The following day, I went home after school. Bobby demanded to accompany me. I declined. My mother posed no threat to me. The incident happened only once, and she was intoxicated. I know my mom; I'm not a moron. My dad would have taken care of it. I quietly closed the front door behind me, both of my parents sat on the couch in the sitting room. I got closer, my mom wiping her eyes with a tissue.

"Mom" My low voice broke the silence. Her head snapped in my direction. She swiftly stood up, holding her arms out to me. I looked over at my dad.

"It's ok" He told me. I hesitantly went over, allowing her to hug me. I felt her body tremble as her tears overtook her.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart. I'm sorry" She cried, holding me tenderly, as though I were a delicate object that was prone to breaking. I finally returned the hug.

"It's okay mom, I forgive you"

"No, it's not ok" She cut in. "I've been walking around bottling up all of my emotions, pretending I'm fine and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry sweetheart. This should have never happened"

"Mom's going to have therapy every week" My dad informed me. "You need to tell me now, do I need to put you through the same thing?"

"I'm fine" I whispered. "I have Bobby, he's my therapist" My dad smiled and slowly nodded his head.

"I'm glad you have him" My mum said.

"Me too"

~ Time Skip~

The month of October finally came and that meant two things. Halloween and Bobby's birthday. I'm guessing you could tell which one meant more to me. I sat cross legged on the floor. I cut off a piece of tape and stuck it to the wrapping paper. I placed it to the side with the other gifts. I hope he likes them. Tommy had been helping me over the last few months, I was so grateful, I would've struggled on my own. He was the one who told me when Bobby's birthday is. Bobby never mentioned it. His card was the last thing left. I grabbed the pen on the floor and wrote in the card.

"Lucy, phone" I heard my mom yell from downstairs. Since her therapy, she has been getting a lot better. She doesn't look as drained or down anymore. She made a lot of progress. I jogged down the stairs and jumped onto the couch, taking the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's me"

"What's up Tommy?"

"I just wanted to know what the plan is for tomorrow?" He asked.

"Well Johnny will keep him busy. He's bringing him to my house at 8"

"Are we partying with your mom and dad?"

"No idiot, my dad's taking my mom away for the weekend" I explained.

"Ooo okay cool! I can't wait to see his face"

"Me either. Thank you for all of you help Tommy"

"Hey don't mention it. See you tomorrow"

"Bye"

I placed my hand on my hips and scanned the living room. This place needed rearranging. My parents already knew about the surprise birthday party. So there wouldn't be any harm in asking them for help to do a little moving.

"Mom, dad. I could use your help!"

~

I let out a frustrated yell. Another balloon whizzed around the room as I failed to tie a knot at the end. Tommy and Lauren seemed to get the hang of it. I pushed my pile of Balloons over to them and started working on the streamers, making a makeshift curtain out of it and sticking it to the doorframe of the sitting room. The ringing of the phone made the three of us freeze. My dad rushed out to answer it.

"Hello, Graves residence. Roy speaking" My dad said. "Bobby?"

My eyes widened. I waved my hands in front of my dad and quickly shook my head. Hoping he got the hint.

"She's out with Lauren at the minute. I'll let her know you called. Okay, cya Bobby" My dad shot me a thumbs up. I let out a sigh of relief. Thank god.

Hours later and we had finished. The food was ready, decorations were done. We managed to get the balloons to stick to the ceiling, adding curling ribbon on the ends. Everything looked perfect. My mom and dad left. I set up my gifts and card for Bobby on the coffee table, Tommy added his to the pile. The others would be bringing theirs when they arrived.

"I feel like something's missing" I spoke, I tapped my finger on my lip.

"Nope we got everything" Lauren told me, taking a second glance around the room.

"Yeah, I even handed you the candles" Tommy added.

"Shit!" I yelled. "Tommy I forgot the cake!" I started pacing back and forth, freaking out. I couldn't go out there, what if Bobby caught me. I had no idea what he and Johnny were doing or where Johnny was taking him.

"Hey, chill out! I'll grab the cake and bring it back with me when I'm changed" Tommy reassured me. I relaxed a little. "You two go get ready, everyone will be arriving soon"

"Thanks Tommy" I gave him a friendly hug, I grabbed Lauren's hand, the both of us rushing upstairs to get changed.

-Bobby's P.O.V-

I slouched in the chair, holding my head in my hands. Johnny had taken me to the movies to watch 'The Terminator' for my birthday. Now I wouldn't have been bothered but I've seen it three times already. I appreciated the act I really did. Johnny had been the only one to wish me a happy birthday, besides my family. None of the other guys called or even bothered to show up, even though Johnny invited them. Apparently they were all busy. I didn't get a single call from Lucy either and that one hurt. I know I never told her, but if she loved me; Surely she would've gone out of her way to find out.

"Why the long face?" Johnny asked, slapping my chest. The movie finally finished and we walked out towards his car.

"Nothing" I mumbled.

"Ain't you having fun? I'm having a great time"

"Yeah, thanks Johnny"

"Hey don't mention it" He grinned at me as we both sat in his car. "Want me to drop you off at Lucy's?"

"Nope" I replied and he frowned. "If she wanted to see me today, she would've called me"

"Hey don't be like that! Does she know it's your birthday?" He asked me, starting the engine. I shrugged in response. "Let's go find out"

Despite my demands not to, Johnny drove to Lucy's place. As we approached, all the lights were out. Confirming that she wasn't in. More than likely with her girls. My lips firmly pressed together. My birthday wish this year was to spend the day with her and I couldn't even do that.

"See, waste of time. No one's home!" I said in annoyance.

"Does her family normally leave the door wide open if they go out?" Johnny asked in concern. My head shot towards the front door. Johnny was right. My heart beat began to quicken as I grew anxious. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and rushed to the house, Johnny following me close behind.

"Bobby wait!" Johnny hissed. I stopped by the front door, listening out for any sound. Silence. I closed my eyes trying to remain calm. I couldn't shake the thought that someone had seriously hurt her and her family. I felt extremely guilty. Maybe this is why she never called. She could've been attacked.  I shot a worried glance over at Johnny. He nodded his head and we both quietly stepped inside. Johnny closing the door behind us. I couldn't see anything.

"Lucy?" I shouted. "Are you here?"

"Lucy?" Johnny shouted.

"Please answer me baby!" I pleaded. I heard a rustling come from the direction of the front room. I knew the lay out of her house pretty well and slowly walked towards the sound, Johnny right behind me. So many images ran through my mind of how I'd possible find her, I felt sick to my stomach. I reached round and felt the light switch, flicking it on.

"Surprise! Happy birthday Bobby!" I flinched. The sound of party blowers  filling my ears. I quickly looked around to see Tommy, Jimmy, Dutch, Ella, Lauren, Georgia, Susan, Barbara, couple of other guys from the dojo we were friendly with and Lucy all stood in front of me, all of them holding, now empty, party poppers. Johnny laughed from behind me, slapping my shoulder.

"Happy birthday man!" He said.

"You did this?" I asked. He shook his head and pointed over to Lucy. I looked over at her, she stood wearing a beautiful blue dress, my favourite colour, a wide grin spread across her face. Nothing could wipe the smile from my face right now. This girl is definitely one of a kind.