Before I did } Isaac Lahey x OC

• BIRTHDAY GIRL •

Set: after season 3a, spring break
Age: 16 years old

"What time did you say Melissa wanted you home?" Marley asked as her and Isaac approached her house. They had just been to the park as a little birthday present for Marley, since it was her birthday, 12th April. They'd had a picnic and just relaxed; Marley never wanted anything big for her birthday.

"She didn't say," Isaac replied as Marley pulled her keys from her pocket. "Probably 10:00 cause that's when Scott has to be in."

"Thank you for not making a big deal out of my birthday," Marley said, taking Isaac's hand in her free one. She's never liked her birthday. It was always 'the one day a year when people have to pay attention to you so that they don't look like douchebags'- Marley. She hated birthday parties because no one actually went for the birthday girl, but for the food and entertainment. On the bright side, it was one less year away from Marley getting her butt out of Beacon Hills. 17 years was looking really close to 18, sunny side up.

"That's okay. I hope you enjoyed not being treated differently," Isaac beamed.

"Thats weird," Marley said after she tried her key in the door, but it was already unlocked. She opened the door and walked in, Isaac behind. He felt so nervous for what was about to happen. He knew that Marley would not like it.

She walked into the living room, the house feeling strangely full but no one was in sight. Marley stopped walking as she turned the corner. Liam, her grandma and mum were all sat around the living room. Two small banners had been stuck to the wall, the sides already peeling off, and there were three pink balloons sat in the middle of the floor.

"Surprise!" They all exclaimed at once. Marley's face turned stiff and she looked around, trying her best to contain her frustration. She looked at Isaac, who looked both guilty and terrified.

...

"Hey, you okay," Isaac asked as he stepped into the kitchen, hands in pockets. Marley's family were in the living room, awkwardly talking over the radio that was ironically put on to spark conversation. Marley had left to 'get a drink' but had planned to stay there for a few minutes. Everything about this whole surprise birthday party was going to pits; Marley didn't even ask for it.

"Could be better," Marley sighed, leaning against the worktop. "I could be not in the middle of a birthday party. If you could call it that."

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop them. They asked me to help and I couldn't convince them not to throw the party," Isaac said. "Your mum was gonna get pink bunting so at least I helped change that."

Marley inwardly smiled into her hands, appreciating that Isaac at least respected her. "Couldn't change her mind on the pink balloons though, huh?"

"I really am sorry," Isaac said, taking her hands in his. Marley could still hear the radio and her family from afar, but they became unimportance as she looked into Isaac's eyes.

"I know," Marley smiled at him. She stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his, savouring the sweet taste of herbal tea that he'd been drinking.

"Marley, time for presents!"

...

"Ok, mine first," Liam said. Everyone was sat in the living room, awkwardly placed on the sheets of their chairs. Marley sat in the single chair, since she was the birthday girl. Liam pulled a poorly wrapped present from his side. It had a flat surface but then a squishy mountain on the top. He handed it to Marley.

"It's pretty, I have high hopes," Marley said sarcastically but not rudely, more like a joke. She pulled at the paper until she could lift the presents out. The flat surface was a picture phrase, with a gorgeous memory planted in the glass. It was a picture of Liam and Marley when they were 6 and 8 years old. It was so beautiful because it was taken at a moment where they didn't know they were being photographed. Looking at the picture, Marley could see how similar she looked to her brother; the same nose, rosy cheeks, pink lips. The only difference was Liam's blonde hair and Marley's golden brown.