"From small beginnings come great things."

-Proverb quote

This was bound to be the worst summer ever. I stared glumly at my suitcase sitting at the foot of my bed. I was all packed but definitely not ready to go. "Mom, I don't understand why I can't just stay here in Seattle while you and Dad go to Mexico." Perhaps my voice sounded a bit whiny but I felt like being whiny. This whole thing was a little unfair. I'd had my whole break planned out when my parents told me they were going to Mexico for a summer-long mission trip. And I was going to New York to stay with my mom's college roommate and her family. Yippee.

"Forget it, Chloe." My mom entered my room with a hand on her hip. Her auburn hair was tossed into a messy bun and she was wearing that ridiculous visor I hated. "There is no way I'm going to leave you here alone."

"I'm almost eighteen. I'm on honor roll. I'm president of several different clubs. And you haven't grounded me since I was thirteen. What is it going to take to prove to you that I'm responsible?" I gripped the post of my bed in frustration.

My mom sighed and placed her hand on mine gently. "Honey, you know I trust you. That's not what this is about." Our eyes met and a silent understanding passed between us. It wasn't about trust or responsibility. It was about much more.

She finally smiled and ruffled my hair. "I know this isn't the summer you wanted, but I'm sure it's going to be fun. Alright? Just give it a chance." She planted a kiss on the top of my head before leaving the room.

I tried my best to return her smile. "Yeah, maybe you're right," I murmured. I doubted she was.

I listened to her fading footsteps as she descended the stairs. She meant well, and I knew that. But I was still frustrated. Staying with these people meant awkward conversations about things that none of us really cared about, being extremely polite at all times, and basically, being bored to tears.

"Oh well," I muttered under my breath. Sighing, I grabbed the handle of the suitcase and followed my mother to the living room. My flight left in an hour but I needed to catch the airporter in five minutes. My family was infamous for cutting it close, when it came to time. I can't count how many flights we've missed over the years.

My dad met me at the bottom of the stairs and smiled, holding his hand out for my suitcase. I gratefully handed it to him and descended the last few steps in a theatrical leap. "New York, here I come, right?" I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans and headed for the door. "Let's get this show on the road."

Justin Russo let his mind wander as he washed dishes in the kitchen of his father's restaurant. Summer vacation had officially started three days ago. He'd been planning to take courses at a junior college over the break but had decided against it at the last minute. It was the summer break before senior year and he was determined to do something a little different. Shake things up. Alex was with Harper in Florida for the next few weeks so he would have some blissful time away from his little sister, meaning he didn't have to worry about her antics. Max's antics were a little easier to handle.

"Justin!" His mother entered the kitchen, smiling. "We're going to close up early tonight so we can meet Angela's daughter at the airport. Finish this quickly while your dad and I lock up." She gave him a motherly squeeze on the shoulder and exited the kitchen.

Oh yeah.

Justin had forgotten all about the impending arrival of Chloe. Last week, his mom had explained that there was a last minute change in plan for the summer. Her college roommate, Angela, was going to Mexico for the summer with her husband, and their daughter would be staying with them. Since Alex would be in Florida with Harper, Chloe would take her room.

He couldn't say he was looking forward to it but, at the same time, it couldn't be all bad. After all, he had heard from his mom that Chloe was smart, and had a thing for science fiction. Whether that was all true or not, Justin's interest was still a bit piqued. His only problem was how normal they would all have to pretend to be. It had been a long time since they'd had someone stay with them that didn't know of their powers.

"Justin, are you done yet?" His mom poked her head in again. "We have to leave in a few minutes."

Placing the last dry dish next to the sink, Justin smiled. "Yeah, mom. I'm coming." He tossed the towel on top of the stack of dishes and followed her out of the kitchen. "Let's get this show on the road," he murmured under his breath.

So yea, really short. I know. This is really just meant as an introduction to the story. It starts getting interesting (and longer) in the next update. I promise.