At End's Gate

BIRTHDAY

Paige woke up early the next morning. She checked her phone. She noticed a reminder message. She opened it." Flip it's B's birthday. He's sixteen," she said to herself. She couldn't feel happy. It was her brother's sixteenth birthday without a mother, a father and peace. She felt pained. She couldn't really do anything for him. She got up and looked at Alexis and Lisa. They were still asleep. She was sharing a room with them. The boys where in the room across. Conner was the one who had taken the look out shift. She went into the passage and she met him." Conner you can go to sleep now. I'm awake," she said noticing the bags under his eyes.

"Thanks. I can't explain how tired I am." He then went into the guy's room.

Paige started stretching a bit in another room that was unoccupied. After doing that she went into the bathroom to take a shower. In the shower she thought of how she could do something memorable for her brother's birthday despite them being in the midst of the darkest circumstances. She combed her long brown hair and put on a pair of blue jeans and a plain black top. She tied her hair into a bun. Paige then went into the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. Erin woke up thirty minutes after her. He went to the kitchen." Morning," she said with a smile.

"Morning," he replied with a naughty smile as he walked up to her. He held her back and pulled her close to him. He closed the gap between them and he kissed her. She gave into the kiss for a few seconds before she pulled back." I'm sorry. I just missed doing that."

"It's okay."

"Paige I missed you. I need you," he said looking at her. She looked a bit uncomfortable." What's wrong?"

"Nothing it's just that I'm a bit frustrated because today is Blake's birthday. I never thought we would be spending his birthday scared of death." She looked down trying to hide her depression.

Erin placed his hand on her cheek." His birthday will be fine. He has a great brother and an incredible sister taking care of him. You're enough for him to survive this."

She smiled." Thanks." Erin was about to leave the kitchen." Erin," she took in a deep breath," I love you but I think right now let's focus more on us surviving. We'll put our focus on our relationship after we get out of this city alive." He looked a bit unhappy with her statement. She walked up to him and held him by the palm of his hand." Listen to me. I'm just saying I need you to focus more on survival. I don't want you to get hurt or sacrifice yourself because you loved me. I need you to survive this. I need you to live for my sake."

He smiled." I get it. You can't live without me," he chuckled," okay for now I won't be all we're a couple and all. I'll wait for the right time."

She smiled." Thanks for understanding." He left her. She quickly prepared breakfast. The girls woke up and came into the kitchen after cleaning themselves up." Morning Lexi, Lisa."

"Morning," they replied in unison.

"Today is Blake's birthday."

"Oh," Alexis said running her hand through her hair. Paige laughed. Alexis looked nervous." What's so funny?"

"Don't worry. I already know you like my brother." Alexis started twirling her hair with her finger." Lisa isn't it obvious?"

"Yeah it is. The way she glows when he calls her bell."

Paige laughed again." Don't worry. I'm totally cool if you like him. I'm pretty sure he's into you too," she said winking.

She smiled." Thanks."

"Lisa I'm not letting you go that easy. I see you when you keep eyeing James."

Alexis laughed. She was happy that another person was under attack." Yeah Lisa please explain."

"Honestly yeah I do like him but we both complicate things," she said tying her curly hair." Speaking of complicated relationships," she said looking at Paige.

Alexis smiled." Yes truly complicated relationships."

Paige looked down." It's fair I deserve it. Honestly my love life is okay. It's all figured out."

They looked at her rolling their eyes. " Paige we know that the turning down of relationships you do saying it's for safety is just you pushing time to figure things out," Lisa said.

Paige looked down. She wanted to contradict but she couldn't. She fell silent. The boys entered shortly after. Paige ran up to Blake and hugged him." Happy birthday."

"Thanks," he replied hugging his sister back.

"Did James say happy birthday?"

"Did he! He sang for me."

"Yes James," she said looking at him, " you have to sing the birthday song again."He looked at Lisa and Lexi and shook his head." James don't be dramatic. They are just people."

Alexis and Lisa laughed. James punched his sister's shoulder softly." Okay fine. I'll do it"

Erin was behind James at the door. He entered. Paige noticed Conner as he came in as well." Conner you barely slept. You're already awake?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. I'm fine."

She looked at him wanting to dispute but she didn't say anything. They ate breakfast. Afterwards James sang the song he wrote for his brother's birthday. Lisa couldn't help but get lost in his soothing voice. James and her kept sharing stares. James would just smile as he singed. Paige noticed and she felt a bit sad. If only she didn't have a complicated love story. To the others it was so simple.

The day progressed. They still had some time. James and Conner were monitoring the explosion sites so they decided to stay in for that day. Blake looked quite okay on his birthday. Paige was happy. She peeped through the key hole when Blake decided to talk to Lexi alone. He confessed how he felt about her. They kissed. Paige was happy that her brother was growing up but at the same time she felt jealous that her brothers had their love lives figured out. She finally stopped eavesdropping and walked away, walking down the passageway.