I wake up with a smile on my face. Today is June 19th, my brother's graduation day but also my birthday. The day I finally become a teenager.
Jumping out of my bed, I pull on some Nike sweatpants and my striped, Armani polo shirt. I shove my cell phone in my pocket and practically run down the stairs.
When I see my family in the kitchen, I expect them all to pull out balloons, gifts and cake from behind their back but instead I'm greeted by a stiff glare from my father. He looks at the clock on the wall then back at me.
"Thomas, you're up late. We have a busy day today sorting out last minute preparations for your Brother's graduation party, so eat up." He orders, pointing at the plate of pancakes in the middle of the kitchen island, which Theo and Phoebe are eating from.
I look at him with my mouth slightly gaped, and then at my Mom who isn't even paying attention to me because she's on the phone, probably to my Aunt Kate. She offers me a smile but then concentrates on her phone conversation. My brother and sister are too interested in their IPads to notice me. I feel like I've been stabbed in the gut, how could they forget my birthday?
It's the most important birthday I've had in my short life, and they fucking forget it. I understand they're preoccupied with graduation details but they remembered Phoebe's 16th last month, and they were still busy then.
My Dad looks at me with narrowed eyes, his mouth a thin line. "I won't ask you again to sit down and have something to eat, Thomas."
My Mom gets up from her seat next to my Dad, and signals for me to sit there, she walks out of the room, laughing about something with my aunt.
I take the seat and grab a plate before shoving two pancakes on it. I squeeze some syrup on them and then start ruthlessly cutting into them. I can't believe they've forgotten my birthday, I want to cry, or to hit something.
"Are you okay, buddy?" Theo asks me, watching as I practically tear my pancakes to shreds on the plate.
"Fine." I practically spit. I look down at my plate, not missing the look shared between my siblings.
After several minutes in silence, my Dad stands up and grips my shoulder. I look at him expectantly, when he states, "We're going to go down to Ralph Lauren and get you a new suit soon, so once you've finished eating go and get changed."
I exhale loudly. "Why? I still have the suit I wore to his birthday party, and about a gazillion others." I snap, enforcing the word 'birthday' but he doesn't notice.
His eyebrows furrow and he glares down at me. "Because I said so, that's why. Anyway, you should be thankful not everyone gets a new suit for every occasion."
I grunt showing my dismay and get up from my seat, storming out of the kitchen.
"Thomas! You didn't finish your breakfast!" My Dad yells after me, but I ignore him and shove through my bedroom door, slamming it shut.
I walk over to the corner of my room and pick up my boxing gloves from my chair, and then start hitting my punching bag, which hangs down from my ceiling. As the punches get harder, the tears start to fall and I end up leaning against my wall, as the tears rack through my body. How could they forgot? They say they love me but I know they fucking don't. I'm just a waste of space around here, and I need to leave.
I rub at my eyes, wiping away any unshed tears and change into my grey skinny jeans. I grab my baseball jacket and make my way back down the stairs.
My Dad is waiting for me at the bottom, by the door. He eyes me with a glare as I land in front of him. "Don't ever walk away from me when I'm talking to you, Thomas." He snarls and then grips me by the elbow, practically dragging me out of the door.
I'm glad our car journey is filled with the soothing sounds of John Legend because otherwise it would have been very awkward. When we pull up outside of Ralph Lauren, I jump out of the car not even waiting for my Dad, which I know has made him angry.
I walk to the kids section of the store, which I could locate blindfolded due to the countless times I've been here. I grab the first suit I see in my size and make a sound of approval. It's just a tight fitting grey one, I'll match it with my white shirt and black tie, when I get home. I want this day to be over as quickly as possible.
I turn around and see my Dad, walking at a leisurely rate over to me, his hands are in his jean pockets and he looks very relaxed, but I can see the glower in his eyes.
He reaches me and leans down so we're at eye-level. "May I ask why you're being even more difficult than usual today? Is this because your brother is leaving for college soon? What's wrong?" He asks, angrily. I wish I could punch him in the face. Seriously? He thinks this is because Theo is leaving? I mean I'm upset about it, of course I am, but not as upset as I am over the fact they forgot my birthday.
"Like you care." I snap, and try to walk off but I'm stopped by his hand grabbing my wrist. He yanks me back over to him and I can almost see the anger dripping off him.
"I'm going to give you a chance to retract your tone and I'll ask again, what's wrong?"
I look up at him, debating whether to shout and scream at him for forgetting my birthday but honestly I can't be bothered it will change nothing. They still forgot. They still remembered Theo and Phoebe's.
"I'm just sad Theo is leaving, that's all" I lie, and it's obviously believable because his face softens and his grip on my wrist loosens.
"Thomas, you'll get to see him. Theo will be visiting us all the time, and we'll visit him. Don't worry about it, alright?" He asks expectantly, and I nod. He smiles and eyes the suit in my hand.
"You want that one?" He asks, looking at it with a raised eyebrow. No, not really. Grey isn't really my colour but I don't plan on wearing it for long, so it will have to do.
"I am a Grey, right?" I ask, with a smirk.
He grins widely. "Yes, you are." He responds, pulling me into his side and walking us over to pay. And, all I can think is, if I'm a Grey then why don't I feel like one?
When we arrive back home after going to a few more stores, buying last minute supplies for Theo's party it's getting late. My Dad made me choose the cake, decorations and refreshments like it was my own party. Why would I give a fuck about what Theo has at his party? I swear, he is the most unaware person I've ever met.
He hands it all to Taylor and asks him to go to the venue and start setting up. It's going to be a great party, I know that. My Dad has really gone all out for it, like he's spent more time sorting this out than I've ever seen him do for any event.
We walk into the kitchen where my Mom and siblings are sitting around rereading my Brother's valedictorian speech.
"Did you find a new suit?" My Mom asks me, and I nod, lifting up the bag to show her.
"6 years' time and this will be you, Tommy." Theo says with a grin, and I want to correct him. 5 years. I'm 13 today but I don't, instead I nod and smile whilst I feel my heart splitting.
"Right, you three go and get changed and then we'll make our way over to the school." My Dad orders, rubbing his hands together, a small smirk on his face. What is he so happy about?
Christian POV
"I hope he's not too upset to enjoy the party, he looks heartbroken that he thinks we forgot, Christian. I don't understand how he could think we'd ever forget his birthday." Ana says in disbelief as she steps into her short, purple dress. I would complain it's too short but I'm going to be with her the whole time so I'm not as bothered.
I look to her and nod in agreement. How could Thomas ever think we wouldn't remember him turning 13? It breaks my heart slightly that he thinks we care that little. I can't wait to see his reaction when he realises the party we're throwing isn't for Theo but for him instead. My oldest son was thrilled at the idea of having a surprise birthday party for his little brother, and didn't even mind missing out on a graduation party as long as we gave him a leaving for college one.
"He doesn't think we love him, Ana. I was like him once, I just couldn't understand how anyone could ever love me but now I do. We need to show him, that's all, show him he's worth everything." I explain simply and she nods, smiling sadly.
I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. "What did I ever do to deserve such a beautiful wife, and such amazing children?" I muse, admiring her in the mirror.
She turns around in my arms and caresses my face. "You did everything. I love you so much, Christian."
I smile down at her, and take her lips in mine. When I pull away I rest my forehead on hers. "I love you more than you could ever know, baby. Now, we need to get going or we'll miss our own son's graduation." I announce, slapping her on the arse lightly before offering her my arm. She smiles and hooks her hand around my suit clad arm.
We get to the bottom of the stairs to find Theo already patiently waiting, looking extremely handsome in his tux.
"There's our grown up son. You look incredibly handsome Theodore, and just like your Dad." Ana croons, hugging the life out of the boy.
He raises an eyebrow at me over Ana's shoulder and I smirk. When my wife releases him, I step forward and pull him into a hug. He's nearly as tall as me now, after hitting 6'0 last month.
"We're so proud of you, Theodore. You know we love you unconditionally right?" I ask, pulling back and looking him in the eye. I needed to know he knew we loved him. I can't have my children not knowing they mean everything to us.
"I know, and I love you guys too," He replies with a smile and I grin, happily.
"I can't wait to see Tommy's face tonight, he's going to freak out." Theo exclaims, and I send him a warning look to quiet down.
"I hope you mean that in a good way. Did you manage to find the skateboard?" I ask my son, knowing he's been looking for a limited edition Tony Hawk skateboard to give Thomas for his birthday.
"Yeah, it's in my room. I'm going to give it to him after his party. Do you think he'll like it?"
I grin widely. "I know he will, he'll probably be causing trouble on it the second he gets it." I reply honestly. My youngest son was an extremely good skater, and although I've had about a billion heart attacks after watching him do some of his tricks, even I have to admit it looks good on him.
Thomas POV
When I reach the bottom of the stairs everybody is already waiting. My Dad leads us into the car and we make the short drive over to Theo and Phoebe's high school.
The school field is lined with seats and students are already waiting in line near the stage to collect their certificate.
Theo wishes us all goodbye. He turns to me with a grin, and despite everything I grin back.
"Good luck, Theo. I'm proud of you, dude." I tell him, and I am. Even though he forgot my birthday, and even though I know our parents like him better, I love him and I am proud to call him my big brother.
"Thanks Tommy, that means a lot. You know I love you, buddy." He responds and ruffles my hair, before walking off over to the stage, preparing to give his speech.
We take our seats next to my Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. I smile all the way through my Brother's speech, and I look up at my Dad next to me to see tears in his eyes. My Mom is blubbing away, and even Phoebe is getting teary.
When the ceremony is over, Theo has some photos done with his friends and then makes his way back over to us. He's attacked with kisses by my Mom, and then my Aunts and Grandmother. My Dad, Uncle and Granddad hug him and congratulate him.
Phoebe and I stand back, watching in amusement. He grins at us and opens his arms. Phoebe moves into him, hugging him so tightly I think he's stopped breathing. He raises an eyebrow at me expectantly but I don't move. Instead, he comes to me and throws me over his shoulder.
"I'm leaving for college soon, and you won't even give your big brother a hug, you little bastard." He teases, walking over to my parents with me still over his shoulder.
My Dad eyes us in amusement. "Are we ready to go to the party? It's all set up." He asks and everyone nods eagerly. Everyone except me, I'm not going to that party, I've got to get out of here.
"I need to go for a piss, I'll be two minutes." I say, wriggling out of my brother's grip and looking at my Dad for permission.
He rolls his eyes but nods. "Be quick, and take Taylor with you."
I roll my eyes back at him. I can't take Taylor with me, it would wreck my plan. "Seriously, Dad, I'm just going into the school toilets, I don't need security."
He narrows his eyes and hesitates before nodding and allowing me to go alone. I walk off in the direction of the toilets but when I get into the school building I go the opposite direction and leave through the back entrance. I can't stay here anymore, I can't stay somewhere I'm not loved.
I walk down the road, and try to think of somewhere I can stay the night before I leave completely.
Christian POV
"Where the fuck has Thomas gone? He's going to miss his own party at this rate!" I growl, looking around the field for any sign of my son.
Ana's getting worried, and I have to admit so am I. He's been in the toilet for 10 minutes now, and I'm starting to think maybe he didn't even go at all.
When I see Taylor walking over to us with a blank expression I know something is wrong. I walk over to him.
"Sir, Thomas isn't here. He's gone." Taylor states, emotionless. I can feel my face pale, and my heart stop beating.
"Oh my god!" Ana cries out behind me, but I'm frozen to the spot. I can't move to comfort her. My little boy has gone.