What happened!

I slammed the door before bringing my back against it as I sunk to the ground. Mom knew how much this meant to me. But like everything else, she would love to ruin it too. Tears pricked my eyes as I thought back to the gift. I felt horrible for doing that to Levi, but I couldn't accept it.

At that moment, my phone rang. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and crawled over to the nightstand where the phone was. It's an unknown number.

I scrunched my brows together as I stared at the screen on my phone. I don't have that many contacts on my phone, only Dad, Mom, and Levi.

'I wonder who this is. I thought as I picked up the phone.

"Who is it?" I asked, turning on the speaker mode.

"Hey, Bean." His voice boomed from the speaker. A smile appeared on my face when I recognized his voice.

"Dad!!" I unconsciously screeched. I could hear his deep chuckles on the other end of the line.

"You weren't expecting my call, I see?" I was about to respond when a wooden rapping-like noise reverberated from the hallway. I panicked, thinking it was Mom coming to chastise me for running off. I quickly told Dad that I would call him back before going to bed.

I hung up before hiding the phone under my pillow. The vibrating sound of knuckles pounding against the wooden door of my room penetrates through the walls of my room.

Did she hear my conversation with Dad? I can't let her seize my phone again. I listened carefully to be sure I wasn't imagining the sound. The sound came again, a little loudly this time. I stood up and went to open the door.

Levi stood in front of my door, his head looking to the ground and his hands in his pockets. A young man was standing behind him.

"Hi, Athena. Can we come in?" I nodded as I moved to the side to allow them to enter my room.

"I'm sorry about what happened downstairs." He said after making himself comfortable on the couch at the corner of the room. I instantly felt terrible for leaving him like that.

"No! Not at all. I should say sorry for leaving like that. It's just-- that band is my dad's favorite. I promised to watch them with him one day. I can't watch them with someone else. It'd feel like I'm breaking my promise to him." I muttered.

"I'm sorry about that. Athena. I only got them for you because I knew you loved music." A smile made its way to my face when I heard that.

"Thank you so much for everything, Levi. I appreciate you doing all this, but music is the one thing I share with my dad." A smile appeared on his face, but they didn't reach his eyes. His eyes looked sad and lonely.

"You really do love your dad, Athena."

"Yeah, I do. He is my hero." He gave me a soft smile before rising to his feet. He snapped his fingers like he remembered something important.

"I almost forgot. Meet my younger brother, Daniel. He wanted to wish you a happy birthday, so I brought him here with me." I nodded before looking towards the young man who still hasn't said a word.

Daniel is a pretty tall man with dark blonde hair and a pair of emerald green eyes. He looked handsome with his hawkish nose that looks just right for his face and his well-defined cheekbones with stubble scattered all over it. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm no man-whore, but I appreciate good when I see one.

"Happy birthday, Athena." His voice came out hoarse, which made him clear his throat.

"Thank you, Daniel." I passed him a smile which he returned.

"Daniel will be spending the night, Athena. Just telling you ahead in case you decide to go out at night and you suddenly see a ghost." We all laughed when he said that. I knew he was a good man, and I would definitely love to be close to him. But I can't. Mom can find another wealthy man tomorrow and decide we move again. I can't get attached, not anymore.

"I'll leave you two now. Athena, Martha will come to get you when it's time to cut the cake." I nodded and watched as he walked out of the room.

"So?" Daniel brought my attention back to himself. "How old are you?"

"Ohh, I'm 16 today." I smiled. I'm not a little girl anymore. I'll be resuming as a sophomore come this Monday.

"Really? You look a lot younger." I laughed before walking to the couch. Daniel was seated on my bed, so I chose to sit on the couch.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," He was staring at me and not the good kind. I shifted uncomfortably on the couch as I looked everywhere but him. I could still feel his eyes boring into my head, and this was making me uncomfortable.

"Ms. Athena!! It's time to cut your birthday cake."

Honestly, there has been no better time for that call. I jumped off the chair and ran out of the room as fast as I could.

*****

"Bye, Dad. I love you too." I hung up and dropped my phone on the nightstand next to me.

It's 10 pm now. Wow! Dad and I have been talking on the phone for two hours. The party ended over two hours ago. I haven't seen Mom since I ran out of the garden. One thing is sure. She's pissed. She didn't even come to check on me like she usually does.

A sigh escaped my lips as I changed my position on the bed. Thoughts of the party kept coming back to me. All my life, It has always been Dad and Mom to celebrate with me. I never had friends. Dad was not rich. He had no money to organize parties for me, but he still gave the best gifts. And Mom always said when we have a better house, she will throw a party for me.

I guess she came through with her promise this time. I smiled at that thought. My smile faltered at this. I only wish dad was here to celebrate my day.

I shook my head vigorously to get rid of all thoughts. I don't need to pity myself. My dad isn't here physically, but I can talk to him anytime and see his face too. My Mom might not be like a regular mother, but I think she keeps my interest at heart.

"So Athena, be grateful for what you have. Let go and start enjoying life. You're 16 now." I said to myself. "And you need a cup of milk."

I stood up from my bed and made my way down the spiraling staircase, letting the lush carpet tickle my feet. Lucky for me, I got to know where the kitchen was this evening. Yayy!!

I opened the fridge, my eyes scanning for the milk. I found it almost immediately. Now, I have to look for where Martha keeps the cups. I opened the first cabinet but found nothing. Same for the second, third, and fourth.

Ugh!!! But I'm so thirsty. Why do I always lock myself up in the room? I don't even know where they keep their cups after staying here for two months. That's very typical of you, Athena. I looked towards the clock. A groan escaped my lips when I saw that the time was 11:10 pm. It would be very rude to call Martha by this time.

Well, I guess I'll take the whole thing to my room and drink from the jar. I grabbed the milk and carefully made my way to my room.

I closed to the door to my room, careful not to make any noise that would wake the others up. I turned around and saw a figure sitting on my bed. I let out a scream as my hands flew to my face.

"Mom, what the frack? You scared me!" I exclaimed before making my way to the table, my milk held tightly in my grip. She didn't say anything, just staring into the space like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

I moved closer to her. She's never quiet, she never runs out of things to say.

"Mom, is everything okay? You look pale." I said, concern evident in my voice. She turned to look at me, her eyes red from crying so much. She held both my hands as she sniffled.

"Athena!!..."

**_**_**_**

1 Year Later...

The last couple of months since my arrival haven't been to destabilizing. It becomes a year tomorrow since that night. "Thea!! Earth to Thea!!" I shook my head to get rid of all my intrusive thoughts.

I looked at Arianna, who had been trying to get my attention for some time. She nodded towards Mr. Smart, who already had his eyes on me.

"Ms. Brown! As much as I love the fact that you are my best student, I'll rather you listen in my class." He had his hands folded in front of the chest, and the whole class's attention was on me.

I sank deeper into my chair as I nodded. "I'm sorry, sir."

"Good." He said before he continued analyzing the Pride and Prejudice novel. Arianna moved closer to my chair, studying me.

"What?" I said as I pretended to engross myself in the novel we were reading. I know she doesn't buy it, though. She's not my best friend for fun.

"What are you thinking about for almost an hour? You have been out of it since this morning. Is everything okay?" She whispered.

"I'm great, Ari. Only tired from staying up all night." She looked at me for a long minute before nodding her head. She faced the lesson, leaving me to myself.

I rubbed my temples as I felt a headache setting in. My thoughts just keep wandering about, and I can't seem to get them in check.

Maybe it's because it becomes a year tomorrow.