My mom knocked on my bedroom door. "Get up, Zoe! I made pancakes for your 15th!"

I groaned and rolled over. My mom makes pancakes for every one of my birthdays. I got up and pulled on some clothes. In the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Ugh, that stupid pimple on my forehead's still there.

On the way to the kitchen, I grabbed my cell phone. My mom was standing there, balancing a pile of pancakes on a plate. A cheesy party horn was between her teeth. PPHHTT!!! Mom blew.

Zia walked in, a smile on her face. She grabbed a few cups, filled them with water, and set them down. I took the pancakes and served them. Mom sat and waited for my sister and I to sit before she started eating.

Let me tell you this, even though it's the same thing every year, I still love my mother's pancakes. The wonderful taste of maple syrup still on my tongue, I got up and grabbed my backpack, motioning for Zia to do the same. Zia put our plates in the sink and walked out the door alongside me.

---

I was walking home from school with Zia, talking to her about random things. Zia tugged my arm halfway through my rant of how annoying Shelby Snyder is.

"Hey Zoe, see that giant guy in the alley looking at us?" I stopped, about to glare at her for interrupting me. Then I saw him. And his eyes - sorry, eye. A huge, brown eye with blood vessels showing.

"Yes, I see him. Walk faster, Zia."

Then he charged at us.

Notes

It gets more interesting, I promise.