It's been a while, sorry I haven't updated in a long time I've managed to have writers block and there was a lot going on so writing took a back seat for a while. My updates might be quite messy with exams but if and when I get some ideas I'll try and make the chapters good and interesting. Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Change

The next few weeks travelled quite quickly at Blackthorne. The crimson leaves began falling of the tree branches and every morning the grounds were covered in a thick mist. Some might think I'm stupid going for a jog in the early hours of a Saturday winters morning, but I didn't care. The frosty grass crunched under my feet and the dampness in the air made my hair wet. Still I carried on, not wanting to break my daily routine. As I went through the main doors the heat hit my face. My cold breath was now visible in the warm air and I could feel my hands begin to warm up. When I reached my dorm I quietly went into the bathroom, trying not to disturb my roommates from their sleep. I turned on the shower and let the water heat me up.

When I came out of the bathroom Isaac greeted me with a sleepy smile and was now sat on the edge of his bed. As I got ready for the day ahead I smiled to myself. There wasn't much time left before Christmas which meant I got to go home. I couldn't wait to see my parents as I didn't get to hear from them whilst they were away on missions. I had heard from Grandpa Solomon recently and unfortunately I wouldn't be seeing them until New Year's Eve, when they came to stay with us and brought the best fireworks to watch at midnight. (They may have been illegal in about 10 different countries, but Grandpa always told us that Grandma Solomon didn't need to know that part.) We live on big plot of land in the middle of nowhere. It was a long drive, but it was worth it when the house came into view. The countryside was a beautiful place to live in, and occasionally wild animals would run around the gardens. My brothers and I use to get lost in the large moors that surrounded the house when we were younger, finding new secrets and playing games. Dad use to set up clues for us in the morning and we would go out and try and solve the puzzles he left. Then when we got back mum would make us hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies.

I didn't realise I was still smiling until Isaac coughed to get my attention.

"What you thinking about Ed?" he asked.

"Going home." I said with a half laugh, he smiled at me.

"Two more weeks until that, not long to go."

"Yeah, I can't wait, what are you doing for Christmas Isaac?" I asked him.

"Well dad found a new data base even mum can't hack so I get to work on that…" Isaac continued to talk about computer coding and lots of very, very big numbers that even I didn't understand. I found that with Isaac, sometimes it's better to smile and nod than to try and process what he's saying.

When we had finished talking I decided to go for a walk. There were no lessons as it was a weekend and it was still fairly early. I was just wandering around the corridors when I saw a certain girl smirk at me from the library doorway, before going inside. I smiled and shook my head before following her in, to a more isolated part of the library. She said down on one of the sofas, facing away from my direction. I jumped over the sofa into the seat next to her and smirked at her reaction. She laughed at my childish behaviour.

"What are you doing up at this time of the morning?" Skylar asked me, curiosity in her eyes.

"I should be asking you the same question." I challenged.

"I asked first." She stated. I sighed and she laughed.

"Early morning jog, you?"

"Friends that feel it's necessary to shower and dry their hair at six o clock on a weekend."

"Fair enough." I shrugged before relaxing back into the seat. We had gotten closer after what had happened in the PE barn. We weren't together. I don't think, well maybe. we are but we aren't. It's complicated.

"Are you excited for Christmas?" I asked her, ever since the idea of going home came into my head I couldn't wait. I was so excited. Until her facial expression changed from happy to frustrated.

"Not really, to be honest." She answered.

"Why not?"

She sighed before turning her head away from me and began to play with her bracelet.

"Cuz my dad is on another mission so he's not going to be home until February."

"Where are you going to stay then?" I asked. Lucas Chambers was an amazing spy, don't get me wrong, but I questioned now as to whether he was an amazing father. I didn't mean that in a harsh way, it's just that leaving your daughter at Christmas for a mission didn't seem like the best idea he's ever had.

Skylar ran a hand through her hair. "I'm not sure. I can either stay at school or go home, but our butler is a stubborn piece of work. He doesn't really like kids that much so I'm torn as to where I want to stay."

"Don't you have any family?" she shook her head.

"No, nor my mum or dad have any brothers or sisters and I the last time I saw my grandparents was when I was a baby."

This was when an idea came to my head. I hesitated, but then I knew it was the right thing to do.

"You can stay at mine if you want." She turned to look at me, her mind processing what I had said. A few seconds later she shook her head.

"Eddie I couldn't do that, I don't want to ruin your family's Christmas."

"You couldn't ruin it if you tried. We have plenty of rooms and I'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't mind."

She sat there in silence, thinking about my proposal. When she didn't say anything I took her hand in mine and squeezed it. At this moment she looked up at me and gave me her shy smile, which made me smirk.

"What?" she asked, frowning at me.

"nothing." I said, now smiling at her.

"Eddie tell me!" she gave me her 'this isn't fair' face which made me laugh at her. She stuck her bottom lip out, turning her head away from me, acting hurt. I smirked before I started tickling her. She began to laugh, grabbing both of my wrists trying to stop me. I shouldn't have let my guard down, but I did, and I forgot who she was, or more importantly, what she was capable of. Her grip tightened on my wrists and she pulled them towards her managing to hold my arms in place. She stole my smirk and used it against me.

"Hey, that's my smirk!" I argued.

"I do it better." She replied. I pouted at her and she laughed before letting me go.

"You still haven't answered my question." I said, and she sighed once more.

"Eddie look, I'm very grateful but I don't want to intrude on your family." She started.

"Skylar you're not intruding, honestly my family will love that you're there, my parents have always been inspired by your dad! C'mon, please…"

She smiled at me, before looking away and going into thinking mode once more.

"Okay, if you're sure?" she asked.

"Of course I'm sure." I replied smiling. She smiled back at me.

"Thank you, Eddie." She said. She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. I hugged her back, resting my chin on her shoulder. She pulled away and smiled at me. Maybe this Christmas would be more interesting than I thought.

So Skylar's spending Christmas with the Goode family. Writing this made me realise how much I missed writing about Eddie and Skylar. I'll try to update sooner than two months next time ;) sorry about that. Don't forget to review if you're enjoying the story and tell me any ideas you have. Until next time ^_^

-Jupi