Jevae-

We had moved in to Ms. Sage's apartment the night before. The bed was comfortable and my siblings and I had come up with a rotation. Two of us would sleep on the bed at a time while the other two slept on the floor. The first night, Victoria and Elijah would take the bed since they were the youngest. We had brought our pillows and blankets from our old house. It was weird referring to it like that. Ms. Sage had provided extra blankets. We hadn't needed them. With the heater, it was a bit too hot. Kaisley and I had ended up shoving our blankets to the side and leaving our skin exposed. It was still hot. I made a mental note to tell Ms. Sage if she could turn it down a little. It was hard but I did manage to fall asleep sometime around one in the morning. When I awoke, at the same time everyday, it was 5:30. I was surprised to not be greeted with light but darkness. The curtains were far heavier than they were back home. Old home, I inwardly corrected myself. I got up and stretched. I would let my siblings sleep for another half hour. They deserved it after everything they had been through. Some small part of me shouted, what about everything you've been through?! I stomped on that part of me and plastered a smile on my face. It was going to be a greater day than the last. At least that's what I hoped. I walked to the closet and opened it carefully, not wanting to make any noise. Inside, our few belongings were already stashed. It felt like so long since I had seen my clothes on hangers. I loved the organization. I shoved all the clothes to the left, knowing mine were all the way on the far right. Most of my clothes was comfortable and in the color black, though I did have some splashes of color. I decided to go with some color. Life was turning toward a brighter path. I might as well shine a little too. I would never be as glamorous as any of my sisters, but I did have a few rare moments when I went above and beyond. This was one of those moments. I picked black ripped jeans, my black combat boots, and a baggy black sweater with a zipper. The splash of color would be the shirt underneath. I decided to wear a beautiful pale lavender long-sleeved shirt that hugged my curves, though I didn't have any, and showed off my shoulders, though they would be covered up by my sweater. I swept my hair into a ponytail. I had long ago given up on trying to tame my long wavy hair. The only part that was straight were my bangs. They never grew out or basically moved for that matter. I placed the brooches in my hair then contemplated taking them out. What if someone tries to steal them at school? Then I remembered that all the kids at my school were rich and nobody would steal from the scholarship girl. A small smirk appeared on my lips. All those snobby kids. They probably have a lot but I'm one of a kind and they would never have a jewel like me in their collection. This was a new thought that surprised me. I was usually submissive. I was usually self-degrading. I cringed inwardly, but felt empowered and a little weird. I wonder what brought upon the sudden change in me. What would happen next huh? Would I be fighting monsters? Saving the world from evil? Taking my evil mother out? I laughed out loud at the thoughts. I quickly covered my mouth and glanced behind me to make sure no one had woken up. I stepped away from the closet and closed it gently. I walked out of the room and into the kitchen. I didn't usually rifle through people's refrigerators, but since I was going to be living there for a while I might as well get used to it. I found some eggs, milk, cheese, butter and some wonky looking lettuce. I rifled through the cabinets and found some bread and pop tarts. I looked under the sink and found a pan. I washed the pan just in case and buttered it up. I turned the stove on up to medium and toasted most of the bread. My siblings could eat and I bet Ms. Sage would want some too. While the first bread began to toast, I pulled out a spatula and a clean plate to pile it on. I made short work of the bread and got out a bowl to whisk the eggs. I used a fork and broke about six or seven eggs. I added a little bit of milk to make them extra fluffy. I bopped my head, dancing to music only I could hear. When everything was done, I put bread and eggs equally on five plates and went to wake up my siblings. On my way to our new room I spotted Ms. Sage entering the bathroom and waved good morning. I walked into my bedroom and saw that my siblings were already up and dressing themselves.

"When you guys are done there is food in the kitchen. Btw, Ms. Sage is in the bathroom...so...yeah." I pointed behind me towards the door, and turned and left. 

I sat in one of the high stools and quickly shoveled the food into my mouth. The eggs were a bit cold so I reheated every bodies. I went to the bathroom to check if Ms. Sage was gone. She was, so I grabbed my toothbrush and quickly did the deed. I appreciated that she had kept a cool demeanor throughout the entire process. I knew Ms. Sage would be a bit weirded out the first few days but would get accustomed to our presence. She was a strong woman but lacking something I couldn't quite place my finger on. I finished and cleaned up the sink quickly, knowing my sisters took forever in the bathroom. Well, they didn't have forever. I went back into our room and pulled my book bag towards me. I checked inside to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. When I opened the smallest pocket, I found the earrings I had chosen the day before. I had taken them off the night before, in fear of breaking or damaging them. I contemplated putting them back on but I felt like they clashed with my outfit. Wow. I never thought the day would come when I thought about jewelry clashing with clothes. Even when we had everything we could wish for, my outer attire was never at the top of my list. I decided to put the earrings in the box where we had always stored our most prized belongings. Before the box had resided under the bed, now it was on the top shelf in the closet. Only I can reach, but that is when I'm standing on the tips of my toes. That wasn't saying much though, considering how short I was.

I swung my book bag over my shoulder and walked out of the room. I went to lock it, a habit which I needed to get rid of, but didn't since I knew my siblings had to go back in and grab their book bags. I decided on just closing it gently. I walked into the living room and peeped into the kitchen on my way. The sight that greeted me warmed my heart. Everyone was eating eagerly. My siblings soon finished and prepared to set off in the living room. I checked all of them to make sure they were decent. No wonder my friends used to say I was so motherly. Ms. Sage came into the room with a confused look on her face. I was confused by her confusion. I decided to just ask her what was wrong.

"What’s wrong Ms. Sage? Did we move something from where you usually put it? Sorry. We promise we won't do it again." I continued zipping up my jacket and checking that the buckles on my boots were okay. I knew they were but my greatest fear, next to what was in the ocean, was falling. If my buckles were loose, I would surely find a way to trip over them. I just realized Ms. Sage was talking to me when Elijah elbowed me in the ribs. It didn't hurt but I still said 'ow' due to habit.

"No it's not that. I just thought you all wanted me to drive you to school today. You guys look ready so I guess I'll let you guys get a move on. Unless you do want me drive you. Do you?" I looked at her flabbergasted. All of us. Fit into her small truck. Yeah that wasn't happening anytime soon.

"No it's all right. We love the feel of the cold wind on our faces in the morning. It helps us wake up," I responded, answering for my siblings. I didn't want us to be more of a bother than we already were. I could feel the accusatory looks my sisters were giving me but decided to ignore them. I would indulge their displeasure on the way to school.

"Let's go!" I shouted at them, not giving Ms. Sage a chance to answer. I knew this was rude but I felt it was ruder to give someone more responsibility than they were ready for. Ms. Sage may have been an adult, but she was not ready to take care of four kids. Ms. Sage's apartment was on the third floor so we made a beeline for the elevator after we exited the apartment. I pushed the button once and nothing happened. I pushed on it again and nothing happened once more. I went to push it again when it suddenly opened, making me jump back. Out stepped Fen. I was so shocked I took another step back. He looked at me briefly, glared, then veered around me and my family. I turned to see where he was going. Fen entered the apartment across from Ms. Sage's. I groaned inwardly.

"Did you break that guys heart or something? Judging by the look he gave you and the noise you made, there is definitely history there." I guess I had groaned out loud. It was justified even if they didn't know it. I had made 

a big deal of not wanting to be involved with him anymore and then it turns out that I'm now living across from him. Fate and its twisted sense of humor.

I didn't answer and shuffled into the elevator quickly. I motioned them to join me before I pressed the button to go down. We made it down and out the door quickly enough. 

Fen-

What was she doing in my apartment complex? I have lived here for almost a month and never seen her once. Who were all those children around her? Must've been her siblings. I know Ms. Sage lives across the hall from me. Maybe Ms. Sage was helping them move in and that was why she was talking to her after to school the day before. I shook my head to get rid of these thoughts. Why was I thinking about her so intently? She literally slapped me the other day. Like in the face. It stung. A lot. Whatever. I was proud of myself. I didn't even flinch. I have come so far from that kid, crying for help at someone else's doorstep....I shook my head once more. I'm not thinking about that today. I had more pressing issues. I entered my apartment and made a beeline for the kitchen. I had forgotten my breakfast. What?! The burritos I make are killer. It was a bit cold but I didn't have time to reheat it. I exited my apartment and locked the door behind me. I decided to take the stairs. I didn't have fencing today so I needed to find some other way to incorporate exercise into my day.

I made it to the garage in no time. I was taking my car out for a drive for the first time in months. Hopefully I didn't crash. I wasn't the best driver. I unlocked the door with my burrito in my mouth. I made sure my bag was zipped and pulled out.

The ride to school wasn't as smooth as it could've been, but for me it was fucking paradise. I had the radio blasting at full volume. As I pulled into the parking lot, I was singing along with Brendon Urie to (Fuck A) Silver Lining. So good. I had seen him in concert a couple of times. I wasn't into guys, but Brendon Urie can make any man turn gay.

Jevae was climbing the steps to the school. There was a glint of gold in her hair. What the actual fuck is wrong with me? Why in the hell was I noticing her hair? I stuffed the rest of my burrito into my mouth and swung my bag over my shoulder. I had chosen a good parking space under the shade of a tree. At least my car wouldn't be boiling in the afternoon. I rushed to my locker and took almost everything out. I zipped it up quickly and rushed to English Lit. I sat in my seat as the bell rang.

I looked to my left and the gold I had noticed earlier, were brooches in the shape of feathers. She must have noticed my gaze, for she turned and looked at me. There was no anger or surprise on her face. Just curiosity. She had eight freckles on each cheek. She blushed and turned away. I blushed and faced the front of the room. What the hell? I just counted the number of freckles on her face. What the fuck is happening to me?