My Second Chance

Chapter one: Baden

Today felt like it would be an amazing day. 
I woke early this morning and just lay here in my bed looking out the window watching the sunrise over the trees. 

I can hear the soft sound of chirping crickets and the sweet melodic tunes of birds fluttering.  I smile and appreciate the beauty and the colors now filtering into my room from the sun. 

I stay relaxed for another minute or two when I decide to get up and attend to my regular morning routine.  Run, shower, brush my teeth and breakfast. 

When it’s time to eat I find my Mom, Dad and Sister Zoë sitting around the breakfast table discussing this evening’s end of year graduation BBQ. 

Our packs Alpha and Luna throw this BBQ for all High School Seniors as a sort of graduation, but everyone in the pack attends. 

I’m super excited because I have officially graduated High School with honors.  My Parents are especially proud of me because we found out recently that I was accepted into Harvard Medical School on an all expenses paid Scholarship. 

My parents are not rich you see, but they have a wealth of love and have always tried to give my sister and I everything we could possibly need.  I was aware from a very young age of the financial burden it would be on them to send myself and my sister to College.  So as soon as I started High School I worked incredibly hard on my education.
My dream is to one day be an accomplished Cardiologist and be able to support my Parents when they get older.

“So honey, are you excited about tonight” my Mom asks happily.  “Yes Ma'am and I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends” I say. 

My Parents faces beam with pride.  “We are so proud of you Baden" my Dad says with a glint in his eye, “both you and Zoë". He says looking at my sister. 

My Sister Zoë is also very bright, but when she graduates she wants to be a Neural Engineer, so she’s working exceptionally hard to receive a scholarship into a good school when she graduates next year. 

I look at my sister and feel so grateful to have her in my life, Zoë and I aren’t just sisters, she’s is also one of my best friends and I will miss her dearly when I leave.  But I shove the sadness of my leaving to the side because I still have 2 months to go before that happens.

“Well" my Mom says hesitantly, bringing me out of my thoughts. 
“Since tonight is a very special night, your Dad and I have bought you a little something". 
I follow my Mom’s eyes and notice a beautifully wrapped box on the Kitchen bench and I feel instantly excited.  I feel a smile on my face from ear to ear. 
“Mom, Dad you shouldn’t have" I say. 
“Yes we should have" they both reply chuckling. 
I roll my eyes at their cuteness and walk over to where my gift is sitting.  First I read the little note attached to the bow.

Dearest Baden,
You have made us so very proud.  You are such a wonderful, kind and generous person and we hope all your dreams come true.
Love
Mom, Dad and Zoë♡

I smile at the note and wipe the few tears I didn’t realise I had shed from my cheek.  Putting the note down I unwrap my gift carefully and open the box.
Inside I find a simple chic halter top dress that comes just above the knee.  There are no trills and frills but it is beautiful and the cream colour will go so well with my olive skin and beachy blonde hair. 
I stop admiring my dress long enough to turn to my Parents and sister and give them all the biggest hug and thank you.

“You never know” my Mom says looking at my Sister with a glint of humor in her eyes. “Now that you’re Eighteen maybe you’ll find your mate tonight" she continues.