A/N: What day is it? Monday! What time is it? Update time!

Next chapter, a bunch of stuff happens. This chapter, things also happen.

Thanks to Liz the Sweet Writer and Bloodylilcorpse for reviewing the last chapter!:)

Enjoy!

The next day was hectic for the cast and crew. Setting up the stage, getting costumes in place, going over lines for the millionth time…and Mike wasn't there for any of it.

"Where'd he run off to?" Trent asked Manitoba, who was Mike's roommate while they were in the capital.

"I dunno, he said he needed some time to think about things. I'm sure he'll be back soon, mate. He's not usually late for rehearsal."

"Other than when he was injured."

"Yeah, other then that one time. But give him some credit, mate, think about who 'e's livin with."

"Alright, but he does need to get back soon. We're going to run the show on the new stage. He needs to get used to it." Trent walked off to talk to some of the crew.

Mani looked at the door to the theater. "Where are ya, little 'roo?"

Mike was outside, sitting on a bench, watching the people of the capital go by, trying to keep out the thoughts about Duncan's words the day before, about his brother…

"Hello Mike."

Mike jumped a bit. He'd been so lost in thought he didn't notice a girl walk up to him. Wait, did she walk up to him? It looked like she just...appeared. "Um, hi. Do I know you?" he asked her.

"No, I don't believe I've ever introduced myself. I'm Dawn." She stuck her hand out.

Mike hesitantly took it and they shook. Dawn looked him straight in the eyes. "Your aura is hard to read. There's so many emotions swirling around."

"My...aura?" Mike was confused.

Dawn put her hand just in front of Mike's face. "I'm seeing a lot of yellow-green and pink in your aura, which is a good sign. But there are bits of dark brown, dark blue, lemon yellow…" Her eyes widened, and she smiled. "You have gold!"

"And that means…?" Mike asked skeptically.

"There is someone divine watching over you. How fortunate, seeing both the grief and anger you feel for and at your family."

"What? How do you know that?"

"It's written all over your aura. You've had a tough life for a little while. But it'll get better soon."

"It's been longer than that!"

"Yes, and you wish to find answers. There are so many holes in your knowledge of your family, but you're afraid of what you'll find out."

"I'm-I'm not afraid!" Mike's voice was a bit shaky.

Dawn smiled softly. "It's ok, Mike, things will get better. Maybe sooner than you expect!"

Mike shrugged and looked at the ground. "I don't know, but I guess I could TRY to be a bit more optimistic…" He looked up. She was gone.

Mike raised an eyebrow and looked around the street. He didn't see her anywhere.

He did see two familiar figures he didn't think or hope he'd see for two more weeks.

"Oh, look, Vito! It's the servant!"

"Ey look, he's all by himself! Like he's got no friends or whateva."

"I bet he doesn't. Let's torture him a bit before Dad gets back."

Mike frowned as his two stepbrothers approached him. Scott was full on casual in a sleeveless white shirt, green pants and brown shoes. Vito was wearing a loose purple shirt that was unbuttoned most of the way down, along with blue pants and black shoes. Scott was smirking and Vito looked indifferent. "Didn't expect to see you two here," Mike said.

"Get off that bench, freak. Stand up so we don't have to look down at you. Oh wait, we already do." Scott laughed.

Vito said nothing. He just smirked.

"I don't have to listen to you here. This isn't home." Mike didn't have to listen to them at all, but he dreaded any punishment that might befall him if he didn't do what he was told at home.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you're not what you are." Scott grabbed him by the shirt collar and hoisted him to his feet. Mike stumbled on his leg, grabbing the bench to use as support. "That leg still hasn't done itself in? I think we ought to fix that." Scott looked at Vito. "Shall we?"

Vito was frowning. "Bro, you know I love a good beatdown, but not when it's easy. Easy fights are boring. Plus, look at where we're at. We'd get arrested o' something if we beat him up right in the street. And Dad's gonna come out here soon."

"Since when do you care about what Dad thinks?" Scott pushed Vito a bit.

Vito pushed him back. "I don't, but he don't want us to be around him much anyway, so we gotta split before he comes looking for us." He pointed to Mike when he referred to him.

Scott rolled his eyes. "Fine." He looked at Mike. "But if we run into each other again, I don't care if Dad's around or not. You're getting it. Let's go, Vito." Scott began to walk off.

Mike sat back slowly on the bench. Vito didn't move. "Thanks for that, Vito," he said.

Vito averted Mike's gaze. "Whateva. He's a pain, and I ain't gettin in trouble 'cause of him while we're here. It's not like I care about you or your feelings or whateva." He also walked off.

Mike was now even more confused as his stepbrother left him sitting there. He continued to be until a familiar accent caught in his ears. "There you are! I've been lookin' everywhere, mate!" He turned and sighed in relief as Mani walked up to him.

"Sorry, I needed some air."

"You've had enough air to last a lifetime. Come on, Trent wants you at rehearsal yesterday." Mani helped Mike up. "I saw those two dingos cornerin' you. Who were they?"

"Oh, them. They were, uh… They wanted my autograph. Yeah. Heh."

Mani looked in the direction Scott and Vito had gone, then turned back to Mike. "They're your stepbrothers, ain't they?" His voice held concern and a bit of anger in it.

Mike sighed and nodded. "But they didn't do anything. Not just now, anyway."

"They've done somethin' to you, I can tell. In your mind." Manitoba shook his head. "Can't worry about it now. We got rehearsin' to do!"

The two actors walked back to the theater.

"Glad Mani found you before you ran off with the circus," Trent greeted them jokingly. He had his director tiny glasses perched on his nose, ready to get down to business. "Get into your costumes. We start running in ten minutes." Trent pointed across the stage, where Brick was standing at attention. "That way."

Mike and Manitoba went backstage, put on their costumes, and everyone got into positions to run the show.

Please review! See y'all next Monday!:)