It's amazing how in a single moment your entire life can turn around. I think this is that moment. I'm so shocked that I can't even speak, and that's a rare sign. Actually, I'm exaggerating just a little bit. But it was still surprising.

My mother was sitting at the dinner table on what appeared to be a date with someone else. Trying not to intrude, we snuck past her up the stairs to our rooms.

It doesn't work. My mother notices us and I have enough time to mutter a spell and change into something that she would approve of. "Kids, you're back!" She exclaims. Warning bells are going off, why is my mother being so nice? "Did you have a god birthday dinner?" She asks, "Yeah, fine." Hayden answers for the three of us. "Come on, there is someone I want you to meet. Kids, this is James Patterson. James, these are my kids Alec, Hayden, and Matilda." "Actually, I prefer to go by Tilly." I pipe up.

James seems like a good person from my first impression of him. He's nice and seems to actually like my mom. He could actually be good for her.

I approve.

After introductions, Alec, Hayden, and I manage to get away to our rooms. Once I'm back in my room, I unbraid my hair and leave it loose. I change into an oversized shirt and shorts for the warm night ahead of me. Following my regular night time routine, I check all of my social media, my emails, and anything else.

Just as I'm about to go to sleep, there's a sharp knock at my window. Stumbling to the windowsill, I throw it open to let in an owl. She's carrying a package. I give her a treat and drag the parcel to my bed, where I eagerly open it.

I have to say that I'm disappointed. The parcel is from my dad and he sent me pictures of his new family on vacation. Looks like her forgot my birthday again. I can't help it. Tears well up in my eyes. Is it too much to ask to have a dad that remembers my birthday? The more I think about it, the more upsetting the reality becomes.

A soft knock at my door draws me back into reality. Shakily, I call, "Come in." The first thing I see is Hayden's blond hair followed by Alec's dark one. Both of them have grins on their face, happy with something obviously. But their smile drop when they see my face. "Hey? What's wrong?" Alec asks and Hayden drops beside me, wrapping me in his embrace. Wordlessly, I slide the parcel to him.

"Don't worry about Dad," Hayden says soothingly. "He's such a douche," Alec seethes. "How could he forget the birthday of all of his children?" What kind of father is he?" "Alec, relax," Hayden says "Besides its time for the annual birthday tradition."

A grin simultaneously lights up my face and Alec's. Every year the three of us have had this tradition going where we have movie marathons on the night of the birthday of one of us. Alec always chooses horror movies and Hayden likes comedies. I like cartoons and romantic comedies but no one ever agrees to either of those. So you can imagine my surprise when Alec and Hayden let me pick.

Gleefully, I stick in Disney's Cinderella. They both groan in synch. The rest of the night is spent binge watching Disney Princess movies and teasing each other. All previous problems are forgotten.

Hey, guys, I'm alive! It's been a while. I've been really busy and had no time to update. I'm actually going to change my update day to Wednesday for my personal preference. This is just another little chapter. All the main drama is starting next chapter.

Teaser: It's time to go back to Hogwarts.

Next Update: March 9th