*October 11th was the day. Not only that, but it was Mel's 17th birthday. She should've been ecstatic about finally being (legally) allowed to do magic outside of school, but she was upset over missing Kiley's birthday and Kiley missing hers. It felt lonely, even though there were plenty of people in The Family to wish her a happy birthday. It didn't feel right. She took care to make sure that it didn't show. She'd fake a smile and a laugh to make it seem like everything was fine. If any sort of sadness slipped through, she'd make the excuse about how this day, two years ago, was when her family fell apart. It was believable enough.

She in the room that she shared with Liam, Becky, and Mark, sitting on her bed. She had taken out her huge photo album full of pictures of her family, friends, and herself. Her emotions were changing faster than a car speeding down a freeway; Some of the memories made her laugh hysterically, others made her embarrassed, and quite a few made her cry.

At that very moment, she was crying. She had turned to a picture of Kiley, Mark, and herself. Kiley was holding Mark, and Mel was smiling and laughing along with them as Mark did something silly or giggled after being tickled.

She missed Alex. She missed Ian. She really missed Kiley.*



~Mel

*Liam sauntered into the room. He had been grinning, but when he saw mel crying, he stopped. Liam had Mel's present, but he hadn't wanted to give it to her just yet. He was sporting some bruises that were starting to heal from the battle with Tyrin that we won't know who won untill I talk to adam tomorrow. Liam quickly shut the door, knowing there were some people out there that could draw pretty ad conclusions if they saw her crying* "Melanie, what's wrong?"

Melanie:"Nothing, I'm just...missing my mum...reminiscing...thinking." *she lied, because she already knew that Liam more than likely had predicted what was wrong correctly. She didn't want to admit it because if anyone else in The Family heard her, they would start screaming at her about how Werewolves are bad, and the people who help them are worse.*




~Mel

*Liam flicked the fan on low...it felt sort of stuffy in their room. He took a few steps foward and sat in a wooden chair at the desk and started to remove his boots, not taking his eyes off Mel* "Wasn't Kiley's birthday the other day?" *He carefully surveyed her reactions* "It was on your callender."

Melanie:"Yeah, it was. I bet she and Ian had a wonderful time." *she replied, saying that out loud just for the sake of making herself feel worse and proving how wrong it was that THEY didn't have a wonderful time.*"It doesn't matter. They don't matter. I'm having a wonderful birthday." *She had to say these things out loud to convince herself that they were true.*



~Mel

*Liam smiled when she mentioned her birthday. He stood and walked over and sat next to her.* "Good...did you get any nice presents?" *He asked, laying back on the bed and looking at her. He realized that last year on her birthday they had broken up because he was strung out on heroin. Just thinking of it made him feel guilty and at the same time, ache to shoot up. But that wasn't his life anymore.*

Melanie:"Oh yes, Becky made me a very lovely card." *she informed him, smiling now at the thought of her ridiculously adorable sister*"Try and guess what color it is; You'll never get it." *she joked*"And Mark is being very quiet and well-behaved. I think it must be his baby intuition."




~Mel

"What about from Sentinus? I mean, this is your 17th birthday....he didn't get you anytihng? I'm sure some of the family members gave you gifts." *He smiled weakly, absently looking at the back of his hand then back up to her*

*Melanie shrugged and closed her photo album*
Melanie:"A few people have, but only the desperate brown nosers who want to be important. Needless to say, they don't know me that well. The best thing I've gotten out of it is a book about the history of Animagi. It's very nice of them to think of me, though." *she paused to look up at Liam and smile*"But what about you? Haven't you gotten me anything?"

*It was beyond obvious that all of this Family business and Animagi Worship was finally starting to get to her. She was becoming a spoiled brat, and even though she mostly had the brat part down, the spoiled bit was relatively new.*




~Mel