Hidden Motives

Where It Begins

"Wake up Sierra! Wake up! It's your birthday!!" Jace exclaims as I slowly tumble out of bed.

 I look at him with an annoyed expression and say "Are you serious right now! It's 6 am!" Jace frowns, but quickly replaces it with that big smile of his and says "Well I was just too excited sissy!"

 No matter how much of me wants to be mad at him right now for disrupting my beauty sleep. Which I rarely get by the way. I can't help, but find his comment adorable. It means a lot to me that he cares about my birthday. I know our parents never did, but I always covered up my pain by having parties at the mansion. If my parents didn't care about my birthday they most definitely didn't have the right to be mad if I celebrated with people who actually cared anyway. Our maid Betsy also cares about my birthday. I laugh as I recall her failed attempt of trying to get Justin Bieber to perform at my party last year. As I am going through memory lane in my head Jace wanders around my room suspiciously. I look up at him and say "What are you doing? You are definitely hiding something from me!" 

I laugh and he looks at me with a small grin on his face and says "Oh it's nothing. What are you even talking about!" as he quickly scurries out of my room.

I rise out of my bed and grab my phone. Even though it is still quite early messages from last night pour in. Friends from everywhere wishing me a happy birthday and telling me how excited they are about the party. 

"Ugh, the party" I sigh. 

Don't get me wrong I love to party it's a great way to numb the pain of my parent's absence and spend time with those I care about, but sometimes it's exhausting. The preparations, the decor, the catering and even sending out invitations. Even though most of the time people just show up because everyone knows about "Miss Sierra Morgan's Big Birthday Bash" every year. Word spreads quickly and my reputation has always held me to a high standard. They either love me or hate me, but that's just what I appear to be. I have never let anyone in, but it's better that way anyway.

After getting dressed and responding to some messages I head downstairs for breakfast. While walking down one of the two twin spiral staircases I can smell pancakes and coffees. When I enter the kitchen I see Betsy and Jace with big grins on their faces.

"Suprise!!" They exclaim happily. I take in the sight of stacks of pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon, eggs, coffee, and cookies. 

"Thank you so much!!" I say. I can tell that they have worked so hard to make all of my favorite breakfast foods for me. The table is set so beautifully and I look up smiling.

"Jace set the table all by himself and even helped me make some of the food!" Betsy says.

"Oh wow that's amazing, it looks amazing Jace!" I say looking at my little brother who has already sat in his chair ready to eat.

"Thank youuuu" Jace says. Something about the way he stretches his words makes me laugh. 

After that, we all eat an amazing breakfast and I think about what an amazing morning it has been. It was probably one of the best breakfasts I have had in a while. I usually have some orange juice and cereal in the morning, but this was different. I thank Betsy and give her a hug as I prepare to begin helping set up decorations for tonight. Betsy is such an amazing soul. I love her so much and sometimes I feel like she is my mother figure. She has always been there for Jace and I, especially since my mother left three years ago. She and I also practically raised Jace. He was only two when mom left so he doesn't really remember her. He also hasn't seen dad for around a year and always asks about him. I always change the topic as it is painful to speak about him. 

Soon the doorbell rings and I walk over to answer it.