AN: here's chapter 11. Enjoy, people.

Lexi's POV:

Since today was Saturday- my favourite day of the week- I decided to go for a run, much against my half-brother's wishes.

It probably wasn't the wisest of ideas- knowing that Liam and Isla were after me and all-but I really needed to blow off some steam.

I got changed into a long-sleeved shirt and trousers and grabbed my phone and headphones.

"Going out!" I shouted, "be back soon!"

"Stay safe!" Sam called back.

I shut the door behind me, plugged in my headphones and started jogging to 'Believer' by Imagine Dragons.

Soon, I was tired and decided I deserved ice cream. I pushed the door open to a quaint little shop and ordered a mint chocolate chip ice cream.

"Let go of me!" I looked out the window to my right and saw an elderly male creep harassing a ten-year-old girl.

Frowning, I left the shop and approached them, "Sophie! There you are!" I exclaimed, grabbing the girl's arm and tugging her towards me.

The girl wrapped her arm around me, "Diana!"

"Is there a problem?" I asked the man, challenging him to disagree.

He leered and shook his head, making the wise choice to leave abruptly.

"Is everything okay?" I looked at the girl.

"Yes... thank you for that!" She replied gratefully.

"Rainbow!" A boy with blue eyes and brown hair sighed in relief when he saw 'Rainbow'. Another boy with grey eyes and brown hair followed shortly afterwards.

They both ran towards Rainbow and hugged her tightly.

"Don't run off like that!" Grey-eyes scolded lightly, "Al and I were so worried!"

"Sorry," Rainbow apologised, "a guy was harassing me and she saved me," she pointed at me.

"Thank you...?" Al waited for my name.

"Lexi," I supplied, "and it's no problem- I hate guys like that. And you are..?"

"I'm Iris," the girl smiled, but it seemed slightly forced.

"Jax," Grey-eyes introduced himself.

"Alex," he shook my hand.

"It was nice meeting you all," I grinned. I extended my arm to shake Iris's hand.

"See you around!" Iris chirped, grabbing the two boys' arms. They slung an arm around her shoulders and Alex kissed the side of her head.

Watching them walk away made my heart ache slightly- remembering that was how Ace and I were.

Smiling nostalgically, I continued jogging and passed the park. However, when I went to change the song on my phone, I froze. Tomorrow was my birthday- and I'd completely forgotten.

I leaned against a tree and began laughing hard. No wonder I'd forgotten my birthday- all the previous ones had been awful. Only Ace cared enough to celebrate. I know me and my half-brothers have gotten close, but the bond is as fragile as glass- I highly doubted they would remember.

Beaming like a maniac on drugs, I walked to a nearby bakery and bought a cupcake and a candle. I then walked home, reviewing bittersweet memories.

"I'm home!" I called, going inside the home and running to my room.

"How was your trip?" Ryan asked from the kitchen.

"Good," I replied nonchalantly, "I'm going to finish my homework," lie- I'd already finished it.

"Okay. I'll call you in a bit for lunch," Ryan nodded and I thanked him.

Once in my room, I put the cake and candle inside a drawer of my desk. Then, I flopped on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

Liam and Isla never celebrated my birthdays. Each year, I would wish I had a loving family who actually cared for me. Ace tried to cheer me up, but it's hard to be happy knowing you were totally alone.

"Lexi!" Ryan shouted, "food's ready!"

"Coming!" I called back, forcing myself to end my pity-party.

I walked downstairs and took my usual place on the dining table.

"What's got you so smiley?" Thomas asked, sitting next to me.

I shrugged, "good day so far, I guess."

Slowly, my half-brothers trickled in. We began eating mainly in silence, exchanging a few pleasantries here and there. About halfway through, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I said, standing up. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see Xavier, "what're you doing here?"

"Can't a guy wish his friend an early happy birthday?" Xavier raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head frantically, "no! I want to keep my birthday low-key this year."

Xavier looked at me, "why?"

I glanced behind me quickly, "I just don't like celebrating my birthdays. What's to celebrate- one year closer to death?"

Xavier nodded, "fair point. Oh, by the way, Sav is pregnant. I'm going to be an uncle."

I smiled widely and punched his arm, "and you waited until now to tell me?"

The eighteen-year-old rubbed his arm, "ouch- your punches have gotten much better. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Congratulations Xavier," I replied.

"I wanted to give you this- as a birthday present," Xavier pushed a brown leather book in my hands.

Curiously, I opened it and gasped. Inside were pictures of me and the gang. I smiled slightly when I saw a picture of all six of us standing with our arms slung around each other. From left to right was Ace, me, Savannah, West- her husband- Xavier and Diana.

"This is amazing, Xavier," I whispered, "but I can't accept this," reluctantly, I closed the book and handed it back, "I left that life for a reason. Please don't force me to come back."

Xavier looked at me with a pained expression, "we miss you, Lex, even Diana- although she won't admit it," I chuckled at that, "please come back."

"I'm sorry," I looked down, "I can't."

He sighed, "at least have this," he pressed a piece of folded paper in my palm. I unfolded it and saw it was a picture of me and Ace. He was leaning against a tree, gazing at the heavens while I had my eyes closed and my head in his lap.

"Goodbye Xavier," I choked out, "thank you for everything." And I went back inside.

"Who was at the door?" Thomas asked.

I shrugged, "just someone looking for directions. I'm not hungry right now so I'm gonna go to my room," I picked up the now cold food and wrapped the plate in cling film and putting it in the fridge. I promised myself that I'd eat it tomorrow for breakfast- I'd gone hungry too many times to waste food.

"Night guys," I mumbled, going upstairs. 

"Night Lexi," they chorused back, exchanging weird looks. 

Once in the safety of my room, I brushed my teeth and crawled into bed. 

X

When I awoke, I looked at the clock which read 11: 57 pm. I ripped off my covers and stumbled to find my desk in the dark. 

"Ow!" I winced when my shin banged against the corner of the desk. Blearily, I opened the drawer, took out the cupcake and lit the candle and counted down until the clock struck midnight. 

"Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday dear me,
Happy birthday to me," I sang softly and blew out the candles. I cut out a large portion, "this is for Ace- thanks for being there for me," I cut out a slightly smaller piece, "this is for the gang. I love you guys lots and I'm so sorry," tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. 

I cut half of what was left, "this is for my half- brothers. I know you guys didn't want to take me in, but thanks for doing so anyway. And finally," I took a deep breath, "this is for my parents. I know you both didn't love me and gave me away, but thanks for bringing me into the world, I guess." 

When I'd finished the cake, I carefully cleaned up any crumbs and threw away the wrapper and candle, before sitting on my bed. I stared into the darkness despondently. I grabbed my necklace and pressed my lips against its cool surface, tears now flowing freely down my face. 

"Where are you?" I whispered, "I'm still waiting."

Soon, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep, feeling both sad and calm. 

End of chapter 11. 

Awful chapter, I know. The next one will be better! 

I hope you guys liked it! 

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)