Truths Collide (WolfGirl 2)

Chapter 3: Eighteen

(Scarlet James)

"Happy Birthday baby girl," Mom knocks on my door before coming in. I rub my eyes and pull the covers down to see her smiling at me.

I smile back, "Good morning."

She kisses my forehead before telling me, "Come on down. Your presents are waiting and the guys are here too."

I nod and tell her I'll be right behind her. Getting out of bed, I'm excited because tonight my hallucinations stop. I just hope I can make it to the next couple of hours without having an episode. Knowing Mom has breakfast going downstairs, I quickly change out of my pajamas and into a light denim dress. I apply a little makeup and throw my hair into a ponytail before heading down.

As I enter the kitchen, Keith throws his arms around me, giving me a bear hug, "Happy birthday, baby sis!!! You're finally legal!"

"Thanks," I grin, hugging him back and seeing the rest of the boys and Anna over his shoulder. Keith lets me go and then hands me a cup of coffee.

I turn and find Timmy Owens, holding his arms open for me. I grin and embrace him, "Timmy! Hi!"

"Hey, happy birthday! You're literally the last one in the group to turn," he laughs, stating the sad truth.

"I know right. I blame my parents," I pull away from Timmy and wink at Mom, who rolls her eyes. She and Caius are cooking up breakfast. That's kind of his spot when the guys come over to eat. I'm surprised he's even here after last night. Meanwhile, Anna's brother, Xavier is already having breakfast at the table and he seems very happy with it.

Anna comes over and hugs me, "Happy birthday my sister from another mister."

I laugh. Timmy, Anna, and I are the three musketeers. We've been friends since we were three and just got closer and closer over the years. Anna, her brother, Timmy, and the Asher boys are like an extended part of the family.

"Hey, did you hear back from the University?" I ask Timmy as we sit down at the kitchen island with our coffee mugs. I take a seat between Timmy and Damon while Xavier is at the table eating.

"I got in," Timmy grins proudly. He's going to Oregon State like Xavier. But Timmy is now a part of their football team.

"Timmy that's wonderful!" I side hug him.

Caius places a beautiful plate of sausage, eggs, bacon, and pancakes in front of me.

"Happy birthday," Caius says quietly, but smiling. I smile back, a little forcefully. I honestly don't know what's going on anymore and seeing him here cooking breakfast for us on my birthday is nice but awkward.

"Open our gift first!" Keith exclaims, placing a box wrapped in red in front of me, "It's from Damon and me. He wanted to be here but Dad dragged his ass to work."

I laugh, putting my fork down, "Okay," then start unwrapping the gift, "awwww," I sigh happily, seeing the jewelry box.

"You keep whining about not having enough space for your stuff," he shrugs as I hug him.

"I love it!" I assure him.

Anna follows through, handing me a rectangular box. I give her a questioning look, wondering if it's a bracelet to go with the jewelry box. But when I open her gift, I see a beautiful personalized fountain pen.

"You'll understand why later," she giggles before winking at Mom, who just smiles back in return.

Then Timmy pushes two little boxes to me.