The familiar scent of damp earth and pine needles filled the air as my mother and I walked home from school. Her voice, usually so calm and measured, held a faint edge of exasperation.

"What do you want to do for your birthday, honey? You keep brushing it off, but it's in 5 days, so we must plan something!"

I groaned, kicking at a loose stone on the path. "Why do we have to do something! Can't we just hang out at home and watch movies?"

"For your 18th birthday! Come on, pick something fun. You don't even need to have me and your father with you. Enjoy not having any responsibilities while you still can." She said, a hint of her usual teasing returning.

I rolled my eyes, but her words planted a seed of an idea. Seth could drive. Sophie and I could finally hit the pack bars. It was a perfect plan.

"Fine," I conceded, a smirk forming. "Get Seth to be mine and Sophie's DD. But let’s do it this weekend, you know my first shift will take a lot out of me."

Mom smirked back, satisfied, turning her attention to the path ahead. Just as a comfortable silence settled between us, a blaring siren ripped through the air, signaling the unthinkable.