Chapter 1

"Edwin," Juliet began, "I would like to attend a public high school."

"Juliet, I would not like to have this conversation with you. I have told you many times before; public schools are not a safe place for you."

"I can defend myself. You know that. I train more than I study." Edwin pondered the thought for a moment. It was true; he himself had trained Juliet from birth to defend herself as a precaution. She was beyond capable of defending herself, but it wasn't the sleazy high school boys he was worried about, no, his worries laid far deeper.

"I will think about it, Juliet. I will have an answer by dinnertime. Now open your book to page fourteen." Juliet rushed over to him and hugged him tightly. Having Juliet's bubbly personality around wasn't something Edwin was used to quite yet, even after fifteen years with her. Juliet's parents were killed in a disastrous house fire when Juliet was only two years old. Juliet, of course, had no memories of her parents and Edwin was the only person she had ever known. He had raised her ever since the tragedy. Edwin was quiet and often kept to himself in his study, leaving only for Juliet's studies and training.

Juliet stared blankly at the open book in front of her. She was far too distracted to listen to Edwin's lecture about academics. She kept thinking about the thought of going to a real life school, the kind she read about in books. The only thing Juliet really had were her books, except for Edwin of course. Juliet was a pretty girl. She had long blonde hair and a perfect body, the kind models killed for. Her attractive, defined facial features were a blessing from her mother. On the other hand, her cleverness and intelligence were all of her own. In addition, she had her own little things about her; her curiosity, her ambitious side, and her desire for adventure.

The sun was just dipping below the horizon when Edwin finished Juliet's lesson. When they were through, Edwin lumbered into the kitchen to make dinner. He placed his elbows on the counter and rested his narrow face into his hands. He had known the day would come when Juliet would want to go to a public school, he even planned what he was going to say, but it turned out harder than he thought; saying no to Juliet. She was in the eleventh grade that was old enough, right? This is what he had been training her for; the outside world hadn't it?

Edwin tossed his wired rimmed glasses onto the granite counter top. He scrubbed his face with his hands hoping to wash away the feeling of defeat. What was he to do? He put back on his glasses and prepared dinner.

"Juliet, dinner is ready." Edwin called. He heard Juliet waltzing down the stairs. He smiled. He set their plates on the wood table and sat at his seat. Juliet sat across from him and began shoveling bites of chicken into her mouth. Edwin spooned a bite into his mouth and chewed it carefully. After he swallowed, he looked up at Juliet. "I'm going to enroll you at Oakley High School tomorrow." Edwin stated. His mouth went dry, it was too late to take it back, and there was no turning back.

Juliet's face lit up in enlightenment. Her violet eyes widened and she quickly swallowed the piece of chicken in her mouth without chewing. "Thank you, Edwin." She replied with a smile. Edwin nodded briefly and that was the last the spoke that night. Edwin never minded silence; he even found comfort in it. Maybe that was why he loved his house, tucked away in the woods of Oakley, Kansas away from the outside, away from the danger.

Juliet was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't stop smiling. She attempted to close her eyes to sleep, but couldn't. Her mind ran wild with thoughts of a real high school. She glanced at her clock, the tiny digital letters read; 11:00pm. She sighed and tugged her thin quilt over her head. "Juliet, you must go to sleep. You don't want to appear tired your first day of high school."She chided to herself. Soon her eyelids began heavy and she drifted off into a peaceful rest.

Edwin quietly stepped into Juliet's room around five o'clock. He had never entered her room before, it was never necessary. He was surprised to see how immaculately clean it was, not a single paper was out of place. He knocked quietly on the doorframe. "Juliet, its morning, I thought you might like to wake up a little early to get ready. I am going to call the school and get you enrolled." Juliet leaped from her bed, startling Edwin. She beamed at Edwin and rushed into the bathroom. Edwin walked down the stairs, chuckling to himself; Juliet was so easy to please.

Juliet turned on the shower and stepped in, not waiting for it to warm up. She scrubbed herself clean and wrapped herself in a towel. Running her hairbrush through her hair, Juliet walked to her room to decide on an outfit to wear. Her wardrobe was limited containing only pajamas, her training clothes, and a handful of shirts and pants. Juliet pulled on a pair of black pants and a snug fitting black sweater. She pulled on her black canvas shoes and towel dried her hair. Her blond hair fell in natural waves the stopped just above her waist. "Juliet? Are you ready to go?" Edwin called from the first floor. Juliet grabbed her favorite grey backpack.

"Yes, coming!" Juliet called in response. She bounced down the stairs and slid into the passenger seat of Edwin's car. Edwin handed Juliet a small brown paper sack. Juliet gave it a questioning glance. "Your lunch." Edwin stated. Juliet smiled and placed it delicately in her bag. They drove in silence to the school.