K I N G

f i f t e e n

"Expectation is the root of all heartache." - William Shakespeare

Todd's POV
Before Todd even opened his eyes, he knew it was going to be a bad day. He awoke with a sour taste in his mouth and his eyes glued shut. He felt drained and exhausted from tossing and turning all night. Today was his birthday. Today, Todd was turning eighteen.

No one treated him differently. There was no banner, confetti, or anything signaling that today he was officially an adult. Not that Todd could really expect there to be, he had forgotten really to mention it to anyone. That however didn't stop the small sting of loneliness as the day dragged on. Neil was gone for the day rehearsing for his play and the others never really paid him any mind. This caused the hole in his chest to worm itself a couple sizes bigger.

However, Charlie did notice how Todd was mopping more than usual.

"You okay kiddo?"

"Yeah," Todd mumbled into the crook of his arm.

"Yes, because that was so convincing," Charlie commented sarcastically as he sat on top of Todd's desk. "C'mon kiddo, tell Nuwanda what's wrong."

Todd snorted at the ridiculous nickname Charlie insisted everyone call him.

"It's nothing Char--Nuwanda," Todd said, correcting himself when he saw his friend's glare.

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Enough with the brooding kiddo!"

At this point the others have gathered around Todd's desk, confused by their interaction.

"Yeah Todd what's up?" Pitts asked. The others all muttered similar questions.

"Well...it's my birthday."

"Your what?" Meeks asked.

"What'd he say?" Knox yelled.

"It's my birthday!" Todd shouted a little louder.

They all fell quiet until Charlie let out a low whistle.

"Well damn kiddo, how old are ya?"

"Eighteen," Todd mumbled softly, his ears starting to turn red from embarrassment.

"You're an adult now Todd!"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

They bombarded Todd with questions of why he didn't say anything or how they felt bad because they didn't get him anything. It made Todd burn with shame as he realized he was wishing they could have read his mind to see what was wrong. How he wished they'd figure it out for themselves that it was his birthday. Was it unreasonable to want that? To want the others to pay attention to him? At this moment Todd sure felt like it did; he felt he was acting like a child crying for it's mother's attention but refusing to tell her what was wrong.

Before Todd could apologize for his behavior, another student knocked on the door saying Todd was being called to the main office. Todd walked towards the office wondering what they could have possibly sent him for. Could it be his parents? Were they here? The thought of them doing something special finally for his birthday excited Todd to start running towards the office. The secretary gave Todd a piercing look, scolding him for acting with such a lack of decorum. Todd hardly cared as he wildly whipped his head around for his parents. Confusion set in once he saw they were nowhere to be found. Maybe they sent a note for him to come home?

"Excuse me, I'm Todd Anderson. I was called up here," he stated meekly to the secretary.

She nose her nose high into the air and stated with a tight tone, "A package was left for you."

Todd was floored. A package? He glanced down to where the woman with the pinched face and even pincher voice was pointing a gleaming red talon. There lying against the main office's desk was a large package. Immediately Todd's heart dropped into his stomach. It was a very familiar package.

"T-thank you," he managed to spit out as disappointment flooded his senses.

He carried the heavy package to his and Neil's room before heading back to class. The sinking feeling never left him, in fact it made him feel nauseous. If that package is what he thought it was he was sure he'd never forgive his parents. Three years in a row they had given him the same desk set. Three years! Surely on this day, a milestone in his life, they would have been more considerate to give him something else. Tears stung his eyes as he realized they never even left a note. His parents hadn't called and neither would Jeffery, but Todd didn't expect him to anyway. Jeffery often said he pitched in with the desk set so it was from all of them.

Todd had avoided opening it. He didn't want to. As each minute passed he was more and more sure it was the same desk set. He wasn't sure he could handle that. However, the sun had set and the moon had begun to rise when Todd finally gathered his courage to open it. Slowly he dragged a finger underneath the tape, as if he was afraid of awakening whatever laid within. Todd squeezed his eyes shut as he pulled his gift from its wrapping. He didn't want to see it. After taking a few deep breathes, Todd finally opened his eyes to see what his parents had gotten him.

Traitorous tears sprung to his eyes as he saw the very familiar desk set. He desperately

tried to swallow, but it feel like he had a huge boulder stuck in his throat trying to slither its way down into his stomach. Then he started to laugh madly. Cackling, he rocked back in forth on the hardwood floor. He couldn't believe. His parents had gotten his the same damned desk set. Four years in a row!

Well at least they had the decency to acknowledge my birthday, Todd thought woefully.

His misery had quickly turned in a jaded bitterness. This was his eighteenth birthday.

Him sitting alone on a cold, unforgiving floor in a darkened room.

Oh what joy to be young.