It was Kirsty's birthday today, yet Kirsty felt anything but happiness. Kane wasn't next to her when she woke up, in fact she didn't even know if he'd come to bed last night. Kirsty felt guilt. Oliver had kissed her the previous night, Kirsty had responded ever so slightly, but broke away. She didn't even like Oliver; he was so sarcastic and conceited. Why would he want to kiss her? Although it was impossible, Kirsty thought that somehow Kane knew. Perhaps Oliver would tell him. Kirsty was terrified, yet she shouldn't have had a reason to be. It wasn't her fault Oliver had kissed her, and it wasn't like she wanted it. Or did she? Kirsty went downstairs to eat; no one seemed to be in. She was in disbelief; she was finally sixteen but it wasn't like anything she'd dreamed. She really missed her family, especially Jade. Kirsty went over to Edwina's antique phone. She could ring them, just to say hello. She punched in the number hastily, being to sure to withhold her number. A chirpy voice answered. Jade.
"Hello?" said Jade. Kirsty was speechless. They seemed so happy without her. Jade was probably having the time of her life without her, with her acceptable boyfriend and acceptable life. What did she need Kirsty for?
"Happy Birthday, " said Kirsty slamming down the phone. She ran up to her room and flopped out onto the bed. Her life was a mess. She couldn't go home because they probably hated her yet she couldn't stay here as Kane hated her, and to make matters worse smug debt-ridden boys were trying to kiss her. Tears began to run down Kirsty's face, onto the scented pillows. The most perfect place she'd visited turned out to be flawed.
***
Kane finished work early. He couldn't put off speaking to Kirsty; he couldn't concentrate on anything. He just wanted to say sorry and that he did trust her, it was just Oliver he didn't. He didn't want to stay angry at her any longer. He went inside the house; using the key Edwina had given him almost pretending that the mansion was his.
"Kirsty?" he called. "Kirsty are you downstairs?" Hearing no answer, he went upstairs to the room. Kirsty was face down on the bed. "Kirsty!" He went to her, seeing her face tear stricken. He instinctively pulled her to his chest, embracing her.
"What's wrong?"
Kirsty struggled to put her words together. Everything was wrong. "It's…it's my birthday." She decided not to tell him about the kiss.
"Your birthday? I can't believe I didn't know that!"
"I didn't expect you to, " Kirsty sniffed. Kane was annoyed at himself. They'd been together for months, yet didn't know the basic details about each other.
"Kirsty, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I was mad at you. Let's do something." Kirsty sat up, resting her head on Kane's
shoulder. "I could take you out or..."
"No, I'm fine. You being here is enough." Kirsty meant it. Now at least one of her problems was sorted out.
"Man, this is heavy, " said Kane. "Do you regret us running away?"
"No, " said Kirsty smiling. "No regrets. Even though we've had to deal with so much; I think it proves we can survive through anything."
"Do you still miss your family?"
"Yeah, I tried to ring Jade earlier, but they all sounded so happy. I had to put the phone down. I'm sixteen Kane, sixteen."
"I know, hopefully your next birthday will be better than this. It's pretty dull."
"Do you think we'll still be together then?" asked Kirsty. "Maybe you'll end up running off with some blonde and I'll have been captured by my parents then."
Kane laughed, "Nah, we'll still be together."
"Maybe still living here, due to Edwina's endless generosity, " continued Kirsty.
"We'll both have our jobs so we can afford stuff."
"Maybe you can get a haircut!" teased Kirsty.
"Oi, I thought you liked my hair?!"
"No it's way too long at the moment." Kirsty ran her fingers playfully through it. Kane leaned in for a kiss.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get you a present Kirst."
"No worries. I've matured and learnt that there are more to birthday's than presents." Kirsty smiled mischievously , "However, there is one present you could give me…"