|Cassie|

There's one special day that you selfishly get all to yourself and that would be your birthday. Which is probably the best day of the year for a majority of kids my age. You get all the attention from your family, your friends, even a couple teachers who will wish you those two famous words of "happy birthday".

Except me. That's right, every October sixth not only do I celebrate it for me surviving the big birth that almost killed me but I have to share it with my -not so identical- twin sister, Clarke who literally tried pushing me back just so she could get the glory of being born first. For as long as I remember, there has not been one birthday we didn't share. Which was fine until we got middle school and decided to go separate ways personality wise, me of course being the only logical one while Clarke could never put her phone down.

"Look at my beautiful birthday girl!" Dad hugged me right as I entered the kitchen. One of the things both Clarke and I have in common is we looked nothing like our Dad. He's blonde with bright blue eyes while both Clarke and I share the same dark features. Same hair color, except hers is dyed a light brown now, same dark brown eyes, same facial structure. The one difference is she's a little darker than I while I got the white genes that my father possessed.

It's just Dad, Clarke, and I now. Seven years ago, my parents decided it was best to split, which don't get me wrong but was probably the best decision for all of us. Mom lives in Europe now, partying her remaining years away; smoking and drinking anything she can get a hand on while we sit here, living our lives like everything is normal. We haven't physically seen our mom since we were fifteen -two years ago- which was a nice time until she decided to drive us home drunk, crashing into an on coming vehicle head on. I was in the front seat when the front windshield shattered. One of the glass shards barley missed my right eye, giving me a nasty scar. I had a dislocated shoulder and major concussion . Clarke only got a bad sprain, and mom had a black eye and scratches all over her face. Everyone knew it would be best if we never saw her again without some other adults there. I know she feels bad about the event and even attempted to stop her bad habits, until she relapsed a year later. Never looking back at the family she abandoned.

I quickly walked to the counter and examined the Monday mail, secretly hoping there was a card or any sign that she still cared about us and didn't forget the most important day of our lives. Yet here I am examining bills and discounts store are having for the upcoming holiday.

"Where's your sister?" Dad asked, grabbing a mug as I prepare the morning coffee brew.

"Asleep," I smile to myself.

"Cassie did you snooze her alarm?" He turned to me, crossing his arms while raising one eyebrow. Trying to get me to confess. He wasn't getting one thing out of me. It's my birthday too, what will a harmless prank do?

"No," I can't hide my smile. Sooner or later I can't hold in my laugh when I hear Clarke scream my name.

"You're so dead, Cassie!" Clarke yelled.

I broke out into a sprint towards the bathroom. Locking myself inside. Clarke pounded on the door aggressively.

"Cassie open the door!" She continued to repeat over and over again.

"Happy birthday little sister!" I said in reply. Giggling to myself.

"You're so going to regret this!" She yelled before I heard her walking away. The stomping in frustration gave it away.

I opened the bathroom door slowly, peering out. Catching Clarke disappearing into her room once more to get ready for school.

Dad was watching the whole situation play out from the safety of the couch. Coffee in hand, sipping it slowly.

"You are absolutely evil." He commented as I walked past.

I smiled, "it's an art really."

"I'm pretty sure you're the reason for my hair going gray," he grabbed a strand of his short blonde hair, "see this. You caused this."

"Actually hair going gray is a gene. Scientist have proven that one. According to the most trustworthy resources." I grin.

"Go get ready for school." He commanded, but I accepted that as my second win of the day. First one not getting murder in my own home by my sister.

I decided for my birthday outfit to keep it simple. Black leggings which made my butt look good -thank you squats, you're doing your job- and a maroon sweater. With a lovely black scarf to tie it all together. I curled the tips of my dark brown hair quickly and grabbed brown boots. It's my favorite time of the year and it's because I can get away with wearing dark colors and not looking weird.

I ran into Clarke when I was walking back to the bathroom to do my makeup.

"I hate you." She mumbled under her breath.

"Thanks sis. Can always count on you." I pat her shoulder.

Unlike me who was going for the simple cute look, Clarke has to look her absolute best. It's her birthday what else was she going to do? She wore a jean jacket over a white dress with a pair of light brown ankle boots which I'm pretty sure she stole from my closet. Then again I stole this scarf from her.

"Please tell me you guys won't be at each other throats all day!" Dad groaned from the couch. "I can't handle that much stress."

"It's Cassie's fault." Clarke complained, heading straight for her daily dose of caffeine.

"I should of set up a camera for your reaction. Opportunity missed." I snapped my fingers and slowly walked into the bathroom.

I knew Clarke would get over it, she would have to if she wants her amazing gift from me. Some crazy actor she's obsessed with is doing a signing in town in a couple of days, and me being amazing got her sold out tickets.

I finished off my makeup look with a dark brown lip, just to emphasis my love for the fall season and the best part is, this lip color can last all day. It's a win-win if you asked me.

"Now come on else you're going to be late for school." Dad pushed himself off the couch and grabbed the car keys.

"Can I drive?" I asked.

"No." Clarke and Dad said in sync.

"What?" I asked as they starred at me. "I'm not that bad."

"Tell that to the ticket you got last year." Dad glared.

"That was one year ago. I'm older and more mature." I say proudly.

"Not good enough for me." He snickered.

"Fine." I groan, following them out the door and into the driveway.

We lived on a quiet street with friendly neighbors who took care of Clarke and I when dad was on a business trip and after the whole car crash thing. My favorite would have to be Ms. Rodriguez. A kind elderly lady who lives next door to us with her corgi, Ralph. I walk him after school for her since she's not able to give him enough of her energy like she use to. She's such a kind lady, always smiling. Also her cooking is what I live for, especially those chocolate chip cookies. Heaven in every bite that you can't help but eat the whole pan.

Clarke screamed scaring both Dad and me.

"What the heck?" Dad asked. Eyeing her carefully.

Instantly I thought she saw a bee, we're both deathly allergic, but then I noticed her phone. Now I know it has something to do with one of the Kardashian's. Probably some new makeup line or pregnancy, they happen to do that a lot.

"William Everest is coming here today!" She screeched in excitement.

"I think my eardrum just busted." I mumble to myself, causing Dad to laugh slightly.

"You don't have to laugh at me. I have a slim chance on meeting him since I couldn't get tickets to his signing." She complained.

Little do you know little sister.

"Come on, first school. Then boys." Dad seemed slightly annoyed. Probably terrified that his teenage girls are no longer children and that means we're in the dating world.

"And coffee." I added, sliding into the back seat. "You can't forget about the coffee."

Dad looked at me through the rearview mirror, "I'll preach to that."

I smiled before pulling out my current read. A retelling of Cinderella with a plot that wraps you by it's fingers and rips out a part of your soul. Especially on chapter twenty, no one would've expected that plot twist in a million years. Such a way the author can make you feel so many emotions at once, you can never put the book down.

Dad pulled up to the front of our school, NorthBrooks High school home of the Mustangs. It's your typical average American High school, gum under tables and pee left on the seats and all. It's also filled to the brink of stereotypical hormone invested teenagers who think it's the end of the world if the slightest thing happens to them. Then that's every teenager nowadays.

Just walking up to the school you are just bombarded by every cliché in the book. First there's the jocks showing off to the fellow cheerleaders. All wearing some sort of school spirit outfit associated with their sport. Then there's the computer nerds who could literally explain every function inside the computer without any hesitation. The art kids are usually sitting at the outside lunch tables discussing new shading techniques. Then there's the hippies, high on whatever they managed to get. Don't get them confused with the druggies though, majority of the hippies are really cool and friendly here. The druggies here, one of them disappears each week.

"Are you coming?" Clarke asked.

Where do Clarke and I fall into? The average group. All the people in between each and every group. Now some are lower on the scale than others -me- but we got each other backs. Most of us anyways.

"Of course because school is the best place I want to spend my birthday." I snicker.

"Oh just so you know Rue and I are going with Gabe for lunch." She tells me.

"Fine with me." I smile. Catching up to my sisters stride.

I don't have any friends. Not because I'm antisocial and hate everyone in the world, it's just I've had Clarke over the years and we never really did anything without each other. Making it a little difficult for me to find friends especially when you don't really care about what's hot in the media let alone anything in the entertainment industry. Clarke became instant best friends with Rue, a black girl with amazing curls and is not afraid to show her personality to the world, especially when she recognized I could care less about what actor she's obsessing over at the moment. And because Clarke and I never left each others side, I became friends with Rue too. Sort of. I just hung out with them, usually reading my book while they talked about whatever.

I guess I failed at the making of friends department.

"You're a pretty awesome sibling you know that?" She asked, putting her arm around my shoulder.

"I know." I smile to myself, "just wait till you see what I got you."

"I think I got the best gift this year, just saying." She smiles. Ever since we were young, we'd have who can get the best gift competition every birthday and Christmas. There's no prize besides bragging rights. I always win in Christmas gifts. Clarke usually wins birthday, but this year it's going to be different.

"You better brace yourself for major disappointment." I grin uncontrollably.

"You're on." She grabbed my hand and shook it hard.

Now let the best gift giver win.