Chapter 1

Now.

Genevieve's POV:

Awoken by the sound of her alarm clock blaring AC/DC's Highway to Hell, she groaned, pushing her long red hair out of her face.

"Yep, that's what I'm on," she hissed, slamming the snooze button. The soft tap on her door told her it was true. The day she had been dreading finally arrived. Today, November 12th is Genevieve Blackwood's eighteenth birthday and she is the only person in her life unhappy about that.

"Good morning, birthday girl," her mom's overly cheery morning voice rang in her ears as she entered the room. "What are you going to do now you are legal?"

"Sleep," she said as she threw the blankets back over her head. "Forever."

"No, no," her mom laughed, walking back to the door. "Going to get up and ready for school, then come downstairs."

"Wait, what did you say? What am I going to do," she asked sarcastically. "Get up, jump out of the attic window, and die?"

"A tad bit overdramatic and morbid" Genevieve Blackwood stated walking back towards the door. Now, y can if you truly wish. Do however want you to know we have a surprise downstairs if you decide not to jump out the window," her mom said, closing the door behind her.

Why did they spoil her the way they did? The only thing she wanted to do was see Seth. Hadn't talked in two days. Missed him since he went off to college back in August. Most of the time they talk on the phone all the time. This week they had hardly talked at all and the quiet was starting to bother her. Got lonely sometimes as an only child and her parents worked almost all of the time. Mom was a doctor and her dad was a lawyer so they spent most of their time away from home. Usually around for breakfast in the mornings before she went to school, then she wouldn't notice them come in until around midnight.

Thinking about the day ahead of her and her friends wishing her a happy birthday every time she turned around. Any luck she would be passed over and not present her AP history project due today. Mr. Warner was one of her favorite teachers and her easiest class.

"Okay, guess I won't jump out the window," groaning, she threw the blankets off and sat up.

Genevieve crawled out of bed and walked into her bathroom to start her morning ritual of getting ready for school.

"Why couldn't today be a Saturday," she dreamed lazily.

Grabbing her bag and jacket, she sauntered down the stairs towards the kitchen and the rising aroma of breakfast.

"Now what is this giant surprise you said is here for me so early in the morning on the worst day of my life," she asked throwing her stuff on the floor next to the stairs.

"Surprise" a familiar voice responded.

Nearly fell over when she finally glanced up. In the chair in front of her sat Seth.

"Oh my gosh, what are you doing here" she squealed as he swept her up in one of his giant bear hugs. "Missed you so much."

"I missed you too. Sorry I haven't been up here lately" he explained. "With things being so hectic, made it impossible visit. But it is your day and I thought coming up here to witness my girl turn eighteen was important."

"At least you can cheer her up," her dad remarked sitting down to eat the mountain of pancakes on the plate in front of him. "Been trying for weeks to bring a smile out of hiding."

"Well, I would be a little down about turning eighteen if I had amazing parents like you" Seth responded as he too sat down to eat. "Especially if I got treated like this."

"Aw, thank you sweetheart" Genevieve's mom beamed sitting down more pancakes in the center of the table. "I made them because they are her favorite."

"Thanks, mom, I love them" she replied sitting down next to Seth.

"Oh, the surprise I told you about" her mom exclaimed, rushing into the living room,

"Wait, you mean Seth wasn't my surprise" Genevieve questioned.

"No, not from them" Seth smirked. "No clue I was coming until I rang the doorbell.

"This is your surprise" sitting a silver antique jewelry box down in front of Genevieve. Appeared to be something belonging more in a museum or someone's royal collection. rather than her kitchen table Not sitting on her parent's kitchen table.

"Wow," Genevieve exclaimed. "This is beautiful. Where did you find such a unique piece?"

"Figured you would like the box but there is something inside as well," her mother answered, finally sitting at the table with the rest of them. "Family heirloom we kept for today."

"Open it" her father urged.

Inside laid an amulet much older than the box. A golden oval-shaped pendant with a sizeable onyx stone set in the center surrounded by words from a language she didn't recognize. Easily the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"Put it on," her mother said.

"No, I don't want to break or lose my new favorite necklace" Genevieve responded closing the silver box. "I should head out. Don't want to miss my first class. Thank you for my gift,"

Quickly got up and walked to rinse off her sticky plate. Parents exchanged a knowing look with Seth.

"Let me give you a ride to school" Seth interrupted her thoughts, adding his plate to the other dirty dishes. "Gives me an excuse to pick you up later."

"You don't need an excuse" Genevieve smiled. She was so glad he was back.

"Leave those, I will finish them," her mother said. "Your father is still eyeing more pancakes."

"Only because you made so many" he laughed, adding a second serving to his plate.

"Thanks, mom. Will you guys be here later?" picking her stuff up off the floor to leave. Unlikely she will see them later, she thought.

"Possibly. Your dad is still working overtime on a case and I'm on call tonight" her mother sighed.

"Won't be sure of anything until later."

"Hopefully, you both won't be too busy. Love you both" hugging both of her parents, she headed out to the white Tesla Roadster sitting in her driveway. "I don't think I will ever be used to you having this car, babe."

"Guess I need to bring it around more often" he replied

"I'd like that" she smiled looking up at the man she hasn't seen much of lately. The job which afforded him the fancy car keeps him busy. Mostly keeps him away. "I've really missed you."

"Missed you too" he replied guiltily. "Sorry, I'm not around much lately. Between school and this job, free time is nonexistent. Not seeing you is the hardest part."

"Your job is important to you" Genevieve tried to sound more positive than she felt. "I understand why you need to be away so much."

"Maybe time for a different job" Seth mumbled.

"What?" As far as she could tell, he loved his job. Something he has been doing since before they met. Didn't ever talk about what he did for security purposes. Genevieve had no idea what he did. Never once talked about quitting before.

"I'm not sure I enjoy things anymore" he answered. "The things we do don't line up with what I want now. Think I outgrew the job."

"So, what would you do instead?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure" the concern showing briefly in his eyes. "I'm not entirely sure my boss will let me go."

"They can't make you stay" she replied. Yet Seth seemed unsure. "Can they?"

"Let's not worry about this now" he shook his head. "It's your birthday. Today is about you. So how are you enjoying your last year at school?"

"I'm not" Genevieve answered quietly.

"What do you mean?" he asked surprised. "Most people would be excited for their last year of high school."

"Yeah, along with their eighteenth birthday" she mumbled.

“I never understood why you hate your birthday so much. Hated this since you turned sixteen. Why?"

"Cuz everyone expects you to be something even if you aren't ready or don't want to" she answered. " Ever since high school started, everyone treats me like I am supposed to be some important person. I don't enjoy the pressure of having to live up to or living with everyone's disappointment when I don't live up to their expectations."

With a sigh, she looked out the window at the familiar roads she's seen her entire life. The center of attention was never her desired place and now was almost like she couldn't escape the spotlight. Parents' friends all want to discuss school, what her career plans are, and if she and Seth had plans to marry. All want to ask her questions. Never only one person.

Whenever anyone was at the house, they were always there by the dozen. Work parties and meetings. Not that she couldn't speak to a lot of people at once. Always believed someone more interesting were they could be talking to.

"Gen, I don't think you could disappoint people if you tried" Seth replied. "Success is in your blood."

"Yeah, I wish that made everything better," offering up a small smile as he put his arm around her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. She knew he didn't like seeing her sad when he couldn't offer her any kind of solution. But he is always there to try.

"Can you do me a favor today? At least try to enjoy today? Don't think of today as your birthday or anything else. Just another day."

"I will try. No promises though" she replied.