1.1 | daunting medleys

fifty-six | unfortunately ironic

Tabitha woke up with Talia by her side. They'd slept off as they were talking about everything that had been going on, giggling at random topics, everything but their love life. Talia was skidding around the topic, and Tabitha didn't want to push so she said nothing. Then she woke Tabitha up with a very loud squeal, jumping on her bed. She squinted, and pushed her sister away.

There was a slight sense of panic filling her body. 18 seemed weird, and she didn't know what to do. Happiness lingered, but there was nothing else. Just another age change, except her future was much closer than usual. It was a fresh begining to say the least, she wasn't going to be burdened by her mother. The thought pushed relieved tears into her eyes, and she shut her eyes to soothe the burn of moisture that swelled in her eyes.

Tabitha didn't like thinking about her future, didn't like it at all. The future seemed bleak, but not anymore. At least, not at that moment where Talia was in Tabitha's closet, rambling about how they needed to be dressed alike.

Usually on her birthday, her mother would walk in. Eyes proud, as she woke Tabitha up with a cupcake and a candle. It was the only time her mother offered her sweets. If it fell on a school day, she'd go to school and come back with her mother's work friends in the living room as they tried to pretend they knew her and Talia. If it wasn't, then they'd get dressed and force polite smiles till the sun went down.

Tabitha yawned, and put on her slippers, picking at her fingernails as she walked into the bathroom. She washed her face, and brushed her teeth, as Talia chattered about something she didn't want to comprehend. There was a smile on her face, as Talia walked into the bathroom.

"So, I've picked out a dress for you. It's on your bed. I have something like that in my closet." Tabitha nodded, spitting out the last of the toothpaste.

Then Talia gave her a hug, and Tabitha huffed. "Why the hell are you hugging me?" Despite the fact that she had her arms wrapped her sister's frame.

"Nothing. Just wanted to." She mumbled, then left the bathroom, leaving Tabitha in shock. She quickly took a bath, wondering why Talia was more emotional than she usually was. Perhaps she wanted to change their relationship, or bridge the chasm between, either way, Tabitha wasn't averse to it. When she was through with her bath, she went to her bed. Her lips twitched with a tiny smile when she saw the black sweater dress that she'd bought a long time ago with Talia, and black sheer leggings that was buried in her closet.

Tabitha quickly got dressed, and sat at her vanity. Her hands lingered over the brand new eyeshadow palette she never used. She took it out, along with the usual makeup products she used, eyeliner and mascara. Sighing, she pushed her shoes on, wincing reflexively at the crack in her knees when she stretched her legs out. Talia pushed the door of her bedroom, jutting her hip to lean on the doorway.

"You look pretty. Dressing up for a certain someone." Talia giggled, as she linked arms with Tabitha.

She rolled her eyes, despite the blush on her face. "I mean, I was born on this day." Talia pushed her feet into her boots, as Tabitha pushed past her to the stairwell. They walked down the stairs, hearing the banging of pots and pans together. Her eyebrows furrowed together as she strained to listen.

"Yes, but there's also a certain boy."

At the thought of Oliver, her heart thudded nervously, and she looked away from Talia and her observant eyes. Tabitha didn't answer, her cheeks heating.

"I heard he asked you out. When's the date?"

Tabitha smiled, and put her bag on the couch before turning to the kitchen, where her dad most likely was, trying to cook.