My birthday was in less than a week, and never in my life have I felt so exhilarated with pure happiness. We all sat by the round table, having avocado toast and orange juice. Stephanie sat next to me the whole time, giving me a smile. We held hands from underneath the table, I was a lot braver now because of Stephanie's help.

I placed the empty glasses and plates into the sink, helping Aunt Linda clean the table before disappearing back into the guest room upstairs. I collected my notebook along with a pen, thumbing through the pages until I found a blank page. I clicked the eraser of the pencil until the lead was long enough to write, once the tip touched the paper, it left a rich streak and with each stroke of the mechanical pen.

It soon formed words, I then carefully tore the page, lining it with the spine of the notebook. Leaving tiny jagged tear marks on the edge, I folded the letter, lining the creases the best I could, and stuffing it into the pocket of my jeans. I clipped the Mechanical Pen to the cover of the notebook and the first few pages. I went back downstairs, handing Mother the letter.

She unfolded all of its creases, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear, she read the note carefully and nodded. Part of me admired that part about her, she always looked so sophisticated when she did that, the other half waited with curiosity by what will happen next.

She refolded the note, handing it back to me. Before sipping her coffee, "are you sure that's what you want to do that today?" I bobbed my head up and down, confidently, "Than get dressed." I ran upstairs, swapping out my white tank top with my black binder the same one I wore when we went to the capital grill, I then swapped my tattered jeans for ripped pair of shorts. I used a purple hair tie, tying my hair into a high ponytail. Today was a good day to start it.

I raced back downstairs into the kitchen, looking for my matching black shoes. Lulu followed me closely, pointing me in the right direction. I found what I was looking for, slipping them onto my feet, tying the laces. Lulu watched interestedly as she began pawing at the shoes, urging it to play with her. I gave her a pat on the head as she wagged her tail, licking my palm.

"Mother looked up from her coffee, are you ready to go Jack?" I nodded my head, "Can we take Lulu?" Mother nodded her head yes, as I picked up Lulu in my arms as she began licking my face. I tried to inch away, but she persisted. The Shiatzu's affection was overbearing, Mother emptied her cup in the sink, leaving it under the running faucet. While washing it with soap and a sponge. I'll take care of that, Judith, and I'll look after Stephanie." Mother left the cup submerged underneath the tiny bath of water that began to fill up a quarter of the sink.

"Thank you, sis, we will be back in a little while, we just have some errands to run." Stephanie waved her hand goodbye before we left the house. I sat in the front seat with Lulu in my lap, her back paws dug into my thighs as she stared in awe out of the window. Mother inserted the key into the car while hitting the gas pedal. She pulled the gear shift so we could back out, before pushing it again once we left the driveway.

We didn't talk, I stared out of the window as the trees, and neighboring houses passed by, and so did Lulu, she eventually rested in my lap. Her small furry head against the front of my jacket. I held her close to my chest during the whole ride and to what may lie ahead.