15 January '05

Working alongside Dr. Miranda Freeman is a dream come true. Her vision of a disease-free world has inspired me so much. This week, we administered the bio-serum-X25Z and I am really optimistic. It has shown remarkable progress in the testing stages but I still worry about its side effects on the test subjects. They have shown increased aggression and cannibalistic tendencies, with almost no recognition to their own species. Aside from that their physical attributes have also changed, subjects that had brown fur and brown eyes have now turned albino with red eyes. The most disturbing of all was the strength they now had, they are able to break the glass in their cages, which forced me to move them to reinforced cages. The effect itself is rather amazing and I can feel we're close to a breakthrough.

After reading the first entry, I shut the diary and placed it in my bedside drawer. The wind howled and tree branches scratched against the roof of our house but the slither of cold that traveled down my spine was because of the words I read. The words alone were eerie enough to read but knowing that this was how it all started making it even worse.

I kept thinking back to Peter and Emilia. Mostly her role in Biotech, if she created this then why would Biotech kill her? I know I was the one who dealt the final blow but what happened to her before that?

My eyes drifted back the drawer and I knew, I wanted to read the rest of it, I might not know what it meant now but it's better that I knew anyway. Now was not the time to read because once I start, I wouldn't stop.

I turned on my side and snuggled into my pillow, pulling the comforter close to my skin, the warmth and familiarity of my bed quickly lulls my tired eyes to sleep.

I breathed in the scent of the detergent mom used as it clung to my freshly washed pillows. In this state between sleep and awake, I felt most at ease. The absence of light proved that today was going to be cloudy, I hated my birthday and I hated winter even more. Cold, wet snow made the sidewalk a deathtrap and walking to school was ten times worse than in summer.

I can hear mom downstairs making breakfast and I internally prayed that she's making grilled cheese. This has been something mom always did on our birthdays, she would wake up early attempt to make breakfast and if that failed we could get a present. Lee always said mom did that on purpose so we would forget about the burnt food.

Downstairs mom was behind the kitchen island and the smell of burnt eggs and toast wafted through the air. I cringed at the thought of mom making eggs. On the counter top, there was a steaming mug of coffee with my name on it, literally.

"Morning mom!"

She jumped from behind the counter and I had to stifle a laugh.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!"

I put a hand over my mouth to stop my smile and mom narrowed her eyes, "Don't you dare laugh!"

Mom's face softened as she walked around the counter and pulled me into a hug.

"Happy birthday sweetie! Why are you growing up so fast?"

I laughed, "That's kinda how this works you know."

I pulled my mom close wrapping my arms around her and inhaled the scent of lavender that always clung to her skin.

She pulled back and smiled at me, "Well if you're getting old it means I'm getting old, so forgive me for not welcoming that with open arms."

I laughed at that, mom's sense of humor was the one thing I loved most and I knew one day I would miss it dearly. Mom shoved something cold a metallic into my hand. Perplexed, I looked down at the set of keys. They were too small to be car keys and they jingled whenever I moved my hand.

"Now I know it's not a car but it will get you from point A to point B"

My eyes went wide and a smile split my face. Without waiting for mom to tell me what it was I made a mad dash for the front door. My feet slapped against the cold pavement as I ran outside.

Parked in the driveway was a brand new scooter. It was white with red and orange streaks running across the front. The black leather on the seat looked freshly polished and the tires were a gleaming black.

My joy started to bubble up until I squealed from excitement. This was the best birthday ever. I was practically jumping up and down when mom came up behind me.

"Do you like it?"

I pulled my mom into a hug, still jumping up and down, "I love it!"

Jingling the keys I made a move towards my new steed but my mom grabbed my arm.

"First thing, you need a helmet and I want you to promise to be safe. Also, you're still in your pajamas."

I looked down at my clothes my face flushing with heat. Imagine if I had gone on a ride dressed like this? Mom's chuckles followed me as I raced back into the house not even bothering to stop by the kitchen. I quickly sent Noah a text saying I'll meet him at school.

When I came downstairs there was a beautiful white helmet with stripes that matched my new ride. Overcome by the giddy excitement, I grabbed the helmet and rushed out the door.

Minutes later I was zooming down the streets with the cold wind biting at my face. My smile spread wide as I drove. Okay so it wasn't that fast but I didn't care. Best birthday ever.

I parked the bike next to Noah's truck and kicked out the stand. He was still sitting inside and gave me a puzzled look until I removed my helmet.

Noah hopped out and let out a low whistle, "Nice ride! Mind if I take her for a spin?"

I snorted, "In your dreams Miller."

Noah laughed and pulled me into another bone crushing hug, "Happy birthday my annoying little zombie!"

I pushed him off and narrowed my eyes, "Don't make me hurt you. I never told you it's my birthday."

Even though I meant to sound threatening, I couldn't help feeling completely happy as the smile on my face became painful.

Noah's eyes went wide and he gave me an incredulous look, "No you didn't but Facebook did."

We laughed as we went into school. I stopped by my locker. I was still absentmindedly talking to Noah when I opened the locker and several balloons and streamers fell out. In the middle, there was a styrofoam cutout of eighteen covered in purple glitter.

I swung my gaze back to Noah, who had wicked grin etched onto his face.

"Did you break into my locker to do this?"

"What, me? I would never," He lifted his chin, "But I might have memorized your dial code."

I laughed, "You're such a dork do you know that? But thank you, it's a really nice surprise."

My cheeks felt hot as Noah held my gaze. In this moment, I felt utterly normal and I wished it would never end. He grinned and I punched his shoulder.

Leah ran up to us with a few purple balloons and my name scribbled onto them. I smiled as she pulled me into a hug.

"Happy birthday Syd!"

Mia also gave me a hug and said happy birthday. Leah was smiling ear to ear and it was infectious as I found myself smiling with her. Shawna looked like someone had stolen her fruit loops and I couldn't help but snicker at that.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm throwing you a birthday bash at my house tonight. Don't you dare say no!" Leah declared and then looked over to Noah, "You're invited too and no excuses."

Leah whipped around and marched in the other direction before Noah or I could reply. I looked at him and his mouth was hanging wide open.

"Uh, did that seem as strange to you as it did to me?" Noah asked.

I nodded my head, "I'll talk to her see what's really going on."

When I got to biology, Leah was already at her seat typing away on her phone. This wasn't normal Leah behavior and to be honest it put me on edge. Taking my seat next to her, I tapped her shoulder. Leah spun around and gave me a beaming smile.

I frowned, something was very wrong. Leah hosting a party is supposed to be as far fetched as Santa Claus.

"Hey, are you okay? This isn't like you at all."

"Don't worry Syd it's going to be an awesome party, promise. Besides you only turn eighteen once."

I frowned, "I think that's pretty much the same for every birthday."

"Oh, stop being a party pooper!"

Really? Says the girl who was a stickler for the rules.

"But why Leah? You've never even invited people to your house and now your hosting a party. What gives?"

I couldn't stop the suspicion from seeping into my voice and Leah looked taken aback.

"Relax Syd, it's just a party and besides I've never thrown one before. With my mom gone for the week, I have the house to myself."

Something felt off, or maybe I have finally lost it. Not once did I suspect Leah, but now my affirmations didn't seem so solid anymore.

Leah took a hold of my hand and gave it a light squeeze, "It's going to be the best party ever! And I will be taking care of everything, you just have to dress up and show up."

She smiled and turned back towards the blackboard leaving me at a loss for words.

The day went by brutally slow and I didn't see Noah at lunch. Leah insisted I sit at our old table to talk about the party. Mia and Leah did most of the talking, Shawna looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but there and I just kept quiet. There was no point in arguing with Leah but I couldn't help but question her motives.

After school was over, I met Noah at his truck. He was pacing around and I could see the wheels spinning in his head.

"Come on, we can go to the library and talk there. Hopefully, we get there before Peter does," he said hopping into his truck.

I hopped on my bike, fastening the straps of my helmet and followed Noah to the library. It was busier than usual with most students coming here to prepare for finals. A few students from our school were sitting at various tables in the library with books spread out in front of them. Noah and I found an open table and sat down.

"Do you still think Leah is not a part of this?" Noah asked.

He wasn't joking or making a statement, he was asking sincerely. I looked up, drawing my brows together. My life was always crystal clear, it was like water and I could see straight to the bottom. But at some point, someone had come and disturbed the sand, making the water murky and unclear.

"I don't know, Leah has been acting weird lately," I answer honestly.

I sighed just as someone dropped a book on our table, making me and Noah jump apart.

"Hello, study buddies, I hear there's a party tonight at Leah Freeman's house."

I saw a few kids shoot him irritated looks but Peter seemed oblivious to that fact. He had his arms crossed over his chest with a wicked smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. If it wasn't for his impulsive nature I might have found him attractive.

I furrowed my brows together, "Wait, how did you even know about that?"

Peter wriggled his eyebrows, "I have my ways."

"Doesn't matter, we're not going," Noah said.

"Are you serious? This could be the in we're looking for!"

Someone shushed Peter and he lowered his voice, "This is the perfect opportunity, with that many people in her house she wouldn't possibly notice one of us sneaking off."

Peter had a point, if our whole senior class was going to be there we could go unnoticed as we snooped around. I looked at Noah to see him thinking hard. I hoped that this didn't turn into another fight between the two of them.

"Fine, we go to the party tonight but you're also going. The more we are the better." Noah finally responded.

Peter's face split into a wide grin, "Oh I've already been invited."