The Dark Hour

--------Lalna--------

As soon as we got home I went to my room to put the picture Astrid gave me on my dresser. I sighed softly and smiled to myself. I was fourteen now, not really sure what that meant yet. I was about to go back downstairs when two arms wrapped around me and picked me up.

"Hey birthday boy, what are you doing up here?" Ridge asked smiling. I giggled.

"Just thinking."

"About?" He asked setting me down.

"Nothing too important."

"Ok, um happy birthday," He smiled handing me a small flat box wrapped up in newspapers.

"Ridge."

"Just so you know Skyla dragged me to the mall just so I could get you something." I smirked.

"Sounds like her." I unwrapped it and smiled. "You remembered."

"Yeah, we did have art for the whole first semester. I thought you would like more colors to draw in." I set the fifty set of colored pencils down on my dresser and hugged him.

"Thank you." He hugged me back and sighed.

"You're welcome." I saw him smirk before he quickly picked me up, again. "Now come on, you're missing the party." I laughed as Ridge carried me downstairs and into the living room. He set me down on the couch. I saw Astrid and Ryan talking, Ty was drinking punch and Skyla was eating cake.

"Here just have some more."

"No Ryan I'm already getting tipsy I can't be drinking anymore, my boyfriend is a cap."

"So you're at a safe place you're fine."

"What's going on?" I asked a bit worried.

"He's giving me his special drink and I'm going to go." Astrid said walking away.

"I gave her my special drink, I've never seen her drunk before but I don't think she's going to. Astrid is too bull headed."

"Please don't get her drunk, I don't want my mom coming home to a mess Ryan."

"I'll get her home if she gets drunk and if she pukes I'll take care of it." I nodded.

"Ok."

"Don't worry she's going to be fine."

"Ok, but please watch her. I don't-" Someone was knocking on the door.

"Who would that be?"

"I don't know," I muttered. I walked over to the door and opened it. There was a guy with light brown hair and bright blue eyes in an army jacket standing there. He looked kinda familiar. He looked at me for a second before he blinked and cleared his throat.

"Hey um is Allison home?" He asked awkwardly. I shook my head.

"No she's at work."

"Oh ok, I'll um come back la-"

"Michael!?" I turned around and Seto was staring at the guy with wide eyes. I looked back at the guy and his face was a bit red.

"A-Are you..." I trailed off. He nodded and sighed.

"I was kinda waiting for your mom to get home before I just dropped in," He said softly.

"Hey! More people!" Astrid yelled, then she gasped. "Did you guys get a stripper?" Skyla quickly grabbed Astrid's arm and pulled her to the couch.

"Come on let's sit down for a bit," Skyla said calmly.

"But I'm fine, like a unicorn on a rainbow!"