Written by KelseyAlicia

The coppery sun gradually rose to bathe Peace Valley in its rejuvenating glow. Peace Valley seemed to be an average rural community. Gas stations were abundant. Plus, they had at least one Walmart.

In addition, they'd schools, parks, and a movie theater. The only abnormal thing regarding this sleepy little hamlet was the specters from another universe regularly overrunning them.

Some days Ceci Masters felt she was more a mother to her younger siblings then her mother. The pretty half-ghost had two younger siblings—her thirteen-year-old brother Charlie who strongly reminded Ceci of Percy Weasley from Harry Potter.

Her brother had an overly serious and mature disposition. Since he behaved more like an adult then a teen, likewise, he was a no-nonsense ambitious bookworm moreover a neat freak.

He resembled their father except for his short black hair and thick glasses. Charlie's dress style wasn't that of a thirteen-year-old, jeans and t-shirts. Instead, he wore well-ironed red polo shirts and dress slacks. Like their father, he called everyone by their formal names. He also referred to his parents as Mother and Father rather then Mom and Dad.

Her nine-year-old sister Felicity acted like an ordinary little girl. She played with her collection of Darcy dolls while continuously begging their parents to let them have a kitten.

Given the weekend, Ceci didn't have to stress about school. She prayed there wouldn't be ghost attacks this weekend. She and her best gal friend Denise Duquesne had a double date tonight.

Denise had a long-time crush on Randy Martin. Randy and his twin brother Cory were the only twins in their grade. They're quite popular for various reasons. The twins were two of the best-looking boys in school. Randy was the leader of a popular garage band plus rode a motorcycle. His brother Cory was the most intelligent kid in school.

Everyone at school agreed that both brothers were destined for greatness—Randy in the music business. One day, The Specters would outshine Goldie and the Bears. Cory, on the other hand? His destiny seemed to be getting a scholarship to Harvard University and doing great things after university.

Ceci had just finished her morning shower before heading to get breakfast. On her way downstairs, she ran into her little brother. "Oops! Sorry, Charlie!" she apologized.

"You should be more conscious of your surroundings, Cecilia. For example, do you know how many household accidents arise because of people not paying proper attention?"

"Little brother, I'm already familiar with your statistics on that. Since you've them hanging in your room, among other facts. Now let's get some breakfast, shall we?"

Reaching the kitchen, they saw a little girl with shoulder-length brown hair dressed in a pink shirt, jeans, and multiple cat accessories. Since it was Saturday, Felicity would be pleading for a kitten momentarily.

"The animal shelter has so many kitties in need of a home! So why can't we have one? I promise I'll take care of it and everything!"

Their mother, Maddie, looked exasperated by her youngest daughter's pleading. "Felicity, I've already told you no. You're too young to take care of a pet. Besides, sweetheart, we've enough problems to deal with. Also, I don't want an innocent animal to get injured by our equipment accidentally. So the answer is no."

Felicity pouted again but ate her breakfast quietly. Ceci felt sorry for her sister. However, she did feel her sister deserved a pet and knew she'd be responsible enough to take care of it. Ceci hoped to persuade her mother of this since it broke her heart to see her little sister so sad.

Maddie then turned to Charlie. "Charlie, I've told you more than once. We don't read books while having meals. So please put it away."

Another oddity about Ceci's brother was that he didn't read books that most kids his age would. He only read non-fiction and information books. His most recent book was a biography of Albert Einstein. "Sorry, Mother," as he placed a bookmark in it. Then turned his attention to breakfast. Again his neat freak tendency showed up in how he ate his food.

Then their father walked in and kissed his wife. "You look so stunning, Maddie."

"Thanks, honey. Please don't forget the car needs to get a tune-up. You've let that slip for three days now. So please don't forget it again."

"Very well, I'll do it right after breakfast," as he sipped his morning coffee. "So, what are you three up to today?"

"I'm going on a double date with Denise tonight, Dad. I'll be dropping Felicity off at the Duquesne's for her sleepover with Danika."

"My original plans fell through, I'm afraid. Ruben and I were going to go to the library today. Instead, however, he's going with his foster brother James to some ridiculous bowling tournament."

"Charlie," Ceci let out an exasperated sigh, "You shouldn't be annoyed that Jamie is attempting to bond with his little brother. Yes, his parents are a long way off from officially adopting him. Nevertheless, Jamie is only trying to be a good brother."

Ceci's best friends Denise and Jamie each had a younger sibling. However, neither was their 'blood' sibling. Denise's family had adopted her sister from Africa after Denise's mother found out she couldn't have another kid. Jamie's parents had fostered numerous children in the past. However, they felt extremely close with Ruben, who had an extremely troubled past.

Ruben admitted he'd never felt loved or cared about before being placed with them. Consequently, Jamie's parents were working on officially adopting him, so Ruben's wish for a family came true.

Shortly after breakfast, Ceci helped her sister finish packing her overnight bag. Then they walked the six blocks to Duquesne's residence. Their two-story home was painted a rosy orange with lavender shingles.

She rang the doorbell, and her friend Denise answered. The cheerleader smiled warmly before welcoming them into her home. Next, Denise called for her sister, who came scampering downstairs.

Denise had braided her little sister's hair that morning, adding lavender beads to it. While Felicity's favorite color was pink, Danika was lavender. Today she wore her favorite lavender jumper while clutching her favorite toy horse.

Felicity and Danika had plenty in common. They both had multiple Darcy dolls, adored kittens and horses respectfully, and their favorite cartoon was "The Adventures of Glitter the Unicorn."

The little girls paid no mind to their older sisters before bolting up the stairs. "Little sisters? What can I say? You can't live with them or without them. But you love them all the same!" Denise replied to Ceci's amused grin.

"I agree with you completely, Denise. Now let's go to your favorite salon so we can get ready for that double date tonight, shall we?"

"Girl, you read my mind! Let's go!" and off they went for a girl's day. On their way to the sole salon in Peace Valley, they ran into their friend Jamie and his little brother Ruben.

Ruben was of Latino descent, so he was rather good-looking. Olive skin, longish dark hair, and eyes. Neither girl knew Ruben's entire backstory, and despite Jamie being the talkative type? He hadn't revealed any of his brother's secrets.

All the girls understood was that whatever happened to Ruben in the past left him severely socially awkward. Nevertheless, he'd retained a sense of humor that his brother was delighted to nurture. Ruben's hobbies were reading, playing classical guitar, and baking. He'd hoped to be a pastry chef when he got older.

The group made chitchat for a few minutes before going separate ways. So far, it looked like today would be a wonderful day in Peace Valley!

Voice Actors:

Ceci: Anne Hathaway

Charlie Masters: Eamon Pirrucello- Wilykat ThunderCats 2011

Felicity Masters: Madeline Hall- Wilykit ThunderCats 2011

Jamie: Max Brooks- Howard Groote Batman Beyond

Denise: Pamela Adion- Pumyra ThunderCats 2011

Danika: Cree Summers

Ruben: Rider Strong: Shawn Hunter Boy Meets World.

Here's a brief positive note for everyone:

Don't Make it Harder Than It Is.

Please don't choose to make life harder than it is. Rather then getting caught up in the moment? Instead, consider the situation that you're frustrated by.

Is it worth having a bad day? Could you choose differently? Can you choose to be happy, let go and keep going? Perspective is a gift, especially in challenging moments.

Thanks for reading and look out for more!

-Specter14