The Crow & The Sparrow

Chapter Four: Birthday Girl

The teen rushed home and forgot her record at the top of the church. Eric picked it up and ran his thumb under the text. Smiling about the name she had told him, Kele. Now he had to see the free spirited girl again, of course to return the record but to spend more time with her. Being fiery and treating him like a normal person not as a musician.

The fact Kele had brought him to her favorite place made him feel special. Never did Draven think someone would do that upon first meeting, nor the fact he ran into them. She was annoyed with me for running into her but after... She knew who I was and made me want to apologize. Something about her was different, strong but sweet.

Such a gem, or more of a diamond in the rough... I hope I can see her again before too much time passes. I need to unpack this girl of mystery. Who just ran into my life, I just hope it is not the last.

She had just arrived home to see the last of her family's cars pull in. Grandma Deborah! Prancing over to the silver Ford Mustang Boss 302, the car turned off. Her grandma stepping out to give her a big hug, though taller than Kele, just made them better. Rubbing circles on the teen's back, Deb pressed a kiss on her granddaughter's forehead.

"I missed you, my number one granddaughter." A gentle honey voice came out, unlike her father's disproving taunting one.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you Gram Gram." Kay sighs, "You've grown so much..." Debbie cupped her fragile face and pet the soft skin beneath.

"It's only been a year.-" Kele spoke, "A year has been kind to you, such a pretty young lady." making her smile.

"Let's get inside, they will be expecting us." The Grandmother stated, keeping an arm around her small waist.

Twisting the copper knob, the pair entered the large stone worked home. The entrance was tall and arched with a pale grey stone while around the sides were a warm toned type. Where everyone else was waiting around the table, chatting about nothing while they slipped in silently. Her younger sister Shura turned and saw Kele who already knew what she was going to do.

"Dad! Look who finally showed up." Giving a stare of disgust, that's all their relationship was.

Shura getting Kele in trouble for everything and anything, just because she liked watching her suffer. So was her older brother Vincent who found an excuse to ignore every request for help. All that Kay had ever done was be slightly different than the rest of her siblings. The fawn color of her hair and the golden hazel eyes stood out against the rest. All of her brothers and sisters who had matching brunette locks and the icy blue eyes of their father.

Taima was a spitting image of her mother, who had fawn hair but more green than gold hazel eyes. The oldest and youngest of the siblings would find any reason to remind her of that. Almost blaming their mother for being unfaithful to their dad. Valerie and Ahusaka never did that, they were not bothered with appearances. The second youngest sister was Val at thirteen, the older twin brother to Shura was Ahusaka at eleven.

"Never fail to be late, do you Kele?" Debbie gave her son-in-law a glare of death, "She isn't late, you never gave a time." gently patting Tai's back to go sit down.

"I said dinner time. For us, it is five or six. It is six thirty. Stop making excuses for her, she should know the rules of the house. She's been lucky enough to live here for sixteen years." Chunta snarled, ignoring Debrah's statement.

"Then rip me a new one too, you don't get to be select on who gets to be insulted at dinner." Kele started picking at her cuticles, trying to block out their argument.

Ahusaka cupped her shaking hand into his mini one, attempting to calm her anxiety. Every birthday brought on this argument, it's been the same one for fifteen years even when I was on time. It wouldn't be so bad if he just told me why he hated me so much. I have done nothing but be a doormat and a teacher to my younger siblings. Shura smirked towards Kele before taking a seat and stopping the fight.

Cynthia entered, carrying the main course of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Kele stood up and went to the kitchen, leaning over the sink in an attempt to hold the acid still that was rising in her gut. Placing down the heavy plates, Thia returned to the kitchen to see her daughter's distress. A caring touch on Kele's shoulder was nearly enough to make her burst into tears. A famous lump began to form but was forcefully pushed down.

"I'm fine." Ke started chanting to herself, like her mother couldn't hear.

"If you want to go upstairs till dinner is done, you can, I'll save you a plate." She comforted Taima to the best of her ability.

"No, me running away only gives them power. I-" The teen's voice broke, "Just help me carry the rest of the food out. You'll calm down." she nodded.

They both came out with the remaining plates and arranged them where needed. Kele's face had turned back to its tan form and the patches of red vanished. Sitting back with her little brother, they began feasting. Only the recent event dubbed the birthday girl's stomach not hungry. They do it on purpose to avoid having to feed me regularly.

To irk them, Tai forced down a piece of meatloaf. Eating the potatoes was easy enough, eating a normal amount before the cake was brought out. A handful sang to the now sixteen year old.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Kele, happy birthday day to you!!!! And many more!" They did in unison, making her smile finally.

Blowing out the candles, a sudden coldness blew into the home. As if a deal with the devil had come to pass, Cynthia's face turned pale in knowledge. Alaric would be coming to collect her now that Kele had turned sixteen like he promised. She would be married to Top-Dollar against her will and peace would be made in the city...