-Chapter 22-

~Fabian~

Dropping my daughter off somewhere I knew she wasn't safe, where I wouldn't see her for three months, terrified me. It horrified me.

Then I remember I had Mia, the person I knew would basically jump in front of a bus for Arabella. That made me feel safer, but it also killed me. Absolutely killed me, she had this idea drilled in her head,

Arabella first. Arabella's always first.

I now understand how Eddie had felt.

I followed the girls to the house, watching them look at their maps and all the building in wonder and awe. They had been here only a week before, but there was something new about it. They knew thru-out the next four years, their lives would change here. Heartbreak, Happiness, Growing-Up, it would all happen in these halls. I knew that feeling.

Then we got to Anubis house. The minute we walked in the door, the girls shoot into the living room. I walk in and see someone I was not excepting

"Poppy?" I asked, puzzled

"Fabian?" Poppy turns around

"What are you doing here?" I question

"Well, I know Trudy's getting older, so I decided to come and help with the new students!" She says excitedly and we hug shortly

"Do you know her?" Arabella asks

"Oh, yes, girls, this is Poppy Clarke, Jerome's little sister. She is your new house mother, I presume her and Trudy will be working together now." I inform them

"Yep! Oh, and I'm sure you haven't heard, Mara and Jakes adoption came in, their getting a little girl! 3 months old!" Poppy squealed

"What adoption?" Mia asks

"Well, I didn't tell you, incase it fell thru..." I tell the girls "what's the name?" I turn to Poppy

"Piper. Piper Ann Jefferson." Poppy says "but, why don't I get your rooms ready? Trudy's at the market so, unfortunately you won't be able to see her, Fabian... But, it was nice to see you!" Poppy hurries out of the room

"Goodbye, Poppy." I wave

"Do you have to leave?" Arabella asks

"I do..." I nod

"But-" she begins

"You'll be fine. I promise." I hug her

"Thanks, Rutter." Mia tells me, and to my surprise, hugs me "for everything."

They follow me out to the car, which the opening day staff had brought to me.

Arabella hugged me one last time

"Love you, Kiddo." I tell her

"Love you too." She replies

I jog down the steps and climb into the car, I roll down the window, grinning and waving, Arabella grins as waves back, even Mia grins a tiny bit. It feels like the first time I dropped her off for school, except this time, I wouldn't be coming back to pick her up in 8 hours. I would be picking her up in 8 weeks, and who knows what could happen by then? I start the engine up and slowly drive away, I looked back and the two little girls were not in my back seat, but instead, were still on the porch. At that point, a tear stung my cheek.

-–-

~Arabella~

I tried not to cry as Daddy's car disappeared into the trees. Instead, I turned to Mia

"You okay?" She asks and hugged me

"Yeah, yeah, it's just a little hard." I stand up straight, "what's next on the agenda?"

"Orientation and book pick up." She looks at our schedule

"Then, their we shall go." We link arms and head back to the main school.

I'm walking thru the woods shortcut I learned from Uncle Eddie last week, looking over my schedule, and it's mind boggling. I'm also carrying 3 pounds of books, so I really don't notice if anyone's in front of me, until I bump into some one. One living, breathing, person. One hot, male, living, breathing, person.

My day just got a little better.

I fall across him and rolled away. I'm pulling my hair from my face when see my books everywhere, I sit up straighter and look to the left. Tall, blonde, and handsome. He was sitting right next to me. Okay, Liverpool beats Oxford any day.

"Hello." He says, in a slight London accent.

"Well this is awkward," I look down, the boy chuckles "I mean, your not awkward," I start to ramble "I'm awkward, your gorgeous." I put my hand over my mouth "oops, I didn't mean to say that! I'm so sorry."

"For what? Bumping into me, or calling me gorgeous while quoting Frozen?" He asks

"Both." I nod

"My names Elliott. Elliott McDaniels" He reaches over and offers his hand

I shake his hand in return "Hi, Elliott, I'm Arabella. Arabella Rutter." I smile

"Rutter... I've heard that name before. Your dad is a alumni right? Teaches at Oxford, right?" He asks

"How'd-" I start

"Oh, my sister is a student of his, Klarissa McDaniels, she speaks very highly of his teaching, she told me he was an alumni of the school, I thought I would check out the website, and here I am!" Elliott tells me

"Ahh." I nod

That's when Mia comes running, she's stops and looks around me "oh, god, please don't tell me you've already embarrassed yourself!"

Then she sees Elliott, "Decent guy, spilt books." She looks at me "I can't leave you alone for one second!" She jokes then turns to Elliott, "Hello, mini Ryan Gossling. I'm sorry for whatever the hell Ara has done." She pulls on my hand, now that I have my books again, my arms are full "Good day!"

A/N I BROUGHT BACK POPPY! Who's happy about that? I also incorporated some connections from a minor past character from Chapter 3. Who thinks Arabella has a crush on Elliott? Who thinks Mia is not gonna like it? Explain to me your thoughts! ✌️.