S

A

D

I

E

I was grounded.

No surprise there, but the real icing on the cake was getting suspended for two days.

Even if our 'fight' (can you really call it a fight if I whooped everyone's ass?) was after school it was still on school grounds, which was a violation to the rules. When the principal explained that, I had to agree with his punishment of getting suspended.

As you might've guessed, my parents were pissed.

Walking out of the front office the day after it all went down, they both started chastising me at the same time.

"Sadie, I can't believe you would start a fight with a girl!" My mother dabbed a tissue at the corner of her eyes as she tried to fight back tears.

I never really knew my mom all that well, she did die when I was six, so seeing her react to all of this was quite odd for me.

I hope no one tells her about my times in England, I pray, knowing if she found out how rebellious I was across the pond she'd cry for months. My dad's reaction didn't surprise me at all. When I did act out while living in England, he'd somehow hear about it and call me.

I doubted my grandparents told him since they hated my dad, so I never really knew how he'd find out.

His response was the same, in person and on the phone. A sigh of disappointment before the same speech.

"Now Sadie I know this is hard for you, moving back in with us and all, but rebelling out isn't the answer." My dad added a firm hand on my shoulder with his speech, squeezing when he was finished. We walked out of the school together, the students parting when they saw us coming.

I could hear their whispers, I didn't have to really listen to know what they were talking about.

The response to seeing my parents was the same, no one could believe that I was mixed. No one really believed that Carter and I were siblings, but I guess seeing me with my parents really drove the nail home. The passing eyes followed us as we continued walking, their gaze making my skin crawl.

I saw Jenni and her friend group, a smirk on Jenni's lips. Her nose was bandaged with a bulky nose cast. From what I heard, I broke her $400 nose job. I glared at her as I passed, noticing how her smile hindered.

I tried explaining to the school and my parents about how Jenni was terrorizing me, but no one was buying it. My guess was that Jenni twisted the story of me punching her to make it seem like I was the bully. Since I had no hard evidence, everyone sided with the blonde terror. I shouldn't have expected anything different since when is school truly in favor of justice, but my parents not believing me did sting a little bit.

Getting seated in the backseat of the car I drove home so many night ago, I sighed.

Dad started driving, taking us back to our house. He somehow got a job working at the local museum as a coordinator of some type, I didn't really know since I wasn't paying all that much attention when he was explaining it to me.

Anyways, I knew he had to go to work today so he'd be gone for most of the day. That left my mom and me at the house. She'd been dead for a long time but with a little magic my parents were able to make it seem like she'd never kick the bucket. I don't know all the facts behind it, the whole thing gave me a headache if I tried to unravel it on my own. My mother was now a stay at home mom, her reasoning was because she wanted to spend more time with Carter and me.

Having two parents again was weird for Carter and I, that much I knew.

I stared out of the window as the school zoomed out of my view before we entered out neighborhood.

My mother's sniffles made my heart clench and for a split moment I wanted to take my actions back. I felt like I failed my parents, I didn't like the feeling. Since I was a girl, I always wanted what I finally had, a family. I was used to doing things on my own, I didn't have to worry about anyone else but myself.

I loved my grandparents so much, but they never seemed to truly care about what I did. I rebelled, wanting attention, which explained why I streaked my hair with color and why I got into fights. Now I had two people, my parents, breathing down my neck and I didn't like it.

No one said anything as we all got out of the car. My father walked in with my mother, holding hands. I staggered behind, not wanting to be secluded in the house just yet.

I sat on the front porch steps, leaning my head on my knees as I hugged myself. I watched cars drive by, lost in my thoughts. I heard the front door open and close behind me, heavy footsteps approaching me.

"What are you thinking about kid?" My father asked, taking a seat beside me.

I shrugged, not bothered to answer. Dad wrapped an arm around mt shoulders, hugging me.

"I know all of this is hard for you Sadie. I talked to your brother and I got the sense that you felt like I left you behind."
My heart leaped in my chest, my eyes widening as I realized my dad knew about my deepest secret. I recalled telling Carter about how I felt about dad leaving me all those years ago back when we were in the Brooklyn house. My cheeks burned in embarrassment.

"Sadie, I can't change what I did but I hope now that you're older you'll be able to understand that all I do is for you and your brother." His voice had always been deep and soothing, something I remembered from when I was a little girl. My dad was my hero, no matter how I felt about him.

"I understand dad," I whispered, my voice croaky as I tried to stop my bottom lips from wobbling. My dad's words made me emotional, it had been a long time since we had a deep conversation with one another.

"Why did you hit that girl Sadie?"

I knew he'd ask that question, everyone but him asked me that today.

Looking at my dad, no longer a blue colored god of the underworld, I wanted to trust him.

He was alive and wanting to be in my life. I could feel the truth wanting to spill out, I wanted to tell my dad everything about how Jenni Hart was making school a living hell. Yet, I held myself back.

I didn't want to cause him worry, I didn't want to create a problem for him nor my mom if I could solve my own issues.

I told them the truth, but they didn't believe me. I gave my dad a small smile, shrugging my shoulders.

"We had a disagreement and I thought she was going to hit me first. I reacted without thinking."

It wasn't a lie, but I felt guilt start to weigh down on my chest. My dad nodded his head, stroking his beard in thought.

"Well, you're grounded. Obviously," he said with a teasing smile. I couldn't help but return his smile.

"And-," he continued, "You will be banned from using your computer and phone for the rest of the week. Also, your mother feels it's right that you write the girl you punched an apology letter."
I groaned at the last part. "Do you really have to?"

My dad ruffled my hair before tucking a strand behind my ear. "Sorry Sadie, Mom's orders."
Sighing, I agreed to their terms.

I walked with my father inside the house as he got ready for work.

Sitting in the kitchen, I watched my parents scramble to find my dad's briefcase.

I watched with amusement as my mother yelped in surprise when my dad pulled it out of the cushion of the sofa.

"How did it stuck there?" she asked. Neither my dad and I answered as he quickly kissed us goodbye. The door slammed as he left, leaving my mom and I alone in the house.

Mom took a seat across from me at the table, sipping a cup of hot tea. I played with the placemat in front of me, trying to distract me from the awkward feeling my father's absent sprouted.

"So, are you and Anubis a thing?"

My mom's question made my heart leap in my throat. Meeting her gaze, I could feel the blood rushing to my face. No doubt that I looked like a tomato.

"What do you mean?" I didn't know how I kept my voice from shaking since a tremor began to shake my whole body.

My mom gave me a teasing smile, looking eerily like mine. "I'm not as blind to young love as your father, I know romance when I see it."
I couldn't stop the awkward giggle from leaving my mouth as I scrambled to give my mom an explanation to what Anubis and I were. What exactly were we?

Anubis and I had shared a couple of kisses here and there, but never tried to put a label to our feelings.

It was no question that I had a major crush on him since the first time he began showing up in my dreams. I used to question if he liked me back but now I didn't since he was always the one to kiss me first. Anubis was a god and lived many years, but he acted the same age as he looked, sixteen and completely clueless about girls.

"So, are you guys dating?" My mom asked, a cheerful sparkle in her eyes.

I shook my head, blabbering, "Oh no, gods no. We're just friends, that's it."

My mom shook her head at me, "Sure you are."
I could feel myself further blush at her words. Even my mom can tell when I'm lying, great.

"Well just know that if you think about dating him, I support you. Just know that if your father finds out he'll be a little mad. He especially won't like the you two sleep under the same roof," she explained. "He might even stake out at night in the hallway to make sure you two don't sneak off together at night."
"Mom," I shrieked, holding my burning cheeks. She laughed, her laughter making me crack up with her since I could perfectly picture my dad staking out the hallway.

"Well, whatever you choose just know that I love you dearly my Sadie."
She grabbed a hold of my hand, giving it a squeeze. I squeezed back, feeling lucky that I had a mom once again.

"I guess I should head to my room and start that apology letter." I left my mom in the kitchen as I made my way up to my room. sitting at my desk, I stared at the blank paper in front of me.

"Stupid Jenni Harts", I mumbled. Somehow, I found the strength the BS an apology letter. Throughout the day, I worked on my assignments for the classes I was going to mess. I was focusing heavily on reading Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' that I didn't hear Carter knock on my door.

"I see you're working hard," he commented as he took a seat on my bed. I dog-eared the page I left off and turned to look at my brother.

"How was school?" I asked, noting how his hair had grown out slightly from the buzzcut he got for the school year. Carter and I's relationship had blossomed since we were thrown into the world of magic and gods.

"It was boring, nothing cool. Are you okay?"

Leave it to Carter to get straight to the point. I waved off his concerned look, giving him my famous devious smile.

"I'm dandy, don't you worry now."
Carter nodded, smiling.

"I see you're having a party in here." Carter and I turned to see Anubis standing in my doorway. Just looking at him made my breath hitch. He looked so good in his jeans and black tee-shirt.

"Come join us funeral boy," I taunted. The boys laughed as Anubis walked into my room.

I never imagned my life would turn out this way, surrounded by people I love.

I finally had a family again.

Not even stupid Jenni Hart could change that.

Author's Note:
Hey, so this chapter is long! Took me two days to write it up and decided it was worthy of publishing. I really enjoyed writing it and I think I have a direction I want this story to go.

ALSO, I came up with a new story idea! BUT it involves our beloved Percy Jackson and I'm not going to lie I'm a little nervous writing it. The main idea is that Percy finds out he has an older sister from Poseidon named Anna. That's all I'm willing to share at the moment, but what do you guys think? Would you want to read something like that?

Please let me know your thoughts!

Much love,

Rina