Hey! So, I'm going to address a few things, then get to the story part, right? Yay!

Okay, first of all, thanks to everyone supporting this story whether it's with reviews, or faving and following, or anything else. I appreciate it all! And thank you for being patient with me. These next few chapters are going to be long, full, and really difficult to write, so I'm jst asking that you continue to bear with me. :)

Okay, second thing I want to address. I have officially made a blog. Yes, a blog. I did it because I like the idea that there's a place that I can jump on and say, "Hey, so here's what's been happening and why I haven't updated yet." Right? That way you won't all have to be like: "What's going on, is she dropping the story?" It includes a page for character info, which, at the current moment, only contains basic information on the most developed characters. Yes, I did use pictures, because it felt kind of empty without them, but just remember, these characters are completely made up in my mind, so none of these pictures are perfect representations of the character. Okay. It also includes a page that is labeled events, this is where you will see me posting things like updating information, and also, because I need practice at doing it, a brief summary of the next chapter. Sometime after I post this I'll put up the summary for next chapter.

Find the link to the blog on my profile. :)

Last thing. I did decide to split this up, because it is a long chapter. So, yeah, next chapter could take a few weeks to come out, so just expect that wait...

Okay, so, I only own what I create!

Enjoy!

~The Calm Before the Storm~

"So you're really going to leave me all alone in this place for Christmas?"

Violet giggled, brushing dark hair out of her face, and replied, "No. My dad leaves a week before Christmas, so I'll be back here in time for gift exchanges and stuff."

Lauren huffed, sending blond bangs into a lazy arc. "That's still two weeks. Alone. Here!" She gestured to walls.

Her roommate just rolled her eyes. "You won't be alone. You'll have Noah-"

"He's going home to be at his dad's wedding, remember?"

Violet faltered momentarily, but recovered. "Chris and Shaena."

"There spending Christmas at home this year, because of her mom."

"Lilah."

"Her mom's got that vacation time and their going to New York for the holidays to see her aunt."

Violet furrowed her brow. "Wow, I didn't realize so many people managed to make plans this year." She paused in thought, zipping her suitcase. "What about that puppy? The one that plays saxophone and doesn't ever talk?"

"Jasamin?" Lauren scowled, and flopped onto her bed. "She doesn't talk to me. Believe me, I've tried."

"I'm pretty sure I just said she doesn't talk." Violet frowned, pulling a face as though trying to remember, and Lauren responded by throwing a pillow at her. Violet laughed and took a seat on her bed, tossing it back. "Make her talk to you. Come on, when you really want something, you become quite impossible to ignore. She'll have to give in eventually."

"Please, if persistence worked Noah would've gotten to her by now," Lauren mumbled into her arm, which she had slung across her face.

"Maybe she needs a different approach. Instead of being annoying like Noah, be nice. Smother her with kindness."

Lauren sat up raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You really think that's going to work?"

"Of course I do." Violet laughed, and took a seat next to her. "I wouldn't of said it if I didn't think it would work would I?"

"You might," Lauren replied, shrugging her shoulders. "One never knows with you."

"What does that mean?"

They both fell victim to a fit of giggles then, leaning on each other and laughing until their sides hurt. Then, as they had come, they stopped, and the girls sat in silence for a moment. Violet watching her thumb trace invisible lines on her palm.

"Two weeks then? Lauren broke the silence.

Violet smiled, and nodded. "Two weeks, then I'll be back, and bragging about how I helped you make friends with the quiet puppy."

"Whatever."

~The Calm Before the Storm~

"So you're seriously going to go?"

"What do you want me to do, Fish?" Jasamin pushed past the girl, who was standing in the middle of her room, arms crossed, and face set into a look of disbelief.

"There's no need to be rude," Rose put in from her spot on the second bed. "Lauren's only trying to help, and I don't think she's totally out of line given your father's record-"

"What record?" Jasamin snapped harshly, turning on her, eyes alight. "What exactly is it you're accusing my father of, Rose?" Rose's mouth worked, but nothing came out as the younger girl advanced on her. If she wasn't so angry, Jasamin might have thought that she looked rather funny like that. Like a fish.

"Well?"

Luckily, Julie came to the cornered girl's rescue. "No one's accusing anyone of anything," she assured, putting a hand on her shoulder. "No one here is being irrational, or assumptive. We're looking at the facts. You're father is a drunk, we smell it on you're cloths every time you come from home. You're home one month out of the year, and you claim during that time he hardly even knows you're there, and to the best of our knowledge, he's never attempted to contact you when you're away."

"Exactly," Rose agreed, giving Julie a grateful look. "Do you know why he wants you to come home? Did he say?"

"I've already answered that. No, he only said he wanted me to come home when we're released."

"Why? What do you think caused this sudden change of heart?" Rose pressed, eyes searching her, pleading with her to see the logic.

Jasamin was silent for a moment, selecting her next words carefully. "I don't know; maybe he just changed."

Rose shook her head, as though Jasamin were simply a stubborn, naïve child. "Jazz...people don't just change."

"Don't call me Jazz," she snapped, knowing that wasn't the pressing issue, but the nickname coming out of Rose's mouth made her blood boil. "And they can. You should know that as well as the rest of us. It was your girlfriend that just made a speech about people's ability to change not even a week ago." Then, she straightened, dropping her hand to her side and laughing. "Oh, wait, sorry. I forgot, you were too busy brooding over the fact that she included her best friend, right?"

Rose's eyes darted past Jasamin to where Shaena and Chris were seated together on the corner of her bed, and her mouth did the thing where it opened and closed like a fish. Chris stood abruptly, face a bright red, and announced, "You know what? We should actually be packing, too, right Shaena? Julie?"

"I've already packed," Julie muttered, not looking at Chris, but she was drowned out by Shaena's agreement.

"I should go," Rose finally decided, rising from the bed and gliding past Chris and Sheana without so much as a glance. Jasamin had to hide a smile when Sheana pulled a face and fluttered her hands irritably to hide a smile as Sheana pulled a face and fluttered her hands irritably at Rose's back as they followed her out the door. As much as she hated that she had made Chris uncomfortable, her plan had worked. Rose was gone.

Dekka pushed the door shut behind the trio, and Jasamin noticed that she was smiling too, which made suppressing her own even more difficult. A smile from Dekka was rare, and for that reason, oddly contagious.

"Alright," Lauren spoke levelly, taking the space that the Dark and Twisties had just vacated. "Now that the Queen Bitch is gone, and you're made your point, are you going to tell the truth."

Jasamin took a deep breath, and moved across the room to latch her suitcase. "I haven't been lying. Not really. I don't have a choice."

"You know you chew on your hair when you're lying, or not telling the whole truth." Julie's voice didn't hold it's normal, certain confidence and strength, she just sounded sad and defeated.

"I don't know what more you want me to say," Jasamin answered, spitting hair out, and pushing it away form her face. "My dad wants me to come home, and I'm better off not going around trying to piss him off."

"She's right," Dekka spoke from her position leaned against the door. "Some parents are better kept happy."

"Thank you."

Dekka didn't respond, just chewed on her cheek, as though she was debating saying more. "Look," Jasamin went on hopping onto her suitcase and swinging her feet. "It's not like I'm going to be home all break. By day three he'll be so drunk I could shoot him in the foot and he wouldn't know. I'll be at Lilah's before you've even had time to miss me." Then, when Lauren didn't look convinced she added, "Promise." allowing her mouth to twitch into what she hoped was a convincing smile.

"I'll hold you to that," Lauren warned, flicking dirty blond bangs out of her eyes, then she laughed, the saddest laugh Jasamin had ever heard come out of the girl's mouth.

"What?"

"Nothing." Lauren stood abruptly shaking her head. "Just don't stay too long, okay?"

Jasamin used her finger to trace an "x" uncertainly over her heart. Lauren gave a brief nod, then turned and swept out of the door without another word.

~The Calm Before the Storm~

Dekka watched the landscape turn to buildings and streets below them. Lauren was beside her, having a thumb war with herself. She hadn't spoken a word since Jasamin had left for the airport the day before, and the silence was uncharacteristically thick and awkward.

Rose, who was by the other window frowning at official-looking papers that she had strewn across her lap, and Lauren's. She hadn't spoken all day either, but this change was not one that bothered her. Dekka preferred Rose silent.

"I'm not being paranoid, right?"

Dekka jumped, and looked over at the blond girl. Lauren had one thumb clasped in the other, and was twisting as though trying to screw it off. She wasn't looking at anyone, just straight ahead, eating her lip. Rose answered.

"Totally paranoid." She sounded preoccupied, and Dekka had a feeling her brain wasn't of the paper in her hand.

"Paranoid about what?" Dekka leaned her head against the window and watched Lauren's grip on her thumb relax. "Jasamin?"

"Yes. I mean, nothing's actually going to happen to her, right?"

"Well, her plane could fall out of the sky, or she could get run over, or struck by lightning, or fall down a flight of stairs-"

"Rose." Rose jumped, and looked up at the note of warning in Dekka's voice. She wasn't used to being told what to do, and, as her face hardened, Dekka realized she didn't like it either.

"All I'm saying is that accidents happen," she practically growled, eyes locked on Dekka. She was reminded of a lion about to pounce. "But as far as what you're worried about-as far as whether or not her dad's going to really hurt her-yes, you're being paranoid."

Lauren's hand fell into her lap, and she leaned her head against the head rest, letting out a breath. "I don't like this."

Rose said, "Shouldn't worry. Totally irrational." at the same time that Dekka asked, "Are we still talking about Jasamin."

Lauren chuckled, and shook her head. "No, actually I was talking about being on this plane. I don't really like planes all that much."

"Why not?" Dekka glanced down at the shapes, which had begun to grow slightly larger. "Statistically, your safer in a plane than you are in your own bathroom."

Lauren gave a dry laugh. "Let's just say that I have first hand experience that proves statistics mean absolutely nothing."

The intercom buzzed to life and the captain came over, announcing that they were preparing to land and requesting that everyone remain seated. There was a high ringing, and the seat belt lights blinked on orange.

"Hmph." Rose gathered up her papers, and returned them neatly to her folder, saying, "Well, it looks, like this time the statistics were right."

"We're not on the ground yet," Lauren reminded, thumping the seat in front of her with a foot. It was a good thing no one was sitting in the seat, because she had been doing that the entire flight.

Rose rolled her eyes and slumped back into her seat. "Whatever," she mumbled, glaring at something across the aisle. Lauren stuck her tongue out at the girl's back.

Dekka chuckled, and turned back to the window, muttering, "So glad everyone's mature here."

Not soon enough, they were off o the plane, and standing at the cargo belt of the San Diego airport. Lauren was hopping, like some sort of deranged rabbit, and Rose was watching her irritably. "What are you doing?" She demanded.

"Trying to get some feeling back in my legs," Lauren answered matter-of-factly. "They are like jelly."

Rose scoffed, and rolled her eyes for the thousandth time that day. "God, you are such a child!" Then she snatched her suitcase off of the belt, and stalked away.

"You're such a child!" Lauren mimicked in an exaggerated, high-pitched voice. Then, she stuck her tongue between her teeth, making a series of unintelligible noises that ended in, "Bitch!" as she jerked her own suitcase off of the line.

Dekka laughed, pulling her suitcase down as well, and said, "You're as bad as Sheana."

Lauren shrugged. "What can I say?" Then: "I'm hungry, come on, let's go find food."

Dekka stumbled a moment as Lauren began dragging her away from the belt. When she had got her bearings, she asked, "Shouldn't we be going to look for our ride?"

"The car won't be here for another ten minutes," she answered, shaking her head. She stopped at the mouth of two hallways, and glanced down both, then up at the sign, glowing on the opposite wall, and decided on the left hallway. "The plane landed early."

"Okay, well, shouldn't we go get Rose?"

"Ha! You're funny!" Lauren smiled broadly as the hallway opened into a food court. When she realized Dekka wasn't faltering she added, "I've had enough to her for right now. She can take care of herself, don't worry."

"So, let me get this right: You're nervous about Jasamin going home, but Rose being alone in a crowded airport doesn't bother you at all?"

"Yeah, okay, I get it. You thing I'm a terrible person." Lauren chewed her cheek. "I'm thinking Subway, what about you?"

"I don't thing your a terrible person," Dekka corrected. "I just think you need to straighten your priorities a little...and I don't care."

"Subway it is then," Lauren decided. "And it's not that simple. Jasamin's dad is a bad person. I'm not wrong to be a little nervous about why he suddenly wants her to come home."

Dekka didn't respond. It was suspicious, but it also wasn't really any of her business, or Lauren's for that matter.

"Hi, welcome to Subway. What can I get you?" Dekka blinked. She hadn't realized they had made it to the stretch of the wall that had been claimed by Subway. The girl behind the counter wasn't much older then them, probably only eighteen or nineteen, and her overly perky personality was already giving Dekka a headache. She willed Lauren to make this quick.

"How about a six-inch melt, on wheat, cheddar cheese, and toasted." The girl nodded as Lauren spoke, pulling out the bread, but she faltered Lauren's last addition. "And I won't be getting any vegetables, so don't even bother getting ready for that part."

"No vegetables?" The girl chirped as she carefully placed a layer of cheddar over the meat. "Why not? Vegetables are good for you, ya know?"

Lauren responded with a shrug. "Vegetables on sandwiches irks me."

Dekka ducked her head to hide her smile. Of course they would, why not add vegetables on sandwiches to Lauren's long list of odd pet peeves. The girl behind the counter chewed on her cheek, but shrugged and turned to slide the sandwich into the oven. Then, she turned back to them and looked at Dekka. "What about you?"

She blinked, confused for a moment. "Oh, um, no. I'm not eating."

It seemed that Lauren's peculiar issue with vegetables had deterred the girl from asking them any more questions, because she opened her mouth as though to ask, but then closed it after a pause and nodded. "Alright, then."

The silence stretched a beat too long, then the oven beeped behind her, and the girl pulled out the sandwich, wrapped it carefully, and shoved it into a bag. After she had traded a handful of one's for the bag and they had begun to walk away, Lauren turned to face Dekka. "You're killing me, you know that?"

Dekka hesitated. "What?"

"That thing you do where you let me get food and then don't get any yourself." She shook her head. "Makes me look like a pig."

All of the tension suddenly faded in a relieved laugh as Lauren's smile flashed briefly across her face. "Right, well, maybe if you would stop eating all the time."

Lauren threw here head back, barking a laugh. "You're funny, Dekka." Then, she checked her phone. "We should get outside, the diver will be here any minute, and Rose's underwear's starting to wad."

Dekka shook her head. "Great imagery, thanks for that."

"You're welcome!" Lauren chirped, skipping once, then stopping completely, mouth turned down into a frown, and eyebrows furrowed.

Dekka followed her gaze, and her eyes fell on Rose, wearing her I'm-talking-to-someone-really-important-so-I'm-an-angel facade. She was smiling and talking to a woman in a neat, white blouse and black pencil skirt, with dark brown hair that was twisted carefully against her head, and speared with a black pencil.

"Okay," Dekka spoke slowly, watching Lauren's mouth work soundlessly. "I give up. Who is she?"

Lauren clamped her mouth shut, and shook her head, and this act seemed to dislodge whatever was blocking her vocal cords. "My legal guardian," she muttered, more to herself, as she began striding forward.

"Um, what?" She blinked, confused, then realized she was being left behind, and jogged to catch up.

Lauren spun around to face the woman as she came up beside Rose, propping an arm on her shoulder. "Hey."

"Hello, Lauren." The woman had a sweet voice, like honey, and it made it difficult to imagine she commanded as much respect as Rose was offering her. Dekka looked from Lauren to her mother, and tried to piece together how she hadn't realized that Lauren had important parents.

In the back of her mind, a second, less important thought had cropped up. They don't look much alike.

Rose was glaring at the arm on her shoulder. "Why?"

"Because I can. Why else?" Lauren replied, not allowing her eyes to travel away from her mother. "So why are you here in California?"

"I came to speak to Lilah's mothers," the woman answered vaguely, "and I figured, since I was already here, I might as well give you girls a ride." The woman's eyes fell on Dekka. "Well, hello. I don't believe we've ever met."

"Dekka."

A warm smile, no trace of Lauren in it, and an outstretched hand, which Dekka took after a beat of hesitation. This woman's hands were soft and dainty, not like Lauren's, hard and solid. Why was she comparing them like this? The thought almost made her miss the woman introducing herself. "I'm Crystal Hertz. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Dekka replied, ignoring the buzz of recognition that went off in her head. It was useless if she didn't know from where she recognized it.

Crystal lead them out to the parking lot, asking about classes and friends, and other parent questions. Lauren shared stories that Dekka recognized, and other that she didn't, and Crystal laughed. A laugh that also wasn't Lauren's.

"So, what about you?" Lauren inquired as they climbed into Crystal's sleek, black SUV. "What's it been like in the big office? Made any important changes we should know about going into next semester?"

Everything seemed to shut off as she focused on the words. "You're on the school board?"

Crystal laughed lightly as Rose gave her a bewildered look across Lauren. "She owns the school board!" The fiery-haired girl sounded as though it were some sort of sin that she didn't know this.

Maybe it wasn't quite that extreme, but it still would have been nice information to have before she embarrassed herself in front of the owner of her school. Dekka turned her eyes on Lauren, who shrugged. "It never came up."

"That's why she gets to live on campus," Rose rattled on over the other girl's excuse. "I mean, honestly, you didn't think they have a renting policy or something did you?"

Suddenly, things began clicking into place. They they had nothing in common, not their laugh, or the sparkle in their eyes, or their mannerism. "You're not her actual mother."

Crystal's eyes flashed into the rear view mirror, landing briefly on Dekka before settling on Lauren, who's mouth was half-turned up into a nervous smile. "Well, for someone you call a friend, you certainly haven't told her much, have you?"

"Can you imagine trying to fit that into conversation?" Lauren laughed at the thought. "'Hey, my legal guardians own this school, but they'll only be my guardians until I'm sixteen, and therefore legally old enough to live on my own.' I'll either sound like a bragging bitch or a whining one, but either way-"

"Please watch your language," Crystal interrupted, and, without missing a beat, Lauren answered:

"Sorry." Then went on. "Anyways, that's simply not a topic that you just stumble upon. Especially at Headline. Home life is a touchy subject for most people there, you know?"

Crystal didn't respond immediately, and when she did speak again, it was a change of subject. "Neal told me you punched a boy."

"This is true," Lauren confirmed mildly, reminding Dekka of Toto. She smiled.

"Then threatened to break his hand."

"He deserved it."

"Then said that if he didn't back off you would-now hold on, I wanna get this one right- sell him to a lonely gay man as a sex toy."

Dekka's mouth fell open, and Rose chocked on the water she'd been drinking, and also spilled half of it down her front. Lauren blushed. "Okay, so maybe that one was a little more far fetched, but let's keep in mind that I was really pissed off." Then she added, when Crystal glared at her in the mirror, "Oops, I did it again. Sorry."

"You actually said that?" Rose spluttered, attempting to use her coat sleeve to try off the front of her white hoodie.

"Yeah, maybe not my finest moment," Lauren repeated, pulling napkins out of her Subway bag and handing them to Rose.

"Talk about the understatement of the year," Dekka commented, but she couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice. Maybe it was a rather cruel, out-of-line threat, but she could practically see the look on Adam's face. She suddenly wished she'd been there.

"Where did you even come up with that?" Rose demanded.

"You want me to be honest?" Lauren raised an eyebrow. "I have no idea. It was just out there before I'd even considered saying it."

"Just try to refrain from threatening to make your classmates sex toys in the future, please," Crystal called back.

"I can do that," Lauren replied, nodding proudly.

Rose changed the subject to student council plans, which Dekka quickly lost interest in, so, she turned to the window, and watched San Deigo drift past. The car took them out of the city, and up a rough road that crept its way up the side of a steep cliff.

The rocks weren't exactly interesting to look at, so instead, she glanced up towards the sky, thinking of Brianna after the wall became transparent. She used to stand in one spot and stare up at the sky, watching the clouds drift by, and break apart on the surface of the wall.

There were no clouds in the sky today, and she looked back down, something jerking inside her. Disappointment?

Almost immediately, she had to look back up. Something had flashed brightly, like a fire exploding to life.

It wasn't a fire, it was the sun. Peeking over the edge of the cliff was a large, glass wall that reflected the sun like a large explosion white-yellow light. Dekka nudged Lauren, and nodded up at it. "What's that?"

The blond girl leaned over and examined the view, then laughed. "That, my friend," she explained, "is Lilah's house."

Dekka looked again, mouth hanging open. "She lives there?"

Lauren nodded. "She's mentioned her parents are rich doctors before, hasn't she? They're so rich, they're starting to make Bill Gates sweat."

"Please," Rose scoffed. "Bill Gates sneezes more than their monthly intake."

"I was exaggerating!" The other girl snapped, slouching back into her seat. "You know? Making a point by stretching the truth a little?"

Rose glared at her sideways. "I know what an exaggeration is. Don't you know that exaggerating is frowned upon?"

"Only by people with a stick up their-" Crystal cleared her throat and Lauren stopped short, mouth forming a perfect "o". After a moment she said, "Butt. I was going to say butt."

Rose huffed and propped her elbow on the door, dropping her chin in her head. "Sure you were."

They fell into silence, which remained until they came over the top of the cliff. The house was even bigger than she'd originally though. She guessed it was about the size of the dorm buildings if they were morphed together. The wall that looked out over the cliff was made completely of glass, and the bottom was lined with monkey grass, and a small patch of upturned dirt that probably served as a flower garden in the summer.

The rest of the house was brick, neat red bricks, and the roof was flat. There was a child, or else a really small person, standing at the edge of the roof, holding something high above its her head, as though to throw it. Dekka's eyes trailed down to find a small, blond girl turning in a patch of ground worn clear of dead grass. Dekka recognized the girl almost immediately. It was Emeline, one of Weston and Weslie's friends.

"Oh, this doesn't look good," Crystal muttered as she pulled the car to a stop. She pushed the door open and stepped out, calling a warning to Emeline just as the figure on the roof released their ammunition.

It dropped like a rock, straight for Emeline, but the girl stopped turning, and took a step towards them, squinting. "Mrs. Crystal? What are you doing-"

It was a water balloon, and it hit the ground, exploding, and soaking Emeline's back and legs. She squealed, and leapt away from the attack, staring momentarily at the remains of the balloon, before she glared up to find the attacker cackling, doubled over.

"Oh!" She growled, stamping a foot. "Raylyn! When I tell Lilah-"

"Lilah won't do anything!" The person on the roof, a girl, interrupted as the rest of their party was climbing out of Crystal's car. "I ain't scared of her!"

"Really?" Lilah called as she came around the corner of the house. "Well, I need to fix that," She decided, stopping and crossing her arms. "How about you come down here and put your money where your mouth is?"

"Uh..." The girl on the roof sat down, feet swinging over the side. "You know what? Actually, I'm good right, thanks!"

"Uh-huh!" Lilah shook her head, and began walking towards the new arrivals, calling over her shoulder, "I'll deal with you later!"

Lauren laughed as Lilah approached, and the two girls exchanged a hug. "Glad to see you're still scaring small children into submission," Lauren commented as they pulled away.

"Eh," Lilah replied with a mischievous grin, she added in a lower voice, "And my dad says I get it from mom."

"Are you talking about me?" Dekka jumped and turned at the voice. A woman, probably not much older than Crystal, was trotting down the road, almost upon them. Dekka figured she wasn't Lilah's biological mother, considering the significant differences. This woman had long, golden hair that hand been pulled into a braid over one shoulder, and pale skin, and bright blue eyes.

She was dressed in a warm-up suit, and a golden retriever was turning exited circles around her, barking cheerfully. When she came to a stop beside Lilah, it flopped down at her feet, panting, and stared at Dekka.

Lilah laughed. "Not you. I as talking about the mom who scares small children into submission."

"Oh yeah," the woman nodded, "she gets that from Adriana." She smiled at Lauren, then Rose. "Hey girls. Long time."

"Only a year," Rose replied, and earned another laugh.

"A year is a long time." Then, the woman's eyes fell on Dekka. "Hello. I don't guess we've met before."

"Mom, this is Sunshine," Lilah introduced, grinning. "Sunshine, this is my mom, Dr. Kierson."

She offered a smile. "Karson, if you like. Dr. Kierson is to formal for out-of-hospital events."

"Dekka," she replied with a nod.

"Yeah, Sunshine's to misleading," Lauren added as she wrestled her suitcase out of the car. "Rose! You're work-in-a-bag is in my way!"

"My 'work-in-a-bag'?" Rose questioned, making her way over.

"Pretty sure those are the words that left my mouth."

"The two of you are starting to remind me of an old married couple," Crystal commented as eh came around the side of the vehicle.

Karson blinked in surprise a the sight of the woman. "Dr. Hertz."

"Wasn't it you who just said the doctor title was too formal?" Crystal chuckled as they shook hands.

"Yes, well, I don't own a school," Karson countered, but she was wearing a smile. "What brings you here?"

"I'm hear about a phone call you may have received from my school recently regarding your eldest daughter."

"What did I do?" Lilah frowned, crinkling her brow.

But Karson's smile had dropped, and her eyes grew suddenly cloudy and dark, she didn't hear her daughter. "Yes, we did. I'm sorry is this going to be something you start penalizing students for? Because, honestly, that's in direct violation of the fifteenth amend-"

"No! No." Crystal held up he hands. "This isn't about that. I'm not here penalize your children. I'm here because I'm concerned for the safety of another of my students."

"Which student?" Lauren cut in, quickly loosing interest in her suitcase. "What was the call about?"

Crystal didn't look away from Karson. "Perhaps there is somewhere we can speak in private?"

"Of course," Karson confirmed, turning and leading the woman toward the house. "If you'll let me collect Adriana-"

"Certainly."

"I want to know what's so secret we can't know," Lauren declared, crossing her arms, and setting her jaw stubbornly.

Lilah, who was watching the two women walk away, nodded. "I do too. Emmeline!"

The little girl jumped, then raced over. "Yes?"

"Go find Andre."

"We're eavesdropping?" Emeline's eyes were wide.

"We're eavesdropping," Lilah confirmed, face set with determination.

~The Calm Before the Storm~

This had been a routine for nearly four years. About a year after he had arrived at the Kierson-Garcia house Lilah had discovered that his hearing was just short of super human, an effect of being a musician. Now, any time that someone in the house wanted to eavesdrop, they called Andre.

This time was no different, which was why he was sitting in the doorway to the entrance hall, concentrating on the door across the room that lead into the kitchen. This was where Crystal, Karson, and Adriana were now.

He heard someone inhale slowly, then let it out. "The call you received, the one concerning your daughter's..." Crystal hesitated, then finished lamely with, "sexuality. Well, that wasn't an administrator, or a member of the staff. It's rather embarrassing to admit, but it was a student."

"One of the students?" That was Adriana, harsh and outraged. "How was a student able to get my daughter's personal information?"

"I'm not sure, but believe me, we're getting to the bottom of it." Crystal assured. "And he will be apologizing as well, as soon as we get our hands on him. I couldn't get in touch with the faculty until he was already gone."

"Okay, so, how does all of this lead you to the conclusion that a student is in danger?" Softer, more level. Kierson.

"Well," Crystal replied. "I made an attempt to contact the parents that Adam reached to inform them of their children's...preferences." She stumbled over the word again. If their situation wasn't so serious he might have found it funny. "We managed to reach everyone, except two. You; of course I know I didn't really have anything to worry about from you, considering...anyways, I figured you were just highly offended by the call, which I don't blame you for. And, again, I apologize. It was a horrible thing for him to do." Another deep breath. "The other guardian I could not contact was a red zone. One that we have been suspicious of for quite some time, but simply prove anything. So I brought statements from teachers and other members of the faculty regarding things they've noticed, bother behavioral and physical, and I'm hoping that you can confirm that the physical reports coincide with abuse, and if you can do that, then the police could get a psychological opinion from the statements, and I'm hoping that will be enough to have a patrol sent over to check up on...

Her voice trailed away as Andre made his way back through the house in a daze. Like drifting through water. He didn't need to hear anymore. He had already connected the dots.

When he arrived in the den, where the everyone had piled up, waiting, Lilah was the first to stand, closely followed by Lauren. When he didn't say anything immediately, Lilah spread her hands. "Well?"

He chewed on his lip, and his eyes traveled over every expectant face in the room, before landing on Lauren's, and when they did, his stomach dropped out, and the room spun. He was going to be sick. "I know why Jasamin's dad wanted her to come home."

You people are too optimistic. Is everyone on the same page as Andre now?

Question time!

1. What was your favorite scene from this chapter? (10 pts)

2. Favorite line from this chapter? (10 pts)

3. What shocked you the most in this chapter? (15 pts)

Trivia question!

How many brothers does Noah have? (20 pts and an extra five if you can tell what chapter it was in.

No challenge because I have a request.

Request.

So, for the blog. When you look at the character profile thing, you'll find quotes, or song lyrics, or anything else that I feel represents the character. My request is that, if there's anything you've ever heard or read that makes you think of one of the characters in this story, send it to me, or put it in the review, I don't care how you do it. :) It can be any character, whether they already have a quote or are just minor characters that stand out to you.

Also, anything that the character has said that stood out to you, or something that stood out to you during one of their character spotlight times...Anyways, I'd like to include some of my own words in the quote thing as well.

Now, nobody has to do this. It's just a request, and because its just a big thing, I'll be offering a lot of brownie points for it. I haven't decided how much though.

Anyways, thanks for reading! Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!

Be kind to one another!(I've been watching way too much Ellen) and don't forget to leave a review! :)