The phone rang relentlessly off the hook, its loud disquietedness reverberating the entire first floor. My mother rushed off to retrieve it, leaving me to gape at the bare box.

"Before he died, your father wanted me to give you this," my mother said moments earlier, handing me a carelessly wrapped package. "on your sixteenth birthday."

I fingered the taped down folds of the wrapping paper anxiously, not sure of why my hands suddenly became so clammy. Slowly, I began to unwrap the package, delicately unfolding the thin sheet of material; my fingers slightly shook during the process. I paused for a moment, glancing nervously up at my best friend Jennyfer, and Brandon, my older brother. They both looked at me, expressions of concern painted on their faces. I found my gaze quickly fall back to the partially unwrapped box in my hands. I contemplated on why my father would want to give me a gift before he died; specifically on my sixteenth birthday, out of all ages. It all just seemed a bit too cliché. Breathing a sigh, I continued unwrapping he package; eventually finishing, revealing a rich blue-colored, velvet box. From a distance, I heard my mother hang up the phone. We all jumped, startled, from hearing the loud CLICK from the receiver as she slammed it down. Sitting in silence, and the velvet box still remaining unopened, we watched my mother tersely stomp into the dining room, her face grim and tense. I saw he chest alarmingly rise and fall, also noticing how she struggled to keep a steady breathing pattern…and her sanity.

"M-mom?" I swallowed. "Y-you 'kay?"

She blinked repeatedly, seeming to come back out of whatever world she was in and looked at me sincerely.

"I'm sorry sweetie," she apologized, her face softening. "What were you saying?"

She sidled up next towards me, pulling up a chair seemingly eager to hear my response. I blinked.

"Never mind, it's nothing."

My mother looked at me, taking my hand into hers, squeezing it reassuringly. Her eyes started welling up, causing me to squirm in my seat uncomfortably. She sniffed. "My baby girl is growing up so fast!"

I desperately looked up at Jen, who seemed to feel every ounce of awkwardness as I did, and mouthed the words "help me". She obediently nodded, like any other best friend would.

"Er…so Ashlee," she thankfully interrupted, clearing her throat quite loudly. "You gonna open that pretty blue box or what?"

"Why yes, Jennyfer," I replied grinning, suppressing the urge to giggle. "That's a mighty fine idea."

And then as if right on cue, my mother finally got the hint and set free of my right hand she had been holding captive for the past five minutes. Then, completely ignoring my conscience, I vivaciously opened the box to uncover a golden-chained necklace, a small ruby jewel illustriously dangling loosely from it. Seconds later, I found her putting the necklace on me, fastening the clasp in the back.

"No matter what," she whispered into my ear, in a way that gave me the chills. "Don't ever take this off. Understood?"

I numbly nodded amenably, absorbing myself into my own thoughts, as nodding was the only thing I could manage to do. At the precise moment where the jewel met the skin of my bare chest, I felt unquestionably…complete.

No later were my thoughts interrupted yet again. My mother took my face into her hands and kissed my forehead.

"Happy Birthday Sweetie"

I meekly smiled back at her in reply as I tried to analyze the strange sensation that overcame my being. Unconsciously, my hand reached for the small red jewel. It felt unnaturally cold in between my fingers, yet it left a burning distinction against my skin.

"Hey." Jen looked at me worriedly, her eyebrows pulled together showing her concern. "You feeling alright?"

I blinked several times before remembering where I was.

"Oh, y-yeah." I nodded.

There was a brief pause before she spoke again.

"Can you believe it?" she squeaked. "We're both going to Prince Academy tomorrow!"

Then for some weird reason, I felt my stomach drop.