"Get up! Get up! Get up," was the first thing screamed in my ear the next morning.

When I finally opened my tired eyes, Harley was right by my face, a huge grin on his own.

"Happy Birthday!" he yelled, jumping up and down by my bedside. "C'mon! I made breakfast and everything," he added, pulling my arm and trying to get me out of bed.

"Okay, okay I'm coming," I said finally, getting out of bed and letting him lead the way.

Harley was a very hyper kid, way different from me. He was always doing something and he didn't have a care in the world. Me on the other hand, worried about a lot of things. I especially worried about the future; my future; Harley's future. Things needed to get better and fast.

Anyway, when we reached the kitchen, there was a chocolate chip muffin with a candle stabbed in the middle sitting on the table. There was also a card lying next to the food.

When I got closer to the table, there was a pack of matches next to a box of candles. Thank God Harley was smart enough not to light the candle. I can only imagine what would've happened. Eight year olds and candles don't mix; trust me.

When I was eight, I got my hands on a box of matches and when I tried to light one, I burnt my index finger and thumb and I almost set the house on fire. Isn't that nice?

I lit the candle on the muffin, but not without looking at Harley's card first.

It was a homemade card, made out of red construction paper and Crayola crayons. The inside read, "Happy Birthday Alina, you're the best big sister ever! Love Harley."

I still can't describe the feeling, but I felt like I hadn't failed Harley. I felt like I was doing something right.

And that was the best feeling.

I picked him up, and hugged him, kissing his cheek repeatedly.

"You're the best Har," I said after I set him back down.

"The card could've came out better...but that's okay! I always have next year! Now blow out your candle!"
I laughed and stood over the chocolate chip muffin. I contemplated on a wish, but couldn't think of one.

I had heard once, that when you're making a wish but you can't think of what to wish for, it's because you already have everything you need. And in that moment, I had everything I could've needed.

So instead of making a wish, I just blew out the candle. Same effect I suppose.

"I am now officially twenty," I said superiorly, making a superhero stance.

Harley laughed. "Hooray! But uhm, we probably should get ready for school."

I face palmed. "Duh. How could I forget about education?" I said sarcastically. "Okay you go get dressed, and I'll make lunch," I strategized, opening the fridge.

Harley nodded and went to his room to change out of his pajamas.

I started on making sandwiches, securing them all in paper bags with sodas when I finished.

I went to my bedroom to quickly change, and then went to the door to head over to the tattoo parlor.

Before I could even get my hand on the knob, I saw something slip out from under my dad's door.

Curious, I walked over to the door, to find an envelope at my feet. My name was scrawled on the front.

I picked it up and opened the flap to find a fifty dollar bill lying inside. 'Happy Birthday' was written on the inside of the envelope flap. Well okay, I guess this means my dad cares the slightest.

Folding the envelope, I stuck it in the front pocket of my black jeans. I opened the door, and left.

I pulled open the door of the parlor; I swear this door was getting heavier each day.

I stood in the doorway for a moment, just looking around the shop.

"Aren't you a little young to be getting a tattoo?" a man at the front desk in the corner asked me.

This was a new man, not the one with the creepy devil grin and bald head.

"Me?" I asked walking over to the desk. "Oh no I'm just looking for Frank Ier-"

I couldn't finish my sentence because a pair of hands grabbed my waist and lifted me into the air, spinning me around.

I recognized the hands instantly. It was Frank.

"Happy Birthday," he said when he set me down.

"Thanks Frank. How'd you know?" I asked.

We stood staring at each other before we both said: "Toro."

"Of course," I said. "Well here's lunch so uh... I'll see you later."

He planted a kiss on the side of my head. "Alright see you Lina."

*

When I got home from school, Harley and I went straight up to the apartment.

We parted ways and went to our separate bedrooms to start on homework.

Around five, when I was finishing up my chemistry assignment, I started to get hungry.

Before I could ask, Harley opened my bedroom door stating he was hungry too.

"Wanna order pizza?" I asked, knowing with my brother, he'd scream yes while doing backflips.

I grabbed the phone as he started yelling his infinite amount of yeses.

When pizza man from Pizza Hut finally came, I paid, gave him a small tip, and he was on his way.
I was about to open the box of cheesy pizza when there was another knock on the door. Did I forget something from the pizza guy?

And when I opened the door what did I see? Ray standing in my doorway with a huge grin on his face. I heard a bang from behind me but ignored it, focusing on Ray.

"Happy Birthday Alina!" he cheered, hugging me.

"Thanks Ray! Come on in, we have pizza."

I lead Ray inside the house and to the kitchen. Harley wasn't anywhere to be found.

"Har? Where'd you go?" I called.

"Damn, how does Ray even get up that fire escape. I think I permanently busted my knee caps climbing up that gutter," a voice said. Harley's laughter followed.

"Who's hanging out on people's fire escapes now Frank?" Ray said sarcastically, as Harley and him entered the room.

"Very funny Ray. Hey Alina, Harley let me in," Frank smiled.

"I can see that," I said as I opened the box of pizza. Everyone grabbed their slices like their hearts desire was in that very box.

I had to pull the slice of pizza like seven inches from my face just to get the cheese to break off. I have to admit though, Pizza Hut makes some good pizza.

After I spent almost ten minutes ripping the pizza box and trying to fit it in the garbage can, we settled down around the dinner table.

We were arguing over which Smashing Pumpkins song was the best when Ray interrupted by pulling a small box out of his pocket.

"Before I forget," he said sliding the box over to me on the table. "here's your birthday present."

"Ray you seriously didn't have to," I reasoned.

He waved a hand. "Don't worry about it. Just open it."

It was one of those small black boxes. You know, like the ones that have wedding rings in them? Well I wasn't expecting a ring but instead a necklace or earrings or something to that effect. When I opened the box though, I was totally wrong.

It was a guitar pick. A guitar pick. A small yellow guitar pick. I looked up at Ray for an explanation.

"Something to remember us by. I know it's not much but I didn't want it to be much. Keep it around whenever. Use it as a sign of hope. Use it as a sign for a bright future."

His last sentence did it for me. I suddenly realized the significance in this small triangle shaped pick. A bright future.

"Ray...thank you," I breathed out. I stared down at the small trinket in awe. Maybe he knew me more than I thought.

"Who knows, maybe you'll be using it to play guitar someday," he smiled.

"And your first free tattoo? On the house. I vow to be your personal inker," Frank said, making a small salute.

"You guys are awesome seriously. I don't know what I'd do without you guys," I said graciously.

It wasn't until then that I realized that I had true friends. Not one of those people that pretend like they care. Frank and Ray truly cared and I could not believe how I got to be so lucky.

As the time went by, Harley went to take a shower and Frank, Ray and I had moved to my bedroom. We were sitting around my dark colored carpet Indian style, and it kind of looked like we were about to perform an exorcism, just without the holding of hands and chanting.

"You should seriously come and see us play sometime," Ray was saying. "It's pretty awesome." Frank was nodding at what Ray was saying, almost as to confirm what he was telling me.

"What's the name of your band?" I asked. "You never got around to telling me."

Ray and Frank both lit up for a moment.

"Oh, what was it?" Frank wondered out loud.

"Yeah, Mikey had a really good name. What was it," Ray said.

They seemed to both think of the name at the same time because their faces lit up even more -if that was possible- and gave each other these weird faces.

"I remember," Ray said snapping his fingers.

"Well," I probed.

"My Chemical Romance," Ray stated simply.

And as his words fell from his lips and entered my eardrums, I was instantly hooked.

Notes

Sorry I know it's kind of a short chapter. I kind of got stuck while writing it so bear with me. Things are going to get interesting in Chapter 5. Thanks for sticking with me ladies and gents, I appreciate it.
xoxopoison