"Yeah, Reese, that was a bit extreme," Salem says, and Topher gapes at him.

"Says you! If you had a thief of a sibling, you probably buried him in the back yard," Topher says.

Salem shrugs, "Maybe, but he still would've had a full head of hair."

"All we're saying is that if your five-year-old brother stole your toy, you should've -I don't know -slap him or something."

Topher gasps, appalled, "I am a pacifist, Namaste! Though, punching him might've been therapeutic."

"That's contradicting in more than one way," Ara says.

Topher thinks a bit, then changes the subject completely, "You guys planning on going home for Thanksgiving?"

Salem snorts, "No."

"My brother's coming home from L.A.," Ara says. "It's been a while since I've seen him, so the family reunion will be...interesting."

There is no way Cas isn't going home to see his family. Remy is only a day shy of choreographing a sibling dance when he gets home. If he didn't go home in two weeks, he doesn't even want to know what'll happen. Cas says just that.

"No offense, but your sister sounds kinda crazed," Topher says.

"None taken."

Remington is crazy. She's also arrogant, rambunctious, an annoyance, and something in between a care bear and a killer whale. She also knows what she wants, and will fight tooth and nail to get it. If Remy wants to choreograph a dance, you better bet your bottom dollar that she'll choreograph a dance.

"Well, I'm going home and -" Topher goes into full detail about what he's going to do, down to the scheduled bathroom breaks during the cooking of the turkey. Why would anyone care about this? They wouldn't, but I don't think Topher got the memo.

"So what are you going to do, Salem? Just staying around the school? Roaming it like an apparition?" Topher asks.

"Basically. Does it matter what I'll do? I'll probably make Ramen for my Thanksgiving meal and finish homework." Salem takes a bite of his chicken strips.

"That's sad, why don't you just go home? See your family?" Ara asks. She's the only one around this table that doesn't know about Salem's home life, so her asking that isn't that odd.

"My parents and I aren't on talking terms," he says in a tone that says it's the end of that conversation.

It's nine in the morning two weeks later, and Cas is scrambling around his dorm room trying to pack his bag. The shuttle is leaving for the train station at two, and Cas hasn't done anything to prepare.

Sebastian, ever the opposite of Cas is sitting on his made bed, petting Lylir on his lap and watching Cas running around. Ash's packed and ready bags lay by the door, and the only thing he has left to do before he goes is put lylir in his cat carrier.

"Do I have everything?" Cas asks himself as he looks at his open suitcase on his bed. He didn't bother to organize it; there are just a bunch of stuff in a large pile that will give him trouble once Cas tries to zip it.

"I think you forgot the rest of the entire school," Ash says.

"Har har," Cas scolds.

"Honestly, do you need all of that stuff?"

"What are you talking about?" Cas asks, "I'm only packing the necessities."

Ash stares at him, unconvinced.

Cas rolls his eyes, "Why does it matter anyway?"

"It doesn't."

"Why are you acting like it does, then?"

"I'm not acting like anything."

"Yeah, you are."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"I'm not."

"You are!"

Ash backs down, clicking his tongue in distaste. "Why are you always so childish?"

"Me? I'm the childish one?"

"Well, it evidently isn't me," Ash snorts.

"It most certainly is!"

"It isn't!"

"It is!"

"Uggh! Why must you argue everything I say?"

"I don't!"

"Really?"

Cas scoffs, "Obviously."

"Prove it."

Cas rolls his eyes, "I don't have to prove it."

Ash raises an eyebrow with a wicked smirk.

Cas throws a pillow from his bed at Ash, and Lylir jumps out of his lap.

"Is this your defense when forced into defeat? A pillow fight?" Ash asks.

Cas picks up a book from his suitcase, "I could've used this."

Ash clears his throat, "The pillow's fine."

Cas shrugs, "Suit yourself." Cas closes the cover of his suitcase, but when it only clothes three/fourths of the way, he jumps on it, pushing all of his weight on it.

"Close! You stupid...thing...close, I say!"

"Come on, now," Ash says, "It can't be that hard."

Cas scowls at him, "Fine! You do it!"

Sebastian walks over, and Cas steps out of the way. With a large, powerful shove, he closes the entire suitcase, and he efficiently zips it up. He gives Cas a proud smirk.

Cas glares and folds his arms across his chest, "That was just luck."

Cas isn't dumb enough to believe what he says. He knows that there is practically nothing Sebastian Velenetene can't do. Except, maybe to not be a two-faced manipulative, cat-loving jerk head thing that has even the teachers fooled. Not him, though. He won't fool Caspian Ayrell because he knows what's below the surface.