatedly as I brushed every stroke on the canvas. I was only seeing lines and pictures of what to paint and the mixtures of colors to apply. I stopped when I finally had the gist of what I'm painting. I continued and as I finished with the touches, I painted all along was an object filled with gems, crusading on every curvature and lines I painted on the before empty canvas; it was a crown. Mrs. Clinton stopped to look at it and was again impressed with what I did. My classmates went closer to look at my painting and were amazed as well. I myself did not know why I painted such an object when I seem to have no interest whatsoever.

The bell rang and we finally had no classes afterwards. I decided to skip my 4 pm class on contemporary because I was still shocked by what I had painted today. Even Athena was shocked and praised my work when she only nods and smiles oftentimes, answers your questions and goes back to painting. Her treehouse was awesome actually it seemed real and deserved the praise awhile back.

"You have got to be kidding me. Fcking give us your money, Johnson!?"

5 students. My blood started to boil when I saw them picking on Johnson, a college freshman, new blood in this university. I hate seeing people being bullied for self-privilege. Go work for yourselves than involving others to give you what you want.

"Hey! Stop that." I spoke almost in remorse and anger but I kept calm. I stopped them from kicking and giving more wounds to Johnson. He was a total wreck. His uniform was ripped, his lips cut almost torn greatly just like in a boxing session.

They only stopped because of the amusement of me, a girl, defending a guy. On what basis do they hold standing up to one's human rights? Gender equality should be taken seriously by universities now. They only think men rules superiority or maybe they just have inferiority complex among the opposite gender.

They looked at me from head to toe, giving me amused smiles on their faces. I am not at all confident with my combat skills but I am confident with what equality should look like and discrimination shall be dealt with properly.

" What? this is not a movie where you defend your ass boyfriend and run without getting wounded, assh*le!"

"HAHAHHA" they were having fun. I guess I don't mind them laughing at me but if it involves others? I can't keep things with myself. The some sort of the leader guy went closer to punch me, I was sent beside Johnson, to the wall I banged my back quite painfully but continued to stood up regardless. Another guy kicked me on my stomach and I was not able to defend myself again. Coughing blood, I laughed and looked up to all the guys who started to kick me.

Johnson tried to defend me but he was hurt himself too. I tried pushing them but it wasn't working. I stood up when they gave me ample chance to. I tried punching back and hit one guy on the stomach, I did not know where I got the strength to still fight them when I already have blood oozing from my forehead. I stood snd continued to fight when I was again groveled down the floor.

"Johnson, stop. Just go your way, you--u'll be ugggh! Late for your class" I said while fighting them back. Johnson started to cry but I knew he was trying to hold back. I smiled and he went running away, someone tried to catch him but I held him and got punched anyways.

"Darwin!? ALL OF YOU!? STOP RIGHT THERE!?"

and of course our fight did not stop there. It took 5 guards and Mr. Roldan to take them out of my face. I swear I'm gonna wear bandages at tomorrow's event.

"I'll kill you the next time we meet, Ranmoute!"

that's the last piece of statement I received from Darwin Hudgens when he was taken to prison along with the others in his gang. He was 20 years old, drug addict who went to school high af. I wouldn't mind being killed as long as he'll stay at prison for the longest time which keeps him less dangerous to other people.

" What the heck has he done to you!? BASTARDS!?"

"Oh I swear I'll keep them in prison forever!"

my parents are mad not because I'll be looking so ugly tomorrow but because my face was filled by bruises and my body filled with wounds. It wasn't that hard to deal with them like this. I had to let my parents call the school regarding Johnson so he could be treated properly.

"Hey, let's cancel tomorrow's event until you get better."

my mom suggested while assisting me to my room. I did not wan to stay at the hospital even for a day. I hate the feeling of being there or at least I deny to be scared. I shook my head signifying a no as an answer. I still want to push through with it because I know how much work they poured unto they event and just because of what I involved myself in, it'll all go to waste.

" I want it to push through mom, dad. Thank you for all the efforts, I love you both soo much" that was the most sincere moment I gave them both. I saw them teary-eyed and hurriedly hugged me with delicateness of course.

"Rest for now, darling. We''ll continue preparing for tomorrow."

"are you fine? do you have anything you nee? are you in pain elsewhere?"

my mom and dad nagged me too much and so I laughed. I shook my head and they went out of my room after settling me in bed so I could rest and get all the energy I need for tomorrow.

I'll rest and celebrate as if I was not involved in any of this tomorrow.