I don't see Derek when I walk in the back door of the house, nor do I see him anywhere else on the main floor. I contemplate looking upstairs, but when I get to the foot of the stairs, I hear Ruth walking about asking for everyone to meet in the living room. I take another look up the stairs and decide to wait a few minutes in case Derek comes down. When I don't see anyone come down in the next ten minutes, I hear Ruth call my name as she comes around the corner, smiling when she finds me. I follow her back to the living room where everyone is waiting, including Derek. He's slouched down on the love seat with his arms folded across his chest, looking non-too-happy. Amy is seated comfortably right beside Derek and I feel bad because I'm used to be at Derek's side.

"You can sit here, Chloe," I hear Cole's familiar tone. I carefully turn to look at him patting the cushion of the space beside him and I decide to sit down since I think I've spent enough time sitting on the ground for today.

When I sit down I notice Derek's trademark scowl as he glares furiously at Cole. Ever since our arrival yesterday there has been an endless amount of tension and for some reason competition between the two of them. Which reminds me, what was Cole going to tell Derek when he found Tori last night? I'd have to make a note to ask him later.

"Okay," Ruth begins. "Now I understand the seriousness of keeping everyone hidden from the Cabals, and we all know the seriousness of education. So, we have decided to bring in a couple of trusted associates to come in and educate you all."

Simon raises his hand. "What do you mean by educate?"

"We're bringing in some people to do homeschooling."

Derek scoffed loudly, immediately catching Amy's attention. I think the little witch might have a thing for Derek, but I can't say I'm worried that much.

"Derek?" Kit said.

He shook his head. "Because bringing in trusted members worked out so well the first time."

Ruth stepped in. "I am a member of the local school board and I asked for special permission to allow someone to come in and do homeschooling. Unfortunately, they couldn't approve it until now since they require at least five students for a full class, and we have seven."

"So what does that mean?" Tori snapped from her spot on the other love seat. "Vacation's over?"

"This was never a vacation, Tori," Kit said patiently. I will never understand how Kit Bae can manage to keep his cool in such tight situations. Back when we fought Dr. Davidoff and Tori's mom, he was so composed and sure of himself.

Tori ignored Kit's input and continued to watch our red-headed guest.

"Of course some changes will need to be made," Aunt Lauren said.

"Like what?" I said. She seemed surprised that I had said anything to her since our disagreement last night.

"Um..." She seemed like she was being careful not to say something to set me off again. Had I shocked her that much? "First of all, Chloe, you need to change your appearance."

My eyebrows shot up.

Aunt Lauren held up her hands carefully. "Nothing too drastic, but we're going to have to fix your currently hairdo."

I glanced over at Derek who didn't seem to notice. He hadn't moved an inch since I walked in, aside from no longer looking at Cole with such dismay. His green eyes were now staring at the carpet and all I wanted was to know what was going on inside his head. Look at me, Derek!

And he did. His green eyes met my blue ones and I could feel my heart flutter like a net full of eager butterflies. I wanted to walk over and take Amy's spot beside him, but I'm sure there will time for us later.

"Chloe?" I heard Ruth call my name. I turned to look at her. "When this meeting is over, you'll be coming with me into town."

I nodded. When I glanced back at Derek, he was looking back down at the floor.

...

As it turns out, not only was I going into town with Ruth, but so was Bobby and Tori. I sat up front with Ruth while the others sat in the back, completely silent. Tori came along to get some distance from Kit and Simon I guess, and Bobby had weekly appointments with a fellow half-demon who was teaching him to learn more about controlling and using his powers.

The ride into town was short of twenty minutes and honestly, it wasn't that big but it was nice. It was well kept, clean and welcoming. All of the exterior of the stores and homes all looked brand new and freshly painted which was also nice. Normally when I imagine being in a house in the middle of nowhere I always picture the closest town to be small and creepy, but not this one.

"Lots of friendly people around here," Ruth said. I looked over at her but she kept her eyes on the road ahead. We fell back into silence.

...

"Alright, young lady," the hairdresser said excitedly. She turned my chair around for me to face the mirror where I saw myself, but less Gothic and less sickly. I looked like what I would consider gorgeous.

My hair was dyed back to a lighter shade of blonde with black low lights and black extensions so my hair now hung below my breasts. No wonder I've been in this chair for so long, wishing the job was done already. Now that I see what the woman was doing to me, I was amazed. And before I look away, I take a moment to see that she even did my eyebrows. I barely felt that!

The bell to the salon rang as Tori and Bobby walked in. Tori almost missed us until she spotted Ruth. When the two of them approached us and she saw me, her jaw dropped and her eyes widened that she almost resembled Ghostface. Her hands came up to cover her mouth and I was bracing myself for her to laugh and then I saw Bobby's expression. He looked impressed by the transformation, which was relieving.

"Oh my..." Tori started. "You look...hot!"

Now it was my turn to drop my mouth open. Wow! That has got to be the best thing Tori has ever said to or about me since I met her back at Lyle House. I will savor this moment forever.

"How do you like it?" the hairdresser asked me.

I glanced back in the mirror and smiled. "I love it."

"You're a whole new woman," Ruth gushed.

I looked at her, worried now. "Ruth, are you -?"

She held her hand up. "Just say thank you." She smiled and went to pay at the counter. She was gone for five minutes before she handed me, Tori, and Bobby some money to get what we needed while she went and did her thing.

Now...what to do?