They must be wrong. I'm not adopted. I can't be! And my uncle is a Sensei? That's actually kinda cool, but seriously! I'm adopted because my real dad is evil? What about my mom? Why didn't she take me in? Why did I have to be given away? What's wrong with these people? They must be pulling my leg-this is too crazy to be real.

I tapped the sword against the sheet, staring at the ceiling. I was in my room, door locked, and laying on my bed. I glared at the gold chain dangling from my ceiling fan, the chain I had made when I was four and still learning how to do things. The chain was terrible, actually, but my dad said I couldn't get rid of it.

Or whoever he is.

Tears burned my eyes and nose. My mom didn't try to take me in. Am I that terrible that she couldn't? Or is she some workaholic or something and can't take me in?

Do I have a sibling? An older brother might be nice.

I dropped the sword on the floor, curling into a ball.

"Lissa?" Dad knocked on the door.
"Go away!" I called.

There was some shuffling, then the door was opened.

Curse him for being a blacksmith and knowing how to pick a lock.

I glared, pulling the pillow to my face so I wouldn't have to look at him.

"Melissa, these people are your family. You have a younger brother named Lloyd." Dad sat on the edge of the bed.

"I don't care."

"He's really cute. But he was hit by time travelers tea and is now older than you." Nya sat next to me, petting my hair.

"Don't care." My mind started whirling.

What's time travelers tea? How does it make him older than me? Why do I care about a guy who's supposedly my brother?

"Melissa-" My dad started.

"Just shut up! Next thing you'll be telling me is that my name isn't really Melissa! It's Frank or something!" I burst out, sitting up.

Nya and Dad regarded me warily. Sensei was at the foot of my bed, looking disappointed.

"No, your name is Melissa," Dad chuckled sadly. "But you should go with Sensei and Nya. To meet Lloyd. You can come back if you don't like it there. Stay there long enough to learn your past, then come home if you want."

Sensei made a disapproving noise, but didn't move.

"I can come back?" I said slowly.

Dad nodded. "If it's too much for you."

"Who else lives at your house?" I asked Nya.

"We live at a monastery. It's your dad, Sensei Garmadon, your mom Misako, Sensei Wu, me, my brother Kai, Zane, Cole, my boyfriend," Nya blushed, smiling. "Jay, and Lloyd. We're trying to get some girls, though."

"So you're the only girl." I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. We're trying to get a girl named Alena from Amestris, a country to the east of here, Emma and Elizabeth."

"My parents are there?" I folded my arms, staring at the blue comforter.

"Yes. I am sure they want to talk to you and explain everything." Sensei spoke up.

I thought for a long moment, then nodded. "Agreed. I stay for two weeks. Then I come home."

Dad looked sad, but nodded his consent. I crawled off my bed, stretching. I turned to Sensei. "What do I need?"

Sensei looked at Nya, who looked excited. "Nya will help you. I will see you downstairs." Sensei and my dad walked out, closing the door behind them.

I handed Nya my blue backpack, who started digging through my drawers. After stuffing my bag full of essentials, we walked down the stairs. I suddenly froze, halfway out the door, Sensei about crashing into me.

"I forgot something!" I shoved the backpack in Nya's arms and ran up the stairs.

I retrieved my gloves, then jumped out the window, as it was faster to get outside.

"So. Where to?" I dusted myself off, grabbing my stuff from Nya and slinging it over my back.

"We take the bus." Sensei said.

I raised an eyebrow. "Tourists can come to your house?"

"Not exactly. We have to climb the mountain." Nya explained.

I groaned. "Let's go..."

I stared up at the mountain, shocked. "I have to climb this?!"

"Yes. Cole can do it in five minutes. Care to beat that?" Sensei goaded.

I glared at the rock. "Four minutes." I found a foothole, wiggled my toe in, then reached for another with my hand.

After what seemed like an eternity, I pulled myself on the top, panting. "Half hour." A guy with dark, wavy hair watched me with a smirk.

I half-heartedly glared, panting. "I've...never climbed...a freaking MOUNTAIN!" I pointed my finger in his face. "So don't rain on my happy party."

"Okay, then." He raised his hands up in surrender. "Welcome to the monastery."

I sat up from the rock, looking around. A crescent shaped building, with steps going out to another building.

"What's that one for?" I pointed to the building.

"Dragon pen." Cole said, standing up. "C'mon, I'll take you to your room." I reached for my bag, but Cole beat me to it, scooping it up with a move faster than I could follow, and walking into the monastery.

"Coming?" He called.

"Yeah. You've got my stuff!" I hurried after him, my muscles screaming at me in protest.

Mental note: do not climb any more mountains when there are steps.

Melissa is now at the monastery! Yay!

Thanks for the reviews! They make me happy!

Bye!

-Katie