(Ali's POV)

     When I woke up the girls were gone. I was used to things like that happening. I'd fall asleep with a full house and wake up completely alone. It happened just about anywhere I went but definitely more when I was stuck in a house with world famous bands all the time. Everything was hectic with a group like that. However, no one seemed capable of leaving without taping notes to the door of my room.

Dear Ali,

      I'm so sorry we had to leave on such short notice but there's no rest for this family. As far as I know, the boys are all sound asleep in their beds which means you're on wake up duty. Good luck. Hopefully, we get to see you later this week. We all want to talk to you some more! Have a lovely day, girly. 

Kisses,

Eleanor, Dani, and Perrie

I smile at the small note the girls left me before crumbling it up and tossing it aside. If I had to wake the boys I needed to start cooking. Nothing to calm the rage of a bunch of sleep deprived twenty year olds like them then fruit salad, bacon, and omelets.

The kitchen was looking messier than usual which made cooking a hassle but I did so with ease. Once I had set up six bowls of fruit and five plates of omelets and bacon I start the clean up. In order to keep the food from getting cold I'm only able to do a wipe down of the counter and put the dishes into the sink. Baby steps are better than no steps. 

Taking in a deep breath, I yell, "Breakfast!"

Within seconds the boys have taken their seats at the table and are inhaling their food as though they'd never eaten a day in their lives. I take up my own seat and stab a piece of watermelon with my fork. Just before I bring the fruit to my mouth I notice five pairs of eyes trained on me.

"What? Never seen a watermelon before?" They continue to stare. "A watermelon is a type of fruit that has-"

"We know what a watermelon is," says a disgruntled and seemingly defensive Niall.

"Then, what are you staring at?" Of course, I knew they were all staring because this was probably the first time I'd eaten with them. 

"Uh, sorry." Louis murmurs and goes back to eating. 

It's hard to finish even the small bowl of fruit but I manage even though my stomach is in knots by the time I place my bowl into the sink. Though, the boys have finally left me alone about it so I'm free to walk back up to my room and get ready for the day.

I get dressed in a brown shirt and black skinny jeans. I slip on some brown leather boots. Even though it's spring the weather outside is chilly and wind blows against the windows of my room. I look to the calendar on my wall. April 4, 2013. Tomorrow's my birthday. From what I've seen of them, the boys probably have a huge party arranged. It's not that I don't like to celebrate, I just hate crowds. And I haven't had an actual birthday party since before I can remember. I could practically feel the panic attack now.

(Liam's POV)

"Guys, was I dreaming or did Ali actually eat breakfast?" I laugh at my own statement. 

"Okay, good you saw it, too." Niall sighed in relief.

"Well, this is going well. She actually ate. Sure, it wasn't much but it was something. We done did good! Yay!" 

Louis high pitch shouting doesn't go unnoticed to the rest of us. Harry actually reaches over and covers Lou's mouth. Then he quickly retracts it and makes a face before wiping his hand on his pant leg. Harry mutters something about not knowing where that tongue had been and Louis makes a face.

"Will you two quit it?"

They don't say anything but stop making faces.

"Anyone know what we have planned for tomorrow?" 

I sit down on the couch and try to rub the sleep out of my eyes. I wait for a response. 

"We have some photo shoots, a rehearsal for one of the songs on Midnight Memories, and a meeting with Simon." Zayn informs me.

"Great, so that should take up most of the day. Wonderful."

The others grunt in sarcastic agreement. I had to admit, sometimes the job could be a bit much. I notice Ali walk down the stairs with the dogs close at her side. I'm about to ask what she's up to but then I notice the leashes in her hand. She calls a simple greeting to us before walking out the door.

(Ali's POV)

As usual, I walk up the next morning long before the boys are up. I head to the kitchen to make breakfast being sure not to wake anyone. And, yes, I do realize it's my birthday but I don't feel any different. I'm still the same height and weight. I didn't suddenly become a different person and the world hasn't stopped to show that today is any more important than yesterday.

Yelling my usual morning greeting for the boys to get their butts up and out of bed, I sit down and nibble a piece of toast while the five others bite into their eggs. No one says anything which is strange but I don't take mind to it. I continue humming a happy tune to myself before heading back to my room.

I skip my shower opting to simply get dressed in white-wash jeans, a blue top, and converse. Shasta and Angel scratch on my door excitedly. I'm forced to let the two hyper dogs into my room. I walk to my door and twist the nob letting them inside. I notice a small post-it note with Louis's handwriting.

Had some 1D business to deal with. Sorry we had to leave so quickly. Won't be home until late. Perrie and the girls will drop by around eleven. Be good. 

Love,

The boys

As much as I want to say I didn't see this coming, I can't because some part of me did. I was simply waiting for this bit of evidence. They'd forgotten my birthday. I feel tears start to go down my cheeks despite myself. Grabbing my phone and the dog leashes, I run down the stairs. I head out the door and walk with them. 

Somehow, I end up wondering into a park and just sit down. Without meaning to, I start singing Wonderwall. The words tumble from my mouth and I instantly start feeling better. When I finished the last line I opened my eyes to see Sashta and Angel asleep at my feet. I don't know how long I was there but I just sat there day dreaming when a girl around my age showed up.

"Hey! I couldn't help but overhear your singing and I had to come and tell you what a great voice you had." The girl sat down across from me.

"Thanks, I guess. I'm Ali, Ali Mason." I said. Yes, I stuck with my old name but I might change it to one of the boys' last names. I'm thinking Louis's but I'm not quite sure.

"Well, you are. I'm Simone Candling." She rose her hand to shake mine. 

That's when I saw the scars. 

"Stop it." I say the words without thinking.

"What are you talking about?" Simone's eyebrows are knit in confusion and her hand starts to retract. Before she can stop me I grab her wrist and push her sleeve up.

"Oh." She tries to hide them by pulling her sleeve back down but I stop her once again.

I feel almost hypocritical for doing this.

"No, I do, too." I said while lifting my sleeves up to show her. "I just don't want you to. I've been trying to stop. Just, don't let what's going on stop you from flying."

After that we just hung out and talked. I found out she has a single mom, and no siblings. Her favorite colors are mint green, pink, and teal and she loves to draw. She likes most music but can't stand rap. I asked why she cuts and it turns out she's bullied at school and thinks everyone hates her because she's fat and ugly. Though she doesn't believe it the people get to her. We played with the dogs for a bit until she had to leave. We swapped numbers and had some time to follow each other on Twitter.

When I get back I see Perrie's car in the driveway. I look at my phone which says 10:40. Alright, they just got here, good. I walk inside only to be attacked in a bear hug by Dani, El, and Perrie.

"Hey! Sorry, I wasn't here when you arrived but I took the dogs for a walk." 

"Happy birthday!" All three of the girls yell excitedly. 

"You remembered?" I try to fight the tears but once the first one slips down my face they all do.

"What's wrong?" Perrie asks with worry.

"The boys forgot."

"Idiots." Dani whispers before being elbowed in the ribs by Eleanor.

"Well, we have something for you." El tells me and wipes the tears from my face.

"What is it?" I ask curiously while sniffling.

"Here." Dani hands me a fairly large box.

I start to unwrap the heavy present.

"Oh, my God!" I scream when I see the new speakers that they gave me. 

I can't wait to plug my iPod into them. Before I go to set them up I give each of them a huge hug. They promise to make today the best birthday ever. And they keep their promise. El and I bake cupcakes while Perrie and Dani struggle to make a batch of cookies. Once we've completely that we simply have a grand time and dance around or watch movies. We end up making a fort in the movie room and have a horror movie marathon. Somewhere between Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes we all fell asleep.