CHAPTER ONE:

The priceless Chinese vase went tumbling to the floor for the third time that day as Amy jumped, the old-fashioned doorbell startling her. "No!" she yelped, diving forward to try and save it again.

Three was not a charm in this case.

The porcelain shattered, and Amy managed to catch herself before she face-planted in the shards. But her right hand grazed the ground and got sliced by a particularly sharp one.

"That was graceful," muttered her little brother Dan, rolling his eyes as he strolled into the foyer. "Really, Amy, it's just family."

"Just fam - " began Amy, outraged, but she was cut off by a second ring of the doorbell. As Dan strolled forward to open the door, Amy swallowed and tried to compose herself. She'd been a mess all day, knocking things over and getting overemotional at the tiniest things. But she couldn't help it: the Madrigals had decided that the 'next generation' of new Cahills should train together, and some of them - well, one in particular - made her nervous.

"Hello, Daniel," said a smooth British voice. "I thought you would never open the door. Really, you should invest in a butle-"

Ian Kabra's voice dropped away as Amy appeared behind Dan. "As h-helpful as always, Ian," she said, trying to stay calm.

"I know you have missed it, Amy." Ian's eyes bore into her's, challenging her to deny it. "As much as you have missed me."

"Ugh, gross. Take your flattery away, Ian," grumbled Dan.

"For once, I agree with Daniel," piped up Natalie Kabra from behind Ian. "Really, may we just come in? I have to carry my bags myself because I was told that no servants were allowed, and they are getting very heavy." Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the reminder of the weights that she was carrying, although when Amy glanced down, all that Natalie had in her hands was a little purse; the four other pink suitcases were waiting at the end of the drive.

Dan moved away from the door. "Be careful, there's glass everywhere," he called over his shoulder. "I'm not sure what the pottery has done to annoy Amy, but that poor vase has finally gone to heaven with four of its other friends." He heaved a dramatic sigh.

Amy blushed as Ian gave her a questioning look. "Tragic," he said. Then his eyes dropped to her clenched hands, the right of which was slowly dripping blood. "What is that?"

"Nothing!"

Amy hid the hand behind her back, but not quick enough. Ian grabbed it and easily forced open her fingers, revealing the cut that sliced her hand. His fingers traced over the torn skin. "Amy, don't be ridiculous. You might need stitches," he murmured.

Stop it! she wanted to scream. Stop it! "I'm fine," she said in a tight voice, pulling away again. Don't play these games with me again, Ian, she pleaded silently. Stop pretending. "I'm getting a glass of water."

She could still feel his fingers touching her hand as she stalked towards the kitchen.


Ian watched Amy leave the room, somewhat baffled by her reaction. She's gotten stronger, he thought with mild surprise. She never used to stand up to me like that.

"Daniel, would you please help me with my bags?" asked Natalie primly. "I don't know if I will be able to take care of them myself."

"Right away, Princess," Dan replied sarcastically.

"Yo, princess? What's with all the crazy talk here, homie." Jonah Wizard invited himself into the house, brushing past Natalie and Ian to slap Dan on the back.

"Hey, Jonah."

Ian could tell Dan was struggling not to roll his eyes again.

"Where's that sista of yours?" Jonah turned on his heel, looking for Amy, just as Nellie came dancing through one of the doorways, her eyes closed and her head bobbing to some wild music in her head. The two collided, falling to the floor. Jonah's Cahill reflexes kicked in at once, his hand flying out to protect her head as he landed on top of her.

For a moment, Nellie had an unreadable, dangerous-looking expression on her face. She looks like she either wants to hit him or kiss him, thought Ian with some amusement.

It was the first option. "Get off me you jerk," said Nellie, slapping Jonah across the face.

Jonah sat up, looking utterly surprised, putting his hand to is cheek. "You hit me."

"No shoot, Sherlock," grumbled Nellie, getting to her feet. "Keep raping me and you'll get worse than that."

Muffled laughter came from behind Ian as Nellie danced her way back out of the room. "I totally heard the wrong part of that conversation," said Hamilton Holt, striding through the doorway with a grin. "Hey, buddy, how's it going?"

"Hi, Ham," said Dan brightly, though he looked a little pained when Hamilton gave him a huge hug. "Hey, watch the ribs; broke one a few months ago."

"Sucks to be you," said Sinead Starling uncaringly as she climbed the front steps. Then she stopped in the doorway, seeming to notice the broken pottery. "What happened here?"

"She hit me," said Jonah wonderingly, his hand still on his cheek.


Author's Note

These are the ages in this story. Do note, however, that I have taken artistic license and fiddled with a few of them to make this all work. Dan and Natalie were both accelerated grades because they're smart; normally, they'd be older freshman. (: Okay?

Nellie - 20 yrs., 'head' of the household in this story

Amy - 17 yrs., junior in high school

Dan - 14 yrs., freshman in high school

Ian - 17 yrs., junior in high school

Natalie - 14 yrs., freshman in high school

Hamilton - 18 yrs., senior in high school

Sinead - 18 yrs., senior in high school

Jonah - 19 yrs., not in school