Hope you enjoy this. By the way it's after the third book. I didn't like the fourth, so I left it out.

Disclaimer: Do I look like James Patterson? I don't think so. My hair is a lot longer.

Chapter 2

The morning of the first day of school. You've experienced it. Nervousness mingles with excitement which mingles with worry. Fun.

I woke up at five to beat the rush for the shower. Ella was still asleep, so I went quietly. There were two showers. I could hear the water running in one, so I went to the closer one. The door was closed, but that didn't surprise me.

I shifted my clothes to one arm and turned the knob. As soon as the door was open, I knew that I was in trouble. Fang uttered a hoarse cry and jumped behind the toilet wearing only his underwear. I was frozen. I didn't know what to do. Fang apparently didn't know what to say either. He was clearly debating whether to play it cool or freak out.

The choice was easy. He yelled, "Get out!"

I obeyed as fast as I could. I slammed the door, then promptly stumbled over my own feet and fell on my face in the hallway. My clothes flew everywhere.

I became aware that I was breathing heavily, so I stayed motionless to try to calm myself down. Man, Fang had abs! But I shouldn't think about that. Right now I was in a bad position for a flyboy attack.

Just as I began to compose myself and sit up, Fang opened the door. I moved my mouth soundlessly. Why did words flow so easily when I was telling someone off, but now, when I needed to be smooth, I was blank?

Fang said, "I take it you liked last night?" He chose cool this time.

Fine. "That's an assumption you shouldn't make." I stood and placed my hands on my hips.

He frowned and took a step forward… and stepped on my bra. Now, he was lost for words.

I informed him, "That's mine." I picked my clothes up and pushed past him into the bathroom. "I figure you're done in here. See you at breakfast." I closed the door and collapsed against the sink. That was embarrassing.

Iggy almost got into a fight with my mom over who was to make breakfast. They compromised. Iggy does breakfast and Mom will handle dinner. Iggy made fifty pancakes and they were gone in twenty minutes. An explanation ensued.

I wound up being the last to go downstairs because I spent so long in my room. I wound up sitting in the seat Ella had saved for me right across from Fang.

We didn't say anything to each other during the meal. Instead I spent the time inspecting everyone's clothes. Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, and Angel were wearing their own faded clothes. Nudge was wearing some of the clothes that Ella had recently outgrown. I was wearing some clothes that were Ella's, but a little too big for her. For me it was a standard pair of jeans, although these didn't have blood or stains on them and they showed off my curves more than my own did. My shirt was blue, far too low cut, and hugged my body in a way that made me want to hide my face. We needed to go to the mall. Badly.

When everyone was done eating, brushing their teeth and preparing themselves, we got into my mom's car (breaking the seatbelt law) and she drove us to school, explaining that this was a special treat and starting tomorrow we would ride the bus.

By the time we were in the principal's office, I still hadn't said a word to Fang and he hadn't said any more than usual.

The principal followed us into his office. He said, "Take a seat, Ride family. Miss Martinez, you may go to class."

She obeyed, resigned.

When she was gone Principal Slater started, "Welcome to Hanover Middle-High central school. I understand that Nick, Jeff and Kate will be in ninth grade." Guess which one I was. "While Krystal will be in sixth, Gerald will be in third, and Angela will be in first. You younger two will be taken over to the other building after this. Now, older children, your story is unclear. Could you please explain why you have no paper work?"

Time to spin my master plan. "Most of us are not actually related. Our families travel in a sort of cult or clan. Angela and Gerald are the only blood siblings among us. Recently, our leader decided that we should get an education. They left us to live with Dr. Martinez because she's my mother and knows the group. You don't need to ask us anything else. Now, what are our classes?"

He looked a little surprised by the high level of intellect that I had demonstrated as well as the authority. However, he plowed on bravely, "Well, I need to know a few more things. I have been told that Jeffery is blind. How did this occur?"

I gave the answer as confidently as before, "An accident when we were younger. We are forbidden to speak of it, but you should know that he understands the meaning of color perfectly well."

"Well, I see no problems with giving you your schedules now. You will have identical schedules because there really is no other way to place you three. However, I'll start with the younger children. If you are fine with it I'll have the secretary bring you and the younger two to the other building."

He was clearly talking to my mom, but I answered anyway. "Okay, but they need to meet up with us after school."

He nodded, "You will be allowed to walk to their building at the end of the day. Now, Krystal, this will be your schedule," He handed her a paper. "And you three will have these classes," He brought out three more papers like the first. "These include lockers and combos. Have fun. You're a little late but your teacher will understand."

I take that as a dismissal.

Fang POV next chapter. Sorry about the delay. Not many of you reviewed. Plus, I'm very busy. I have a life. Now, review! Flames, questions, suggestions, whatever!