Dead or Alive

Chapter 1

I woke up to the smell of bacon and coffee, probably the only thing that could get me out of bed. I pushed myself up and stood in front of the mirror. My hair was tied up into a bun and I had that tired look on my face I have every morning.

As I looked back at my reflection in the mirror, I noticed a gift sitting on my desk. I had almost forgotten that today was my 16th birthday. Usually, normal people would be excited, but that would be normal people. Not me. After all, birthdays are only a way of telling you you're getting older. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad my family actually remembered, and that put a smile on my face.

I walked across the room to the box wrapped in pink paper and ripped it apart to find a bracelet with my name spelled out in beads and a photo album with pictures of me when I was younger. The bracelet, I could tell, was from my little sister, and the album had to have been from my mom.

I opened the book and found pictures of my childhood. Birthdays, christmas', halloweens, Easters... I could keep going but there'd be too much to mention. I guess the photo album was my moms way of saying that I didn't need a dad to have a good family.

I live with my 5 year old sister, Kate, and my mom. My dad.... Unknown. I'd grown up in a house full of girls. Just me, my sister, and my mom. When I was little and saw all the other little girls with their dads, I'd ask Mom if I'd ever had a dad and she would just tell me that he travels the world and couldn't keep in touch. That seemed like the solid truth when I was little, but it's pretty obvious to me now that I don't have a father or at least not anymore. It seemed like a touchy subject, so I never bothered to ask, and it's not like I could just buy a dad at the local supermarket even if I wanted to. I guess one less member of the family doesn't make a difference. My mom did a pretty good job of playing both parents anyway.

The smell of food from downstairs was really getting to me now and I could hear my stomach growling. I set the box down and ran down the steps.

"Morning Spencer, sit and eat something and then we can talk about what you want to do for your birthday," my mother said.

"Thank you for the gift", I kissed her cheek and made my way around the table to my little sister who seemed concentrated on eating her pancakes. I gave her a hug and tickled her. That got her attention.

"Did you see the bracelet? Did you like it? I made it myself!"

"I love it!" I stuck out my arm to show her my wrist with the bracelet she had made me. She gave me a tight hug before letting me sit in my chair. I practically devoured my first plate of eggs and bacon when I heard a knock on the door. My mom got up, still holding her coffee cup, and answered the door.

"Hey Ms. Whitley. How's your day going?"

It was my friend Oliver. He usually stops by the house a couple times. We've been friends ever since we were little and I guess he's been the only one that stuck around with me. He has light brown hair just like I do, and hazel eyes. He's the kind of guy that girls usually fall for, but doesn't really pay attention to them because he knows the way those kind of high school girls act. I guess it's nice having a friend who doesn't try to fit in. That's one of the things we have in common.

"Hello Oliver. Come and sit with us", I heard my mother say.

He and my mom entered the kitchen and my sister didn't hesitate to run up and give him a hug.

"Oliver!" She yelled and he twirled her around, hanging her upside down by her feet.

"Hey Olives!" I gave him a little punch on the shoulder and he poked me right near my ribs, I couldn't help but jump.

"Happy birthday, Spence!" He says giving me a hug, and handing me a present with his other hand. I grabbed it and smiled. Oliver never fails to surprise me. He lets me go and sits in the chair next to me.

"What is it Spencer! What'd he get you?", I heard my sister say.

"I don't know. I didn't open it yet."

I looked at Oliver and he smiled back at me.

"Open it."

"What are you waiting for?" My mom said from across the table.

I lifted the lid of the small box and saw an envelope that read,

'Happy birthday Spence, your finally 16! Hope you like your gift and get ready for a day of adventures!'

At the bottom of the box was a small wooden heart with my name engraved on it. It might not have seemed like much, but by the look of it, he put a lot of effort to create the design of the heart.

"It's for good good luck. It's not much, but..."

I didn't let him finish his sentence.

"I love it! Thank you." I said.

"Well I hope your ready for today. I wasn't lying about the adventure, you know." Oliver said laughing. I was right.. He really never fails to surprise me.

I looked at my mother and she just nodded and told us to not have too much fun. I ran upstairs to place my box down and grab a jacket. When I came back down, Oliver was already waiting by the front door.