Aria's POV
I may go to the second best performing arts school ever, but I get extremely bored. Ms. Nibert, the choir teacher, is an ass. I swear her main goal in life is to make us miserable. Lucky for me, today's class time was taken for a school assembly.
Headmistress Wagner rapped the podium. "Attention students." I looked away from Zane & Mystic to listen as the whole auditorium quieted down (keep in mind, we have a huge auditorium & the seats are filled.).
"Yes Headmistress?" We chorused. It was a school tradition.
"We have been informed that three spots have opened up in the Central School of Performing Arts." Headmistress Wagner announced. A quick ripple of voices ran through the crowd. "So, they have requested we send our three top students to fill those positions."
"Who Headmistress?" We students asked.
"Since you are pretending not to know." Headmistress Wagner began. "The top students are Zane Delawder, Mystic Fung & Aria Wolfe."
As everyone clapped for us, I felt a sudden urge to scream at the top of my lungs & jump up & down. But I'm an actress, so I acted like I was calm.
Mystic, however, looked ready to faint. As nearly impossible as it is in this school, Mystic had always been something of a wallflower, no matter how many big roles she was cast in for school plays.
"Please step up to the podium." Headmistress Wagner ordered. We stood up from our seats in the front row & headed up the steps to the stage. "As a reward for their work, I've decided that they will receive full scholarships to the private school. They will receive the rest of the day off to prepare. They will be leaving next week."
We exited the stage & ran to my house. "Gran? They let us out early."
"Hello. Why's that?" Gran asked, not looking up from her tarot cards.
"You know how you keep talking about dad wanting us to move out to Central with him & Aunt Janie & Uncle Randy & Grant & Isaac & Frida?" I said, trying to get my point across.
"What about it?" Gran wondered. The customer, a young man in weird clothes, stood up & left after thanking her.
I took a deep breath. "Me, M, & Zane got transferred to the school there. It's more like a promotion, really, since only the best can get into the school I'm talking about." She nodded. "And the Oz-man can hang out with Megan more often. I'll be able to keep an eye on Griffon. Plus, there's the minor detail of finding the Natur."
"I realize that. Did you not notice that I agreed?" Gran wondered.
"Uh, not really. But thank you so much Gran. We have to go talk to Zane's & Mystic's parents now." I yelled, running out. "Be back by noon."
Half-way to the Johnsons' - Mystic's adopted parents - shop, Zane got a ring on his cell-y. "Hello? Hey, I'm no doctor, but I'm sure sick people aren't supposed to use the phone. Okay. Thanks."
"What was that?" Mystic asked.
Zane smiled. "That was Zach. My parents got a call from the board. Zach said, as soon as I got home, I needed to start packing."
"Well, your dad owns a club in Central." Mystic began, pointing at me, then Zane. "And your grandparents are there, too. All I have are idiot adoptive parents who would send me back to the street in a millisecond. What am I supposed to say to them?"
"Leave that to us." Zane told her.
Zane & I walked onto the shop & came back after a few minutes, pale & shaking. "Well, they want you out of their house as soon as possible. I'll take that as a yes." I told her. "Come on, you can stay with Gran until we go to Central. Then we can find you some permanent place to stay."
"Thanks." Mystic said.
"What're friends for?" I asked, putting an arm over their shoulders & led them back to my place. "Let's go. Zane will make some slushies for us."
Zane looked at me. "He will, will he?"
"Please?" I whimpered.
"Fine."
"Yay!"
Aqua's POV
Griffon slammed the door closed after me & Thatch came in. "I hate school already."
"First day back & you got detention." I cheered.
"That's something I'd expect Aqua to do." Flannery called from the living room.
"Well, I got detention, too. But for a whole different reason." I stated absentmindedly.
"Why did you get detention?" A new voice said. We turned around to see mommy & daddy
"Well, me & Thatch got stuck in health class for the time being." Griffon began as Flannery came in to join everyone.
"Hold on. Thatch, why do you look so pale?" Mommy asked.
Griffon sighed again. Her face was red from anger & her eyes glared evilly in their cat-like form. "If I could continue…We were getting assigned reports on living with troubles like depression, or, you know, they don't have a home. And guess what me & Thatch were assigned to. I was told to do a report on living without parents, & Thatch was given 'abusive parents.' When we asked for a different subjects, the D.O.B. refused, saying 'It will be easy since we could relate!' She gave me & Thatch detention just to be a-"
"Don't say it." Thatch warned.
"That's just reopening old wounds." Mommy said in sympathy.
Thatch shook his head. "That's not the worst part. The teacher said that, instead of discussing our subject, we have to tell about our experiences." A few tears started streaming from Griffon's eyes. "He wants me to ask for the photos from my father's case file. The ones of my cuts & burns."
"Hmm" Flannery said rubbing her chin in thought.
"Flannery you've got something in mind" I said looking at her.
"Of course I do. I always have something on my mind." Flannery said.
"Well don't leave me out tell me what's going on!" I said.
"I'm sorry Aquanette but I'm still formulating the plans in my mind so as of right now." Flannery said putting her hands on her hips.
"Aww!" I said. I didn't like behind left out of stuff!
"Thatch, Griffon don't worry about anything I've got your backs" Flannery said
"Well you've never let me down before Flannery" Griffon said smiling a bit.
"Wait I do believe we skipped something" Daddy said.
"Like what?" Flannery said.
"Aquanette why did you get detention?" Daddy said. Crud I thought they forgot.
"Well maybe I might have spit spitballs at the teacher, texted Griffon during class, and fell asleep maybe probably?" I said with a shrug.
"Why were you texting me?" Griffon said.
"To see what you were doing" I said playing with my fingers.
"I was in class!" Griffon said.
"Yea I know but I got really bored just sitting there!" I said.
"You're suppose to be learning Aquanette." Daddy said.
"I know I'm not going out tonight am I?" I said.
"Nope" Mommy said.
"I thought as much" I said shaking my head.
"As a matter of fact no cell phone for two days" Daddy said.
"Are you serious?!" I said.
"Do you want to make it three Aquanette?" Daddy said.
"No sir" I said. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my blue cell phone with yellow stars and crescents on it. "It's just two days hang in there little dude" I said to my phone before giving it to my dad.
"Can I at least watch some movies in you guys' room tonight?" I asked. "It's movie night"
"I guess we can give you that Aquanette. We're not going to be here anyway" Mommy said with a shrug.
"Where are you going?" Flannery asked.
"Your mother and I are working overtime" Daddy said.
"Why? Are we wasting food money because of Aquanette because I can totally understand" Griffon said.
"Hey!" I said putting my hands on my hips.
"It's not Aquanette's fault or anyone else's your mother and I just want some extra money just in case" Daddy said.
"Oh okay" Flannery said a shrug.
Griffon's POV
An hour before Uncle Roy and Aunt Riza were going back to work I found them in the kitchen looking through some sort of party magazine.
"So you want to why you're really working overtime?" I said folding my arms across my chest.
"Why Griffon what ever do you mean?" Uncle Roy said with a smirk
"C'mon Uncle Roy everyone knows you hate to work" I said.
"Don't worry Roy I think we can trust Griffon" Aunt Riza said.
"Yes I believe we can. Okay the twins' birthday is in two months and we want to go all out" Uncle Roy said.
"Really now?" I said sitting down between them.
"Yes that day is important to us too because that was the day that officially adopted them. They turned 8 that day" Aunt Riza said.
"We want to throw them a party and use the ballroom where they hold the military ball but the Furher says that it cost 1250 dollars an hour and we want to throw a 5 or 6 hour party" Uncle Roy said.
"Man that's like 7500 dollar party" I said.
"I know plus with all the decorations and food and such it's another 2,000" Aunt Riza.
"How did you figure 2000 dollars on food and decorations?" I asked. And then I thought about it.
"Aquanette" All three of us said. "But don't worry your secrets save with me"
"Thank you Griffon" Aunt Riza said.
"You're welcome" I said. Then we heard Flannery scream from upstairs. All three of us ran into the living room and Flannery ran down in a strapless white wedding dress with a crocheted lace shawl draped over her shoulders.
"Look what my Grandma packed in my suitcase!" Flannery said jumping up and down. "Isn't it beautiful?!" Flannery said twirling around.
"Yes it is where did it come from?" Aunt Riza asked.
"This was my mother's wedding dress. I kept telling my grandma how I wanted to wear and she somehow packed into my suitcase. I feel like a princess" Flannery said smiling like crazy.
"Yo what's with all yelling?" Aqua said as she and Megan walked down stairs.
"Aquanette look it's mom dress. Grandma said I get to wear on my wedding day" Flannery said.
"Flannery you look so pretty. But what will Aquanette wear on her wedding day?" Megan asked.
"Don't worry about me Meg I'm going to wear my mother's wedding dress it's just going to be my other mommy" Aqua said giving Aunt Riza a hug.
"Aww thank you Aquanette I would love for you to wear my wedding dress the day you get married" Aunt Riza said giving Aqua a kiss on the forehead.
"Riza we better get going" Uncle Roy said putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Oh right" Aunt Riza said. "Be good and watch out for Megan" Aunt Riza said before she and Uncle Roy left.
At around 7 o'clock the girls and I got dressed in our PJs. We were going to watch some old movies in Uncle Roy and Aunt Riza's room. I was downstairs making popcorn when Meg walked into the kitchen.
"Griffon why can't I watch movies with you and the twins?" Megan said.
"Because you'll be asleep in like an hour anyway so it's best to go ahead and put you to bed" I said picking up the bowl.
"Fine" Megan said with a groan. "Oh and Flannery wanted me to make sure you wear this" Megan said holding up a black knit cap.
"Oh thank you I was looking for this" I said putting the cap on my head. I usually didn't wear hats but Flannery gave me this one she said all I had to do was put it on and go to sleep in it and I wouldn't have to do much to my hair in the morning and it worked! It's a great time saver.
I walked into to Megan's room and tucked her in.
"Good night baby girl" I said kissing her forehead.
"Don't forget to say goodnight to Anxo" Megan said. I looked over and saw the little kitten resting on the window sill.
"Goodnight Anxo" I said petting the kitten's head. I turned off the light and took the bowl of popcorn into the main bedroom where the twins were sitting on the bed. Flannery had these huge white curlers in her hair and Aquanette had her hair in a clip with tinier sliver clips in it for a wave affect.
"How do you guys sleep with all of that on?" I asked sitting down between them.
"You get use to it" They said with a shrug.
"So Flannery what movies did you get?" I asked.
"I got an oldie but a goodie" Flannery said picking up the remote and a black and white movie came on.
"A black and white movie?" I asked.
"Yea they're awesome. This one's about a sweet country girl who falls in love with a gangster" Aqua said.
"So Flannery what are you going to do to the heath teacher?" I asked
"Like I said before I can't give everything out but I promise sparks will fly" Flannery said.
"I've never seen this in you Flannery" I said.
"Yea I like it" Aqua said smirking.
I looked at the movie. "On a different note, I am so picking the movies next time."
Flannery's POV
I walked into school the next day with determination I was going to get to the bottom of everything. I walked up to my locker to get my books when Alex walked up to me.
"Hey Flannery have you exactly seen your sister locker?" Alex said.
"Uh yea doesn't it look everyone else's lockers?" I said pulling my books out my locker.
"Not anymore everyone's taking pictures of it" Alex said.
"That's odd why would someone take pictures of a locker?' I said closing my locker.
"You haven't seen this locker come one" Alex said putting a hand on my shoulder. We walked down to Aqua's locker and it was painted just like her dress from the military ball.
"Aquanette what the heck did you do?" I asked.
"I made locker art" Aqua said.
"Aqua this has to against the rules somehow" I said.
"No it's not, believe it or not I read up on this before I did it. The Central Academy rule book clearly states that no damage should be done to these lockers but I didn't damage it and it says nothing about Art not being on the door" Aqua said.
"Aquanette you sneaky little-" I said but was interrupted by the bell ringing.
"Gotta go can't be late" Aqua said running off.
"Doesn't matter she's gonna be late anyway. So I'll see you later?" Alex said.
"Sure thing" I said before giving him a small kiss.
Instead of going to class I walked into the principal's office and sat down in front of his desk.
"Ah Ms. Mustang I didn't expect you in here your sister yes but you" Mr. Johnson the principal said.
"Please Mr. Johnson I come at very good times. I come on an act of pure humanitarianism" I said.
"Yes so what can I help you with?" Mr. Johnson said.
"Yes well it was made aware to me that of the two students in the health class were being used as products" I said.
"Products you say? May I have an example?" Mr. Johnson.
"Of course but I won't reveal names right now but one girl who lost both of her parents in a very tragic way was asked to write a report about her experiences and another boy who's father beat him day in and day out was asked to take pictures of his cuts and burns and on top of this teacher wanted them to tell about their experiences in front of the class and after all that when they asked her to change assignments she put them in detention" I said starting to get a little angry.
"I see this is a problem and what do you suppose we do about this?" Mr. Johnson said.
"Student court. I want to represent these students and apply some sort of punishment for this teacher" I said.
"I approve of this can you be ready in three days?" Mr. Johnson said.
"Of course I can be ready in a day and half actually" I said with a shrug.
"Great we'll hold student court on tomorrow 2nd period is that good for you?" Mr. Johnson said.
"Oh yes sir" I said quickly nodding my head. I gathered up my things and stood up.
"And Ms. Mustang" Mr. Johnson said.
"Yes sir?" I asked.
"You'll have to fill out this court summons and give it to the health teacher in question" Mr. Johnson said handing me a blank court summons.
"Thank you sir" I said before walking out. I quickly filled it out and walked into Griffon's and Thatch's health class.
"Flannery what're you doing here?" Griffon whispered to me.
"Shh! You'll see" I whispered back. "Excuse me miss" I said.
"Yes" The teacher said turning around from the board.
"You are summoned for student court tomorrow" I said handing the letter to her.
"Um okay" She said putting the letter on her desk.
I walked out with a huge smile on my face.
Aria's POV
Zane, Mystic & I walked through the most popular night club in Central: Paradise!
"This place is huge." Mystic commented as she walked up the stairs to the third level.
"I know. Plenty of space means that more people are allowed inside. It's like a mall with all the little booths they sell alcohol in." I commented, pointing to one selling beer. "Just don't let anyone touch you & carry lots of pepper spray & you'll survive."
I lead them up to the fourth floor - which is strictly off limits to anyone but an exclusive V.I.P. list - to meet my father. "Hello, Aria." He said, looking fairly calm. It upset me, for if I hadn't seen some for months, then I would be extremely hyperactive when I finally did.
Finally, he smiled largely & raced down the remaining stairs to get to me & gave me a hug. "I haven't seen you in so long! Gran & Ozzie were here ages ago."
"Sorry, pop. I was showing Mystic around Central." I told him. "She can stay with us, right."
"Where's her family?" He asked. I pinched his arm. "Of course she can."
"Oh, & that's Zane." I chimed happily.
My father held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Wolfe." Zane answered.
Dad held up his hands. "Please, all my friends & my daughter's boyfriends call me Luxor." He winked at me.
"Sorry, Zane. Daddy must know all." I told him.
Zane shrugged. "That's fine. I got to get to my grandmother's house, anyway." He gave my a kiss. "Bye. Uh, is there a back door I can take?"
I pointed to a hallway. "End of the hall."
"You girls don't mind sharing a room, do you?" My dad asked, leading us down the hall. You'd be surprised how much the fourth floor looks like a home, after you pass the big security guard at the double doors of course.
"No, it's fine." Mystic said.
Dad turned around suddenly. "Oh, I almost forgot. Liza is out for the rest of the week, can you cover, Aria."
I pumped a fist. "Of course, I always bartend on weekends anyway & I don't have school until next week."
Flannery's POV
Before I got home I was able to get Thatch's testimony for court tomorrow. Griffon and Thatch made it very clear that they wanted me to be their lawyer. We walked into the house and saw Mommy and Daddy sitting at the table.
"Well no detention today?" Daddy said.
"Nope I was a very good girl so good they let me be bailiff at the student court tomorrow which means no second period" Aqua said holding up a letter.
"Student court?" Mommy said.
"Yea Flannery got the principal to hold student court tomorrow so we can handle this situation" Griffon said.
"Flannery I didn't know you wanted to be a lawyer" Mommy said.
"Oh no don't get me wrong I still want to be a fashion writer/designer/wedding planner one day but I always want to help people" I said with a shrug.
"Well good for you" Daddy said patting my shoulder. Later that night I was getting my outfit together and packing up all the evidence when Aqua walked in.
"Hey sis I think I got something you can use for tomorrow" Aqua said.
"Really what?" I asked.
"Bam!" Aqua said pulling out a box of brunette hair dye.
"Seriously Aquanette you can't be serious" I said taking it from her.
"I am serious all great lawyers have brunette hair and their cases come out great!" Aqua said.
"Aqua I don't need to become a brunette just to win one case I've won all of my cases on student court before" I said.
"I've seen those cases before and you got lucky because you weren't a brunette. Just use it, it only last for three days" Aqua said.
"Well what about you? Most bailiffs have black hair and you're blonde" I said to get her out of my hair.
"Oh you're right luckily I have a black one too. I'll see you later" Aqua said running out.
I just shook my head and continued to work on my outfit. About an hour later Daddy told us to come downstairs for dinner. I walked downstairs and saw everyone there except Aquanette.
"Hey where's Aquanette?" I asked sitting down next to Griffon.
"We were just about to ask you the same thing" Griffon said.
"Aquanette please come down here we're eating" Mommy said.
"I'm coming!" Aqua said from upstairs. Aqua ran downstairs and instead of her wavy ice blonde hair her hair was completely straighten and black.
"Girl what on earth did you do?" Griffon said.
"Do you like it? I look more like a bailiff now" Aqua said running her fingers through it.
"Ay dios mio" I said with my face in my hand. It basically meant something close to 'oh my gosh' in Spanish.
"Aqua that's coming out right?" Mommy asked.
"Of course it'll be out in about three days" Aqua said.
"You concern me so much" I said.
"Yea but I look good" Aqua said running her fingers through her hair. I just let out another next morning I woke up early to get ready. I took a quick shower and walked over to my vanity to do my make up when I noticed something horrible instead of my beautiful scarlet red hair it was a chocolate brown like the picture on Aqua's hair box.
I just screamed at the top of my lungs in shock and disbelief. I stormed out into the kitchen still in my PJs where Mommy, Daddy, and Megan were in the kitchen.
"Flannery what happened to your hair I liked you didn't to dye your hair" Mommy said.
"Where is Aquanette?" I said clenching both my teeth and my fist.
"Hey people" Aqua said as she walked into the kitchen. I quickly turned to face her and she got the message quick.
"Oh crud" Aqua said before running upstairs.
"Aquanette get back here!" I said before running after her.
"Flannery wait!" Daddy said from downstairs but I was too focused on killing Aquanette for killing my hair. She ran into her room and locked the door. I started pulling on doorknob and banging on the door.
"Aquanette open door or so help me I will use the power of the sun to burn it down!" I said banging on the door. I felt something wrap around my waist and pull me from Aqua's door.
"Yelling at her isn't going to get her out any faster Flannery" Daddy said.
"Yes sir" I said calming down a little.
Daddy pulled out a key that opened all of the doors. We walked into Aqua's room and saw that she was hiding under the bed.
"Aqua it's okay your sister isn't going to hurt you" Daddy said.
"Are you sure?" Aqua said
"Yes Aquanette" Daddy said.
"I'm sorry Daddy" Aqua said coming out from under her bed. "But I saw it on a law show all the lady lawyers have brown hair" Aqua said sitting down on her bed.
"I understand Aquanette but this only going to be 3 day thing like your hair right?" Daddy asked.
"Oh yes sir I made sure to use that one" Aqua said.
"It better" I said before storming out. I got dressed, ate breakfast, and walked to school all without looking at Aquanette.
"Flannery I'm sorry" Aqua said as we walked to school.
"Uh-huh" I said with a shrug.
"You still don't forgive me do you?" Aqua said.
"Maybe I do maybe I don't" I said with a shrug.
"Okay so I took advantage of you while you were sleeping but you sleep way to heavy and should have woken up when I dyed your hair" Aqua said.
"Aquanette shut up" Griffon said shaking her head.
"Yea I'm just making it worse aren't I?" Aqua said.
"Big time" Griffon said.
We walked to the front steps and saw the boys waiting for us.
"Hey Flannery whoa" Alex said looking at me.
"Hey" I said giving him a small kiss.
"Not to be mean or anything but what on earth did you guys do to your hair?" Alex said.
"This idiot dyed her hair and then dyed mine when I was sleeping" I said.
"Marth do you like it?" Aqua asked.
"I like it you nice with black hair" Marth said.
"I'm just glad she didn't dye my hair blonde." Griffon sighed, "Luckily, I still have my beautiful auburn curls."
I glared at Aqua. "You tried to dye her hair too?"
Aqua shrugged. "Emphasis on 'tried.' Griff's a light sleeper, unlike someone."
"Well I'd love to sit a chat but I've got to go get ready for student court so Griffon, Thatch" I said as they stood up and we walked into the building to the student council room.