Reason

Chapter 11:

*Twelve years ago*

"Happy Birthday, Aubrey!" My mother shouted from behind the counter in our little house. She was wearing her signature dress; a off-white, vintage, flapper dress. Her red hair was up in a bun on top of her head with a big pink bow in the front of it.

My sister, Quinn, was standing with a smile on her face next to my mom. She was sporting jeans and a Atlanta High shirt. Her blonde hair was curled perfectly as it always was.

Ian was standing next to me with his arm around my waist. He didn't want to be here. He hated family and especially mine. He never told them that though because he was too sweet to.

"Aw. Thanks, mom!" I told her, tucking my red hair behind my ears. I took Ian's hand off my waist and walked to my mother. I gave her a hug and felt her flinch. "Sorry. Did I hit a bruise?"

She took a deep breath and smiled. My eyes looked down at the floor. I had them too. But hers were worse. Daddy always went harder towards her. I tried to make him madder at me so he wouldn't hurt her as much but it never mattered. We all ended up with bruises.

She touched my chin and brought my head up so I could look up at her. She kissed my cheek.

"Let's not think about that today. It's your eighteenth birthday! It's time to celebrate!" She said. I nodded and looked at Quinn. She was smiling too, trying to cover up the pain she was feeling.

"I guess." I said.

It didn't feel like a birthday. Just another day in the life of Aubrey Sullen. It always felt like another day. Nothing new came. It was always the same routine. Stay away from daddy.

"Oh, stop that, Aubrey." My mother scolded with that loving smile she always managed to put on. "Quinn and I have some surprises for you."

"Ok!" I exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic. Quinn saw through my struggle. She smiled and grabbed my hand, squeezing it.

"Ok. Now, since you are mentally prepared, we will begin with the first surprise." My mother stated. She turned around and went into the fridge. She looked around before she pulled out a small cake.

My mouth dropped. It was beautiful. It was a white cake with pink frosting. My name was printed onto it with a picture of my mother, Quinn and I at the beach. It was my favorite picture. None of us showed any bruises and we were able to wear bathing suits. Daddy wasn't there either so we were all smiling.

"Mom! How much did this cost?" I asked, admiring the picture.

"It doesn't matter, Brey." My mom said, getting out a knife. "Let's eat it." She started to cut it, hands shaking. Quinn stood up and helped her out.

I looked away, unable to take it. Ian walked over to me and hugged me. Tears escaped my eyes and soaked Ian's shirt. I wiped them off my face so my mom wouldn't see.

"Do you want cake, Ian?" My mother asked.

"No." Ian said.

I pulled away from him and scowled at him. He shrugged his shoulders and I shook my head. Sometimes I couldn't stand Ian. How could he refuse cake that my mother probably couldn't even afford? But I knew that I couldn't live without Ian. I needed him. He helped me get through what my dad did even if he wasn't any better than him.

"You want some right, Aubrey?" My mom asked, holding a piece in front of me.

"Of course, mom!" I said, taking it from her and smiling. She handed me a fork to use and I took it. I picked up a piece and put it in my mouth. I groaned. "It's so good."