Apparently calling your teachers worthless will get you a detention, but explaining why they are during an evaluation will get you suspended from school... No one ever told me this, but unfortunately I found this out the hard way on my third day of my first year of school. It's not my fault that they expect me to sit in a class room full of ordinary people and...socialize. Not to mention that I was taught how to read and write fluently by the time I was five and even though I am only eight, I read at a high-school level. I can also speak and write five different languages fluently – French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and Arabic. My father is very proud of me and insists that I just be home-schooled, but my dad wouldn't hear of it. Yes, I have two dads in my life, no I don't care.

Anyways, incidents like that just kept happening and as I got older, they just got worse. By the time I was in my third year, my parents were looking at either home-schooling me or sending me to a private school.

"Jasmine is to intelligent to go to school with other people! I don't take on as many cases now, I could teach her," my father argued. My father looks like a giant compared to my dad, a wiry, pale skinned, giant though. Dad on the other hand was quite a bit shorter with blonde-ish hair and blue eyes, and he is a doctor.

"She needs to interact with other children!" dad countered.

They didn't know I was listening to them; they were in the living room having their row, but I was sitting on the stairs with my stuffed dragon in my arms – his name is Smaug and is a deep red color with black eyes.

"Other children are stupid," father snarled. "Besides, I don't want her to have a childhood like I did."

There was silence for a bit, when dad spoke he was much calmer, "I know you were given hell as a child in school, but that doesn't mean that Jasmine will have that."

Father scoffed, "Please, she can already deduce people almost as well as I can!"

"Well then, think of school as more practice for her deductions," dad teased.

I knew the fight was over then by the silence that followed, only filled with their breaths and they were – uck – kissing. As silently as I could, I crept back into my room and climbed back into bed. Not five minutes later I heard my door open; I pretended to be asleep, but naturally father knew better.

"Jasmine, I know you are awake," he said. Father has the most soothing voice, whenever he reads my bedtime story, I always fall asleep quickly.

Cracking my eyes open, I glanced up at him and smiled, "Do I get to be home-schooled?" I asked hopefully.

Dad walked in my room as well and sat on the edge of my bed, "How about we compromise instead? Your Uncle Mycroft has been hinting at a private school that he thought you might like," he said.

Hmm, private school? I think I could live with that, "Will they have a chemistry lab?" I asked.

Father chuckled, "I'm sure we can arrange for you to have access to it. I'll call your school and Mycroft tomorrow and set an appointment with the other school. Go to bed, darling. Good night," he said and kissed me on a forehead. Dad followed suit and all to soon they were downstairs doing whatever they do at night. I felt my eyes drift shut, and then I was dreaming.

Six years later: First day of High School

"Now don't forget –"

"Dad, I've got this," I smiled at him. My fathers, John and Sherlock Watson-Holmes stood in the living room, both had worried looks on their faces. "I'm a big girl now, I can walk to school by myself. Besides, you know Uncle Mycroft will be watching my every move on the CCV. I've got my can of mace in my purse and my stiletto in my hair, I'll be fine." It was 7:30a.m. and if I didn't leave in the next two minutes, I was going to be late for my first day of public high school.

Dad bit his bottom lip and father had an arm wrapped around his shoulders, father smiled at me, "John, you know she will excel. The only ordinary level classes that she has are the requirements for freshmen." He turned to me, "Now, I know it will be hard, but try not to make everyone hate you, don't steal my appeal," he smirked.

It has been a long standing joke between us Holmes to see which one of us could piss more people off in one day, and as of recently, I have been winning.

I smirked back, "I make no promises, besides, you have been getting a bit slow!"

Before he could retort back I gave both of them a kiss on the cheek and walked out the door, "I'll text you when school is out!"

Okay, so maybe high-school wasn't such a great idea. It was fourth period and already, in my last three classes – advanced chemistry, Senior AP English, and advanced music – I have made everyone hate me, and I didn't even say anything about them! I guess it is odd for a freshman to be in so many advanced classes, it's not my fault that they are all so... ordinary.

Thankfully I have lunch after this, I wonder what school food is like?

"Watson, Jasmine?" my history teacher called.

"Here," I mumbled. I deliberately left off the Holmes on my registration, father has become quite famous around London and I wanted to try and be a normal kid for now.

If I were at home, I would most likely be throwing knives at my ceiling – dad won't let me shoot the wall like father – due to the boredom that reeks in this place!

My teacher, Ms. Wysong, was in her early thirties, happily married, pregnant – but she doesn't know –, has two older siblings, one which gave her the scar behind her right ear, and actually enjoys her job; that poor soul. She was wearing a brown skirt and a green top – both are at least three+ years old by the fraying at the hems – and flat shoes due to her weak arches. "Alright class! I would like to welcome you to an exciting year of European history! Don't think that this is a blow-off class, quit your snickering, because if you don't pass this class, you will never graduate."

Hmm, alto voice with a bit of authority in it, interesting. With her wavy hair and open face, I would have expected her to have a more timid voice, then again with the way she is holding herself, she is used to having people listen to her. Possibly has a high ranking position in a local organization... I need more data, I think I'll like this teacher.

"Since this is the first day, I think we will take it easy! So, get acquainted with each other and make some new friends!"

Never mind, I don't think I will like this teacher.

Instantly people began to talk to one another, chatting away about idle gossip and what they did over the summer. I pulled my book out of my bag – rereading the Hobbit for about the fiftieth time again – and began to fall into the world of Middle Earth.

"Hi," a timid voice said behind me.

I sighed, "Hello."

"My name is Erick," the boy said.

I ignored him and started to read again.

"What school did you go to?"

I clenched my jaw, "A private school, you have probably never heard of it." Because my Uncle had it specially formed for royal and influential families that was taught in a secret location, a.k.a. an "abandoned" warehouse in downtown London, but the inside is almost as elegant as the palace.

"Oh." Blessed silence. "Your name is Jasmine, right?" Instead of answering, I nodded. "What book are you reading?"

"The Hobbit," I replied and tried to sink back into my head.

"I love that book! Is this your first time reading it?" I shook my head. "I wouldn't have taken you for a reader."

"Looks can be deceiving." I myself am a perfect example, I have dark curly hair, my father's eyes, a very slight frame – puberty hasn't caught up to me yet –, and all around look sweet and innocent, but I can kill a man from a ten meters away with a knife. I've chased criminals all around London with my parents and have even scaled Big Ben – only forty feet up – to get a good shot at a jewel thief.

Erick was silent for a few moments, he was unfortunately trying to come up with something else to talk about. "Do you follow the Sherlock cases?"

This actually got my attention, I schooled my face into one of mild interest, "Hmm? No not really," I said and turned to face him.

Light brown hair, light brown eyes, should be wearing glasses but refuses to. Single child, parents are divorced, lives with the mother, mother has middle class job – just enough to make it and have a bit of spending money –, not popular at all, all around geek, an introvert, graced with good skin, very few friends, never had a girlfriend but not gay, ate toast and eggs for breakfast, biked to school, decently intelligent, lives on the east side of the river.

"Seriously? He is so cool, I really want to be like him when I get older! I've tried to deduce people like he does but -"

I smirked, "Deduce me then."

He blushed slightly – it actually makes him look better, "Um...okay..um..." He was silent for a moment, "You come from a family of money, took a cab to school, have a boyfriend, you own two cats and a fish, and... Honestly I have no idea."

I couldn't help myself, I busted out laughing and thankfully he laughed with me. "Well, you got one thing right, my family does have money – well my Uncle does, my parents make decent money."

He nodded in understanding, "I'm guessing that he got you into that school then?"

"Yeah, him and the headmaster are old friends," I replied. Okay, so maybe making friends isn't that difficult.

The rest of the class period carried on like that, easy conversation about trivial matters, and the entire time I gathered more data on how to be normal and about Erick. For instance, his father was cheating on his mother which is why they divorced three years ago, he does own two cats and a fish, loves to read and the Hobbit is his favorite book, has a group of friends that he sits with at lunch – invited me to sit with them, I accepted – and is allergic to peanuts.

When class was over, we made our way down to the dining area and grabbed a table near the back of the room. Note: school food looks disgusting and smells even worse. By the time we got back to the table, there were five more people, three girls and two boys.

Girl one: strawberry-blonde hair, hazel eyes, fair skin, just a bit taller than me, two years older than me, anime fan, lesbian – has eye on one of the other girls –, single father as parent, no siblings, owns a small dog – terrier. Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Kings

Girl two: brunette but has died hair a shocking shade of pink, dark complexion, brown eyes, Elizabeth's crush, two older brothers, parents are together but open relationship, smokes regularly, Senior, works at a music store, most likely has a secret tattoo on the pelvic region that her parents don't know about, and is bi-sexual. Name: Sandy Yates.

Girl three: dark red hair, light green eyes, almost as pale as me, skinny, borderline anorexic, abusive father who is also an alcoholic, mother does drugs, younger sister, owns a grey cat, and has tried to commit suicide at least three times in the last two months; in desperate need of therapy. Name: Amelia Hutchens.

Boy one: Asian decent – Korean if I had to guess –, tallest of the group, short hair spiked up, recently switched to contacts, father is a business man, mother is seeing another man, only child, likes Amelia, knows about Amelia's attempts, tries to act smart but is actually a huge disappointment to father, is planning to run away from home as soon as he hits eighteen. Name: Dae-Jung Huyn (Dae for short)

Boy two: Sandy blonde hair, bad acne, got his braces removed over the summer, comes from a very wealthy family but keeps it hidden, has a multiple-personality disorder, lives with grandparents, biological parents are dead, lives out in the country, reads to escape reality, and is very, very gay. Name: Nathan Reed.

Erick sat next to Nathan and motioned for me to sit next to him; I set my stuff down and sat as quietly as possible on the squeaky chairs. Everyone was watching me yet trying not to be to obvious about it... that is actually really nice.

"Hey guys, this is Jasmine," Erick said. As if on cue, the rest of the group dropped the not noticing act and began asking me questions. Easy stuff really: where I was from, do I like to read, what do my parents do (they were shocked that I had two fathers), do I like cats, and so on and so forth.

Everyone introduced themselves and told me just a little about them – I knew most of it already, but it was interesting to know that Liz is fluent in French and German, Amelia is an artist, Sandy sings opera, Dae can bake like a god (according to Amelia), and Nathan is in the closet, very deep in the closet.

Eventually the conversation flowed freely between the friends and I was left to listen and observe; it was obvious that everyone here has known each other for quite a long time and are almost like their own little family... and every single one of them is obsessed with my father.

"Did you hear that Sherlock apprehended a serial killer last night? Apparently the killer was targeting druggies and homeless people," Dae said.

Actually, that killer was killing off people who owed him money and was starting to try and sell to children, which is why father and I chased him all over London last night and my knees are scraped and bruised – I fell out of a tree.

"He is so cool... Wouldn't it be awesome if he gave a speech here?" Liz gushed.

Ha! Father would tear this place apart!

"Oh! What if there was a murder here and he solved it!" Nathan said.

"Well, that can be arranged," I mumbled...and they are staring again. "It can!" Especially when all of Scotland Yard has known you since you were a child, and an Uncle that could make the body disappear, and a father who has taught you how to leave absolutely no evidence.

Surprisingly, they laughed, "The only question is who to kill!" Amelia said. I saw the flash in her eyes, the flash of depression and suicide... a flash I have seen way to many times.

"How about one of the popular girls? Oh! How about Natalie East?" Sandy said.

"Speaking of the devil," Erick mumbled and the entire table fell silent.

A blonde girl – fake blonde – came walking up to the table flanked by two other girls; all of them were wearing blue "school-girl" skirts and white T-shirts. Fake tans, bleached teeth, walks with a swinging of the hips that is forced, expensive looking heels but are actually from a second hand store... actually, upon closer inspection, all of the leader's clothes were second hand. Interesting.

The trio stopped in front of the table and she sneered down at us, "Found another freak to join you? Just lovely, one more nerd to taint the school."

Freak. I hate that word. I had to literally bite my tongue, and now I can taste the blood.

"Oh, she's silent? Hmm, I recognize you, you were in my first hour class. Not just a nerd then, a true, genuine freak! Is she a fan of that cock-sucking faggot as well?"
I never get really angry, but for her I'll make an exception. I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Your father has recently filed for bankruptcy and lost all of his stocks in the American Market thanks to their economic downfall. Your mother is becoming an alcoholic and drug addict while your father is off fucking some other woman, a woman who is only a few years older than you. Due to your father's fuck up, you have had to sell all of your name-brand clothes, computer, cars, house, and other expensive items – such as your diamond earrings – so that you and your mother could rent an apartment. Occasionally your father shows up, but only to fuck your mother and to try and convince you to move with him. Ah, but you won't because when you were little he raped you and now you have a child out there in the foster care system. Every now and then you wonder about that child, but since you were... thirteen when that happened so you really don't care. What else? Well your little brother recently ran away and is currently living with your grandparents and you haven't seen him in weeks. Oh, and if you were wondering, yes you are pregnant, and no, it isn't your boyfriend's but the guy you cheated on him with. Shall I continue?" Dead silence. "No? What a pity." I grabbed my book and began to read.

Glancing up, the Natalie had tears in her eyes and her friends were looking at her with shocked faces, "Did I miss anything?" I drawled.

"You will pay for this!" she hissed.

"Unlikely."

With a snarl, she stormed off with the other two girls following her.

"I don't think she will be bothering you guys any time soon," I said. Still silence. I looked at the group and saw a look of shock and wonder on their faces.

"How did you do that?" Erick asked.

I hate it when I blush, but I felt the blood rise up, "Well, I've, um, always been able to do that."

"That's what Sherlock does, he deduces people by just looking at them..." Liz trailed off.

"Yes, I know, and it's more like observing," I said.

"No, like that is exactly what he does, I've seen it," Dae said. "He visited my father's company once with his partner and he was able to tell my dad his life history by just looking at him."

I continued eye-contact, even though I really wanted to look away, but that would make me look guilty. "I don't know what you are getting at. I've always been able to 'deduce' people ever since I was little."

"So when you were saying that it could be arranged..."

"Yes, I could probably get away with murder and the great Sherlock Holmes wouldn't even be able to figure it out," I said, and he wouldn't. He's tried to figure out many things that have "gone missing" in the flat, and never once had he traced it back to me...like his blue scarf from when him and dad first started dating. I sold that on e-bay and got fifty pounds for it! He still secretly blames Aunt Molly, but let me assure you, that is not the case!

"Awesome!" Sandy said, "Let's do it!"

"No. If my father ever found out that I killed someone at my school... Okay scratch that, my dad would be horrified and my father would be proud but peeved that he couldn't figure it out," I laughed.

Dead silence. Right, my slip up, of course they would notice that. "What do you mean that he would be proud but peeved that he couldn't figure it out?" Amelia asked.

"Well he would be, my father is a very intelligent man," I said.

They weren't buying it, I could see it. "Jasmine?"

Erick was looking at me a bit odd, "The teacher did say your last name is Watson..."

"Watson is actually a very common name," I snapped back.

"Defensive are we? Why?" Nathan asked.

Ugh! This! This is why I don't socialize! "Wouldn't you be if everyone was treating you like this?"

"No, not really," Nathan replied.

"What's your address?" Amelia asked in a nonchalant voice.

Automatically, which is what she was counting on, I replied, "221 B Baker Street." Well fuck.

Now everyone was openly staring at me with awe and the look that people reserve for super-stars. Great, now they won't treat me like a normal person.

"So is it true that he keeps body parts in the fridge?" Liz asked.

"There is more body parts than there is food in that house," I replied. Surprisingly, everyone laughed and they fell back into easy conversation... What the hell?

The bell rang dismissing lunch; Erick hung back to talk to me, "So you don't follow his cases, huh?"

I smirked, "No, I help with them."

He laughed, "What class do you have next?"

I pulled my schedule out of my pocket, "Ugh, Introduction to Drama... How is this even relevant?"

"I've got that class now too, so does Amelia and Liz, this is going to be awesome!" he said.

"Listen, could you and the others not spread it around who my parents are? Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly, but it tends to make my life...complicated," I explained.

"Sure, no problem. Besides, you were cool even before we found out, now you are just mega-cool," Erick joked.

Did he just...flirt with me?

Out of class, heading home – JWH

OK. Pick up up milk -SH

Dad told you to do that today -JWH

Been busy. -SH

So? -JWH

Please -SH

Fine. Can a friend come over? -JWH

Friend? -SH

Yes, I made a friend today, actually quite a few -JWH

Ask your dad. -SH

He's at work. -JWH

So? -SH

Ugh! -JWH

"I've got to ask my dad, give me a minute," I told Amelia. She didn't want to go home, couldn't blame her.

Dad, can a friend come home with me? Father told me to ask you -JWH

"I thought you just did," Amelia said.

"I asked my father, he is being stubborn," I told her.

Sure. You made a friend? -JW

Yes, I made a few today. Is it that hard to believe? -JWH

"He said yes. I have to pick up milk though," I said and we began to walk to my home.

No, not really... Okay, yeah, kind of, lol -JW

Haha -JWH

When we arrived at my house, I could tell that she was starting to get nervous, "It's fine," I said, "My father is actually nice at times... I think."

She smiled, "I just don't want to offend him," she said as we walked up the stairs.

"Jaz, is that you?" Mrs. Hudson called from her door.

"Yes Mrs. H!" I called back.

"How was school?"

We stopped walking and I leaned over the banister to look at our land-lady, "It was actually okay, I made friends!"

"That's wonderful deary! Are they human this time?"

Amelia choked on a laugh, "Yes, one is with me right now, I brought proof!"

I could hear Mrs. H laughing with us, "Alright, you two behave then. Oh, and Sherlock has been shooting the wall again, so he might be in a mood."

"Got it covered," I replied.

We finished walking upstairs and stopped in front of my door, "Seriously, don't worry, I'll make him behave." I smirked and opened the door, "Father, I'm home!"

He was lying on the couch, hands in his thinking pose and dad's gun lying on the coffee table next to him.

"Hmm? Oh, good. Hand me my phone will you?"

"It's on the table, you can grab it," I told him. I swear he should get a lazy award somedays.

He sighed and sat up; instantly I could see him categorizing Amelia, "Don't," I told him. He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Fine."

"Father, this is Amelia Hutchens," I said, "Amelia, this is my father, Sherlock Holmes."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said and smiled slightly at him.

He nodded and went to lay back down, "Do you mind if we go out for the night? My other friends wanted to catch a movie," I said.

Father froze and looked at me, "I haven't met your other friends yet, nor has John."

"Please?" I stuck my lower lip out slightly and did the famous "Holmes puppy-look" that father is so fond of pulling on dad.

I saw his resolve crumble, "What if they meet here?"

"Well we were supposed to meet next door anyways... Oh, god, Liz is going to have a heart-attack!" I laughed. "By the way father, they are sort of obsessed with you."

He scowled, "Great. Fans."

"Well we are going to be in my room, please don't shoot the ceiling," I said.

He scoffed, but to make sure I walked over to him, kissed him on the forehead and grabbed the gun.

Father shot me a scowl but then went right back into his "mind palace" to work on the most recent case – two missing children, only one set of footprints as evidence.

"Is he always like this?" Amelia asked as we went up to my room – the milk was already in the fridge.

"Yeah, pretty much. The majority of the time he just sits there and thinks or he plays the violin... Like at three in the morning, every morning," I said. She laughed and continued to look around the flat.

My room used to be my dad's room – before the two tossers got together – and when I was about twelve, they said that I was allowed to paint it however I wanted it. Well, now my room is a deep purple with silver trimming and pictures of London and other cities in black and white hanging on the walls. Uncle Mycroft got a special bed for my room, it is a canopy but is made of black wrought-iron and the design are actual jasmine flowers. The curtains that hang around my bed are silver with black swirls and flowers stitched in. Then, on the wall opposite of my bed, is a huge dartboard with my throwing knives sticking out of it... I love my knives.

"Your room is... amazing!"

"Uh...thanks...I guess," I mumbled. "So, what do you want to do while we wait?"

Amelia sits down in the chair near my window – an old rocking chair that used to be Mrs. Hudson's, "Well... I guess we could get ready for the movies. Surely you are not going to wear that."

I glanced down at my clothes, I was wearing my favorite pair of jeans – admittedly they were a bit big and raggedy, but they are comfortable – and a black hoodie. "What's wrong with this?"

She raised and eyebrow and shook her head, "Please! Don't you want to impress Erick? I'm pretty sure he likes you."

"Why do I care?" Honestly, relationships are a bit pointless.

Amelia scoffed and walked over to my closet; when she opened the doors she paused, "Are you telling me that you have a closet full of name-brand clothes that you don't even wear?"

I nodded, "They are to conspicuous for investigating and tailing people."

"Well tonight you are not helping your father with a case, I am forcing you to be a normal teenager and that means dressing up!"

I don't like the look that is in her eyes.

There was a knock on my door, "Jaz? There is someone at our door asking for you and your friend, she says her name is Elizabeth," my dad said.

"Can you send her in Mr. Watson? I called her to help me get Jaz ready!" Amelia said.

"Ready?" I know that tone, that amused but worried tone that he uses all the time with father.

"I'm giving Jaz a make-over and Liz is great with hair," she explained.

"She's lying dad, I'm being tortured," I muttered which got me a thump on my head. Are all girls like this?

"I don't hear any screaming though! I'll send her up Amelia," dad said.

"Thank you!"

I have been sitting in this chair for over an hour while Amelia played Barbie with me; my nails were painted, eyebrows plucked, face scrubbed and moisturized, and a layer of foundation has been applied expertly to my face. She already has my out fit picked out – a pair of jeans that actually fit and a purple blouse that Aunt Molly had gotten me for my birthday this year with a pair of black heeled boots to top it off. Amelia began to apply the eye-liner when Liz came in and she almost poked my eye out.

"Ouch!"

"Stay still!"

I glanced over at Liz and she was just gaping at us – I am currently in my bath robe and undergarments since Am insisted that I can't get makeup on my clothes. "So, I'm guessing you met my parents?"

She nodded with a huge grin on her face, "I still cannot believe that I'm actually in 221B! My life is complete!"

I scoffed which moved my head which in turn earned me another thump on the head from my torturer. "Hold still or I will poke your eye out! By the way, your eyes are gorgeous."

"Uh, thanks, I guess," I mumbled and tried to keep my eyes open.

Thankfully, she was done with the liner quickly and went on to apply a bit of color – silver liner smudged slightly according to her – and then the mascara. "I almost don't need this, but I don't want to leave this unfinished," she muttered and ordered me to blink a few times. "Okay Liz, work your magic!"

Elizabeth worked my hair out of it's braid, "Hmm, well, honestly the only thing I'm going to need is a bit of product and it should be fine once I get the part right."

Less than five minutes later, they were done. "Okay, sit tight while your hair sets, in the mean time, Amelia and I will freshen up."

They started to re-apply their make up and fix their hair; in the mean time I grabbed my knives and sat on my bed. The first thud in the wall startled them, especially since it landed right above their heads. "Was that necessary?"

I smirked and threw another one at the board this time, "Sort of."

"Alright, get dressed."

I grabbed my clothes and slipped them on easily, the boots were another story. "What is with all of these laces? They are unnecessary!" I growled and was half tempted to throw them out my window.

"They're for decoration," Liz said and dropped down and helped me.

Finally I was deemed ready and we made our way downstairs with my credit card in my back pocket – it has its perks to be the only niece of the "British Government".

"Jaz do you need... Are you sure you are my daughter?" dad asked. Even I have to admit, I look totally different with the make-up and clothes on.

"No, not really," I said, "I think they knocked me out and switched my brain with someone else's."

Dad's eyes lit up, "I've got to get a picture of this."

"No!" But it was to late, he was off to get the camera from his room. "Father, please tell dad to not take a picture of me!"

"Why is he taking a picture of you?"

As if on cue, dad walked out of the room and snapped a picture of me then showed it to father, "This is why."

I saw father tense and then he sat up to look at me... I'm starting to hate silence. "I thought you were going to the movies, not have tea with Mycroft."

"I am, blame these two," I muttered.

He raised an eyebrow, "You are going downstairs to meet with the rest of the group now, correct?"

I stared at him for a moment, oh God, I know that look, "Actually I think we are –"

"Yep! Okay, come on Jaz, everyone is waiting," Liz said. She grabbed me by the elbow and all but dragged me out of the room, "We'll have her back later!"

You know those days where nothing goes as planned? Yeah, this is my day.

If it wasn't for Liz being taller than me, I most likely would have fallen down these cursed stairs... That would give me a reason to stay home. Already I could feel the perspiration form on the back of my neck and my stomach twist into knots. Chase down a serial killer in the pouring rain? I can do that no problem! Meet up with friends while dressed in nice clothes? Screw this, take me back to my room.

"Um, I don't feel to well," I mumble before we reach the door.

"To bad, suck it up, buttercup," Liz snapped, "Amelia did not just spend two hours on you for you to back out."

Note about Elizabeth: has one hell of a temper and does not like it when people back out. Also, is hoping to make a move on Sandy tonight.

We stopped before leaving the safety of my building, Liz turned and looked me straight in the eye, "Okay, here is the deal. You will be a teenager tonight! I already talked to Mr. Watson and he agreed that under no circumstances – family death excluded – are you to be home early tonight, he said that ten is the earliest you are allowed home. In that case, we are going to have fun and possibly get in trouble, deal?"

I can only imagine the look on Uncle Greg's face if we end up in jail... It's almost worth it.

I took a deep breath and nodded, "Deal, but please, no more make-up."

Liz and Amelia laughed; they flanked me out the door and we made are way to next door to meet everyone else. The other three already had a table and were waiting on us, and by the looks on their faces – especially Erick's – I was one hell of a surprise.

...This night ought to be interesting.