The day had arrived sooner than I thought. I was officially seventeen and I couldn't be anymore happier.

I didn't feel any different but as I had my family and friends gathered around I felt joy all around.

Jax's sister and his mom were sitting on the couch with a plate of food and Nick and Marissa sat across from them.

Hunter was in the kitchen with Jax and I was standing by my dad as he smiled widely at me.

"Happy birthday, kiddo." He ruffles my hair. "You're mother would be proud of the young lady you've become."

"Thanks, dad." I feel myself begin to tear up at the mention of my mom.

He kissed my forehead. "Go tell Hunter and Jax to bring out the cake now. It's getting late."

Nodding, I put my drink down and make my way into the kitchen. As I walk in, I gasp at what was in front of my eyes.

"What the hell are you doing?" I shriek. I go over to where Hunter and Jax had their fingers on the outside of my cake and were licking frosting off of it. "Get your filthy hands off of my cake!"

I slap both of their hands away and shoot them daggers with my eyes. "So disrespectful."

"You were taking to long so we started it off early." Jax defends.

Sighing, I move the cake away from them and take it out to the living room. I set it up on the coffee table and everyone gathers around me.

"Jax and Hunter licked the sides so avoid that part." I point to the side of the cake that was wiped clear of any frosting.

As they all sing along, I see Jax pull out his phone and snap a couple of pictures of me. He was smiling from ear to ear as he looked at me and shot me a wink.

When we were all gathered in the living room enjoying the cake, my dad clears his throat and grabs everyone's attention.

"There is still one more surprise that you have," My dad begins. "This one's from your brother, Jax and I."

With a nervous smile, I take the envelope from his hands and watch as everyone waits for me to open it.

I rip it open and it takes me a while to take in what was on the paper but as soon as I read it I jumped into my father's arms.

"No way!" I squealed with excitement.

I moved away from him and brought Hunter and Jax into a hug.

"We're all going?" I ask.

"Even us." Marissa says, pointing to Nick and herself.

"I'm sorry we can't make it this year, Emma." Cathy apologizes. "I'm sure you'll all have an amazing time."

"She couldn't get work off and she won't let Amanda come." Jax explains. "Something about not trusting me with her in the big apple."

"We're really going?" I ask, still not believing what I was hearing.

"You have the proof in your hands," Hunter says. "Those are all the attractions and places we could go see."

"We're going to New York City!"

- -

I was counting down the days until Thanksgiving break. I couldn't wait until I was roaming the streets of New York.

Although New York was a three hour drive from where I lived, we never got the chance to go when I was younger.

As I got older it became impossible to travel with my dad always working.

Jax, Hunter and my dad would all be taking turns in driving when it was time to go but for now, I daydreamed about everything I would do there as I sat in English class.

I was doodling in my notebook when the class phone rang and the teacher announced to me that I was needed in the guidance office.

Startled, I got up from my seat, gathered my things and made my way to the guidance office.

My heart paced in my chest as I walked the halls and turned the corner.

The last time I remember being called out of the class room was when I lost my mom.

I entered the office and looked around to see my counselor through his window, typing away on his computer. I knocked on his door before entering and gulped as he directed me in.

"You're not in any kind of trouble," Mr. Stewart assures. "I just wanted to ask you some questions."

Letting out a breath of relief, I sit down. "Is everything okay?"

"Well, yes," he begins. "I was looking at your transcript and the amount of credits you have and-"

"I know I'm a little behind but the marking period isn't ending for another three weeks." I cut him off. "I can pass this one it's just been a rough school year so far."

"It's totally understandable," he nods. "I've been calling in all the students I have on my list and letting them know about colleges and what they have to d-"

"Wait," I cut him off again. "I'm only a junior, I don't have to even put in an application until this time around next year."

"I know, but as a counselor and for your teachers and to help yourself, it's good to know where it is you want to go and what you want to study. Whether it's community college or private, you should have an idea on what you want to do."

I stayed quiet and leaned back in my seat. Truth was, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had no talent so an art school was out of the question.

I didn't know what really caught my eye and I never gave college much of a thought until now.

"I, uh, I don't really know." I shrug. "I can't think of anything I would want to do after high school. Maybe I'll take a year off after high school, figure it out and do it?"

He looks at me with a confused face and squirms in his seat. "The thing about kids taking years off for a break, is that they never really come back from that break."

"I get but I still have time," I tell him. "A lot can change in a year. I'm still a junior."

He sighs. "Yeah, you're right. Still, think about it. Look around you, join a club, a team, something. Find out what you like and do it. Before you know it you'll be graduating."

He gathers his papers and clears his throat. "I just needed a view of where you were right now."

I grab my bag from the floor and begin to stand up. "Was that all?"

"Yes," he presses his lips together. "Have a good day, and Emma," He calls back. "Don't fall behind."

When I got home, I took the chance to talk to my dad and Hunter about today. I had so many questions and things to discuss with them.

The thought of college terrified me. It wasn't like the movies. This was reality. It was the real deal. College was the real deal.

"Dad, Hunter," I say to them as I enter the kitchen. Hunter was heavily concentrated on his food. "I have to tell you guys something."

"You're pregnant." My dad blurts out.

"What?" Hunter and I say at the same time.

"No," I shake my head. "Definitely not."

"So, what's up?" Hunter furrowed his eyebrows.

"Well," I fiddled with my fingers. "My counselor at school called me in to talk about college and what I want to do after high school." I explain. "And I don't know, it made me wonder about a lot."

"How about getting into the law program and follow in my footsteps as Hunter will be doing?" My father crosses his arms.

"You're joining the law program?" I look at Hunter who was licking the grease off fingers from his food. "Where?"

"Newton." he simply says, not looking up at me. "I put in an application two weeks ago, acceptance letters don't go out until May I think."

I wondered if Jax had applied anywhere or if he knew what he wanted to do after he graduated.

"You should apply to the same college if that's what you were wondering about," dad says. "Its a good college and it's barely a thirty minute drive."

"I don't really think law is what I'm interested in." I tell him.

"Well, then the police academy. I can put in a good word for you. I can get you a spot and by the time the end of senior year comes it's all yours."

"Thank you," I sigh. "But, I was actually thinking in, mhm, well, this is just an option it's not even final." I defend. "But maybe taking a break from school."

"What?" He furrows his eyebrows.

Hunter continues to eat his food, completely unfazed by what I was talking about. I look between my dads horrified face and the floor. I was ashamed to be letting him down by not going to college right away but this was my choice.

"What do you mean take a break from school?" He gives me a stern look.

"Well after high school, I could take a year off and focus o-"

"You're crazy if you think I am letting you do that." He shakes his head.

"She still has time," Hunter jumps in. "She can change her mind if she wants to go, dad. She isn't hurting anyone."

"Exactly," I let out. "Maybe by then I'll hopefully have it figured out but right now my mind is set on not going to college."

"I'll be damned if my daughter isn't going to college. I am not accepting that."

"I'm still going!" I raise my voice. "I'll only be taking a break for a semester that all. It's my decision not yours." I stand my ground, crossing my arms. "I have no idea what I want to even do!"

Silence fills the air and as Hunter continues to eat his food, my dad shakes his head in disappointment. He uncrosses his arms and sighs in defeat.

"Your mother would be so disappointed in you." He moves away from Hunter and makes his way out of the kitchen.

"Well, she's not here, is she?!" I yelled back.

Angrily, I sat on the stool and leaned my face against the palm of my hand. Hunter finished his food and slid the plate to the side. Burping, he looks up at me with droopy eyes.

"Are you high?" I whisper.

"Maybe." He chuckles.

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair and lean back in my chair. "Do you think he's right?"

He shrugs. "He didn't even have a clue about me being high and he thinks he has you figured out?"

"What do you mean?" I lean forward.

"I mean, he missed out on a lot with you after he started working. He doesn't know you the way I know you. You aren't one to just drop out. You take a step back, get yourself together and dive right into your responsibilities." He explains. "Whether you take a year off or not you're going to do amazing things after high school."

I grin. "Thanks for that."

"Don't stress it," Hunter shrugs. "He'll come around. Just do what's right for you."

"What about you?" I ask.

"What about me?" He wonders.

"You're telling me you really want to get into the law program?"

"I do," he tells me. "I looked into it and I like it. If I don't fuck with it I'll just drop it and do something else."

"You make it look so easy." I chuckle.

"It shouldn't be hard. You're just stressing it. You have some time, Emma. Just take a step back."

"You're right," I get up. "I'm not going to overthink it." I was about to walk out when Jax popped up in my mind and I turned back to Hunter. "You don't happen to know anything about where Jax is going, do you?"

"Going where?" He looks up as he's taking a bite from a muffin.

I groan. "College, idiot. Where he's going for college?"

"Ohh," he shakes his head. "Nah, he hasn't mentioned anything to me."

"Oh, okay." I say, about to walk away. "Oh, and Hunter...thanks for having my back."

"That's what brothers are for."