It's been a few days since my encounter with Ashton and since then his eyes always seem to follow my actions. It bothered me but I chose to ignore it.

I've avoided all kinds of interactions with Macy and her wannabes, not because I am afraid but because I won't be able to control myself from being violent with her. You would ask why and the answer is, her fucking actions and small ways to irritate me. She still claims to be a part of our group and 'tries' to sit with us but is as always shooed away by the guys and the death glare from Mia.

As for all of us, we have gotten really close and I would now consider them my best friends. The relationship between me and Ashton, well there's no progress. We still talk only when needed but his stare is enough confirmation for me that he is not going to leave me alone anyone soon and certainly not without answers which he won't be getting anytime soon or more like never.

As I'm about to leave for school, my phone starts ringing and my favourite song 'Summer love' by One Direction blasts through the speakers. I pick up the call without looking who it is,

"Where the hell are you bitch?, comes the voice of a very annoyed Mia. Uh oh, someone is in a grumpy mood.

"I'm on my way".

"You better get here in ten minutes or you're dead meat".

"Give the girl a time to reach. Don't speed over the limit Lyd", Aaron says in a clearly amused voice but with a serious edge to his voice.

"Yeah okay. I'll be there in a few", I reply and hang up. I climb in my car and drive towards hell.

As I park my car in the parking lot, I see my friends standing by the entrance. I make my way towards them.

"Hey guys! Morning", before anyone could reply, Mia hits my shoulder quite hard making me jump.

"What the hell was that for?", I ask, genuinely confused. I try to think of something wrong that I could have done but come up blank.

"Why didn't you tell us it is you're birthday next week?", Blake answers before anyone else could.

"How do you guys know this? I don't remember telling you".

"Violet told us", Jason replies.

"When did I tell you?", I turn towards Vi who gives me a blank stare.

"You remember rambling about anything and everything during out lunch on your first day?"

"Yeah, I do".

"That's when you just mentioned in passing and caught it".

"Oh okay".

"That's all you have to say?", asks a still annoyed Mia with a scowl on her face.

"Uh yeah?", my statement comes out as a question which earns a few snickers from my friends. Mia face palms herself and hits my shoulder again.

"Damn woman. Stop being violent with me", I snap at her which earns me another slap and now on my forearm. I just settle my death glare on her. She's lucky, I love her and consider my best friend.

"What have you planned?", asks Mason.

"Guys, can we discuss this during lunch. We're getting late for our classes", says Nick.

"Yeah let's go", I take this opportunity to run before anyone of them could question me any further about the day when my life turned upside down which just spirals more in deep pit of hell everyday.

The most dreaded time arrives, which so happens to be the lunch. I really don't know how I'm going to answer their questions.

Before I could make a run for it, Blake and Mason drag me to the table where the girls are ready to question me.

"So, what are your plans on Tuesday?, asks Mia.

"Um, nothing?"

"Are you serious? How can you not have plans on your birthday and when you're going to eighteen?!", she exclaims as if it is the most obvious thing. She doesn't know that, I hate my birthday more than anything in this world. A lot was taken away from me on this day. But of course I don't tell this to them.

"I just don't. I didn't think about it yet".

"Fine. We're going to throw a party for you", says Mason with a determination in his eyes.

"I was thinking, maybe we could go to the club?", Vi voices her opinion.

"Guys, I think we could celebrate it at my house. Just us. We could bring in some food and movies or something. I'm really a not big fan of parties and stuff. Please", I say while giving my best convincing look. They hesitate but after seeing my face, they couldn't say no.

"Fine but we will buy all food and bring some movies over. Deal?", says Blake.

"Shouldn't I be the one buying food. After all it's going to be my treat?"

"Nope. In our group, we don't let the birthday boy or girl spend any money", replies Jason.

"Oh that's very thoughtful. Okay I have no problem, I guess".

"Then it's final that we're meeting at your place, say at eight-ish".

"Why so late? You guys can come over right after school".

"Wouldn't your parents want to spend some time with you on your birthday?", asks Ashton, who spoke for the first time, with his calculating eyes on my face, looking for some reaction. I clear my throat before replying,

"Uh no. They are not coming here. They have important things to handle", I lie. They don't need to know anything about my family or my life before.

"What is more important than their daughter's birthday?" Just stop with the interrogation already Ashton.

"I told you they are not coming. I don't have a problem with it so why do you?", I snap at him causing his eyes to narrow at me as if trying to figure out the most difficult math problem.

"Cut it off man", says Blake who then puts a hand around me and pulls me to him in a side hug which makes me feel secure.

Ashton's eyes narrow yet again at Blake's hand on my waist.

"Fine, whatever. Let's go to gym now", saying so, he abruptly gets up and stalks towards the exit. We all look at each other kinda shocked and confused by his reaction. But suddenly Mia and Vi's expression changes from confused to happy and then smug. With that creepy smile, they turn towards and raise their eyebrows expectantly at me.

"What? Why are you guys looking at me like that?" They continue looking at me with a smirk. They know something that I don't. I'll make sure to ask them about this later.

After we finish our classes, we all make our way towards our cars, all the guys and girls talking enthusiastically about my birthday when, suddenly, I hear a voice calling my name, which makes me stop in my tracks and my blood to run cold.

"Lydia.."

-----------------------------------------------------------

A/N

Here's another update! It's a little shorter than the others but it's Lydia's birthday soon! And sorry for the cliffhanger.

Who do you think, the voice belongs to?

Do tap the star and let me know your thoughts.

Love you guys!

Ciao!