Present Day – April 2002

"Class ring?" James asked Matthew as he read off the items on a list written on a sheet of paper.

"Check," Matthew answered.

"Cap and gown?" James continued.

"Check and check," Matthew responded.

"Study guide for the final next week?" James said.

"Check," Matthew answered back.

"Making things right with your little brother…" James said uneasily, glancing at Matthew hesitantly.

"Really?" Matthew replied, returning James' look. "You're gonna start this again?"

"Bro," James said, putting a hand on Matthew's shoulder, "it's been a month already. A whole month has gone by and I can count on one hand the number of words y'all have said to each other…in a month."

"Has it been a month?" Matthew asked dryly, rolling his eyes. "Look, I've tried to talk to him. He's the one who's been locked away in his room for the past four weeks. I screwed up; I get it. Have I been trying to make it right? Of course. Has he been open to it? Not at all."

"Do you always ask and answer your own questions?" James joked, trying to ease the situation, but earning another cold stare from Matthew instead. "Right… Well here's the point. In a month, it's gotten to the point where I'm having to relay messages between you and Wes. How did I end up being the middle brother? It sucks."

"Walk a mile in my shoes," Matthew said, patting James on the shoulder. "Let's change the subject for a minute. Any update on this Sam girl?"

"I've tried calling for her, since she's a Guardian," James explained, "but no answer. Even our own Guardian doesn't show up anymore. What the hell good is having one if he's gonna be a no-show all the time? It's annoying."

"Yeah," Matthew agreed. "This is something worth researching. This girl comes out of nowhere and heals you two, and kisses you! The only thing we know about her is her name."

"Samantha Russo," James stated. "That kiss has been in my head since then. I don't know, but something about it seems…so familiar. I can't put my finger on it, though. Matt, that girl kissed me like we had been together for a long time, but I don't remember a thing about her except her name."

"And there's nothing about her in the Book?" Matthew asked.

"Nothing," James said. "I checked that Book a hundred times and she's not there. It doesn't make any sense."

"Well, not really," Matthew said. "The Book normally has only spells and information about demons and warlocks. I guess it's not a directory on every magical being on Earth. I don't remember any info on any specific Guardians in there come to think of it."

"So I'm back at square one," James concluded. "But that kiss…"

"Jimmy," Matthew said, checking his watch, "I think we've established that this stranger kissed you. It's driving you crazy. Why don't you try summoning her? Didn't she say that she was summoned by you? Maybe just calling for her isn't enough."

"Think that'll work?" James asked.

"You've got nothing to lose," Matthew said, checking his watch again. "Listen, I've got to get to the library and do some studying before it closes. Let me know how it turns out, but be careful."

"Okay," James said.

Matthew, sighing loudly, left James alone on the living room couch and grabbed his backpack near the door. A few moments later, James heard the front door open and close behind him, followed by a car door opening and closing, followed by an engine revving and a car leaving the driveway. James let loose a sigh himself as he sunk his head into the cushions of the couch.