"So, what happened?" Nosey Irma asked while Blunk sniffed around for the portal.
"What happened to what?" Jess asked sarcastically.
"Your eye." Cornelia snapped. "Don't tell us something stupid, like you walked into a door or something. We're not that stupid."
"Well, if you know, why ask me?" She said, stomping her foot on the pavement. Blunk jumped at the unexpected vibration. Hay Lin put her arms around Jess's shoulders in an attempt at a sisterly embrace. Jess winced as Hay Lin touched one of the bruises.
"She said that her father hit her." Caleb said.
"He's not my father." Jess snapped.
"You should report him. He's being abusive."
"Too late. They decided that they don't want me any more. I'm leaving." Will stopped dead in her tracks.
"Where are they moving you to?"
"A foster home…in…Chicago."
"Chicago?" The other five guardians cried. Jess nodded, staring at the floor.
"I have this weekend to get my stuff together. I'm leaving Monday."
"Are you ok?" Taranee said gently.
"Yeah. I knew I wouldn't be here permanently. I never stay in one place long."
"Wait, it's going to be really hard to be a guardian from over a hundred miles away." Hay Lin said gently.
"You're so naïve, Hay Lin." Jess said.
"You must be upset," Cornelia whispered gently.
"No, I'm really not. I never allow myself to get too comfortable. It was just a fluke that I made friends this time. I usually don't let myself make friends." Jess felt hot tears stinging the back of her eyes. She angrily swiped them away. "I just…hoped I would get to stay here. I thought that…me making friends was an omen that every thing was going to be ok. I had stability. I had you guys. I…just…leave me alone, ok." Jess buried her face in Sunny's fur. Will gently placed her hand on Jess's shoulder. Jess through her arms around Will's neck, and Will held her as she cried. "I wanted to stay here."
"Shhhhh!" Will whispered gently. Jess wiped her tears out of her eyes and suddenly stood up.
"We should go. The rebels are waiting for us."
"Jess-"
"Drop it, Irma!" She snapped.