Double Claimed: Marked by Two

AVA

Caleb honked loudly, enough to startle the entire neighborhood.

“Ava, your ride's here.” mom screamed from downstairs.

“Coming.” I called out, tying my shoe laces properly.

I was dressed in a black white crop top over a red flannel shirt and a denim baggy pants. I stared at my reflection on the mirror and smiled.

“Good.” I commented and rushed downstairs.

Mom was already decorating the sitting room.

“Be home before eight, your cousins are coming over for your party.” she warned.

“sure thing mom. What's a birthday party without the birthday girl.” I grinned. “I'll be home early. I promise.”

I darted out of the house and met Caleb leaning over his car.

“And here I thought, you were getting dressed in a dinner gown.”

“Shut up.” I glared and entered into the car.

I had other stuffs to think about and not Caleb's teasing.

“Where are we going?”

“It won't be a suprise if I told you, will it?” he winked at me.

I groaned as I eagerly anticipated for my suprise.

“You'll love it. I promise.” he grinned.

I hummed at his response as I stared out the window.

The thought about the strange birthday present and letter ravaged through my mind. The last line of the letter crept up to my head.

“Eat your cake, this could be your last.”

What message was the sender trying to rely, how will my birthday cake be the last cake I would eat.

“Are you okay?” Caleb glanced over me.

“You seem off, you're more quiet than usual.” he asked with concern written over his face.

“I’m good.”

“If I hadn't known whom Ava Reed was, I would have accepted your excuse but I'm not believing you Ava. I'm your best friend, you can tell me. Is there a problem?”

“Thanks for looking out Caleb but I'm fine.” I replied, unsure on whether or not I should tell Caleb about the strange letter.

“So, are you still going to play dumb on not knowing who's in New York today?”

“Seriously Caleb, I thought we've been over this stuff.” I said getting pissed off with his consistent teasing.

“How would I know.”

“Alright, seems you've been out of internet life for a while.” He said moving into a parking lot.

“Caleb.” I suspiciously called out as we stepped out of the car.

“Yes?” He hummed a response with a huge smile plastered on his face.

“Where is this?” I asked staring at the long line of people.

“Happy birthday,Ava.” He said bringing out two tickets to a fan signing event of Xavier Blackwood.

“You've got to be joking Caleb.” I muttered on the verge of tears as I held the tickets.

“Does this looks like a joke?” He said pointing towards a black Lamborghini that drove into the building.

My breath hitched as I held tightly into Caleb.___Xavier Blackwood.

His walking was so elegant like he had the entire world beneath those black leather boots. His dressing was so perfect, a pure dark loose cardigan and a denim baggy pants. It was similar to mine and I couldn't help but giggle. His dark shades blocked his eye but even with the shades, he looked glorious. He walked past through the screaming fans with a cute smile plastered on his face, he had a dominating aura as he walked through the rowdy crowd

“Down to earth, Ava.” Caleb snapped his fingers at my face.

“Caleb, I love you so much.” I screamed, throwing my arms around him and jumping on him.

“People are staring Ava.” He whispered into my ears but I didn't care less. I must have been a good person in my past life for me to be gifted with a best friend like Caleb.

“It's your birthday Ava.” he whispered softly, holding my hands.

“I had to do something special for you.” He said wiping the tears that were about to fall off my eyes.

“Thank you.” I sniffed silently and admired my very own best friend. I smiled like a proud mom.

I stood in line as I eagerly waited for my turn. While I waited for my turn, I imagined how it would feel like talking to Xavier. Xavier Blackwood was a well known big time Actor and billionaire CEO. He was the clear definition of being rich. He was wealth itself.

I've always had a huge crush on him but it was just a mere fan crush, but I just didn't care, I was about to meet the Almighty Xavier.

“Ava, we're next.” Caleb whispered.

I straightened up myself awaiting for my turn, then it struck me.

I had nothing for him to sign on.

My face dropped as I suddenly turned towards Caleb. He smiled at me like as though he understood me.

He excused himself and walked out, a while later, he came back with a portrait, my portrait. It was one of the drawings made by me some months ago.

“I figured you'd need something like this.” I smiled at him and murmured a thanks.

Finally, it got to my turn, I smiled widely as I walked towards him.

“Hi.” I greeted.

He smiled back as he stared at me.

“What's the name?” He asked.

“Ava, Ava Reed.” He nodded and stretched his hand.

I gave my artwork to him and he let out a gasp.

“You drew this?”

“Yes.” I nodded shyly.

He stared at the painting with so much curiosity, he stirred from his chair as he held the painting like as though it had awakened something in him. He stared at it with so much intensity.

“What's behind the inspiration?”

“Nothing in particular, I just sat down and... drew.” I explained.

I collectively remembered the day I drew the portrait. I had just finished having little fall out with mom, I walked towards my pencil, as I held the pencil, so many emotions began to flow through. Carefully, I began to draw. The drawing took five hours to complete, I had lost track of time. When I was done, I was surprised to see what I had done. It was a well sculptured drawing of a bleeding girl, standing next to a huge creature, more like a huge dog with blazing eyes that could kill its prey. They were both surrounded by the forest, brown tree branches and green leaves. I couldn't explain how I had ended up drawing such.

He hummed in response and signed on the portrait.

“And here we go.” He said handing it back to me and just as I was about to collect it, my hands brushed his and I suddenly felt a jolt of electricity.

I couldn't fathom what it meant but I looked up at his face and caught a glimpse of shock but he immediately covered it up with a smile. I shrugged over it and walked out.

Caleb walked out some minutes later, he couldn't stop teasing me. I let him have his fun just for tonight.

I felt really fulfilled tonight, meeting Xavier was already an accomplishments.

________________

A figure stood just like every other fan, it stared at the retreating figure of Ava as she hoped into the car. A small smile crept unto it's face.

“Alas, she is real.”