The Fade

Chapter 6

"Happy birthday Ronnie!" People call down the hallway, knowing exactly how much I hate people knowing.

"Thanks!" I give the same answer, matched with the same relaxed closed mouth smile. Easy enough, and people don't ask questions.

All morning all I've heard is 'happy birthday' or 'can't wait for the party', like it's a big thing to celebrate your birth when your parents aren't even your real parents and you've just found out they've been lying to you for eighteen years.

Okay, breath, Veronica.

Seeing as it's my eighteenth, everyone wants to make a huge deal out of it. They're swarming me like flies, sticking like glue and not seeing that this is the last thing I want. I understand they want to do this for me, and I appreciate the effort, but the only thing I really want right now...is Severus. He hasn't come back, and I've looked for him, I've been to the woods multiple times in the past two days, but he's gone.

I chose my family over him, just like everyone else. How could I do that to him?

A large arm wraps over my shoulders, the familiar smell of Alexander hitting my nose. Rolling my eyes I push his arm off me, noticing how clingy he's being today.

"Get off." I grumble, heading to maths with Alexander on my heels.

"Not a chance. Now that you're eighteen, I'm going to have to fight harder to keep the boys away." He mutters, not a hint of amusement in his voice.

The strangest thing about his words, he sounds...possessive. That's just him being a protective best friend and adoptive brother, right?

Sucking it up, I stay quiet and take my seat in class. Not saying a word as Alexander sits directly behind me, so no one can so much as look my way without him noticing. Yeah, he's just being protective.

Ignoring the warning bells in my head, I tiredly drag my way through the day until it's finally time to go home. Thankfully Alexander gives me a ride, if he hadn't I would have probably fallen to sleep at the side of a road. Lack of sleep and feeling strange being the reason, and by strange I mean, random headaches, my eyes hurting hence the sunglasses, my entire body aching.

"Hi sweetie! The party starts at eight, so you only have four and a half hours to get ready, do you want some help?" Mom calls from the kitchen.

I glance up at Alexander, taking off my sunglasses with a sigh. Despite not wanting any of this, I know if I'm not perfect tonight she'll be upset, and to be honest I don't think I can manage it the way I'm feeling.

"Actually, Yeah." I agree, heading up the steps.

"Great! I'll be up five!" She excitedly calls back.

Wolf hearing, that's how she heard me. I have no doubt mom is about to give me a full mani and pedi, and force me into letting her wax my legs, arms and admits.

Reaching my room, I drop my bag on the floor tiredly, practically dragging my feet across the carpet. Realising my room smells of Severus, I quickly hide the shirt he gave me two days ago, and spray my room with perfume. Cracking open the window a little to deter my mom.

The dress I picked out is spread neatly on my bed, along with the black heels. Moms doing I'm guessing, she's all about perfection in front of guests.