CHAPTER TWO

In all honesty, Lexi was terrified of flying. The only time she was less afraid, was when she was flying herself; it made her feel more in control. Of course the crash that she just sustained made her realize that she was safe flying, since she had made it out of there with only a few scratches. The entire helicopter ride though, was still insanely nerve-wracking.

Early on in the flight the pilot had told her why they had shown up so fast. It turns out they had already been looking for her. Instead of making her feel like her 'parents' cared about her, it was more of an always-being-watched sort of feeling. Did they have someone trailing her wherever she went? Again, she shouldn't have been surprised that Brianna and Joe would do something like that.

When their home-away-from-home was finally visible, Lexi sighed in relief. "E.T.A. approximately ten minutes, Miss. Black," the co-pilot informed her. Instructions for landing were given from the mansion, and security protocols checked. Finally, Lexi was able to hop off and jog to the roof door. Lexi glanced at her watch. 9:31 it read. Shit.

She took off. Brianna had said 9:30 sharp. Even without the 'sharp' part, Lexi knew that she had to be on time. This was one of the many times that she wished that their house was not the size of the white house. Seriously, their house in the U.S. wasn't even as big as this one!

Out of breath, she pulled the door open to the back patio. No one was out there. She looked at her watch again, 9:35. "Brianna?" Lexi called.

No answer.

Lexi figured Brianna must be late or something—not that that was believable or anything, Brianna was never, ever late. Her breathing hadn't completely turned back to normal, as she turned in circles, as if waiting for Brianna to jump out at her. Lexi was very conscious of her dirty, ripped clothing as she eased herself down onto the glider, only to jump up when she heard the sliding-glass-door open. It was Brianna, no surprise. The look on her face, though, was surprising: she looked murderous. "You didn't tell me you me the Weasleys," she seethed.

Taking a step back, Lexi stared at Brianna in shock. ….and? She thought to herself. Thoughts raced around her brain, until she realized, wait, how does she even know them?

Brianna just kept staring, her fists were balled by her sides, and her back was leaning forward; menacing was a good word for the stance she had taken. Lexi's mouth moved, but no words came. What was she supposed to say?

"Oh…um…sorry," she finally stuttered out.

"Sorry, that's the best you can come up with? That you're sorry?" Brianna's voice—though it had started low and even—was about a shriek when she had finished.

Jeez, what's the big deal?

Yelling was good for Lexi when it came to fights. It woke her up and made her mad. It's always easier to fight someone who yells than someone who doesn't. "What are you talking about? Why does it even matter to you?" She snapped, taking a step towards Brianna.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Brianna reiterated.

"Excellent," Lexi said sarcastically, "so now you want to be best friends, and talk about our problems over tea, and cry together? Why would I tell you about something as trivial as meeting someone, when you don't care about the anything else that has ever happened?" Lexi raised an eyebrow at her, daring her to answer.

"Because," Brianna said, trying to keep her voice calm, but it shook with anger, "unlike everything else in your life, this is important."

"Oh God, I don't want to be all buddy-buddy with you," Lexi said, responding to Brianna's slightly sickened look her previous statement had evoked. "Why is this so important anyway?"

"Why? Do you know who they are?" Brianna asked.

"I'll have to guess 'the Weasleys'" Lexi said sarcastically.

Brianna's glare hardened, obviously not in the mood. "I meant, don't you know what they are? Or are you really so thick, that you didn't notice?" Brianna sneered. Her British accent had slipped out; it always did whenever she got really angry. For some reason, she always tried to hide it.

"What they are… you mean, like, human?" Lexi thought back to the encounter this morning. What the hell is she talking about?

Brianna slapped her across the face. Lexi knew that she was pissed, and crying out and wincing in pain would satisfy her anger. So, Lexi just raised her eye brows at her, daring her to hit her again. Lexi's face may have been clear, but her mind was going a mile a minute. She just slapped me for not telling her I met the Weasleys? What the hell is going on? And what is the big deal with them?

Lexi ran her tongue around her mouth, stretching her cheek to see how much damage had been done. Brianna had never been a hard hitter; it was Joe she was worried about.

"Not human, you idiot, obviously they're human. God and you were supposed to be some genius that was powerful or something! Lucius promised, promised that you would be worth the 'few difficulties' as a child. NO, you have always been worthless! I never wanted children! Never, ever wanted children! Actually, I still don't. I'm not allowed to kick you out, which is the only reason that you are still here. God," Brianna said, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Who's Lucius? Why are you afraid of him?" Lexi asked, thoroughly lost. "Oh yeah, and what's the big deal with the Weasleys? You still haven't answered that question."

Brianna's face flushed, and quickly said, "I do not—am not—afraid of him! I do not know what you are talking about. And he happens to be one of the most respected and feared people of our world."

The way she had said 'our world' made it sound like Brianna and Lucius were in on this 'our world' thing, but Lexi wasn't. Lexi didn't have a word for how lost and confused she was. Okay, she thought, trying to straighten out her thoughts, she is obviously afraid of Lucius, and something about 'our world'… well that clears that up… she thought sarcastically.

Lexi decided to go in denial, and just pretend she was laughing off this whole encounter. "Our world' huh," she decided to ask.

"Don't mock me, Alexia; you don't have to believe me all you want. It's just like you to play ignorant; too afraid of the truth. Lucky you, I'm not going to tell you about our world, so don't worry yourself," Brianna sneered.

"Well, is there anything else or can I leave?" Lexi asked, trying to sound bored, realizing Brianna wasn't going to give in and spill whatever she knew.

Brianna straightened, and put on her 'business' face, remembering why she was here. "You're grounded, and you are never allowed to go to The Burrow again, understood?"

"The Burrow…?" Lexi asked, still trying to get information.

"Yes, the Burrow. That disgusting house that those blood traitors lives in…" Brianna trailed off. Lexi would have laughed at that ridiculous statement, if Brianna didn't look so serious. Blood traitors… what the hell? First of all, what are they traitors against, and secondly… how does Brianna know them?

Brianna seemed to forget that Lexi was even in the room, because she completely just walked out, still muttering to herself. Lexi dropped down onto the glider she had sat on before Brianna came. She was missing something; that was the only logical explanation.

"Oh God, I need to run," she muttered.

*****

Three months later, she found herself remembering that night, and, coincidently running again. She realized, after she was already about a mile or so away from her house, that wearing black sweatpants and a navy blue t-shirt was not very smart. It was around 10pm, and she was completely invisible.

'Hey, J-J-Jaded, you've got your mamma's smile but you're yesterday's child to me… so Jaded,' sang through her headphones. [Jaded by Aerosmith] The trees on her left were swaying slightly in the August breeze, and the few cars on her right were honking their horn at her; they hadn't noticed her until the very last second.

She turned her upper-body around to yell, "I'm sorry!" at the seventh car that had done that to her. She was about to face forward again, when she felt something crash into her left leg. Momentum pushed her body forward, but the bike's speed threw her backwards.

Lexi staggered to her feet, and before the woman even got up, Lexi could tell she was not just going to let this go. So, Lexi quickly jumped up, and said she was sorry. She almost started running again, when her conscious decided to kick in and tell her that she couldn't just leave. She sighed and turned around, "do you need an ambulance or something?"

"No," the woman snapped, "I'm fine."

Taking that as a dismissal, Lexi fled. It was very unlike her to leave a fight, but she had too much on her plate. Immediately, images flooded into her mind reminding her why she had come out here in the first place. As she ran her normal route, she came up with a plan. It went something like this:

I'm not allowed to go to the Burrow; I have to go there.

Brianna knows the 'Weasleys'; they much know her then.

I need information; they are going to give it to me… hopefully…

Ever since that night, the Weasleys had constantly been on her mind. Who were they, why hasn't Brianna or Joe ever mentioned them before, and why has everything turned upside down since that night? Brianna and Joe had been more distant than usual, and—she didn't even know it was possible, but—they treated her even worse than before. She found herself at her front door only moments she had oh-so-creatively though up her brilliant plan. Her ten mile loop was a bit of a tradition. When she was eleven or twelve, a kid at her school—this was when she was still living in Australia—told her that she couldn't run ten miles. So she did. She trained herself to do ten miles morning and night; Lexi had never taking discrimination well.

"Ma'am," Steven, the entrance-way butler (yes, they had a butler named for each room), nodded. "I suggest you go to bed, Mrs. Brianna is going to check on you in ten minutes."
Lexi rolled her eyes as she thanked Steven. Brianna and Joe always checked on her from time to time to make sure that she was still living in the house. It normally happened once a month or so.

She compiled though, sneaking into her bed, and evening her breathing. She stared at the wall opposite the door for about five minutes, before she heard the unmistakable click, click of Brianna's heels. The door was thrust open—not so quietly—then slammed shut after a second. Again, Lexi rolled her eyes. Ah, the most considerate, caring and lovable people I know: my parents. She thought sarcastically. Slipping quietly out of her bed, she ran to the bathroom, craving a shower. As she let the water run over her, she kept planning. Something wasn't right, and her 'parents' were freaking her out--more than they usually did.

Some sort of aircraft was needed to complete her ingenious plan. Once out of the shower she pulled out her brown shoulder strap bag. Inside it was a list and a picture for every plane that Joe owned. Flipping through, she looked for one that she knew Joe saw as a dust collector. As she was searching, her brain started to wander. Maybe this would work better if I didn't use Joe's planes…

Johnny. Her fingers were speeding over the phone so fast, that when he answered she didn't know what to say. "Uh, Johnny…" she started.

"Lex, how's it going? You, um, do realize that it's 11:30pm right?" Johnny asked.

"Hey, I'm good, and yes. I have a favor to ask you," she said, suddenly nervous about having to ask him for help.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I…um…well, I was wondering if, you know, your planes, and if maybe I could, you know, well, borrow one?" she half rambled, half asked.

Johnny laughed, "of course! You knew I would say yes; you didn't have to sound so nervous," he said, still laughing.

Lexi blushed, and then quickly thanked him. Once that conversation was over she emptied the brown bag, with the lists of Joe's planes, and put in a few changes of clothes. Necessities only:

two pairs of pants

four shirts

a pair of shoes

underwear

three boxes of Nature Valley bars (honey and oat, obviously)

two bottles of water

She wasn't sure if she was leaving for good, but just in case she did end up running away, she was ready. With her bag packed, she got into her bed, and forced herself to sleep. Lexi swore that she was awake for at least five hours before she got to sleep, when in reality it had only taken about twenty minutes.

The next morning, Lexi got dressed in black spandex under her flared jeans, and a long sleeved shirt. If I crash again, at least this time I'll be warm, she reminded herself as she descended the stairs. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she had to remind herself that if she was smiling excitedly, they would know. Lexi put on a bored-irritated look as she meandered into the kitchen. Grabbing her eggs and bacon from Maria—the chef—she walked into the dining room, already eating.

Without even looking up from his newspaper, Joe said, "Wait until you're sitting to start eating." Lexi smiled at how disgusted he sounded. She thought it was hypocritical of him, really. The way he acted, and dressed when Brianna wasn't around (the greasy hair, red recliner, etc.), was disgusting. Lexi rolled her eyes, as she walked towards the table. They had one of those fourteen-foot-long tables that look like the ones from the movies. Brianna was sitting at the right end, with her laptop, a half-eaten grapefruit, a black berry and a PDA. Joe had his news paper, and three empty plates in front of him. Lexi had to sit in the center on the side facing the window. Whenever she had to eat with them, she felt completely ridiculous. What was the point of sitting this far away from each other? Weren't they supposed to be a family or something? Lexi was flabbergasted that they enjoyed living the way they did. She hated their lifestyle.

All through breakfast, Lexi thought about some kind of excuse to leave for a few hours. They wouldn't time how long she was out, but as long as she was back for breakfast she would be fine. She still hadn't decided on whether or not she just wanted to not come back at all. Again, the reminder of the fact that Brianna knew everyone, and had virtually no enemies—Lexi sill didn't know how she managed that—and Joe, with his guns… he wouldn't hesitate to kill her if she ran away, she was almost positive of that.

Lost in her own thoughts, Lexi completely missed what Brianna and Joe were talking about, until she heard, "…won't be back for a few days…" Brianna said.

Lexi's head snapped up, and blurted out, "what?"

They ignored her, naturally, but now she was actually paying attention. Joe said, "Sure, we'd have to leave her though…" they were both leaving. This was the only good news Joe and Brianna and ever given her, ever.

"You're leaving?" she asked. Lexi tried to keep the excitement and happiness out of her voice, but she knew how hopeful she sounded.

Brianna rolled her eyes, "I'm so glad that we raised a child who can pay attention," Joe said sarcastically.

Lexi got up and took her plate into the kitchen. She thanked Maria, and ran upstairs. Yup, I'm not coming back. With them leaving, she would be able to cover her tracks before they got the chance to even start looking. That had always been something that surprised her. Why would they look for her? Why did they even keep her? They definitely didn't like her, and she definitely didn't like them. "I'm not allowed to kick you out…" Brianna had told her last night. Whatever that meant.

Once in her room, Lexi took all the money that she had (birthdays, allowances, etc.) and threw it into a backpack she had from high school. All together she had about $30,000 total. Plus she had her bank accounts, but she had seen enough police shows to know that they could trace that. She laid everything out on her bed, and took a deep breath. Nervous excitement controlled her movements as she pace, going over everything in her head. Lexi knew that the next move was to wait for Brianna and Joe to leave. This would easily be the hardest part. Sitting still and waiting was not one of her given talents, and patience may be a virtue, but she possessed zero patience.

Brianna and Joe—whenever they were taking a plane--always left the house at 10:30am, and boarded the plane at 11:00am. It was 9:30am. "God, an hour," she murmured. Lexi decided a shower would calm her down. Nope. After five minutes she was out, thinking that it had been half an hour.

She went over to her chair and sat down. Two seconds later, she was up and pacing. After a few seconds of pacing, she sat on the bed: her elbows on her knees. Seconds later she was pacing again. This routine continued for about ten minutes, when she realized she had forgotten to call Johnny. If she wasn't going to come back, she wouldn't be able to give back the plane. Lexi launched herself at the bag, excited to have something to do.

"Hello?" Johnny answered.

"Hey Johnny, you know how I asked to borrow a plane?" Lexi asked.

"Yup," he answered, sounding preoccupied.

"How much do you want for one…? I want to buy one…" Lexi said.

"Wait, buy one?" Johnny asked, now sounding completely focused on their conversation.

"Yeah… I've got money, so…" she trailed off.

"Lex…" he said, obviously guessing what she was going to do with the plane, and not liking the idea.

"I know, I know, just turn off the over-protectiveness for like five seconds and let me buy the plane."

"I don't want your—"

"If you think I'm going to just take a plane from you, you seriously don't know me," Lexi cut him off angrily.

She could almost hear Johnny's smile as he said, "Okay, you can pay for gas."

"I'll be there in about ten minutes, 'Kay?"

"You better know what you're doing," was his good-bye.

Lexi smiled, and then ran to the window. Brianna and Joe were walking outside to a black limo. Lexi glanced at her clock. The second the clock hit 10:30, the limo started moving. It was insane how on-time Brianna could be. Lexi shook her head as she slung her back pack over her shoulders and her side strap bag across her body.

Sneaking out of her house—the maids and butlers would tell Joe and Brianna that Lexi was out if she didn't sneak—was simple. In fact, she could probably do it in her sleep; she had done it so many times. Turn left out of the bedroom; third door on the right; left at the end of the hallway; climb out the window. This was the same way she went every time, and she had never been caught. She skipped off the property, the nervous energy consuming her once again. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

Johnny's runway and plane hangers were about a five minute walk… if that. Lexi knew the back way, which was why she could get there so fast. If she took main roads, it would take a little under an hour.

After she jumped the fence, she peeked around the side of the building to make sure there weren't any unwelcome security guards or something. Once the coast was clear, she walked over Johnny's office, and eased open the door.

His office was easily the coolest office Lexi had ever seen. There were two sofas on the farthest wall, and a wall completely made of glass to her left. There were pictures everywhere, covering every wall space possible. Somehow, the feeling inside the room was relaxing and comfortable. The desk—since it was an office—was on her right, and it looked both professional and friendly. Plus, having Johnny seated behind it made it more welcoming.

Johnny smiled back at her, but then raised his eyebrows—realizing she had luggage. "Lexi, I will give you the plane, but… well, you do realize what you're doing, right?" he asked. Johnny was five years older than here, and had always been her stand-in brother, and family.

"Yes, Johnny, I know what I'm doing. Can we go, though? I want to leave before anyone knows I'm gone," Lexi said, turning serious.

Jonny smiled, and walked her back out the way she had come. As they were walking to the hanger, he said, "I know this is one of your favorites, and I figured it would attract the least amount of attention. Just know that it will be hard for you to fly it by yourself."

He opened the garage-like door and Lexi came face-to-face with a navy blue Cessna CJ3. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "You can't give me this one!" she exclaimed.

Johnny just rolled his eyes, "I've got five of 'em, I can definitely live with four."

"Johnny…"

"Go, you have to leave, remember?" he asked smiling.

Lexi sighed and shrugged off her back pack. She had estimated about $6,000 for getting it ready and the fuel. She handed over the bundles of money, and hopped over to the plane, "thank you, so much." She said smiling.

He waved and wished her luck. Once on, she got herself ready, and went through all pre-flight checks. Once she was comfortable, and sure she could fly it, she took off.

This better work…