"Ahh," I yawned, "I'm finally a teenager!" It's the morning of my 13th birthday and I was expecting something big. Something like-

"Finally! The sleepyhead is awake!" Of course my big brother Kyle had to be annoying, even on my birthday; on second thought, especially on my birthday- since I was gonna get so much attention.

"Of course I'm awake! I wouldn't want to miss my own birthday!" I retorted. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a morning person, so I was a bit testy. I checked the clock and realized, nope. Its not the morning anymore, it's 12:30! Ahh the advantages of being the Birthday girl. Slowly, stretching myself, I got up. 

I shot him a look that said, 'why are you still in here? Leave now.' And just in case he didn't get it, I told him, "Now get out of here! I have to get dressed!" Just then, my adorable, bouncy little sister Anabelle popped up.

"Hi Amber I am so excited I can't believe it's your birthday you're turning 13 already wow i have so long to wait, but its ok because I'm so excited that its your birthday happy birthday to YOUUU!" Anabelle said all of this in one breath, while jumping and leaping around my room.

I smiled fondly at her enthusiasm. Unfortunately, she had to leave too. "Sorry Annie, but I have to get dressed. How about you get dressed too? Then we can head downstairs and eat something. Hop too it, Kay?" Anabelle nodded and immediately started to hop like a bunny out of my room. Kyle followed, and closed the door behind him.

As soon as they were gone, I started to rummage through my closet. To the right, next to this ugly sweater my grandma had gotten me, there it was. The flowy lilac dress was knee length and soft. I went to the other side of my closet, and removed a hanger with belts hanging off it. I grabbed a thick black belt with a silver buckle. I quickly put it on along with some white leggings and my black combat boots.

After brushing my hair, I head downstairs. When I got there, I walked into the kitchen. Next to the oven, on a plate along with some bacon, there was a triple pancake stack. Looking at the accompanying note, I smiled.

My Love,

Happy Birthday! This year, your 13th year, is a very special one. It's a year full of surprises, and undoubtedly, of fun. I know you will make the most of it, my darling girl. Enjoy your breakfast, and let it be a symbol of the joys to come this year. 

I love you, 

Mom

 I brought the note and the plate to the table, where I cut into it. The gooey mess that came out of the pancakes I recognized well. Chocolate m&ms! They were my favorite simply because I loved chocolate. I finished the stack in no time. Contentedly full, I looked around the dining room. Everything was as it should be, except an extra table at the end of the room. I gasped. Are all these for me? I looked at the multitude of presents, wondering how many family members had contributed. I knew the 13th birthday was special, but this was WAY more than the usual amount. I walked up to the table, and peered at the packages. Among them, a wooden crate catches my eye. I run my fingers over the polished surface, noticing the small holes in it.

"That's from Uncle Bob." I spun around, hearing my mom's voice unexpectedly. My mom was standing in the archway to the dining room. I hugged her tight, thanking her for the note and the pancakes. "You can open it now if you want." She suggested. I nodded vigorously. I walked over to the box and I am about to open it when

"Boo!"

"Ahh!"I screamed.

Kyle chuckled, "I got you good that time!"

I turn to him, furious he had ruined my suspenseful moment. "Why you no good rotten little-"

"Children," mom exclaimed, her voice clear and stern."this is no way to open someone's birthday! Kyle, you will go to your room this instant. Amber, do not call anyone any names. Now you my open the box with no interruptions." She looked pointedly at Kyle, who hadn't moved, despite her orders. I approached the box for the second time. I carefully undid the strap to reveal...

"My very own kitten! It's a tortoiseshell! How did uncle Bob know I wanted a cat? I mean, I like dogs too, but what I really wanted was a cat and oh my goodness she's so pretty!!" I was bursting with happiness as I lifted my kitten from the crate. 

"No fair, you got a dra" -Kyle faltered-"cat! You got a cat and all I got was some lousy bird!"

"Kyle," came mom's reply, the tone still slightly annoyed. "I thought I told you to go to your room. And you love your bird." Kyle went to his room, still grumbling.

My kitten had a white belly with some yellow, brown, orange and auburn patches on it's back. It's eyes glittered like amber. It meowed with a sophisticated air. It rubbed it's head along my arm, and I pet it behind it's ears. It purred contentedly as it leaned into my hand.

Mom gently tapped me on the shoulder, "Honey, there are some visitors waiting for you outside." Curious, I peered out the door. Nothing out of the ordinary, at least from that angle. I set my kitten down on a chair, and stepped outside.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER!" I saw all of my brothers and sisters shouting a happy birthday to me. Charley, Sam, Ann, Anabelle and even Kyle had slipped out of his room through the front door. Anabelle saw the cat that had followed, unbeknownst to me, and immediately started petting it. Sam and Ann came over and asked together,

"What is it's name?"

Looking at the kitten, I realized I hadn't even thought of naming it. I improvised, telling them, "Well since I don't know, let's find out." I tried too make the cat stay in a spot a couple of yards away and we took turns calling out names, to try and see which one would make the cat come.

"Melissa"

"Marigold"

"Goldy"

"Sunny"

"Sunshine"

"Sun"

"Sandra"

"Ashley"

"Princess"

"Dutchess"

"Jewel"

"Topaz"

"Beryl" At the last name, the 13th name, the cat languidly walked over, to rub against my leg.

The cat was given a collar with the name Beryl inscribed on one side and a golden beryl stone on the other. Then Kyle pulled me aside and implored me, "Let's go to the tree house."

I left Jewel in Charley's care and followed excitedly. You are only allowed to go in the tree house once you turn 13. I can't believe my turn was finally here! After watching sibling after sibling climb the ladder, I couldn't wait to do it myself! Kyle walked to a spot on the tree. He shook his head, and moved to a root to the left. Staring up, he nodded confidently. "Kyle and Amber wish to enter." he called up. I wondered who was up there, and if they had the ladder, as I couldn't see it anywhere. 

At his words however, all of the branches started rattling and one of them came down to the ground. Others joined it, and they wove together to create a platform. Kyle stepped on top of it and beckoned for me to do the same. As soon as I did, one branch extended from the corner, and reached to me. I held onto it as we rose into the air. 

When we stopped, we were level with cobbled road. I stared at it in confusion. What was a cobbled road doing up here? I then followed the road with my eyes. It led to a fountain, with shops on either side. I looked to either side of me, and there were other platforms, with people stepping on or off. Behind us was the tree's canopy, but above us, sunlight streamed directly in. I suppose the branches could extend around this road in a sort of bowl shape, and nobody would be the wizer, since the tree is so tall. But I really don't think the tree is big enough for this street...

"Stop staring, you have to come meet the master." Kyle said, breaking me out of my reverie. He led me down the cobbled street, past shops of every kind. There was even a movie theater and a library! The farther we walked, the more amazed I was. How could all these people be in our tree? How does this whole city fit into our tree? Where's the tree house that I could see from the ground?  Eventually, we reached an impressive looking building with Greek columns and a fancy gold gate. Kyle entered with me into a sort of lobby space, with couches and magazines. He pointed to a door at the far end of the room that led into a hallway. 

"Go in there." 

I walked into the room, and noticed details about the hallway. There were purple carpets, and stone columns on either side. Looking behind me, Kyle was just outside the door. "Just follow the hallway, OK?" He said. I had a brief moment in which I thought anxiously, your coming with me, right?  And then he closed the door. And locked it. 

Staring at the space where the door was, I was unable to register what had just happened. He had just left me here! Having nothing better to do, I started walking to a dim light in front of me. 

I walked.

And  walked.

And walked.

And walked.

and then I rested for a bit because really my combat boots can be uncomfortable if you wore them with the wrong socks (and of course I had).

and then I walked.

and walked.

When I felt as if I couldnt walk any more, and I was ready to drop with exhaustion, I suddenly came upon a throne.

 It turned around.