Rock Bottom

Birthday

Alec woke up the morning he turned eighteen feeling rather the same as he had at seventeen. Still he smiled up at the ceiling. September the second all day today. His day. His birthday. Alec was determined to enjoy this day, despite the mess that was his life at the moment. You only turned eighteen once, right? With this in mind he went downstairs to find Tessa in the kitchen cooking. Alec almost purred with happiness as he smelt the bacon and pancakes she was making.

"God that smells good," Alec groaned as he moved closer. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.

"Everyone should get breakfast pancakes on their birthday," Tessa said with a smile as she prepared him a plate.

Alec accepted the food happily and dug in, feeling like a spoiled child and not even caring.

"Have you texted your parents?" Tessa asked, setting a plate of food down in front of him.

"No," Alec admitted. She gave him a look, and Alec felt the need to defend himself. "Hey, it's my birthday. Shouldn't they text me happy birthday, rather than the other way around?"

"Generally yes, though in this case, I believe they are worried you don't want to hear from them," Tessa explained.

"Yeah okay," Alec sighed, hoping she'd change the topic. After all, he had all day to text his parents.

"Any big birthday plans before tonight?" Tessa asked him.

"Eating your delicious food," Alec replied, before scarfing more food down his throat.

"Okay yes, but that won't take all day," Tessa chuckled at him.

Alec shrugged. "I don't know," he said.

"Well what would you like to do?" she asked. "It is, after all, your birthday."

And Alec really thought about it for a while. Magnus hadn't been at the renovation work sites for a while, and Alec found he almost missed the odd, yet charming guy. Alec had never before had friends like those he'd gained through his job, and he found he rather loved it. Abby in particular Alec had bonded with. She was at the work sites almost every day, usually complaining about her mom making her help, or laughing with her sisters. Outside of work, Alec had spent the summer trying and failing to get time with Maia. She and Jordan were back in that honeymoon phase of theirs, and spending every waking second together. Alec was however touched that they'd put off their travel till first thing tomorrow morning so they could come to his birthday dinner tonight. He was pretty used to this kinda thing from Maia. She was his best friend, and he missed her, but he had to admit if he had what she had with Jordan he'd probably ditch his friends a little too. It was normal, even if it sucked.

In answer to Tessa's question, Alec shrugged.

"What detailed thoughts you have," Tessa teased.

"Would it be totally wrong to sit alone and play video games all day?" Alec laughed.

"Not if that is what you want," Tessa replied with a smile.

"I bet if I dedicated the whole day to it, I can get well passed that stupid boss level I've been stuck on!" Alec exclaimed as he finished her delicious breakfast. Tessa chuckled, reaching to clear away his plate.

Hours later, Alec could be found sitting in his room, controller in hand, mashing buttons like his life depended on it. His gaming console had been one of the first things he'd bought with his own money, after first attempting to pay Jem and Tessa rent. Both his former teachers had flat out refused to accept his money, and had told him to buy something for himself. Thus the gaming console had entered his life.