1 Chapter 01 ~Birthday~

"As you get older, three things happen. The first is your memory goes, I can't remember the other two."

Iris's POV

I woke up this morning in my usual faded pink and white striped shorts and a white vest, feeling so annoyed and furious at the same time, and I had no clue why.

I was very sure I was not on my period.

I lazily slid out of the luxurious comfort of my queen-sized bed, and picked up my glasses from its case, putting them on swiftly. It was looking a bit blurry, so I used the lower ends of my vest to clean the lenses.

Much better!

I knelt beside my bed, with my fingers interlocked with each other, and shut my eyes to say a few words of prayer like I always do.

What?! I don't wanna go to hell!

"Lord Jesus! I thank you for a new day, please Lord, let things work out for me today, Amen."

I dwelled in that same position before I gradually opened my eyes. I trudged to my brother, Devon's room and realized he wasn't in his room.

"Dev! Deeeeev!!! Where are you?" I screamed a few octaves higher than my normal voice. I didn't get any response from him so I went to our living room to search for him.

"Morning! I have been screaming your name for a while now, didn't you hear me?" I questioned running my fingers through his messy soft dark hair. He turned slowly in my direction, removing my hands from his hair, his eyes were blood red and the sight did frighten me. I just realized he has been sobbing and his white round neck vest was already soaked with tears.

"Mom, happy birthday," He whispered wiping tears out of his eyes with the back of his left palm and stroking mom's portrait with his other palm.

Suddenly, I realized why I was so furious this morning, today's date was July 16th, which was my Mom's birthday, and the same day she left us.

Yeah! She left her family, how nice.

I tried comforting him but all my effort was just in vain. I breathe out a heavy sigh of irritation after some minutes.

"What's going on here?" My dad questioned stepping into the living room.

"Dad, Don't you rem-remember it's mom birthday, I miss her, she's still gonna come back right?" Devon whispered, as a sad inquiry seem to dwell in his eyes, while I just rolled my eyes subtly.

Devon is so pathetic.

Dad's mood drastically changed. His eyes dilated quickly with sadness, before forcing a faint quivering smile. I knew what was going to happen next.

"Yeah, don't worry she will come back to us, you know she loves us most especially you, Okay. Please stop crying, you know if your mom was here she wouldn't want to see you cry," Dad responded reassuringly, patting him on his back slowly. I didn't want to interfere in their little moment.

Devon finally stopped crying, but I was furious at him because for the past five minutes I have been trying to make him smile and forget about mom's issue but it didn't work. Dad just came all of a sudden and tells him what will never happen and he just buys it.

I was not explicit with what Dad told Devon. It's been ten years since mom left us and don't blame me if all my hope has been lost because of her. Sometimes I wonder why dad and Devon still think she's coming back. I would even ask dad why she left us but he keeps telling me: "when the right time comes, you will know."

Like I am sick and tired of hearing that same statement, I feel there is more to it but no one is telling me.

Every time I remember mom, I always have mixed emotions about her. Even when she was with us, she never spent quality time with us, she was always out. I asked her so many times where she works but she always finds a way to change the topic. Suspicious right?

I still remember her last words...

Ten years ago...

"Andrew, it's time," Mom whispered with sadness clouding her facial expression.

"Andrea, wait! What do you mean it's time? You can't leave us like this!" Dad whispered yelled, holding her hands softly yet firmly. His eyes lingered momentarily on her.

"I have no other choice, this is the right time, I need to do this, they need me, you of all people should know that," She muttered and tears streamed down her eyes slowly.

You might be wondering how I got this information. Well, seven years old I was eavesdropping on her parents' conversation.

They? what does mom mean by "they need me."

"What will I tell them, most especially Iris?" Dad asked, caressing her face with his thumb.

"Don't worry, I know Iris, she's a strong girl, she will understand."

I smirked when she said I was a strong girl. It is not every day, you receive compliments, you know.

Understand what???

I was still trying to process what they were trying to say.

"I'm gonna come back, when everything is alright, I am gonna come back," Mom reassured, and began to pack her things.

"Okay...Okay promise me, you won't forget us Okay?" Dad held her face softly.

Whoa! I have never seen my dad cry like that.

"I promise, just take care of Devon and most especially Iris," She assured zipping up her remaining pieces of luggage.

Dad nodded and they hugged each other so tightly. Tears were already clouding my vision, I couldn't hold them any longer. I ran as fast as I could away from my parent's door, so they wouldn't find out I was eavesdropping.

Mom walked up to us to say her final goodbye. Her eyes were still bloodshot and swollen. I knew she tried hiding her tears but it didn't work.

"Mom, where are you going to, are you leaving us?"

* * * * * * * *

Hello readers,

It's me ibby *waves awkwardly*

So, this is my first book. I am really glad you checked my story out. It probably might seem crappy, but trust me as you read further you would like it.

*smiles weirdly*

Please, make sure you share, vote, and comment on each chapter, and feel free to tell me what you feel about every part of the story.

Love y'all

Love ibby