"Leah, happy birthday" He smiles with glossy eyes.

"This can't be real" I smile through my tears.

"Hows your day so far?" He smiles. "Its good, really good" I sigh, happily.

"I can't talk for long right now but I will later" He says, a tear falling out of his eye.

I want nothing more but to cry to him over everything thats happened but decide not to. We don't have much time and I don't want to worry him.

"How are you?" I smile, nodding.

"I'm good. Yeah, I'm really glad I got to face time you today. You're legal, time to move" He laughs.

"Already have an apartment to look at" I smile, motioning for Grace to sit next to me.

"Thats great. Gracie, how are you? I miss you. I miss you both" He smiles, more tears welling in his eyes. She slings her arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to her.

Luke being in the army has been hard for the whole family. He was like an older brother to me. The moment him and his family left and he decided to go in the service was heart breaking. I knew what was to come and I wanted him here to protect me. Selfish, I know.

"Did you get my gift?" He smiles causing me to shake my head.

"It should have arrived today. Its pretty big. Go get it. I want you to open it" He smiles causing me to nod, running down the stairs.

I quickly scan the place for the present, it being no where in sight.

"Where's Mason?" I sniff, walking up to Brooks. Concern flashes across his face. "What happened?" He asks, placing his hands on my arms.

"I'm fine. Good tears" I laugh. "Leah, I've been looking all over for you" Mason smiles walking up to us.

"Where is that package that was here before? The big one. I need it now" I blurt out hugging him. "Its over here, why are you crying?" He asks leading me over to the present. I pick it up, running upstairs. "No time to explain" I smile at him, confusion on his face.

"I'm back" I huff, Grace laughing at the screen.

Grace sets the phone on the vanity, watching as I open the box.

I open it to see a couple things. The first being a book.

In the book has pages with numbers, 1-18. I look at them, realizing its photos of me and him or me, him and Grace. They are placed in chronological order, matching with the number on the page. Tears spring to my eyes at the memories.

Theres another, smaller box with a bunch of candy in it, all my favorites. There are also some candles, and another box full of little miscellaneous stuff. It takes me a while to realize what it is.

When I was little I would always ask him to get me something from everywhere he went. We even made a contract. On the bottom of the box the contract is there, clearly stating the rules.

'This contract is to ensure that Luke Johnson gets Leah Williams something from everywhere he goes until she turns 18.

Signed: Leah Williams

Signed: Luke Johnson'

He never broke that contract.

I open the box once again, smiling at the magnets, rings, keychains and jewelry from different states.

"It's not complete yet. I have some stuff in my bag" He smiles, the waterworks turn back on.

"Thank you Luke" I whisper. These gifts made me realize how loved I actually am. How even when I think no one is listening, someone is.

"Leah? Are you in there?" Mason knocks at the door.

"Just a minute Mas" I answer.

"Okay Le, I gotta go. But I'm glad you liked the gifts. I'll see you soon. I promise. I love you" He blows me a kiss, ending the call.

I open the door, a worried and furious Mason on the other side.

"Mason" I say, grabbing his wrist as he turns around. "What the fück was that Leah? Who are you hiding that he face times you for your birthday and tells you he loves you. You're fücking crying over him. Who is he" He growls, causing me to flinch.

His eyes soften as he realizes his harsh words and actions. "M-Mason its just Luke. It's my cousin" I whimper, hoping he believes me and doesn't think its just a pathetic lie.

Grace walks out of the room, her eyes wide at Masons red face.

"I-I can prove it to you. I would never cheat on you" I frown at the thought.

"Mason, that was my older brother on the phone. Leah would never do that" Grace says causing me to suck in a breath. His hands ball into a fist. I grab his hand, trying to ease his doubts.

"Grace, I can handle this" I nod, thanking her.

"Can you come with me?" I look up at Mason, nervously.

"I need you to tell me the truth Leah" He paces when we get in his room.

"I am telling you the truth. I swear on my whole life. It was my older cousin who was like a brother to me when he lived here. We can go ask my Aunt and Uncle. I would never, in a million years do that to you. Why would you think that?" I place my hands on his face, staring into his now dark blue eyes.

They quickly get darker, his pupils dilating. He closes his eyes, nodding. I lean in, placing a quick kiss on his lips. "I don't know, I'm just stupid" He pulls at his hair.

"You aren't stupid. I just want to make sure we are okay and that you trust and believe me" I remove his hand from his hair, standing on my tippy toes to fix it.

"I do, it all makes sense and adds up now. But can you just explain why he isn't here then?" He says, sitting down.

"Of course babe" I wipe my eyes with a tissue, careful not to mess up my makeup.

"So, Luke is older than me. When he moved away after something happened-" I say, being reminded of the memories, tears burn my eyes. Bad ones this time.

"I-I'm sorry" I stutter, trying to hold back the tears. "It's okay, lets not do this today, right?" He grabs my face, placing his lips on mine, I immediately feel better, my thoughts being erased.

"Okay" I nod, standing up. "Hop on" He laughs, standing up.

I shake my head, denying his request. We walk downstairs to see Ellie rushing around.

"There you are, we are having cake now" She smiles, clapping her hands.

My least favorite part. "Can you stand with me?" I ask Mason, a smile spreading on his face.

"Of course" He kisses my cheek.

We walk into the kitchen to see a huge table filled with presents up against the wall. Everyone is surrounding the table with the cake and other desserts on it.

The cake is in the shape of an 18 and its a collage of pictures of me and my cousins, friends and other amazing memories. I quickly get out my phone, snapping a picture of it as my eyes water.

Everyone starts singing causing my face to flush. Attention and I don't mix.

Mason squeezes my hand, giving me a small smile.

When they finish I make a wish, blowing out the candles.

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Word count: 1341

~Leah