Chapter 1:

Allen had been here for almost a month. He dreamt of New York when his head hit the pillow. He had a nagging feeling that he was going thru life with it on pause until he could get back. He was 17. It would be 7 months before he would legally be allowed to leave of his own free will to New York. But he would be there as soon as he hit eighteen.

Sure he would miss his mothers but they had kept this other half of his life secret for sixteen years.

It still stung when he thought of it.

"You are our son, Allen. They got Magalie and we got you. That was fair. It wasn't like we tried to keep both of you." Somehow Aline thought this was sound. She was crazy if she thought it was fair in the least bit.

"Yes, but you knew about both of us. You never told dad about me. You made me think I was just unwanted by him."

"I never told you that," she huffed.

"No but you never told me any different either."

"Sweetie," Helen was more even keeled than Aline and often play defense between the two. Allen got his temper from his mother. "We just wanted you to be happy. If you had known half of your life would have been there. You would have travelled between the two families. And so would Magalie. Think how that would have affected your studies and training."

It was all bull that Aline had fed her over the years. Sometimes he thought there was something off in his mom's head. He figured it out eventually. She was insecure. She thought he might choose them over her. Helen was loving and accepting of things; she would have gone along with half and half custody.

His mother was being selfish necessarily just scared. He loved her so he would stay with her for now. He wouldn't make a big deal about moving but he let her know he was going to move when he hit 18. "It's only fair. You got me all to yourself for almost seventeen years. You won't be able to control me then."

She had looked at him with hurt eyes. "Don't let me keep you from your real family then," she had crossed her arms. Guilt. She was using her best offensive moves now.

"Mom," he had said and put his arms around her. "I love you and I want to be with you but I have to find myself." He kissed her cheek. "Please understand, mom."

She had let a single tear slip down her cheek. "I know. I just hate that you've grown up so fast."

Allen sat now, wishing he had taken her up on the moving now. His room was like a torture chamber where the walls slowly came closer and closer together. He needed out of there. He got up and threw a sweater on over his long sleeved button up shirt. He would go to town and get some fresh air. There was a downworlder restaurant that was in town. From the outside it looked like an old run down fish market with a closed sign on its door, but inside it was bright and lively.

He rode his bike into town. He opened the door Chang's Foods. He ordered some sushi and ramen. His waiter was someone he knew by name. He was about his age, his name was Cong. He smiled at him as he took his order and brought him the tea he had requested. He had thought at one time, how fun it might be to be his friend. Cong was a werewolf. He had been bitten about a year ago, that was when he started working and Chang's Foods.

Allen took in the room now. People sat in groups. He was the only one who sat alone. Well, that was the perfect model of his life, wasn't it?

He drank deeply on the warm tea and wondered how you actually became friends with someone. His people skills could be classified as awkward at best. He was too shy to actually talk to anyone without turning lobster red. It was ridiculous for an almost grown man to be this way. He ate his food when it came in a sour mood.

He had friends by default in New York.

He thought of them now. He liked everyone there. He had Max and Rory and Magi and even Simon. He seemed to really get along with the Vampire. He looked the same age as them even though he was his parents' age in reality. Isis was a great person too. Maxine was fun to be around. She really knew how to make people laugh. She and Rory were perfect for one another too. They were so in love.

Magi loved Isis beyond compare. He had never seen a love greater than that one.

Magnus and Alec might tie in that department. He even like hanging out with his dads. Magnus had been awkward around him at the beginning. He hadn't really noticed it until he started acting normal around him. Then he realized Magnus was never quiet and always had to last word. No matter how much you tried to beat him out.

He thought about the present Magnus had given him last month when he was there for Christmas. It had been a sweater. It was bright purple and snug fitting. Not ill fitting really, just tighter than Allen was used to. Alec had said, "Don't worry; he does this to me all the time. You can usually get the receipt if you beg hard enough. Or he might trade it for one in your taste if you pester him enough."

Magnus had waived that thought off. "He is too young and cute to be wearing bland stuff all the time. He is still on the market, Alec!"

Allen had kept the sweater. He might wear it next time he was going to see Magnus. It would make him happy. He smiled at the thought.

He was done with his meal. He laid the money out for it and headed out the door. Away from all the reminders of how alone he really was. His motorcycle was something he enjoyed. He felt free with the wind whipping around him as he drove it. He had a bike when he was a kid. This was his upgrade that he got when he turned sixteen.

It rumbled beneath him as he idled at a light. The energy in it seemed to want to keep in constant motion. To Hell with these red lights. Soon enough it was green again so he let the bike fly. He would have to take it to the US when he went to live.

Too soon the ride ended because he was home.

He moved to his room and to his computer. He needed to talk.

Magi,

I am realizing just how lonely I have always been. Really, I am beginning to fear for my sanity. It used to be something that bugged me but it was just a slight problem because I didn't know another way of life. I miss you all.

I was eating at Chang's Foods (it's our version of Taki's) and there were all these people there, but I was the only one there ALONE. AGAIN! I just felt like an outsider in my own world. I grew up here but that means nothing.

Basically, I feel like my life is at a standstill until I can come home.

Yeah, I feel like New York is home.

Oh, by the way, any luck on finding me a girl there? (Just kidding—unless you found someone)

Mom gave me a guilt trip when I told her I was going to be moving there in a few months. I want to be there for us to celebrate 18 together. Twin Time!

Hey, ask Isis if it is possible to portal with a motorcycle. I need to know. If not I might be flying there again. I will need my bike with me when I move.

Tell me everything that is going on over there. Send some pictures or something.

Al

He hit send and went to the library to get a book to read. He had pretty much read every book cover to cover but he was bored and needed something to do. He pulled out an old classic and sat on the chaise that was in there.

Soon he had dosed off.

AN: this was really the first full glimpse into the world of Allen. I promise it will not always be so mopey. He is really and truly a happy guy… this just isn't the right place for him now in his life. Something will be taking him home sooner than his birthday though, so don't worry there won't seven fictional months of all this boredom. I just have to set the tone here….

Bear with me, guys and gals.