May 6th, 2012

I stared at the clock as it ticked slowly. It was a Monday morning. Monday's were always an awful experience. They entitled school after a long weekend. They entitled another day at work even though you just worked all weekend. Monday's just brought a negative feeling and just an overall negative connotation with the name and it's disappointing that it's become that way. At least, I found it disappointing because the first day of the week should bring a positive feeling. You should be happy that you've gotten through the last week and now you're starting fresh with this new day, hell, this new week.

This Monday was different.

I knew from the second that I woke up that today was going to be something different. Something special even. Instead of waking up and just getting ready, I changed it up. I woke up early and took a warm shower which contrasted to the routine I usually did that involved taking it at night. Instead of leaving my hair slightly wavy, I straightened it and then proceeded to crimp it.

My blue eyes were lined in black eyeliner and my eyelids held a perfect shade of eyeshadow that reflected well with the contour and the light blush on my face. The part that set it all off was the nude matte colored lipstick that was laid elegantly across my lips.

My striped shirt that barely covered my stomach wasn't all that noticeable with my slightly high waisted pants that kept my stomach unseen for the most part. My sandals that strapped around my ankles were the final part to my change and I couldn't help but enjoy the excitement building up in my chest as I grabbed my books and purse and quietly headed downstairs, careful not to wake up my parents at seven in the morning.

I slid into my Kia and started the car, putting The 1975's album in the CD player to play softly in the background. A hand hit the top of my car a few times causing me to jump. I looked up just as a body slid into the passenger seat while I got a cheeky smile from one of the twins before he slid in the back.

"You know most people would offer to drive their best friend on their birthday, not the other way around," I said dryly causing him to smile.

"Happy Birthday, Alaina," Talon said as his brother, Jace threw the birthday bag on my lap.

"Little Lain is finally seventeen." Jace joked as he rested his arms on our seats, poking his head through the middle of the driver and passenger seats.

"Not so little anymore. Look at that chest, man." Talon said letting his eyes obviously move downward from my face. I lightly smacked his chest and shook my head with a small smile. Only my friends, I swear. I thought as I grabbed the paper from the bag.

"You're a pig, you know," I told him, referring to his comment beforehand as I reached my hand in and pulled out the gift. My eyes widened in surprise as I held the Xbox game in my hand.

"I love you," I said in complete awe as I stared at the Xbox one game with the title 'Titanfall 2.' "I take it back, you two are welcome to ride with me whenever you please."

"But wait, there's more," Jace said in one of those talk host show voices. He slid up another gift bag.

"You guys really didn't have to. That game itself already won." I said as I started to open it. Xbox was a normal hobby of mine as I have a love for playing video games. It's something these two got me into years ago.

Pulling out the item, my jaw dropped at."A sock for my cock?" I sputtered out in amazement."You guys seriously get more and more Immature as you get older." I said stuffing it back in the back ignoring their loud laughter throughout the car. I handed Talon the bag as I finally decided we should head to school.

"We figured Martin would love to use it while you two were cuddling," Talon said with a smirk causing my hands to clench on the wheel.

"You know we don't cuddle. He's my lab partner for chemistry. That's all." I said for what felt like the millionth time.

Martin was only my lab partner and although he has a cute look with his glasses and his business looking clothes, he just wasn't my type. Something about his arrogant personality set me off.

"Yeah, I bet you wore makeup just for him today."Talon teased making me roll my eyes.

"Or maybe I wore makeup because I felt good about myself and felt like heightening my beauty," I said making them both groan.

"Not this speech again. Anything but that." Jace begged causing my lips to twitch up in amusement. Every time they prodded me about wearing makeup I always went into some self-confidence speech that annoyed the hell out of them.

"How about we talk about what to do tonight? We could leave during lunch and start actually celebrating your birthday." Talon said just as we pulled into the school parking lot.

I thought it over carefully, I only had one class after lunch so really it wouldn't be that bad skipping it. It was an elective class too so it really wouldn't be that terrible to do. Plus, something in today was going to be different.

Maybe that's it.

"Sure, what did you guys have in mind?" I asked curiously and the twins smiled wildly at me.

"You'll see."

-------------

The day went by rather quickly as I only had a few morning classes. Two of them I shared with at the very least one Cavell brother. It wasn't long before lunch rolled around, making my excitement rise at the thought of going out and doing something fun.

My body was suddenly pushed forward from the force of two boulders running into me, or as most know them as, Talon and Jace Cavell. I stared at the twins as they argued furiously over something. I couldn't help but smile at the two of them. Although they looked identical it wasn't hard to spot the difference as Talon wore more shorts and sports clothes while Jace preferred more button ups and jeans with fancy shoes.

"Are you two going to stand here and argue all day?" I asked and they ignored me as they glared fiercely at each other.

"Fine, I'll just go celebrate my birthday by myself," I said shutting my locker as I slowly started walking away. They both quickly caught up and walked on either side of me once they realized I was serious.

"We're not arguing," Talon said as he shoved his hands in his pocket.

"We're just having a discussion," Jace added causing me to chuckle.

"Whatever you two say," I said holding back a laugh.

"Alaina!" Talon groaned clearly annoyed and I only smiled innocently.

"Love you too," I said sweetly, knowing that's not what he was going to say."Now, what are we going to do?" I asked rocking on my heels as we stood by my car.

"We are going downtown."

"This is probably the worst time to drive over there," I said and Talon lightly pushed my shoulder with his hand.

"Lighten up. You get a nice hibachi lunch on us and then later we've got a surprise" He said sounding excited as we all got in and started the hour drive. 

I smiled,"So when you say it's on 'us' I'm guessing you mean Jace." I said causing him to frown from the seat next to me. 

Jace snorted from the back seat,"Of course, this fool spends all his money on weed and beer from Luke." He said causing Talon to glare at him. 

"You used to do the same." Talon argued.

"Keywords: Use to."

"Hey, put your seatbelts on. We're going on the highway." I instructed and they both started laughing.

"Please, there's nothing to worry about with your slow ass." Talon said with a small smile.

I really did love that smile.

I couldn't help but allow myself to return one before focusing back on the road. "Just put it on," I muttered not glancing back over. The car was quiet for a while as the two brothers scrolled on their phones, texting whoever.

"Bro, you legend. I can't believe you hooked up with Lena." Jace suddenly said making my eyes widen and causing my hands tighten on the wheel. 

"You hooked up with Lena Clarke?" I asked with disgust, glancing at him from beside me.

"Hell yeah, I did."

Jace smirked at his brother. "You deflowered the virgin in a hall closet." He said nodded in approvement. "I'm proud."

I scrunched up my nose at that. Lena Clarke was the most popular, yet innocent girl in our school. Her brown hair with blonde highlights was almost always curled in perfection and her dresses never dared to go above mid thighs. She was almost untouchable due to her never allowing anyone to go further than a french kiss. Unlike what many think, she isn't a bitch. She has her moments, but she was fairly nice to people, at least, until you did something to put you on her bad side. Following her usually was her two best friends, Tracy Hence and Logan Marshall.  Logan was one that people figured she had to be dating for years, but the only thing between the two of them is a hateful glare every time they think someone isn't looking.

Now, being friends with Talon and Jace could've put me in that crowd, but I preferred to stay out of that spotlight. I was good friends with the most of them, but I kept my distance and didn't go out of my way to hang out with any of them outside of school if you don't count the occasional parties. I was an average girl, but I didn't have very many friends that were girls beside my best friend, Julia who went to a completely different school. All the girls here wanted the same thing, a spot next to the Cavell brothers. Well, it was usually that or they wanted nothing to do with them. 

I sighed at that annoying thought of them getting together. We were all seventeen, yet somehow it was normal for them to have sex with half of the school population. I sped up a little, just wanting to get to the restaurant as only I felt the tension filling the car. 

I used all my right mirror as I carefully looked for when it was safe to move to the middle lane. 

"Alaina, you're one of the only ones left. Gonna have to let me tap that sooner or later. Can't have you being the only one left now." Talon joked, lightly elbowing me making my jaw drop as my head snapped to the side.

I quickly recovered,"Yeah right. I'd rather kiss Jace then you. His lips are less monoinfected. Plus, he'll keep a pretty face while Logan beats the hell out of you." I said finally glancing back at the windshield.

What a mistake. 

My small vehicle slammed into the large SUV in front of me. People always claimed that in a traumatic incident it's like things slowed down. Funny how the validity in that statement proved not to be true in this moment as the air bag came flying out and my head went flying forward before smacking against the back of the seat, blocking most of the shattering glass. Another impact came as another car slammed into the back of my car causing me to slam against the window. My ears were ringing as my eyes were closed shut. It wasn't until I was left with just the blood dripping down from my temple and the buzzing in my ears that I realized what just happened.My eyes flew open looking for the other two men with me. 

"T-talon," I mumbled trying to find him. He wasn't in the front seat. Why wasn't he in the front seat? Where's his airbag? Why isn't he in the front seat?

"Jace," I said trying to unbuckle the seatbelt and turn around. My body was screaming at the moment but I had to see him.

"Alaina," He attempted to call back. His eyes remained closed as he didn't move, blood dripping on his shirt.

"Talon's not here," I mumbled looking around the car. It wasn't until my eyes finally locked onto the legs that laid on the dashboard.

"No, no, no." I couldn't stop mumbling the words as I tried to open the door. Why wouldn't it open? 

"It won't open," I whispered as my eyes filled with tears. I could hear the distance sirens but it wasn't enough to calm me as I couldn't see his face. 

"He wasn't wearing his seatbelt. He should've been wearing his seatbelt." I whispered furiously as I tried to get out of the car. 

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Jace. I'm so sorry."  I kept mumbling as I shook my head and rocked slightly back and forth. 

Please be okay.

Please.