Once in a blue moon

the day her world fell apart

The day was like any other, Eliza had woken to the light coming through her window blinds and covering her face in a warm orange color. She sleepily rose out bed, landing her feet on the hard wood floor of her bedroom. Today was her birthday. Her sixteenth birthday to be exact. she changed into what her parents called "her birthday suit" which was her signature white shirt, with navy blue striped shirt, with a long light brown skirt and a light yellow sweater jacket. She slid on her flats and headed downstairs to greet her parents, both smiling proudly towards her.

"I cooked your favorite!" exclaimed her father, he was the cook of the house so it was no wonder he would make something for her special day. "3 fluffy buttermilk pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream on top, and of course, maple syrup" Her father handed her the syrup bottle so she would pour it herself. Eliza let the sticky syrup pour out of its bottle slowly onto her specially made dad pancakes. She sat down to eat as her parents finished up with the other things they had in their, seeming, always busy schedule.

"So dear, do you have anything special planned for your very special birthday?" Her mom asked innocently. Eliza shrugged, she didn't really understand the importance of birthdays, it was just another year marker of her being alive. Nothing special.

"not really, probably going to have Jace and Xaver come over to hangout, you know I don't want anything too big mom" She nodded, she knew that Eliza was a simple teen and it didn't take much to make her happy. Eliza got up from the kitchen table after finishing her birthday breakfast and sat on the family couch. Her birthday this year landed on the beginning of the weekend, which meant that she didn't have to deal with other students making a big deal about her birthday. She messaged both Jace and Xaver, they were her best friends, since kinder-garden probably. They both responded in less than a minute, letting her know that they'd be right over. Not long later she heard the home doorbell ring, knowing Jace and Xaver, they probably came together, in so to not waste gas. Eliza opened the door and let the boys inside, they've been in her house many times before to the point were sh wouldn't mind if they just walked in, but they still want to be somewhat descent house guests, though it seemed her house was like a second home for the two. They followed her to the couch and sat down, well Jace did, Xaver basically threw himself onto Eliza's couch

"Sorry Liz- you know how it is, I'm always having to act all high and proper" Xaver said, letting himself sink into her couch. something that should be said... Xaver's parents are super rich, not only that, his dad is running for president, so he has to act like he's not a problem kid, Jace pats Xaver on the head and laughs at him, Xaver blushes lightly but Eliza seems to be the only one to notice.

Eliza's parents walked down the stairs of the second floor, and smiles towards her and her friends. They were going out, Eliza wasn't sure where but it didn't really matter to her, probably a fancy dinner older people would like, They waved goodbye and Eliza waved back. Before she knew it they were in the car and driving away. Eliza laughed and put on one of her favorite movies to fill the silence.

3 hours later into Eliza's mini party she got a phone call, she walked away from the boys and answered

"Hello? Eliza Stewart answering" Eliza said in a almost sing-song esque voice, which was her normal "phone answering voice". Her heart started feeling heavy when the voice on the other line was silent, almost hesitant, until it broke the silence 

"Ma'm..." By the stern voice it seemed to be a police officer, why would a officer be calling her. Her father was a cop but she always had his co-workers in her phone contacts in case, but this was an unknown number "are you the daughter of Joe and Kaitlen Stewart?" Eliza body froze, she assured that those were, in fact, her parent's names, the voice on the other line let out a deep sigh "dear I'm sorry to tell you but.." at that moment Eliza knew that they were gone, her parents left for a night out and are never coming back, tears started streaming down her face "...you parents were crashed into by a drunk driver on their way back home, all were killed on impact, I'm so sorry" she hung up and set her phone down, shaking violently. Jace and Xaver asked her what was wrong, before she would explain Eliza fell to her knees and screamed out in pain. she would never forget that on her sixteenth birthday, her parents were taken from her.