The Birthday.

It's been two months since we moved here. It's summer break, so I don't really have much work to do.

Everything has been going on fine since then. My mom is seldom home, something that I've grown accustomed to over the years. She's always out shopping or meeting her new friends.

I pulled out my guitar from under the bed. Yeah, I have a new guitar. Levi got it for me the second day I arrived here. I think it was his way of appeasing me. It's not like I had a choice or say in anything. He keeps trying to get close to me, but I don't want anything to do with him. I don't want to get close to people and have to be separated from them later on. After being separated from my dad forcefully, I'll be damned if I let anyone in again.

I strummed the all too familiar strings of the guitar. A smile broke out on my face as I recognized the tune.

It's one of dad's original songs. He was humming while washing the dishes. While he was doing that, I grabbed my staff paper and jotted it down. We wrote the song together with mom on our minds. My smile faltered when I remembered him.

We talk on the phone now. After Levi got me a phone, the first thing I did was call him. Well, that didn't turn out well for both of us when Mom found out.

I strummed the guitar again, playing the song I knew by heart. The music he wrote for her after she changed.

Remember that time,

When all we did was smile,

Remember that time,

When you held my hands and told me everything would be fine,

If I could go back in time,

I would go back to the moment we were always happy,

If I could only know,

I never let you go

...

I sang, pouring my emotions into the music. I remember the first time Dad played this song. The emotions on his face and the way his voice cracked at the end indicated one thing. He loves her. So much, but she doesn't care.

A knock on the door brought me out of my world. I raised my head to see my mom peeking through the door.

"Hey, honey. That was so beautiful. Are you busy?" I shook my head and placed my guitar beside me on the bed. Mom sat on the other end of the bed, her hands on her lap. I must say, she looks good. She takes care of herself better than before. She's rich now. The regular visits to the salon paid off after all.

"How are you doing, Honey?" I mentally scoffed. Is she serious right now? After all these years, she wants to play the mother role now?

"Are you serious now, Mom? You seriously want to be my mother now? I think it's a little too late for that."

"Honey, I know we've had a bit of issue here and there." I scoffed again. "But I am still your mother. I only did what I thought was the best for you at that time."

"You should have asked me what I wanted. A mother is supposed to put her kid's interest first. A mother----"

"Stop right there, young lady. I won't have you sit here and question my parenting skills. I would do what I think is best for my child, even if it means sacrificing my happiness to do it. I loved your father, Athena, but I had to leave him because I wanted you to have the best life."

"But I didn't ask for it, Mom. I didn't ask for any of this. I don't even want it. If only you asked me or talked to me, you would have known. I loved my life with you and Dad. I was more than comfortable with it." She wiped the tears that managed to escape her eyes, all the while keeping a straight face. Maybe Dad was right then. She probably still cares.

"Your father brainwashed you. Life is too difficult when you're not rich, Athena. I would hate for you to go through what I went through. I did all this for you. That's how much I love you, Athena."

"But Mom, I loved it back in Tennessee when it was just you, Dad, and I. I want that back. As much as I appreciate you for doing this, I want my old life back, mom." She looked up and glared at me hard for a moment before she shook her head and gave a soft, amused noise that almost sounded like a disbelieving scoff.

"Really? You want to go back to that school where everyone bullied you, Is that it? Is that what you want?" I could feel a sudden sense of coldness taking over my body after she said that. How did she find out? I thought I did a good job keeping it from both of them.

'Well, I don't think you did a good job then.'

A smile appeared on her face when she saw my reaction. "You thought you could hide that from me? Your father, whom you loved so much, didn't even notice. Do you know who does? Me! This monster." My heartbeat is practically the only thing I can hear right now.

"How--how did y-you find t--that out? I never told anyone."

"When I told you not to question my parenting skills, I meant it. I know more than you think I do, Athena. So trust me when I say this is what's best for you right now." She stood to her feet, her eyes boringly scanning through my room before looking back at me. "Dinner will be ready in an hour. Come down then."

I watched as she walked to the door. Once her hand was on the doorknob, she turned her head slightly to face me. "Also, you are starting school on Monday. You'll be here for a pretty long time. I'd get comfortable if I were you."

With that, she walked out of the room. I can't believe that just happened. What I thought was a secret wasn't one, after all. I looked at the spot she was seated minutes before, only to see the phone Levi got me. She seized my phone after she caught me talking to my dad.

I turned it on, only to see a ton of messages from my dad. I happily replied to his texts, my conversation with my mom almost forgotten.

**~**~**

'I will never forget the first time I held you in my arms. You were so tiny and cute! With each year that you grow, so does the love daddy has for you. I'm the proudest father ever because of you. I wish I could celebrate this day with you, but that's out of question. I love you, Bean.

Happy birthday, my Jellybean. I love you so much.'

A smile appeared on my face when I read his message. He's always the first to wish me, he never misses it. I quickly responded his text before going to the restroom to get ready for the day.

It's Saturday and today is my birthday. Just two days till summer break is over but also my first day in the new school.

Yay!! Yeah, it was sarcasm. A sigh escaped my lips when I heard the chatters as I made my way to the garden. Mom went all out with this one. She claimed she had to throw a party because I was a grown girl now. She invited all her friends in the neighborhood and their kids to the party.

"There she is. Come on, honey." My mom waved me over. Two women were standing with her.

"Hello, Sweetie. Leah didn't tell us you were this cute. Happy birthday, Sweetie." She gave me a warm smile. She seems nice, but I would honestly prefer being in my bedroom right now.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Please call me Kim, and this is Tina. Happy birthday once again, sweetheart." I smiled at her again.

"Thank you, Kim."

"Thea, Let's go. I have something for you." I looked at her curiously, but she only nodded her head towards the direction she wanted me to go. I smiled at the two women and thanked them before following her. She led me through the path that led to the flower garden.

The flower garden is my favorite place in the house, aside from my room. I don't think I'm even allowed to call this place a house. It's a freaking mansion. From what Martha the housekeeper told me, Levi is a successful businessman.

"I know you're going to love what we prepared for you." I smiled as she pulled me towards Levi, who was already waiting for us.

"Hello, Athena. Happy birthday." He smiled before handing me an envelope with a bow on it.

"Thank you." I opened the envelope, curious as to what he got me. Since we got here, he has given me more gifts than I have received all my life altogether. My eyes nearly bugged out of its sockets when I saw what was inside.

"So? Do you like it?" I looked up at him. I opened my mouth, but no words escaped. My mom squealed.

"I told you she'd love it. She's so happy that she can't even talk." I shook my head and handed it back to him.

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept this," I said as I ran back to my room.