"Secrets are just truths waiting to be exposed"

Song-505; Artic monkeys

"Happy birthday twin!" Theo jumps onto my bed, shaking me awake. I open my eyes with a smile.

"Happy birthday twin!" I echo, hugging my brother.

"I can't believe we're 17." He shakes his head with a nostalgic look on his face.

"You definitely don't act like you're 17." I joke, Theo scrunches his nose and moves to sit next to me. The door opens again and Mom and Grayson walk in. Moms holding a tray of pancakes and Grayson has a old picture book.

"Happy birthday my babies." She sets the tray on my dresser and kisses both of our cheeks.

"Happy birthday losers" Grayson dives into the bottom of the bed and mom brings the tray over, handing us all pancakes. We've been doing this ever since we were kids. Mom would make us breakfast in bed and we would look at old pictures books from when we were babies.

We all eat our pancakes while Mom opens the book. "Look how tiny you two are." Mom shows us a picture of her in the hospital holding us.

"You look like aliens." Grayson comments, leaning over to see the picture.

"Cute aliens." Mom corrects Grayson, flipping the pages. We spend the next hour looking through old pictures of our childhood. Mom tears up and Grayson makes fun of us just like very other year.

Once we finish the book, they all leave my room to get ready. I get out of bed and do my makeup before fixing my curls. I then get dressed in a white tennis skirt and a black shirt. Once I'm ready for the day I happily skip out of my room and to the kitchen where my family is.

2 presents sit on the table, one with my name and the other with Theo's name. Grayson sets out 2 more presents, one for each of us. Grayson motions to them with an excited look.

"Me first!" Theo jumps up and down and grabs the present from Grayson. He tears open the packaging which is a newspaper. When he pulls it out it's a baseball figuring, it's old but beautiful. A large grin grows onto Theo's face. "It's so cool." He studies it.

"Okay, Marlee open yours." Grayson hands me the other present. I open it, taking note of Graysons excited look. When I open it I see a snow globe with a picture of our family and the Taylor's when we were younger. I set it down softly and hug Grayson so tight he might explode.

"You like it?" He asks, peering up at me.

"I love it, did you make it?" I ruffle his hair and pick the globe back up, admiring it.

"Yeah, I mowed a few peoples lawns for some money to get both of your presents." Theo and I exchange glances and both sandwich Gray.

"We love you." We both say in unison.

"Stop doing that." He groans, shoving us off.

"Okay, you guys have to get to school soon so open these." Mom motions to her presents. "It's not a lot but I think you'll like them."

Theo rips open his bag impatiently, pulling out a shirt. When he unfolds it he reveals a Jersey of his favorite baseball player. "I love it!"

"Good, I thought you might." Mom pinches his cheek. He pulls his shirt off and puts the jersey on. I move to the table and open my bag. There's multiple art supplies. Paint, canvases, pencils and even more. I examine all of it, my joy growing.

"This is perfect!" I tell her, looking at all the new colors. I wish I didn't have school so I could stay at home and paint all day. "Do I have to go to school today?"

"Yes, we have to be together all day. Just like the womb." Theo wraps an arm around me in a annoying manor. The honk of Cams truck blares so we all rush out the door, saying goodbye to mom.

"There's the birthday twins!" Connor hops out of the truck and hugs us both before climbing back in. Theo and I both climb in the front seat, me smooshed between them.

"Well, you're officially old." Cameron says when he starts driving.

"Well someone had to catch up with you" Theo chuckles. Cameron blares music from his radio the rest of the ride to school.

The first few periods pass as normal. Sara had little balloons tied to our seats in first period and so many people stopped Theo to say happy birthday. He would mention that it was my birthday too and they would say "oh yeah, I forgot." or something like that.

I'm walking down the hall by myself when I'm pulled into an empty classroom. Cameron pushes me against the wall and kisses me intently.

"What are you doing?" I ask, peering up at him.

"I wanted to wish you a happy birthday." He smirks, kissing me again.

"You did in the truck." I remind him, his hands attach to my waist and he presses me even closer.

"Yeah but I couldn't do this in the truck." He whispers, kissing down my neck before making his way back up to my lips. The warning bell rings and he pulls back this time. "You're going to be late for class."

"It's my birthday, I can be late for class." I giggle, placing my hand on the back of his head and pull him into me.

The party was supposed to be small. Just our group and the baseball team. I'm pretty close with the team seeing as I grew up with them and have been to every game. The only probably is they'll all want to bring their girlfriends or boyfriends and then they'll want to bring their friend.

And just like every other year it'll turn into a big party.

We have a family dinner at some Italian restaurant with the Taylor's. Theo and I got free cake but he stole mine so Mom bought me another piece. Once we left Mom headed off to work and Sara and Dave headed home.

We got to the house and noticed Ashers truck parked outside. When I walk into the backyard I spot decorations, food and kegs set up all around the yard . Miles and Addie were hanging up a banner while Asher and Brianna were setting up the present table.

I was right, just like every other year. Our small party turned into absolute chaos. Tons of teens were crammed in the backyard, drinking and dancing to the music. The only good thing is the present table was piled up.

Who doesn't love presents?

The group and I decided not to drink too much and stay mostly sober so we can have fun and remember tonight. We drink enough to take the edge off and loosen us up though. We drifted away from the party and to the fire pit.

I sat next to Theo with a cup of beer in my hand I was sipping on. We were all playing a dumb game of 20 questions.

"Is it an animal?" Connor asks.

"Nope." Theo grins, shaking his head.

"Is it a food?" Bri leans forwards a little.

"Nope."

"A plant?" Asher basically shouts,

"Yep!"

"Is it a tree?" Grayson kicks his feet out and crosses them, Theo shakes his head.

"A flower?" Miles wonders, tapping his chin.

"Nope." Theo's excitement grows as everyone keeps getting it wrong.

"Marlee, he's your twin. You probably know it." Addie kicks a pebble with her shoe, her face lit up by the fire. I study my twin and immediately know what it is.

"A zucchini plant." I nod defiantly. Theo claps his hands and let's out a big whoop.

"Ding ding ding, we have a winner!" Cam cups his hands around his mouth and hollers. We were about to start another game when Serena approaches us with her usual wicked smile.

"What do you want?!" Bri's words held the most harshness I've ever heard from her. We all look at each other equally shocked and proud. Asher pats her on the back in a supportive way.

"I just came to wish the twins happy birthday." She flutters her lashes innocently. I look to Cam who looks like he could care less about her.

"Well you did so you can leave now." I wave my hand to motion for her to leave.

"Marlee, I've always loved that sense of humor of yours." She giggles, sounding like a dying cat or Theo when he tries to sing. "I also wanted to say congratulations."

"On what exactly?" Theo raises a brow at her.

"Well Marlee and Cami finally getting together of course." I tense and so does Cam. We both look at Theo who just laughs.

"Haha, very funny. Now go annoy someone else." He scoffs, I feel my body relax slightly.

"You didn't know? That's a real shame." She pokes out her bottom lip. "Just look how cute they are." She pulls out her phone and shows a picture of Cameron and I kissing under the stairs a few days ago. I feel my heart drop to my ass.

"Why don't you get the hell out of here before I beat your ass." Addie threatens, standing up with her shoulders scared. Miles hops up behind her, ready to pull her off.

"Relax, I'm going. Have a wonderful birthday Marlee." She blows a kiss before trotting off. I gulp and turn to my twin.

"Theo-" I start to say.

"Don't, don't talk to me right now." He stands up, running a hand through his hair.

"We were going to tell you." I follow after him as he walks to the house. I hear Cam follow.

"Just shut up!" He snaps and spins around to face me. I flinch and shut my eyes. Cameron's hand finds its way to my lower back.

"Calm down man." Cameron says calmly, looking down at me.

"No! I mean what the fuck guys?! How long?" He looks straight at me so I straighten my back and bite back any tears that threaten to come forward.

"A couple months." My eyes glue to my shoes as I speak. I hear him scoff.

"Out of anyone in the world you chose my best friend. How selfish are you?" His words were like a slap across the face. I feel Cam freeze behind me.

"Watch it." He seethes, glaring at my twin.

"And you!" He points to Cameron. "My sister? Seriously?"

"Look, we didn't mean for this to happen but it did. I can't help how I feel about her." He runs a hand through his hair. Theo turns to walk away again. I chase after him, leaving Cam.

"Theo, please just listen." I plead, grabbing his arm.

"Leave me alone Marlee." His eyes are cold and emotionless.

"For how long?" My bottom lip quivers so I bite it to stop from crying.

"Forever."

And with that he storms into the house. Asher, Miles and Bri were all clearing everyone out of the yard and forcing them to go home. Connor, Grayson and Addie were cleaning up beer bottles and trash. They all gather in a circle, Cam and I join them.

"Do you guys hate us?" I don't think I could handle anyone else getting mad at me tonight so I anxiously await their answers.

"No" Addie shakes her head.

"Of course not." Bri sends me a reassuring smile.

"We kinda all knew a long time ago." Asher chuckles, nudging Cams shoulder.

"And Theo will get over it. He just hates change and it's a big change. He doesn't care if it's for the better just yet but he'll realize." Miles explains, picking up another beer bottle and throwing it in Brianna's bag.

"Thanks guys."

They all change the subject thankfully to the topic of Bri snapping at Serena. I excuse myself and go to find Connor and Grayson who are on the other side of the yard eating left over marshmallows.

"Hey." Connor says with a mouthful of marshmallows.

"Are you guys okay with Cam and I? Be honest." I remember I used to have to look down at the boys but now they both are a little taller than me.

"Of course Mar." Connors mouth is still full of marshmallows so his words are mumbled.

"Are you sure? I know it's probably a big shock-"

"Not really." Grayson snorts. I quirk my brow up. "I mean I always knew you two were going to get together. You're perfect for each other."

"It's kind of shocking it took you two this long to figure it out." Connor laughs causing me to let out a small laugh. I pull both boys into my arms and squeeze the life out of them.

"I love you boys"

"We love you too"