(Coals POV)
'I thought I was asleep...this is our old high school..' Coal thought as he walked the halls, to be met with a younger version of himself and a younger version of... 'Crow? is that Crow?' He thought as he watched the two race to Crows house. The two of them looked they were planning something. They had balloons, gifts, and a cake. Coal walked around while his younger self and Crows younger self continued what they were doing "February 14th. Briars Birthday. I remember this night.." He muttered to himself. He watched as the two put up streamers and got everything ready for the special guest. They heard the door open lightly, Coal just watched in silence, but this would be the first time he really saw Briars face from that night. Briar looked rough, Her golden but icy blonde hair was falling out of her clip, her breaths were short and breathy, Her body was shaking. He watched the two males expressions "Briar?" Crow spoke softly as she walked into the house, he stood up and went to stop her from walking but she pushed him away "Don't touch me. Please, don't touch me.." She muttered as she made her way to Crows bathroom And shut the door, locking it behind her. "Briar what are you doing? Briar please don't." Crow began to panic as he noticed the bathroom door was locked, Coal just looked over into the hallway 'I remember how concerned I was that night, I never really felt anything for anybody, but she changed me. From the first interaction I had with her' He watched as he saw the helpless crow leaning against the door, trying to get Briar to open the door. "Why are you so worried?" The younger Coal asked confused. Crow took him into his room and began to explain Briars 'situation' "Coal, Briar has very strict parents, Very rich parents, whatever you want to call them. But her father abuses both her and her mother. I've seen it happen. Her mother really tries to take the hits for her but it's never enough for him. Then to top it all off, he sells her body to his 'clients' can you fucking believe that? He's a fucking spawn of satan himself. No, he is even fucking worse. The reason i'm really concerned right now is because the last time it was this bad, I was over at her house. She walked into the bedroom like she did walking into my house, she then walked into her bathroom and proceeded to lock the door." Crow said all of that in one breath "That's fucking awful, why would her dad treat her like that? But why are you concerned about her being in the bathroom" Coal asked "I don't know what goes on in that man's mind. But the last time this happened I found her in her bathtub trying to end her life Coal. She almost succeeded too. I called her mom to her room and we took her to the hospital, she was there for 4 months. 2 months of extensive care and 2 months of observation." Crow muttered as he ran back to see Briar standing in the hallway. 'That was one of the conversations I wish I never had. If i could have taken that pain from her I would have..' Coal thought.
Coal was then brought back to the present as he was woken up by the sound of his cat on top of his chest. He put chico on the floor and went to open the door so he could be free, Then he went to lay back down and turned over to see her. The one and only, we have down so much this week for her. We all just wanted to have fun. We went to the mall, we went to the aquarium, without Farah this time, Me and Briar went on a picnic date, We went to eat at a fancy restaurant without the intrusion of familiar faces, Me and Crow went Axe throwing while Chick and Briar watched, me and briar had some alone time and watched a movie in our home, and then to top it all off we all went to a drive-in movie theater. Me and chick though, we went back to the mall to pick out something extremely special for the big day. Chick is the only one that can actually keep secret's, that's why Coal went with him instead of Crow. The three males had went over the plan of what the day was going to be like tomorrow and what was going to happen, besides Coals surprise. "It's about time for me to wake up anyways..." He muttered as he quietly got out of bed and got ready in their bathroom. His first plan of action was to make breakfast: Scrambled eggs, Bacon, Avocado toast with salt and pepper, Regular toast, and Waffles. He got started with the first item on the menu and heard a small knock at the door. He went to open it and quickly put a finger over his mouth to signal the two to be quiet. The two males nodded and started getting set up. They blew up balloons, they were in Gold, White, and Sage green, and they had a Number 2 and a 4 balloon blown up too. They had nice simple decorations that Chick picked out, Chick had similar tastes like Briars so they put him in charge of decorations. Crow got Briars favorite coffee from her favorite coffee shop downtown, A Sweet Cream Cold Brew with Oak milk, it tastes like chocolate milk. Then once they were done with that, They help set the bar up and help Coal cook the rest of the food. Crow and Chick brought a fruit platter as well.
Meanwhile upstairs, Briar was still asleep. She stayed mostly still while she slept, she woke up for a moment but she was too tired to stay awake she looked over to see her cat honey on the bed with her sound asleep. 'At least you're sound asleep' she thought as a soft and small smile shined on her face. She then tried to close her eyes again and sleep for a little longer, but that was not possible. She heard a crash from the kitchen and her body jolted, before she got up to go look at what happened she heard Coals voice "Everything is fine Briar, Go get ready for the day My love" He yelled. She smiled and went to the bathroom to get ready. She took a well needed shower and listened to some music. She then blow dried her hair which made her perfect curls more flowy and beautiful. She put her hair in a half up half down look using a white bow to hold the top half down. She then did her makeup and got dressed for the day. She wore a backless white dress that went down half way to her thigh with white heels and her pearl necklace and earrings that were gifted to her by her mother on her 18th birthday, the night she ran away. She stood still for a moment. "I'm sorry for running mom...but I just couldn't be in that house anymore..." She muttered as she looked at the picture of her and her mother on her bedside table, sitting in the bed with small tears running down her face. She then heard a knock "Good morning Briar-" she wiped her face quickly and took a deep breath "Good morning Coal" She said softly with a small smile. "Briar whats on your mind?" He asked sitting down on the bed nexts to her and placing his hand on her back. She looked at the picture one last time and stood up to put it back on her bedside table, but this time she placed it face down. "Nothing, there's nothing on my mind." she walked into the bathroom and made sure everything looked perfect. "Briar, today is your day. The day all of your loved ones get to celebrate you. You shouldn't be worrying about anything today." Coal said softly as he watched her in the bathroom. He gestured to her to come over to him, which she did. They shared a welcoming hug, a welcoming embrace, He held her as he sat on their bed and let the silence be. "COME ON YOU TWO, FOODS GOING TO GET COLD-" Briars body jolted when she heard Crow from all the way downstairs but they didn't move. Coal continued to hold her. "Come on hon, I don't want them freaking out anymore" Briar said with a soft smile as she bent down to his face and kissed him on the cheek "Is that what your wearing today" She asked softly as he was only in a T-shirt and boxers "You don't like it? Wanna take it of-" He started his joke but Briar went to cover his mouth "Your not funny. Go get some clothes on" She said with her soft voice a little giggle "Well obviously I am if your laughing" He said smiling as he watched he got into his closet and got him some clothes "Put your clothes on" "Aww you don't want to do it for me" Briars face went red, with that she walk out of the room followed by Coal laughter.
