As I raised my fist to knock on the door to my aunt's apartment, the door swung open.

"Kim!" said my aunt, pulling me into a hug. My aunt had obviously not been notified by my so-called 'family' that I was missing. Or maybe they just didn't care.

"I—like—breathing—" I choked out. My aunt released me. "Aunt Rie, I need somewhere to stay… I know it's a little much to ask, but I just need a break from home right now--"

"Of course! I 'ave a meeting I need to attend today… Will you be fine by yourself?" my aunt asked.

"Yes, yes I'll be fine." I said.

My aunt rushed out the door, obviously leaving for her meeting. I put my bag on the floor and collapsed on the couch. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed a number.

--

Mike's cell phone rang.

"Hang on guys," he said. "Hello?"

"Mike, it's me, Kim. I was calling to apologi--"

"Kim! Where are you? Are you okay? What happene--"

"I'm fine, Mike…"

"Oh. So where are you?"

"Aunt Muriel's apartment. Anyway, I was calling to--"

"Aunt Muriel?"

"YES!"

"Oh."

"I was calling to apologize. I shouldn't have been so mean to you this morning. I'd just had enough of everyone calling me not part of the family…and…I just want to come back."

"Ah—Kim—Hold on just one second--" he must have covered the phone with his hand. "Guys! Calm yourselves! She's okay, and she's at Aunt Muriel's apartment--"

"Aunt Muriel?" chorused Nigel and Sarah together.

"YES!" said Mike.

"Oh." said Kyle.

"—and she really wants to come home, but doesn't think she'll be accepted?" said Jake.

Everyone gaped and stared at him.

"What? The volume on the phone was kind of loud…" said Jake.

Everyone looked away again. Mike put the phone back up to his ear.

"I know." He said to me. "Don't worry. I'll—I'll work something out. Just stay there…"

"Thanks." I said with relief. "Oh! And Alex told me to tell you not to go calling him at 5 in the morning anymore unless it's very, very important. And don't mention this to his parents."

"Ah—Okay."

"Bye." I said, and hung up the phone.

--

Mike hung up his own phone.

"So what do we do?" asked Jake.

Mike thought for a minute.

"Well, first we have to get Jessica on our side… And we need to call up Nora…"

So? How did you like it? Next chapter is probably the breaking point for all the Baker's. Ohhh, it's going to be SO much fun to write…