Hey guys! Just saying, I don't own any of the things Kate mentions (except the Daughter of the Sea stories, which are also on here! Caleo - new school belongs to my friend Kingmastermax). So enjoy and please leave a review.

I ducked through the crowds. Alone. On Christmas Eve. And did anybody care. Of course not. Who cared about the foster kid who wasn't even going to last another week? I stopped quickly, buying a cup of tea at a nearby stand. I checked my watch. Quarter to five. Perfect.

I pushed into the library, through the back door, which was unlocked at my time, as usual. I stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind me. I walked over to table 12, waiting for Drake. He was always late. I took out the book of poetry I had found for him. A collection of war poetry, that I knew he loved. And I waited.

"Frankie! You are so early girl!" Drake greeted me. His black hair was a mess from the wind and he had a coffee cup in his hand. He was two years older than me, being 18, and always boasted about being able to drive. I frowned at him. If he can drive, why does it take him so long to get here?

"I'm Kate, actually. And I'm not early, I'm perfectly on time!" I exclaimed. I was never early, never late. Drake always thought I was early because he was always late. It's not my fault. As Drake sat down, I shoved the poetry at him. He grinned, picking it up and turning it in his hands.

"Merry Christmas, Drake!" I grinned. I had found it. The one poetry book Drake didn't have in his enormous library. Then I realised. I only had ten minutes to get home! Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Take this and I'll drive you home. Open it in the car!" Drake said handing me a present and grabbing his car keys off the table. He knew the expression on my face. We ran to his car. I got on and quickly buckled my belt.

"Did you finish that new book I gave you yesterday?" Drake asked. I pulled out the book, a collection of fan fiction about the Percy Jackson books. They were all also on the popular site, . I loved that site.

"It's great! I especially love the Daughter of the Sea stories and the Caleo - new school! They were so good." I said. I'd read them before in , of course, but it was amazing to read it on paper. I remembered wishing I was in those worlds. It would be so much better than this world.

"Keep it! Merry Christmas." he said, turning to grin at me briefly. I sighed.

"You don't have to. You already gave me a present." I reminded him. He grinned at the road, his bright green eyes sparkling.

"Oh, yes... Open it..." He said, sounding shy. I smiled. Since when was Drake shy? Wasn't I the shy awkward one? I swear I was.

I tore the wrapping apart without hesitation. I studied the book carefully. It had no title, but instead, a beautifully drawn picture of a girl, holding a sword high into the air... it looked oddly like...

"Is that Riptide?" I asked, amazed. Yes, it was defiantly Percy Jackson's famed sword, Riptide, given to him by the hero trainer, Chiron. I grinned. But who was the girl...?

"You know too well." He grinned. Then his expression suddenly sobered. "Read the absolute last page." I stared at Drake in amazement. His dark hair tumbled over his face. His eyes were suddenly dark and clouded with some inexplicable emotion. This was the boy who couldn't stand any sort of spoiler. I flipped to the last page, despite. There in his scribbled hand, were the words that made my heart pound as I read them.

I love you Kate. From, Drake. Ps: I love you.

I laughed hysterically. He didn't need to say it twice. Once was enough to scare the hell out of me. Drake smiled nervously, recognising my laugh to be hysterical and worried. He pulled up outside my house.

"See you tomorrow?" he said, grinning. I nodded numbly. I ran inside, seeing the snow. I'd have to read and clear my head tonight. Outside of the apartment I was currently living in was the social worker, Mr Bubbles. Stupid name, I know. I stopped directly in front of him. He regarded me warmly. He used to be in the CIA, or so I was told. Now that he was retired, he was a social worker. His round face grinned with glee.

"The young Kate is home!" he said. "Late." He frowned. Of course. But nonetheless, he began the normal questions he had to ask. And I answered how I always did. With fake enthusiasm.

"What did you have for dinner last night?"

"Moroccan chicken. It was delicious!"

"What did you do after that?"

"We watched Once Upon a Time, like we do every Saturday. It was a special Christmas edition. Henry and Emma had to help Santa Claus remember who he is in time for Christmas. I loved it!"

"What toothpaste did you use?"

"Colgate?"

"Oops, Aqua Fresh. What song did you play on loop yesterday?"

"Feel Good Inc. By Gorillaz?" That was what I usually played.

"Nope, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. Last one. What time are you home from school?"

"Four on the dot."

"No. Three thirty!" he exclaimed. Not again. I was moving. Perfect!

"Get your bag. I'll wait here." Mr Bubbles said, frowning at me. I sighed, walking inside. I grabbed my school pencil case off the table and stuffed it into my Hype backpack. I packed my books and grabbed my iPod off charge. I shoved my million pairs of headphones into my bag. Every new house I came to, I found a pair of headphones to remember the place by. The ones from here were pink with fluffy ear buds. They barely worked and were just for show, like this family. They were in it for the money. And it was very obvious.

I trudged out to Mr Bubbles.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Nope. I never do." I said. Mr Bubbles knew I never said goodbye, because he was always the one to take me away.

We set off in his black Mercedes. I glared out the window. I was sure to get landed in another dumb home, just looking for money. Erg!

"You're going to have to spend the night at St Peter's..." Mr Bubbles said awkwardly. St Peter's was the orphanage

"No! Please no!"

"Yes, you have to!"

"ASDFGHJKL!"

"What?

"Nothing!"

And that was our usual conversation. I sighed. I heard my text alert.

Hey, what's up? I'm BORED!

It was from Drake. I grinned.

I just got kicked out. Moving again!

I texted back, still smiling.

Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find somewhere nice! Stay positive ;-)

I grinned again.

Gotta go. The Bubsta is getting annoyed.

The Bubsta. That was my nickname for Mr Bubbles. Who looked over at my phone and smiled.

"You still call me that?"

"Yep! Of course I do!" I grinned back. We were at St Peter's already. I got out, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

"One night. I promise." The Bubsta said. I nodded. One annoying night.

I fell asleep quickly, clutching the book Drake had given me. I think I had an answer for him. I was sure I did.