The wind chime tinkles, the morning breeze blows and the rays filter through the cotton curtains into my room. My eyes flutter open with the sound of my alarm ringing. I turn around and reach out for my phone to stop it. I accidentally snooze it and mentally curse myself for it. The worst morning ever. But just then, the date on my lock screen catches my attention. 12 August. Ohh… Summer’s birthday.

I sit up and my mind immediately starts playing the week’s events. Asher’s disappearance, Lilly’s miscarriage and Holly’s suicide attempt. Everything, together and swiftly swims across my mind. But whatever, today is a good day, Summer’s birthday.

Summer Fernsby. My younger sister. Age is sixteen and mischief is like a nine year old’s. Yesterday, the day before her birthday, she somehow managed to burn her finger and three days prior hit the floor and got hurt on her elbow which will probably leave the ugliest permanent scar ever. But, why-ever she got hurt, it’s also my fault. She burned her finger ‘cause she was persistent on cooking me an omelette for I was hungry and hit her elbow because she rushed to hand me a new bottle of shampoo.

I stand up and stretch my muscles. Yesterday’s seven rounds of carrom still hurt my head.

I stride to my bathroom and pick up my brush, just beside my toothpaste stand, lay a note, “Be down by 8. Love, Elsie.”

Of course, the only daughter’s one and only once a year birthday party had to be grand. Elsie could never miss an opportunity to spend money flying however she wished to. The temptation is probably too much to bear.

I quickly brush my teeth and shuffle down the stairs to the living room with a small wrapped package to find Summer and dad watching, her favourite show, Pokemon.

I approach her and hand her the things I was carrying with a soft and tender smile.

”Happy Birthday, baby sis.”

She jumps up in excitement and kisses my cheek, “Thank you so much, Cyrus.”

My expression considerably softens before hardening again as I see Elsie approach from the corner of my eye.

Summer unwraps the package to reveal a limited edition pokemon keychain, a gold plated silver bracelet with cranes and the famous words of Apollo engraved on it, “The oracle speaks, but the meaning is yours to find.” She had always loved the Greek history, especially it’s romantic counterparts and out of all the romantic stories, she seemed to love Achilles & Patroclus’s and Odysseus & Penelope’s. I couldn’t find something related to that, but I bought whatever I could extend my hands to. She squealed in joy and hopped. So unlikely for a high schooler.

Elsie strode towards her and snatched the bracelet from her with a scoff, “How beautiful. So thoughtful of you, Cyrus.”

“No problem, it’s my loving sister’s birthday afterall.” I smile without my eyes and look into her her’s.

She smirks and hands Summer the bracelet back, “What a loving brother you are, dear.” She smirks and goes back to the kitchen.

Just then, my eyes fall to my father, who had been observing all of us for a while, sitting on the armchair. He evidently noticed my annoyance and her mockey well. I frown a bit as he shakes his head, indicating me to stop my growing irritation. I sigh and look back down at Summer who’s again sat down on the tile floor and is inspecting the keychain with a soft smile and the bracelet already on her wrist.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings and Elsie ambles to the door to check who it is. She peeks through the peephole and turns to look at me with a smirk. I immediately understand who it could be. I turn my face away as she opens the door and in walks a person.

Summer looks at him and grows giddy with excitement when she sees him. She hops up and staggers to him with a joyful expression.

“Orion!”

“Orion!”

Orion smiles and embraces her as she jumps into his arms.

“Happy birthday, Summer.” He grins, offering her the present.

Brunette hair, pale gray eyes, tanned skin, 6’2, rich, athletic, bright, smart and absolutely gorgeous, Orion Windward, son of Congressman Windward and fashion icon, Amara Beily is the most perfect man a person could be. Popularly known for his bright academic performance and infamous paintings, Orion Windward is even more than a perfect man, he has the potential to be the most expensive and well-crafted craftsmanship of god. I don’t expect much from sixteen year olds, especially to be this grown, I don’t date minors either but something, somehow attracts me to him head to toe.

I keep my gaze locked away and try to look as occupied as possible dealing with a perfectly fine remote portraying a disabled, outworn remote. Just then, from the back,

“Good morning, Cyrus.”

A deep yet a beautiful and charming voice speaks my name and the butterflies in my stomach spring free from their cage. Ohh god, even his voice drives me crazy. It takes me a couple of seconds to grab all those butterflies and shove them in before turning around and greeting him back with the most sincerest of smiles I could afford him right now.

“Good morning, Orion. I’m glad you came.”

“No worries,” he grins, a grin that doesn’t reach his eyes, “its Summer’s birthday afterall.”

I nod, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. Right, Summer’s birthday. My eyes momentarily flicker down to Summer and his’ arms looped around each other and I can guarantee he could notice my absolute momentary frown. Summer probably hasn’t, she has been examining the pair of probably-pure-gold-‘cause-he-can-afford earrings and a Luois Vuitton paperbag on her other hand.

“Alright, so, settle in, Elsie’s probably done with making our breakfast.”

I smile and look at Elsie who forces out a mocking smile and turns her attention back to icing the birthday cake. Orion gives me an appreciative smile back and I take it as a good sign, he probably doesn’t care.

Both of them shuffle to the couch and dad approaches them with a tender smile, something be rarely uses with me. I sigh and walk upto my room and close the door behind. I look at the clock and damn, its only been an hour since I awoke. 8:30 am. Such a long morning, the day’s gonna be even longer.

...Bonus Scene...

...Orion’s POV...

“Orion!”

Summer ambles to me. My girlfriend of two months and probably the most handful of girlfriends’ I’ve had in a while, yet the most adorable one’s I’ve ever had. Fair skin, sunshine, freckles, 5’3 and an absolutely burst of energy. Loving and cheerful and a great experience. Yeah, a great experience. I don’t plan to be with her for more than six months, too much energy consumption. Besides, the only thing I’ve had my eyes on for the last couple of weeks is way better, calmer, cuter, more chaotic, smarter and to be honest prettier.

I hope this investment of mine is worth it.