Kathryn's 21st Birthday

"Happy birthday, my girl!" Ava greeted her best friend, Kathie, as soon as she opened her apartment door for her. Kathie chuckled and embraced her friend in a tight hug, "It is not my birthday yet," Kathie chuckled as she pulled away.

Ava rolled her eyes as two friends walked into the apartment that already had a few of Kathie's friends and cousins in there. "Yeah, I know but it is almost your birthday," She announced and glanced towards the wall clock, "Only two hours to go! Woohoo!" She threw her fist in the air while putting her arm around Kathie's neck – pulling her closer. The two friends laughed and walked into the living room.

"So, we are going to the club tonight, right? You can finally drink!" She spoke. Kathie chuckled and excitedly nodded her head, "Yes, I was waiting for this day. I want to know how it feels to get drunk!" She clapped her hands together.

"Hold up," The two friends turned to look at Ezra, who had his eyebrow raised as he walked closer to them. "You never drank before?" He asked his elder cousin while squinting his eyes. He was dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of Khaki pants. Ezra had a few buttons of his shirt undone, revealing the white undershirt and a chain around his neck. Kathie knows that his cousin came to her birthday party with the thought of hitting on her friends and that thought that her nauseous. She wanted to point out how ridiculous he looked, but she never got the chance.

Ava chuckled, "Nope, Miss goody-good wanted to wait until she is of legal age." She rolled her eyes. Kathie shrugged, "So, what is wrong with that? I am a law-abiding citizen," She replied – making both, Ava and Ezra groan. Kathie didn't even try to argue for herself, she know they will not get her.

"Please, don't tell me I can't come to the club with you all tonight," Ezra complained.

Ava chuckled and excused herself, while Kathie shrugged, "Of course, you can't! You are eighteen, Ezra! I am not stupid. I know if I take you with us, you will end up drinking." She scolded him.

Ezra dully looked at his cousin, "Duh! It is Friday night, for the love of God! And you know, I have been to one before, right?" He told her. Kathie knows about it. She knows he and his friends have a fake ID thing going on and she also knows that pulls Harrison's card whenever he goes out, so she wasn't surprised when he told her that.

Kathie faked a smile and teasingly pinched Ezra's cheeks, "I know, and be thankful that I didn't tell your parents about it yet." He mocked him.

Ezra huffed, "Please, Aunt Elizabeth told me dad used to do the same when he was my age. He will not care, he is chill." Ezra shrugged.

Kathie smirked, "What about Aunt Maria?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Yeah, she will whoop my ass," Ezra accepted. His mother is strict when it comes to doing something stupid, which Ezra does a lot. If Maria knows that Ezra has been going to clubs and have drank before, she is going to give him a piece of mind. No one can save him from her then, not even Silas. "But, I think she knows. I mean I have been hungover a couple of times around here before," He tried to reason.

Kathie heaved a sigh, "I don't care," She told him firmly, "You are not coming with us," She added.

Ezra rolled his eyes, "So, it just going to be you, your friends, and what – Liam?" He asked. Kathie grinned and nodded her head, "Exactly," She replied.

"Yeah, Liam will not be able to make it," Another voice spoke from behind Ezra. The two looked behind Ezra to see Liam walking towards them with a green paper bag in his hand, probably it was Kathie's birthday present. Kathie didn't even notice when Liam walked into her apartment. She pouted instead of smiling at her older cousin, "What? Why not?" She asked him.

Liam chuckled, "Well, first of all – happy birthday in advance." He wished her before he embraced her in a hug, which she gladly returned. Liam pulled away and handed her the gift he got her, "Here is your birthday gift," He gave it to her. "Also, because I have to get very early tomorrow morning. I am shifting to my new apartment tomorrow, remember? The movers will be there at around eight in the morning and I still have a few things to pack," He replied. Kathie opened her mouth to ask him to at least come with her for a little while when Ezra decided to cut her off and speak.

"Wait, I thought we were giving her gifts at the family dinner tomorrow," Ezra scratched the back of his head.

Kathie never misses celebrating her birthday with her family. Her friends often fuss about her not going out with her on her birthday – they always have to celebrate her day a day before or after her actual birthday, but that is how she is – family comes first for her. Charlie says Kathie is like her father. On each of her birthdays, they all go for dinner.

Liam smiled at his cousin and smiled, "I have another gift for her for tomorrow." He told Ezra, making Kathie's eyes beam while Ezra rolled his eyes, "Yes, of course, you do. Kathie and Noel are your favorites, we get it." Ezra mumbled under his breath before looking around to find something that will keep him entertained. Liam chuckled and ruffled Ezra's hair as he passed him – earning under-breath whining from the boy.

Liam is like the elder brother to each of the Harrison/Wayne. Anyone has any issue, they go to Liam and he always fixes everyone's mess for everyone. Kathie relied on him a lot throughout her teenage and even now when she is a young adult. She would always reach out to him when something goes wrong. His advice made her life easy. She feels at peace because she knows that whenever she needs him, he will always be there for her.

Kathie laughed and poked her tongue out to tease Ezra, who playfully snarled at her before he walked away. She looked at the gift bag in her hand, "Thank you so much, Liam. You don't have to give me anything else. This is enough!" She told her while giving him a side hug. Liam wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "Bullshit. Since I have missed five of your birthdays – consider it a penalty for being gone so long," He replied with a chuckle.

Kathie rolled her eyes and pulled away, "Even when you weren't here to celebrate with me. You always called me on my birthday and always sent a gift to me. You have no penalties to pay," She told him.

Liam has been away for five long years. He was living in Japan. Kathie remember the day he announced that he will be moving to Japan, she cried the entire day. She was so angry at Liam, that she didn't talk to him for a week, but of course, she had to give in. Everyone in the family was very upset about his decision to move to Japan, but of course, everyone supported him since he got the job offer he always wanted.

Even when he was in Japan, he didn't feel like he was away from home. Someone would always be calling him or texting him about something, usually, it would be his mother, or any of his cousins – since they all kind of depends on him a lot. He would always send them gifts and even when he couldn't come back to visit, he never missed any of their birthdays, and never forgot to call them to check on them.

"Great! Does that mean I can get her other present tomorrow?" Another voice interrupted them from behind Liam. Even when Liam didn't see who it was, he recognized the voice. A big grin spread on his lips, while Kathie rolled her eyes and looked over Liam's shoulder to find her best friend, Ivan, standing behind with his emblem grin.

Liam turned around to look at the young man, "Hey, I didn't know big stars were coming tonight!" Liam joked as Ivan chuckled and rolled his eyes, "Urgh, please – I will be a star the day I escape from only playing the second lead," He replied with a sigh.

Liam chuckled, "Whatever, buddy – you are very famous. You know, I never missed any of your movies or series when I was away. You are amazing!" Liam told Ivan before the two shared a brief hug.

Ivan Isaac has been Kathie's best friend since middle school. Kathie's family knows Ivan just as well as they know Kathryn. Charlie calls him a family member. Even if there is an event with just Kathie's family, Ivan is still a must invite. Ivan, as Liam said, is a star. He started as a model when he was in high school, which turned into being an actor. He is yet to get his first lead role, but he is quite famous among the masses. It is only about time before he lands his big role in movies and series.

Ivan chuckled and shyly shook his head, "Thanks, Liam." He replied to him before his eyes fell on his best friend. He grinned and opened his arms for her, "Happy birthday, Donut!" He playfully wished her. Liam chuckled and stepped away while Kathryn rolled her eyes at the nickname, "Where is my gift?" She searched his empty hands and pushed him away.

Ivan knitted his eyebrows, "I thought, we give you presents at your birthday dinner," He said while putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Thank you! That's what I said!" Ezra spoke from a bit distance. "Blame Liam, he is messing it up for all of us!" He added – earning chuckles from around the room from Kathie's friends and Liam.

Before Kathryn could answer him back, her eyes averted to her roommate's bedroom door. It opened and slam shut. Everyone turned their attention to Georgia, Kathryn's university friend and housemate. She is usually a happy person, but right now her sulking face was evidence of the fact that something was not okay. Ava raised her eyebrow, "All good, Gia?" She asked her friend.

Georgia heaved a sigh, "I swear, I have the craziest family! You guys are so lucky that you all have normal families." He complained and sat on the couch while gritting her teeth.

Kathie snorted and looked at Liam, who glared at her. "We are not doing that again," He warned his cousin under his breath. Ivan know what he was talking about and chuckled. "Yes, we are. It has been a while since we bumped anyone out. Come on, Liam." She mumbled back.

Ezra walked towards them. He already knows what Kathie wants to do. He didn't mind – he finds it funny while Kathryn pulls the routine on her friends. Georgia and Kathryn haven't known each other for long, Georgia isn't aware of how crazy Harrisons/Wayne can be. She was seeking a chance to bump Gia out. Don't get her wrong, Kathie only pulls this with someone she feels comfortable with and wants in her life.

"No," Liam said sternly. "Don't be a sucky friend. Go and console your friend," He added.

Kathryn heaved a sigh. She is very well aware of that tone. That is what grumpy Liam sounds like, and when grumpy Liam says something – he doesn't want to listen to anyone else. This is something Elizabeth says he gets from Leo – but Elizabeth can be just as stubborn, so he could have adapted it from either of his parents.

Kathie heaved a sigh and moved to her friend, who was sulking while Ava was trying to console her. "No, you don't understand. My dad doesn't get it. Urgh, my family is so weird!" She complained. Kathie glanced at Liam, who only chuckled in return and slightly shook his head. Kathie rolled her eyes and sat beside Gia, trying to console her.

And that is how Georgia, Kathryn, Ava, Ivan, Liam, and Ezra ended up in a corner of the living room, while a few of Kathie's other friends chatted, danced, and drank. "I wish I had a normal functioning family. Seriously, my parent's divorce is taking a toll on me." She mumbled as she rested her head on Kathie's shoulder. It has been an hour since Gia has been complaining about her family, while all of them sit around in a circle. Kathie had an urge to tell Gia about her own family, but Liam is right – it wasn't the time to pull this off.

Kathie wrapped her arm around Gia, "It is going to be okay, Gia. We are all here for you." She mumbled. Gia lowly hummed and for a few minutes, there was complete silence between all of them. Gia finally heaved a sigh and lift her head to look at Kathie, "I really don't want to think about my screwed-up family right now," She told Kathie, who nodded her head. Gia was weeping a few minutes ago, she sniffled and wiped any trace of tears from her cheek, "I wish I had your family," Gia chuckled softly.

Kathie smiled, "I love my family, but sweetie, my family got very screwed up things happened to them as well, so we aren't as normal as you might think." She replied softly. A grin stretched on Ivan, Ava, and Ezra's faces – they know what is coming – while Liam heaved a sigh and shook his head – who was he kidding, of course, Kathryn do what she has to do. She was not going to miss this chance.

Gia lowly chuckled, "It can't be that bad," she mumbled under her breath.

It was time...

Ivan hunched and put his elbow on his knee while placing his fist under his chin – this is going to be interesting. Ava smirked and glanced at Ivan. Ezra rubbed and warmed up his palms – while Liam just wanted to leave. Kathie sniggered and looked at Ezra – nodding her head to him.

"Well, you decide," Kathie shrugged as a little perplexed Georgia glanced between Kathie and Ezra. "Ezra," Kathie bobbed her head for Ezra to start.

Ezra looked at Gia and smiled sweetly while Gia squinted her eyes at him, "Well, my parents got married very young. My grandma didn't like that, nor did she like my uncle – who is Kathryn's father, so she schemed against my mother and Uncle Marcus. Made it look like Uncle Marcus was having an affair with mom," He paused and fake gagged, before he continued, "My parents got divorced. My dad cut off his elder brother from his life. A lot of shit happened, but in the end – the truth came out and my parents reconciled. Also, my mom was being stalker y a crazy bastard, who ended up killing himself. Everything is good now," Ezra grinned at Gia's stunned expression. He didn't even get to the part where Maria had an accident. He thought this much crazy was enough. Ezra always loves to get into detail and freak people out.

Kathie chuckled under her breath and tapped on Gia's shoulder, who was looking at Ezra with her eyes widened. Gia slowly turned her head to look at Kathie. It was her turn, "My mom was stabbed by my dad's cousin simple sentence was enough to make Gia's eyes widen as she gasped and covered her mouth. Kathie smirked, "She is fine now. Everything worked out well," She added and glanced at Liam – who looked bored.

He wasn't in the mood to pull this again, but Kathie glared at him so, he exhaled loudly and rolled his eyes. Gia turned to look at Liam, who spoke. "My birth mother tried to kill my real mother," He dryly added.

"Holy shit!" Gia expressed making everyone around her laugh, except for Liam – who only had a ghost of a smile on his face. "Alright fine, you win. Your family went through so very crazy shit." Gia said to Kathie, who only grinned at her friend.

Here is a little about the next book called "The second lead syndrome"...

Kathryn Harrison: A newly independent Crime Justice student, willing to make it into this world on her own – despite coming from a wealthy family.

Cade Anderson: Kathie's hot-headed colleague, who likes to give her a difficult time. He doesn't like her for some reason but is stuck to working with her.

Ivan Isaac: An actor and Kathryn's best friend, who is stuck as a second lead, in his reel and as well as in his real life.

Everything was going well for Kathryn until she had to work along with Cade. The two clash as they try to prove one is better than the other. The two made a bet. They are given a task by their boss, and whoever completes it first will stay while the other one will have to quit.

Kathryn and Ivan have been friends since middle school. The two brickers, fight and argue, but they are also always there for each other. For Kathie, Ivan is nothing more than his best friend, but for Ivan – Kathryn is everything and more. He has been in love with her since they were teenagers, but he never confessed because he knows Kathryn doesn't feel the same and he doesn't want to ruin their friendship.

So, Ivan sits tight and watches his best friend fall in love with the man she thought she hated.