This chapter has been edited by my cousin. We'll just call him "Rockstar". The other chapters will be edited as well.

Chapter 1: Here's to a New Life… Again

"Well, we're here."

The young girl looked up at her mother. Her brother, who was sitting next to her in the back seat of the car, looked at her solemnly. They weren't upset about going to a new school, they were just sad to leave their parents and their home. Their mother looked back at them with a sad expression on her face. She tried to smile, but it was difficult.

The girl tried to smile back. Her brother sensed her sadness and leaned over to squeeze her hand. Though they were complete opposites, they were best friends. Her hazel eyes were obscured by her long brown hair; eyes which contrasted the brilliant blue of her brother's, which shone underneath his neatly cropped, platinum hair. Though he was much taller and muscular, the two were obviously siblings in that often indiscernible way.

Their father pulled in front of the Academic building, and the family went to meet with the principal. The last of the arrangements went smoothly, and soon it was time to show the kids to their rooms.

"Would you like me to have another student come show you around?" the principal asked, addressing the siblings.

"Yeah," the brother answered, "that'd be great."

"Thanks," added his sister.

The principal called over the intercom to one of their best and brightest students: Jeremy Belpois. The principal smiled and added,

"Jeremy also has a nice little group of friends he can introduce you to. That will get you a head start on making friends. I'm sure they'd love to meet you." The principal felt very pleased with himself with this arrangement.

Jeremy arrived at the office and observed his new "friends." The girl was quite short but sort of pretty and her brother… well, Jeremy didn't ever want to be on the big one's bad side. He noticed first their attire… both dressed in black. She wore a standard tee shirt and jeans. The taller, scarier of the two wore a more dressy black vest over a white-collared button down, yet the way he held himself implied a more casual attitude than appearances might suggest.

He also noticed they were both wearing Converse®. She was wearing red and he was in dark green.

"Hi! I'm Jeremy," he said offering his hand. The large blonde boy stepped forward and took the smaller boy's hand in a firm but tender handshake.

"I'm Jak," he said, "This is my sister." He turned to the tiny brunette at his side.

"Hi! I'm Andie," she said taking his hand gingerly. She was sweet, but confident and Jeremy was perplexed. He was also worried about their luggage; anyone could just look at Jeremy and know that he could never get these trunks all the way to the dormitory. He was relieved to see their parents were coming along; but still carried Andie's backpack for her.

"I'm sure you'll really like it here at Kadic Academy. It's a very nice school, both socially and academically," Jeremy said, trying to be polite.

"Yes," said their mother, "We heard a lot of good things about this place; that's why we chose it. It was simply the best."

"Oh… of course," Jeremy said.

"How long have you been going here Jeremy?" Andie asked.

Jeremy smiled.

"It seems like forever."

They arrived at the dorm building and Jeremy motioned toward the elevator. It was a tight fit, but they all managed. Jeremy took them to Andie's room first. To the left was a bed and at its foot was a tall wardrobe. A desk lay against one wall; the other was empty.

Everything was tan.

They put her stuff in her room and got back into the elevator to go to Jak's room. On the way, Jeremy explained the dorm rules.

"The floors in the building are girl-boy-girl-boy so it's pretty easy to figure out which one is which. Andie's yours is on the third floor and Jak yours is on the fourth. We're allowed to go wherever we want during the day, but at eight everyone must be on their own floor. 9:30 is lights out."

"Now, can they visit each other in their rooms?" asked the concerned father. As Jeremy explained those rules and the exception for siblings, the new students were having a conversation of their own. Jak glanced at his sister,

This kid is kinda weird, he said with his eyes, tilting his head toward Jeremy.

He seems alright, Andie shrugged. Her brother only raised his eyebrows in response.

Jeremy directed them into another bedroom while still answering the anxious parent's questions. They placed Jak's trunk at the foot of his tan bed in a room identical to his sister's. Mom and Dad stood looking at their children sadly, who were nervously taking in their new home. Jeremy just stood there awkwardly.

"Well, um… I'll just let you guys get settled in. Dinner is in an hour and the cafeteria is right out front. You can't miss it."

"Thank you," their mom answered, "for everything. We really appreciate it." Jeremy smiled and blushed slightly. "It's no problem really." He looked up, gave a quick nod, and left the room.

"I'm sorry we can't stay for dinner, but the flight headed back to America leaves soon." Their mom looked like she was about to burst into tears. Jak walked over to her and squeezed her shoulder.

"Ma, we'll be okay!" he insisted, "You know we're used to changes."

"I guess that's mostly my fault," Their father sighed, "I'm really sorry to do this to you guys again." He gave his daughter an awkward side hug and ruffled her hair slightly, smiling warmly.

"Do you want us to help you unpack?" their mother offered, composing herself. Andie glanced at her brother and then turned to her parents.

"Yeah. I'd like some help in my room."

"Well okay. You coming Jak?" their father asked.

"I'll be down in a sec. I'm going to try to find a bathroom first."

The rest of the family headed downstairs and as soon as Jak felt that they were far enough away, he ran to his trunk and flipped it open. Out jumped a little orange Pomeranian.

"Hey there Cointreau," Jak spoke to the dog, "Wow, the old lady was right. You do travel well… not one accident." He pulled out the clothes from the trunk and prepared a little home for her. He laid the trunk on its side and propped the lid open. He put her blanket inside along with her food, water and her little toys (not squeaky, of course). He decided to put the makeshift dog house in the corner between the desk and the wardrobe. Cointreau sniffed around her new home before settling down.

The second her weight shifted the propped up "door" of her trunk snapped closed. Cointreau yelped a little in surprise. Jak hurried over to see if she was alright. Cointreau walked out and jumped on the bed, giving Jak a look that said she was rather annoyed with him. Jak sighed and turned the trunk rightside-up. I'll just have to lock her in while he was gone, he figured and he put a bowl of water down for her to drink. He slumped down onto the mattress, skooshing around a little bit to test for lumps. He sighed quietly again. Well, he thought, I guess it's time to start a new life. Again.