Chapter 3

Spaghetti bolognaise, Robin's mum made practically the beast bolognaise ever. Well that was Bryn's, Vlad's and Robin's opinion, Robin's older brothers weren't so keen, neither was Chloe.

Robin's mum had been a little too overprotective since the events of the previous night, not letting him out of sight for more than 2 minutes. It had been annoying him all day, he was unable to go virtually anywhere without his mother checking that he was alright every five seconds or so. He was wishing more and more that he'd never had the incentive to leave the house after dark, without informing his mother first.

School had been boring and so the conversation starting with 'how was school' did not last that long, and finding a new subject that would easily relate to the entire table was proving difficult.

Bryn picked up her glass of coke, lifting it to her lips when Chloe spoke, making her miss her mouth entirely and instead soaking her shirt. Robin burst in giggles, Vlad soon joined in, Bryn was trying to keep a straight face and pretend to be angry at them for laughing at her, but she let a smirk come across her face, verifying that she was faking the anger.

"Come into the kitchen dear and I'll try and get the stain out, before it's too late" Bryn obediently followed, into the kitchen.

"Hey, what have you got Bryn for her birthday?" Vlad whispered to Robin.

"I was going to get her that book she wanted; you know that one in Waterstones, in the window," Robin whispered back.

"Her birthday's tomorrow, you know."

"Is it? I thought it was next week! 'Ere what have you got her?"

"That blue stoned necklace I saw her admiring the other day." Robin frowned trying to remember what blue stoned necklace Vlad was talking about, he remember one but he never remembered Bryn looking at it; as much as it annoyed him, Robin had to admit that Vlad had a better sense of what their best friend liked, then he did. Although in all fairness Vlad had sharper eyesight, due to his being a vampire.

"Look, we can go into Waterstones, on the way home from school tomorrow, tell Bryn we've got to rush off." Vlad suggested, Robin approving of the idea immensely.

Vlad was about to say something else, when Robin nudged him in the direction of the doorway, Bryn had come back from the kitchen her shirt still wet but no longer stained. She sat down in her seat, and playfully hit Vlad on the arm.

"That's for laughing at me," she was aware that Robin was smiling away, feeling happy that he was sitting on the other side of Vlad rather than Bryn.

"I get you later, Robin!"

"Happy birthday!" Vlad and Robin chorused as Bryn came into view. She was carrying a new schoolbag and a new flower hairband, was tied in her hair.

"13 today! Now we leave Vlad behind!" Robin said referring to the fact that Vlad was still 12 until September, and they were now both 13.

The bell rang for the start of the school day, maths. Much to Bryn's disappointment, to start off her first day at being 13, she had her worst subject, with her worst teacher. Never mind she felt happy enough to endure the hour of maths, for just this once.

Maths finished and the day flew by, as it always seems to do when the day is an exciting event like your birthday or Christmas. Soon the bell was going to indicate the end of the day.

Vlad and Robin quickly disappeared out the school gate and into the town centre, telling Bryn that they would see her a bit later for her birthday tea party her parents had promised her.

"Right, so get the book, run home wrap it up, get changed and then go to Bryn's." Robin dictated his action plan to Vlad, so he could verify it.

Bryn was sitting in the garden when Robin and Vlad arrived, presents in hand and cards taped on top of the presents. They handed them to Bryn simultaneously, Bryn almost dropping them.

"Open mine first!" Robin told her eagerly. Carefully Bryn ripped of the card opening that first, it was a cute card with a big 13 written across the card, taking up the whole space. Placing this on the mantelpiece, she began opening the present, tearing the paper of when she realized what it was; 'Newes from the dead' by Mary Hooper, she, utterly thrilled with the book, hugged Robin on impulse. He was completely unprepared for this and almost fell over with shock.

Bryn opened Vlad's card next, it was really elegant, with lots of butterflies and flowers. She put this card next to Robin's on the mantelpiece. Taking the smaller present she launched into the wrapping, taking her time so as to try and save the wrapping paper. When the paper was almost immaculately removed, Bryn found herself holding on to a square blue box, detaching the lid from the main box, Bryn stared at the contents in amazement.

"Oh my…" Bryn was struck dumb as she lifted the necklace gently out of its box. She was enthralled by the beautiful light blue glistening stones; her favourite colour; such a pretty pattern.

"When…how, how did you know?" Bryn stammered not knowing what else to say.

"I saw you admiring it in the shop the other day,"

"But I only glanced at it for a second or two!" Bryn insisted.

"I guess you could say he has very sharp eyes!" Robin interrupted, Vlad was posing the same question he had had the day Robin was 'supposedly missing' the one which concerned obtaining his powers before the allocated age. His thoughts were cut short when Bryn flung her arms around him and embraced him. It was longer than the last one he had received from her and it felt like forever, Vlad felt a tingle run down his spine as Bryn's chin rested on his shoulder momentarily.

"Who wants birthday cake?" Bryn's dad had appeared at the entryway of the room, carrying a large chocolate cake with exactly 13 candles on it, all of which were lit. Reciting the well-known tune of 'happy birthday' were, Robin, Vlad and Bryn's father and mother- who had appeared at the doorway as soon as the singing started. Bryn blow the candles out in one breath.

"Did you make a wish?" Robin asked, hoping that she would forget the saying that if you tell someone your wish it would never come true.

"I may have made a wish, then again I might not have," Bryn teased knowing exactly what he had wanted to know. She had made a wish; she had wished that she, Vlad and Robin would always be friends no matter what.

Sorry this chapters a bit short but I hope you like it!