Shackled

Chapter 1 - Birthday Plans

5 months earlier.... March 3, 2015

Blue skies. That's the first thing I see when I wake up for school. It's the first time that it hasn't been cloudy or storming on my birthday. At least that I can remember. Pushing my curtain aside, I heave the window up and breathe in the cool March air. Happiness fills me as I bask in the morning sun. Why can't every day start off like this one? So bright and full of promise.

I move to my table and pick up the clothes I laid out yesterday. Now they just seem boring, but I don't have time to change it. I'm already running a bit late. Hurriedly, I dress, brush my hair and teeth, and head downstairs to catch my mom before work.

Ever since she got promoted at the agency, she's been slaving away at the office. I barely see her anymore, what with her new schedule and all. I just wish she would take a break once and a while.

When I enter the kitchen, mom is standing at the oven, spatula in hand and a bit of flour smudged across her cheek. There's a bit of a smile on her face as she hums to the playing radio, rapping her foot to the rhythm while she attempts to masterfully flip the pancakes. She's not that great of a chef though and the pancake lands in half, beginning to look like an omelet. I stifle my giggles with my hand as mom turns around with a mock glare.

"Don't start, missy." She points the utensil accusingly while she beams at me. I hold my hands up in surrender.

"I have no idea what you mean." I ignore the suspicious look she sends me and take a seat at the table.

"Of course not." Her musical laughter fills the kitchen. "Happy birthday clueless." I stick my tongue out at her immaturely.

"Thanks mom." We share a smile before she returns to her cooking.

"So what do you want to do for your birthday? Ice skating? Roller blading? Oh I got it! How bout bowling?" She spits out idea after idea, her mouth going a mile a minute.

"Mom, wait stop. Mom, I have like one friend. There's no way I'm having a party."

"But honey, you could invite anybody! Everyone loves a good party. Please? We haven't had one in years and it'll be so much fun."

"No. No. No way is this happening." I wave my arms in a blatant rejection. "I'm not kidding, Mom. No parties! None!"

"Oh come on, why?" She leaves the pancakes to cook, choosing instead to lean against the table I sit at. Her palm cradles her chin as she pleads.

I squirm in my chair from discomfort. "I just would rather hang out with you." I admit, slightly embarrassed to tell her such a personal thought. She grins at me before her face falls.

"Oh honey." she whispers, putting her hand on my arm. "Sweetie, I want to. Really, I do. But I have to work late tonight. We making a new deal on a house and the possible owners want to take one last look tonight. I'm so sorry, Mary-Jane." I roll my eyes, trying to hide my disappointment. Once again, her job takes precedence. Even on my birthday.

"Mom, seriously it's fine. Or it would be if you'd stop calling me that." I fake a laugh so that she loses that sad puppy look. It makes me feel way too guilty.

She jokingly groans and stands back by the stove. "I'm sorry I forgot. What is it now? MJ or Jay? Or is there some new nickname instead of what your father and I named you?"

"Alright, quit the guilt trip." I point at her. "You know it's not like that." She just chuckles and puts a plate of pancakes in front of me.

"Voilà!" She flicks her hands in an intricate twist to seem fancier. "Breakfast is served." She follows my gaze to the food before me and frowns. We lock eyes again and burst out laughing. There's no way that she would expect me to eat such burnt pancakes. It would be like ash. Or worse, a hockey puck in my mouth. I shudder at the thought.