A/N: Oh my goodness, I am so sorry I've been gone so long. I said I would update this really soon but I didn't. Ohh I feel bad now. I can explain though? My boyfriend got in a motorcycle accident and dislocated his left shoulder, bruised three ribs and had a concussion. No matter how many times I tell him I don't like that Gosh darn dirt bike he says: Oh it's just a bike, what's the worst that could happen? But now I just wanna say: I TOLD YOU SO! but that would be mean, huh.. men... anyway, he's feeling a bit better and now I'm up to date with my fics :) so forgive me and enjoy...

Dangerously Paranoid Chapter 8: To Getting Older

November 16th

I opened my eyes, the sun was shining down through the floor length window in my room. I recently painted the walls to a soft blue colour with white trim. Thanks to Gramps for his wonderful painting help. Speaking of Gramps, I could smell waffles. I knew he would make me my favorite breakfast, chocolate chip waffles. Yummm,

I followed my nose and walked down stairs, passed the foyer and into the kitchen. Gramps was frying and cooking away like the amazing cheif he was.

"Mornin' Alleycat," He said with his signature smile.

"Morning Gramps." I said stretching.

"ALLYYY! ALLLY! AAALLLLIIISSSONN!" I could hear my sister shouting, I sighed as she ran at me.

"What now?" I asked, she walked up to me. With her full height of 5,3 and blonde hair she smiled up at me and holding somthing behind her back.

"Happy Birthday." She said holding out her hand, with Gram's chain perfectly fixed and looking almost brand new.

"Oh my Jackrabbit, Lindz this.. Wow." I said holding it with a huge smile before inspecting it.

"I took it to the Jewelry Store in the city and they fixed it and shined it and I got a new chain for it." She explained, I almost knocked the wind out of her by giving her a big bear hug.

"Thank you." I said smiling.

"I knew how much you loved it and I felt bad." She said with a sheepish grin.

I knew she had some heart passed her Cody Simpson obsessed/Hollister obsessed mind.

"I love it." I said happily as I sat at the island counter. Gramps surved up a huge plate of waffles and maple syrup and I thanked him. I couldn't help but smile, this was all I ever needed. My family.

"So do you feel 17?" Lindsay asked, I rolled my eyes.

"I don't feel any different than yesterday." I explained.

"Well you better hurry up Alls, or you'll miss the bus." Gramps said as I gave Duke a pet before going upstairs to change.

I wore the usual, a Rolling Stones t-shirt, a pair of jeans, my black boots, a dark blue hoodie. I straightened my already long hair giving it more length and pined back my bangs. I wore some mascara and maybe a bit of eye shadow, the thing about me is I never really ever wore that much makeup. I always like the natural idea, but I will wear eye liner when I have to. I brushed my teeth and grabbed my bag before walking downstairs and saying bye to Gramps. He gave me a hug and wished me a great day before I left for the bus.

I met up with Will and Layla and then got on the bus. It was surprisingly packed so I took one of the few empty seats in the back as Layla and Will sat in the front. It's pretty cold out now, not as cold as November in N.Y but it's way colder than the day we moved here. I noticed Warren get onto the bus, since there was a lack of empty seats he took the one next to me. I shot him a small smile and the rest of the bus ride was pretty quiet.

We were almost at Sky High when Warren looked at me.

"Happy birthday." He said in almost a whisper, I only told Warren about my birthday. I told him like last week though, it's nice he remembered.

"Thanks," I said trying to hide my blush.

"Oh and don't tell the others about it." He added looking forward and not at me.

"Why?" I asked confusidly.

"Because they will never leave you alone about it." He replied as the bus pulled to an uneasy stop, I smirked as everyone started to stand up.

"What do you mean, never leave me alone about it?" I asked as we got off.

"Leave you alone about what?" Zack asked standing next to me. I didn't know what to say.

"Uhm, about getting new dog food. Yeah, my dog would go nuts and never leave me alone." I lied, I hate lying because I'm really, really bad at it. I could hear Warren snort at my lie, I just rolled my eyes as Zack gave me a wierd look before Magenta joined us.

"Aight dawg, ohhh get it. Dog." He started laughing at what he said, I just scoffed and started walking in the school with Warren.

"So what are you doing for your birthday?" Warren asked as we walked.

"Well it's Friday, so sleep. Sleep and more sleep." I replied, he shrugged as he got his books.

"Did you finish the essay for Madame Boudreau?" I asked.

"No." He replied plainly.

"It's worth 35 points." I said in a 'uh helloo!' sort of way.

"And,"

"Well do you not want a good grade?" I asked with a hand on my hip as he put his book in his bag.

"I'm just not good with French alright, leave it at that." He growled shutting his locker and walking off. I caught up with his stride.

"Well why didn't you say so, Mmde. Griffin à la secourir." (Ms. Griffin to the rescue) I said grinning.

"Since when did you become a french tutor?" He asked, as we neared my locker.

"Je ne sais pas," (I don't know,) I said before first bell rang.

Lunch rolled around quicker than usual, well that's what it felt like. I couldn't help but feel odd though. Well, not odd for me. Probably odd for most people, I'm used to it know. That feeling of when you're in the dark and you just have to turn the lights on because you're sure there is something in that closet just looking at you.

That's when I noticed, Camille Jenson. She wasn't her usual preppy self today. She just gave me a cold glare and walked away. I don't know why she hates me so much, it's not jealousy or annoyance, she just plain hates me. I don't care who likes me or not, but she's just getting on my nerves.

"Hey!" Will said to me through a mouthful of ice tea.

"Hi," I said sitting down and taking a bite out of my apple.

"Hey guys." Ethan said sitting down next to me, a girl with short brown hair sat next to him. "This is Angelina," he said with a cheepish smile.

"Hi Angelina," I greeted her.

"This is Will and Layla, this is Zack and Magenta and Ally, where's Warren?" He asked.

"Library, I asked him to pick me up the third in the Darren Shan series while he was there." I replied. He shrugged and smiled at her, I'm guessing they were dating or will be dating soon. They looked like they could be a good couple, I sighed and took a drink of my water.

"So you guys wanna come to my place tonight for a movie?" Will asked shoving a cupcake into his mouth, the boy seems to be getting hungrier and hungrier lately. Probably because of the muscle he put on, he's been working out a lot. He says it's hard living up to the Commander and because of it his dad has been working him hard lately.

"Sure," I shrugged. "I just need to spend some time with my Gramps first and then I'll be over." I explained as Warren sat down across from me and tossed the book in my direction, it almost went flying but I flicked my hand up, causing it to stop in mid air. "Crank," I muttered at Warren who just rolled his eyes.

"Why do you need to spend time with Gramps?" Will asked curiously. Warren gave me a "you'll regret it" look. I fiddled with my thumbs,

"Uhmm, because. It's uhh, well... Because." I looked at Warren for help.

"It's her birthday." He shrugged, my jaw dropped. He's the one who told me not to tell them.

"WHAT!" they all shouted, Layla seemed to shout the loudest. Even Kate joined in as she neared our table.

"Why didn't you say anything!" Layla said loudly.

"He told me not to, apperently you guy's make a huge deal of it." I put up my hands in defense.

"WARREN!" Layla shrieked, he gave her a death glare causing her to roll her eyes. "I lovveee birthdays." She smiled, she had a shine in her eyes that showed me she had plans, lot's of them. I kicked Warren under the table causing him to look at me.

'thanks a lot.' I mouthed, he just smirked.

"So I got it all planned out, we'll go to Will's. Order pizza, eat cake. Watch movies and stay the night!" Layla explained after conversing with Kate.

"Do I have a choice?" I asked.

"No," Layla said before going on and on about how much fun that it's going to be. Warren was right, that traitor.

"Happy Birthday Alleycat." Gramps said as I opened my eyes I looked straight at the black acoustic guitar, it was beautiful. I've always wanted to learn how to play guitar, I love singing. I've always wanted to learn, especially since it was mom's passion. She started giving me lessons when I was young, but my fingers were too small because I was only about three.

"Gramps, it's.. beautiful." I said running my fingers along the strings.

"I knew you'd like it, you're ma would be so proud of ya." He said smiling, I gave him a hug.

"Thank you." I said with a huge grin.

"You're welcome Darlin', now go. Will and Layla want you over there as soon as possible. That redhead is quite the talker." He said, I sighed. This is going to be one hell of a Friday night.

I went upstairs with my new guitar and set it on the computer chair and threw on a pair of dark blue plaid pajama bottoms and my The Monkees tshirt, the one with the red guitar made of the band name. I put my hair up in a high pony tail and put on my Uggs before walking over to Will's.

"Come in, come in Birthday girl!." Josie said welcoming me in the Stronghold residence. I couldn't help but laugh a little, everyone cares so much for eachother, it's like one giant family.

"ALLS!" Kate said running up to me and giving me a bear hug. I looked at her with a smile.

"Hey Katie." I laughed.

"Happy, happy birthday. It's your very special day! I forget the rest of the song so something that ryhmes with day!" She sang and I just laughed at her as we walked into the living room.

"Ally!" Zack said giving me an even bigger hug than Kate.

"Hey Glowworm." I said trying to breathe.

"WE GOT YOU A PRESENT!" Layla yelled running at me, I prepared myself for the hug of the century. With a smack she hugged me.

"Woah, okay okay." I said prying her off me.

"Okay, let's watch some movies first." Will calmed the florakinetic down.

"Ouuuhhh which ones?" I asked sitting at my spot on the love seat, everyone has their usual spots.

"I have your favorites, Transformers 1 and 2, Pirates of the Carribean 1, 2 and 3, Forrest Gump, Nightmare on Elmstreet and Alladin." He let out a laugh at the last one.

"TRANSFORMERS!" I almost yelled, he laughed and put it in. "How did you know that they're my favorites?" I asked.

"I asked your sister, it's kind of wierd. She'll tell me anything." He shrugged. I rolled my eyes and got comfortable as the movie played.

After about half into the movie Warren arrived, probably just getting off work. He took his seat next to me and took off his jacket. I couldn't help myself but notice his biceps, which showed easily with his black tshirt. Shaking my head I turned back to the television, why did I look in the first place? I mean... no, just heh, no! Bad Ally, okay now I know I'm crazy.

"Allison." Warren greeted looking at the t.v.

"I am not talking to you, you got me in this mess." I tried not to smile as I looked at the television.

"You're talking to me by telling me you're not talking to me." Damn he got me there.

"Well starting now," I crossed my arms.

"Fine," he said.

"Fine." I huffed and he smiled, got me again. "Whatever," I shook my head.

After the movie Will ordered Pizza which we ate quickly, along with two bottles of Pepsi and three big bag of Doritos.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to youu!" Everyone but Warren sang with huge smiles, Zack mentioned something about a monkey but everyone sang the rest of the song as Steve brought out a cake with candles on it. I couldn't help but smile and giggle like a four year old having all the eyes on me.

Make a wish." Josie said before I blew out the candles, I wished for nothing. It was perfect right here, as corny as that sounds it's true. I really didn't need anything more.

"We all got you this," Layla said handing me the small box.

"Guys, you's didn-."

"Oh just open it," Kate said with a huge smile. I sighed and opened the box, it was beautiful. It was a dark blue jewel pendant with a silver chain.

"This is gorgeous. You guys are amazing." I said hugging them in a group hug, I gave a smile and a nod at Warren since he doesn't 'do' hugs.

After cake and a lot of movies everyone started to fall asleep. Well Warren didn't seem to, neither did Ethan, but he just did something on his laptop.

"You wanna make popcorn?" I asked in a sigh, he just shrugged. "Is that a yes or a no?"

"Sure," he said quietly standing up, I followed him into the kitchen and noticed the time.

"It's 3 in the morning." I whispered as he got the popcorn.

"I can see that." He said in a 'duhh' sort of way.

"Oh shut up," I rolled my eyes with a chuckle, he just smirked. I put the popcorn in the microwave and smiled as the bag grew and made the popping noise, the smell of butter awakening my senses. The beeper went off signalling it was done and I quickly poured them into the bowl.

"A lot of them are burnt." Warren said in a low voice.

"So," I shrugged sitting back down, only eating the burnt ones.

"Are you only eating the burnt popcorn?" He asked

"I like my popcorn burnt." I shrugged.

"That's disgusting." He said shaking his head.

"Your face," I growled making him laugh.

"You're wierd, Griffin." He said while laughing.

"You're wierder, Peace." I said back.

I hoped you liked this chapter, please review :)