Claire's POV

"Happy birthday, Claire." My mom gives me a weak smile, stepping inside my bedroom. I straighten out my outfit and smile brightly at her. I'm honestly surprised she remembered.

"Thanks mom, how are you feeling this morning?" I ask, trying to keep her spirits high. I can't even think back to the last time I saw her before noon so this right now is maybe the best birthday present ever.

"I'm feeling alright... I can't believe my baby is eighteen." She whispers with a small whimper. She's acting so different, too different but I decide not to question it. She takes a few more steps inside the room and wraps her frail arms around my torso. I immediately respond by hugging her back tightly.

"Mom..." I croak out. Before she can respond, I hear a slam coming from the front of the house.

"I have a surprise for you." She smiles, stepping away and heading down the stairs. What? I grab my school bag and cell phone and follow my mom down the stairs to the living room for my surprise.

"What's going on?" I chuckle lightly when I hear voices in the kitchen. When I finally catch up to my mom, my eyes go weak.

"Miss us?" Both of my brothers ask at the same time. I immediately jump into both of their arms at the same time and wrap my arms around their necks, kissing their cheeks sloppily.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" I sniffle into Mark's shoulder. I haven't seen either of them in over four months since they've been so busy being adults and having jobs and all that 23/25 year old stuff.

"Did you honestly think we would miss you eighteenth birthday?!" Alex chuckles, pulling me into his arms. My heart feels giddy and I nearly squeal with excitement. There's nothing I love more than having them around.

"We're only here for a few nights though so spend your time wisely!" Mark nudges me a suddenly a selfish thought takes over. What about hanging out with Zayn and the guys tonight? I can't do that with them here...

"I mean I was supposed to hangout with friends tonight but--" My mom puts her hands up and smiles at me, a genuine smile.

"Don't worry about it, honey. You can have whoever you want over and the boys and I will be going out to dinner. Hangout with them tomorrow!" She suggests and I purse my lips together softly. I guess she's acting like this because the boys are here but still, I'm concerned. Where did my sad and depressed mother run off to and who is this woman standing before me?

"Yeah, go get fucked up with your friends!" Alex nudges me and I roll my eyes. He points towards a bag on the counter and mouthes 'alcohol' which leads me to believe that he bought me a shitload of liquor for my birthday... It kinda rocks having a brother who owns a bar, if only he lived closer.

"Yeah... Well get to school, don't wanna be late birthday girl!" Mark smiles giving me another hug. He so mushy like that.



Shortly after, he rushes me out the door and towards my car. Since he's an English teacher he's a real pain in the ass with school. Never skip, never cheat... buzz kill.

I can't believe they're here though and I can't believe that I'm eighteen. Or that all of my teachers will be over tonight, if they're even coming.

---

School is a drag. And I mean literally, it just drags on and on and on, even on your birthday. The quarter ends in a month and my highest grades are Anatomy and you guessed it... Art! My lowest grades however stem from Mr. Styles even though I've been going to countless after school extra help sessions and English because well... Mr. Payne is a hard ass at times.

I have two classes left in the day, my study hall with Miss. Edwards and art, and then my first math club meeting. I didn't have math today so I haven't seen Mr. Styles but all three of the other teachers dropped hints or jokes about coming by tonight, so Cassidy has been hyperventilating all day.

"Happy birthday lovely!" Miss. Edwards chirps as Cassidy and I enter the classroom. I give her a fake smile and nod back.

"Thanks Miss. Edwards." I reply, and sit in my seat with Cassidy.

"So they were just there this morning? I can't wait to see them!" Cass gushes about my brothers. They've always been like older brothers to her and that makes me smile. She's like family.

"I'm sure they can't wait to see you too. Even my mom was like weirdly happy this morning, you know?" I ask and she nods for me to go on. "It was just weird. I don't know, I'm probably over thinking it."

"Probably." She chuckles, looking around us to make sure no one is listening. "So are you excited about tonight?" She asks and a small blush forms over my cheeks.

"Yes I am and so are the other three teachers I've had this morning." I smirk and she bites her bottom lip to hold back a scream I presume. When it's just Cassidy and I she acts crazy but in public or in front of anyone else, she's chill or at least tries to be.

"I can't fucking wait. Also, I can't wait to give your your present!!" She squeaks, slamming her fists down on the table.

"Ladies, please settle down and find something to do." Miss. Edwards winks at us and I have to prevent myself from flipping her off.

"Of course Miss. Edwards." I smile at her. More like back off my man you bimbo.

---

"Happy birthday, my beautiful eighteen year old." Zayn smiles at me after class, pecking my lips cautiously. I've been waiting to see him all day. We're finally not breaking the law, I'm legal. It's against the rules to be with him, but it's not illegal... At least I think it's not.

"Thank you," I coo singingly, "I'm excited for tonight." I giggle.

"I think Liam is too... I don't know if he'll do anything with her but he's flattered that Cassidy finds him attractive." He laughs, making me laugh too. All week Zayn and I have been talking Cassidy up to Mr. Payne but I just don't know if he's interested.

"More than attractive." I chuckle, sitting down on the counter in the art closet, our permanent meeting place.

"Anything exciting happen today?" He asks, and I nod my head up and down in a fast motion.

"Well my older brothers surprised me this morning and I haven't seen them since like June so I can't wait to hangout with them." I say casually but with a smile plastered across my face.

"You're so cute." He chuckles, taking a step closer. "Are your family members going to be over tonight though? Because we don't wanna risk--" I stop him by tugging at the hem of his shirt and pulling him into me, barely any space between us.

"It's just us and your friends and Cassidy." I whisper, diminishing the small space between our lips. I pull on the buttons of his shirt as my tongue attacks his mouth, but he lightly grabs my wrists to stop me.

"You can have your way with me tonight." he whispers into my ear, sending goose bumps through my body.

"But I..." I whimper but he puts his fingers to my lips.

"Get to math club, love. Mr. Styles won't be happy you're late." He chuckles and I roll my eyes, sadly agreeing.

"See you later." I smile, heading out the door.


About thirty seconds later I'm at math club sitting in the back. I can't believe I'm here on my birthday, or just here in general. Mr. Styles gives me a wave to acknowledge I'm here, but that's it. He's too distracted by little kiss ass Anna Royal to worry about me and my math-hating ass.

Which is fine by me. I spend the entire meeting day dreaming about Zayn and all the possibilities of tonight. Who knows, maybe we'll go all the way? I don't know what I want... I'm just eighteen.

"Claire?" Anna's voice distracts me from my thoughts. I look up and only her and Mr. Styes are left. Why does this always happen to me, how do I get so distracted to be one of the only ones left?

"Yeah?" I laugh awkwardly. Anna's eyes flit towards the door grow wide at me. Wait... Is she signaling for me to leave so she can have some alone time with Mr. Styles?

"Great participation today, Claire." Mr. Styles smirks at me from behind his desk. Anna's eyes hop back and forth between us and the look of frustration on her face is priceless.

"I'm sorry Mr. Styles, I was distracted." I give him a fake frown, only making smile bigger.

"Well I'm gonna go..." Anna grumbles, awkwardly walking towards the door.

"Aw bye Anna!" I wave at her as she leaves. I look back at Mr. Styles who has an innocent smile on his face.

"What was that about?" He asks, and I roll my eyes at him.

"Don't play stupid, Anna's in love with you!" I smirk hopping on top of his desk so that my back is facing him. "Don't you have something you want to say to me?" I ask and he chuckles lightly.



"Happy Friday?" He asks and I turn around and smack his shoulder playfully.

"Try again." I laugh loudly.

"Happy birthday, Claire." He whispers, placing a card on my lap and packing his bag up.

"A card? For me?" I gasp and he blushes slightly. Wait, this was actually so fucking sweet of him.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but... See you tonight." He laughs, ignoring my joke about the envelope he gave me. I didn't think he would actually come but... yay!

"See you tonight." I smile softly, walking out of the classroom. Aw.

When I get to my car I rip the envelope open and open the card. The front says For a Friend. And the inside was blank aside from a very recognizable sloppy hand writing in the corner... His.


Claire,
I know you and I had a rocky start but I'm incredibly happy to have you as a student, as well as friend. Happy birthday, love. Thank you for being you and making these past few months the farthest thing from boring. Maybe since your older, you'll be wiser and learn the substitution method? Just a thought...
Warm Regards, Harry Styles.

For some reason, my heart just melted into a million pieces. Thank you for being you. That's honestly so sweet and thoughtful and kind and I just want to squeeze his adorable face for saying that. I wonder what Zayn's card will be like tonight... If he even get's me a card?

Notes

here's another update! hehe

what do you think will happen at the party? suggestions? thoughts? :)

comment & vote please! x

p.s. added her brothers to the character list, they're characters are played by bryan craig & chad duell if you wanted to know.