a/n:

certain timelines and events have been altered to fit the story.

i own nothing but my personally created characters

enjoy! xx

chapter one: caydence kane.

Caydence Kane battled in wars over things that didn't exist, sobbed for those impossible to ever meet, cheered for events that weren't truly happening, and resided in countless realms that couldn't be physically stepped into.

Caydence Kane was a bibliophile.

Every book, fiction and nonfiction alike, she could recount them all. They were her single joy, truest passion, and absolute reason for living.

Caydence Kane was also a wee bit dramatic. Overly enthusiastic, one could say. But that's often passion's consequence.

"Caydence," the near seventeen-year old's father caused her to place a bookmark in the middle of a compelling chapter.

"Yes?" she tried to mask her frustration.

Marcus Kane sighed. "Finish and we'll talk."

Nodding excitedly, she wasted not a single second, rushing to read the last few sentences.

After several minutes, she informed him, "Finished," whilst smiling contentedly.

"If only you completed your schoolwork as quickly," her father mildly berated. Kane knew he'd lucked out in having a daughter obsessed with reading, not one who fawned over frivolous things or other nefarious matters and he honestly could not be more grateful.

"I do the reading," she shrugged, "I just don't see why I need to write about it," Caydence gnawed on her bottom lip. It was a bad habit she needed to kick. "Seems a bit excessive," she complained.

"That's the point," he informed her, slightly irritated. "You answer the questions and list your thoughts so that a teacher can explain theirs and-"

"I don't need their thoughts. I like my own just fine," she sassed, aware that her father spoke the undesired truth. She loved learning but loathed repetitively discussing what she'd already read.

Kane pinched the bridge of his nose, choosing to change the topic altogether. "How was your day, Caydence?"

She laughed at his expense, "It was triumphant one," she beamed. "I read for most of it and none of my favorite characters died."

He couldn't help but to smile, "Good to hear."

"How was yours?" she pried, aware he'd explain soon enough.

"It was-"

"Wait, let me guess," Caydence took a breath and adjusted her posture to appear serious, "Abby annoyed you as she always does, Chancellor Jaha didn't take your advice yet again, the Ark is falling apart because it just always is..." she placed a hand upon her forehead dramatically.

"That's quite enough," he shook his head, not needing to wonder where this attitude of hers originated from. He smiled as Caydence reminded him so much of his late wife.

Her mother.

"I'm going to take a walk, okay?" she asked as though it weren't a question, knowing her father would be fine with it as he always was. "And while I'm not going to suggest you do the same as I am not the parent in this scenario, I highly recommend you find a way to clear your head," she kindly suggested, "Let's keep the glass half full, not empty," she tilted her head in deep thought, "This is theoretically speaking as you know we can always get refills and-"

"Caydence," Kane cut her off, "Go on your walk before it's already curfew," he reminded her of the time and lack of need to ramble on despite finding it quite amusing.

"Yes sir," she saluted him sassily before sprinting away, dodging the potential to be reprimanded.

Caydence smirked inwardly as she strode toward medical, off to play the role of Robin Hood.

And while lying left a bitter taste in her mouth, it was her only choice. It wasn't just an oxymoron. It was a fact.