Thanks for the awesome reviews. Sorry that I didn't write anything sooner, but it's been a busy summer! Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys!

Sydney's POV

I woke up hearing a scream. Jumping up, I sprang into action. A sound came from the bathroom, and I realized it was Zoe. I ran over, throwing the door open.

"Zoe! Are you okay?" I stopped short, looking at her. She was in a towel, obviously just out of the shower, and her face was staring at her reflection in the mirror. I took a second to readjust to her appearance. I still saw her as the little kid sister, the one that would follow me around, ask to play games with me, and basically be a kid. Now she, I hated to admit it, was grown up. He brown hair, same as the color of our fathers, was cut to just above her shoulders. Her eyes, browner than mine, had a maturity to them now that they didn't before I left home. She was a teenager. Fifteen, and I somehow missed the moment when she went from childhood, to now.

"I'm not okay!" She said sternly. "Look at my face."

I came over, and she turned towards me. "What? I don't see anything. Just a…oh. A pimple? That's why you were screaming?"

That obviously wasn't the answer she had hoped for from me. "Just a pimple? Just? Sydney, I have never in my life had a pimple. Ever."

Thinking about it, I don't think I had either. I had been lucky, and missed that specific side effect of growing up. Possibly because of my good eating and personal hygiene habits. But maybe it was just something as lucky as genetics. I don't think I ever asked mom about it though. Thinking of mom brought back what had happened last night. I gave an apologetic smile to my sister. "Use the makeup that we use to cover the lilies that will work." I assured her. "Zoe, dad called you yesterday, right?"

Her eyes grew sharper. "Yeah, he called you too?"

I shook my head, "Mom did. She told me about the divorce."

"Mom? I only heard from dad. They must have split up the phone call responsibility." Zoe said, opening the drawer that held out makeup. Our, being the operative word. My makeup, was now being shared. I didn't really mind, but I also didn't like the fact that my fifteen year old sister was wearing makeup of any sort now. She interrupted my thoughts, "I cannot believe they are divorcing. And now they all know our personal life. I was stupid, I shouldn't have said anything out loud. But I was just mad and upset, I mean really? They've been married for years. And now, when I finally am in the field, they spring this on me?"

I leaned back against the wall. I didn't play into the fact that she was talking about Adrian and them when she mentioned our personal life, but was she really making this about herself? Our parents were divorcing, didn't she think of how they were feeling? Putting that aside with a deep breath, I tried to stay focused. "Zoe, I doubt they just thought of it. I mean, you have to admit they weren't really getting along for years. They grew apart, became different people." I was mostly speaking about dad becoming something different, but I knew he was her favorite, so I wasn't going to upset her anymore by getting into specifics.

She finished applying the cover up and started brushing out her hair. "I know that. I wasn't blind. I mean, I was the only one home to witness all of their fighting."

"They fought lots?" I questioned.

"Like every second of every time they were together." She scoffed. "About you, Carly, me, Alchemists, and so on. And I was privy to it all."

I suddenly did feel sorry for her. If we were talking or I was home more, maybe I could have helped her out. I could have been a better big sister. "I'm sorry Zoe, I didn't realize how bad it was."

She turned to me. "You were doing this. Our job. So really, I shouldn't be mad." She took my hand in hers, squeezing. "I just wish we kept talking. I let my anger get the best of me. Through training with dad, I think I've learnt to overcome my emotions. I am sorry that I stopped talking to you." She let go of my hand. "Anyway, I need to get dressed and you need a shower. I mean it Sydney, you smell. What did Ms. Terwilliger want from you last night anyways? Do go bath in a swamp?"

I looked down at myself. The ceremony was outside, and there had been some magical elements cast on me that had a bit of an odor, to say the least. But I couldn't tell Zoe that. "I walked here after doing her research and went through some of the bushes. Short cut, you know?"

"What time did you get here last night? I went to sleep at like eleven. Isn't it illegal or something to have a teacher keep you so late?" She walked out of the bathroom, headed to our closet.

"I don't know. I should shower though." I said.

I went took closed the bathroom door. Turning on the water it ran warm, at best. Not hot, like I liked. I sighed, one thing about having a roommate was that they could really mess up your routine. I wanted a hot shower, not luke warm. But I would deal with it, it was worth having my sister back in my life. I knew that deep down her not talking to me left a whole in my heart, and having her back was slowing making my heart whole again.

I spent like four minutes in the shower, partially because the water was running colder and colder by the minute, and also because I knew I woke up late and had to get to breakfast to meet with my 'family'.

Wrapping my hair in a towel, I stepped out of the bathroom. Zoe was already dressed, and had put her hair up in a high pony tail.

"I'll be like 10 minutes," I told her. "If you want you can head on over to the cafeteria. I don't want you late because of me."

"I'd rather wait and be late, than spend more time with them." She announced.

I went to the closet, rolling my eyes as my head was turned away from her. Zoe's feelings for the Dhampir's and Moroi weren't anything that she hid. Especially to me. Around them, her remarks and bashing was died down, due to her wanting to be professional and be the best Alchemist alive. But with me, she vented continuously. I usually didn't say much, always hoping she would just stop and leave it alone. But it was becoming harder and harder to actually leave it alone. I knew Alchemists felt that way, heck, even I was supposed to feel that way. But I had changed. The Alchemists were liars, and they would do anything to control myself and others like me. Little did they know, I was against them. I met Marcus Finch, an ex-Alchemist who showed me that they were liars and not to be trusted. He even tattooed me with special ink to make sure that the Alchemists could never control me again. Marcus wanted me to join him in a rebel group against the Alchemists, but I couldn't do that. I wanted to work from the inside. Plus, staying here with my friends and new boyfriend helped to persuade me.

Getting dressed, I quickly went to blow dry my hair, styling it straight and perfect. Almost, I really wanted to flat iron it, but I was running out of time. Adding my foundation and a bit of mascara, I was ready to go.

Zoe and I left our room. I felt my phone vibrate on the way out. Checking it, Eddie had texted me: Where r u?

I texted a quick response: Sry, running late. Zoe and I will be there soon.

Putting my phone away, I glanced at Zoe, noticing her eyeing me.

"What?" I asked.

"Isn't it weird that he's texting you?"

"No. It's part of the job." I explained.

"I know, but they just expect so much from us. Things like food, for example. Yesterday they just assumed I would take precautions and just order food for them. And when I didn't, they complained. I mean it's not part of the job. It's bad enough having to give them rides and be near them. You'd think they would understand that." Zoe rambled on. "I just always feel so on edge and stressed out. I honestly don't know how you handle it all. I completely understand why you wanted me here. Being alone with them could drive you insane."

I nodded along, pretending to be understanding of what she was feeling. But on the inside, I just wanted to cover my ears and stop her from talking. She never used to be like this. I honestly never heard her talk about Moroi and Dhampir's before, only Alchemist topics like fighting, knowledge, history, stuff like that. The odd time she would be curious about them, but she would never complain about them or act better than them. In my time away, she had changed. She'd become more like our father.

We got to the cafeteria, and I automatically spotted the others. We got to the table and Zoe automatically told me she would go get a couple of apples and muffins for us. I agreed, only because I wanted to talk to the group without her for a moment. As she left, I took a seat beside our newest arrival, aside from Zoe, Neil. He was assigned as Jill's guardian, along side Eddie. So far I personally liked him, though he was quiet. I also knew that Jill and Angeline thought he was hot. I wasn't sure if Eddie appreciated all the flirting and googly eyes the girls made at Neil, but I was pretty sure Angeline did it so she could get over Eddie, and Jill did it to make Eddie jealous. Though, neither of them told me otherwise.

"Hey guys," I said.

They all smiled over at me. "You being late is like astronomically impossible," Jill said.

I shrugged. "I went to bed late."

Jill nodded, understanding. The others, however, did not.

"Too much extra studying with Ms. Terwilliger?" Eddie asked me.

"Something like that," I told him. I glanced over at where my sister was, she was in line talking to a couple of girls from her classes. I turned back to the group. "Okay, so how did yesterday go?"

The table was silent for a complete second. Then it went chaotic.

I heard, "We really missed you!" "It was definitely not the same." "She didn't even order us food." "It was awkward." They all talked, except Neil. Which kind of made me like him more. I enjoyed the quiet that came along with him. That, and he also never asked me for anything. He thought his sole responsibility was to protect Jill, and any social or personal inquiries were not thought of.

Jill spoke over everyone, "We are just saying that you are like one hundred percent better. And we missed you. And don't leave us again."

The group nodded. I smiled. "Thanks but you have to accept that Zoe is going to be around and sometimes I can get held up. I mean, she isn't that bad…" As soon as I said it, I knew they disagreed. I could read it in their expressions. "Come on guys, give her a chance."

"We are. We just aren't…used to her." Eddie said helpfully.

"And it doesn't help that she like totally hates us and basically wishes we were dead." Angeline piped in.

"She does not want you guys dead. And she doesn't hate you." I told them, knowing it was a lie. "She's just been told not to like you. So she has it instilled in her head that you guys are the bad guys."

"You weren't that bad when you arrived." Jill mentioned.

"You also never saw me before that. I had time with Rose and Dimitri prior to all of this, you know. It helped me accept you. But before, I'm pretty sure I would have acted the same as Zoe." I thought for a second and added, "Well maybe a bit better. But not much."

With that, Zoe came back, taking the seat on the end of the table. She had to take a chair from another table, though there was already one located beside Jill. All in all, it was awkward for her to do that. It would have been easier to sit with Jill, but this wasn't anything unusual.

"Thanks," I told her as she handed me an apple and a blueberry muffin.

She nodded. Usually this was how things were when we were altogether. There was silence, as well as awkward conversation.

"Your hair looks nice in the pony tail, Zoe," Jill tried to make polite conversation.

Zoe smoothed her hair and then she jerked her hand to her neck. Her eyes opened wide. "You just like having a better view of my throat." She glared over at Jill, then went back to eating her muffin, body stiff as a board.

"I didn't mean…" Jill started, but stopped. This was how awkward the conversation usually was between Zoe and the others. She always made remarks about blood or killing whenever Jill spoke up. When it was Eddie or the others, Zoe just talked about being tainted by two kinds of species.

I sighed. "I think your hair does look nice up, Zoe. It frames your face. I think that was what Jill meant."

She glared over at me. "Whatever."

I glanced at Jill, and she looked pissed. I mouthed, sorry, but she just shrugged. None of them technically blamed me for my sister's cold remarks, but I always felt responsible. It panged me that she felt this was alright to do.

I checked the time. "We should head to class." We still had a couple of minutes, but I think everyone wanted to just get the heck away from the table so we all agreed. I took the apple with me, storing it in my backpack for later.

Angeline left quickly since she had to meet up early with her teacher to discuss one of her projects. Since the whole math episode, she had really been trying harder with her schooling. I was proud of her. Zoe and Jill had all the morning classes together, considering they were the same age, so they went off towards the same way. Though, they stayed on opposite sides of the pavement. Eddie and Neil watched after them, till Jill faded from sight.

"I'm really sorry about that guys," I told them, referring back to my sister. "I promise, I'll talk to her."

"I don't think that you can say anything more that can make a difference, Sydney." Eddie said. "And it's not your responsibility. Zoe's old enough to make her own decisions about how she acts."

"I'm her sister, I at least have to try." I told him, sighing.

His hand went to my shoulder. "Stop stressing out. We don't blame you. Plus," he added. "You kind of have a lot on your plate now. You know about your parents' right? Zoe told us yesterday."

I nodded. "I honestly can't say I didn't see something like this coming. My parents haven't gotten along for a while now. But with Zoe being under eighteen, there's the whole custody thing. I just don't want her with my dad. I have to figure out how to convince her."

Eddie vaguely knew about my father and what he was like. "Don't stress about Zoe's attitude on top of all that. Please?"

Even though it was a lie, I nodded.

"We should get to class now," Neil said. I honestly had forgotten he was there.

And with that, we headed off our separate ways. This whole divorce and custody battle were going to drive me insane, not to mention me lying to everyone about Adrian, and the fact that I was basically working undercover as an Alchemist to spy them. Oh, and I was a witch in training. I passed one of the coffee huts, and glanced over at it, debating whether I wanted my one cup of coffee now or later. With all the thoughts roaming through my mind, I decided now was better than later. I needed the caffeine to get through the next couple of hours. Adrian was the only thing I was looking forward to today, but that was several hours away.

Ordering an extra-large (we never discussed size), I headed to my first class.