Chapter 3

Dewdrops rhythmically tap down on the damp grass. The first rays of the morning sun creep across the horizon. All shutters are still closed in the mansion, and it is very quiet. A faint orange light shines in the far-left room. The luminous letters click gently when the digital numbers change.

08:00

The sound of a whining alarm echoes loudly. Slowly a slender arm appears between the thick blankets and the alarm switches off. It takes a few seconds for that same, slightly tanned arm to pull the white cord. The clear ceiling lamp reveals a sky-blue neat room.

That arm... is of the youngest daughter of Ian and Katharine. Who is the youngest? She is Moanah. And this... this is her story.

She takes a deep sigh and rubs in her bright blue eyes. "Another day" she yawns and opens her almond shaped eyes. Her long coconut brown hair falls over her shoulder while she stands up. "Thursday" she whispers softly. As always, she is looking forward to the weekend. This weekend was going to be easy. Peaceful. And Easy...

Thinking about the weekend she opens the big dark blue closet. She takes a black skinny jeans, a red tank top, and black denim Jacket. That will do it. It isn't cold. Nor is it warm. Perfect spring weather. While she puts on her black all-stars a smile appears on her rosy full lips. "Ready" she sighs and opens the door.

A warm hallway appears. The red carpet on the floor looks spotless. Surprising if you know how many people live in this house. And no. Not all of them were neat. Whoever said big families are fun clearly hasn't lived a day in this family. This ... this is the Mckenzie family. And in the Mckenzie family, there are eight children ... Yes, eight and as always this was a morning where Moanah ratter lived alone...

Sighing she walks in the bathroom. "Hey" Selina shouts and bounces on the door. "Moanah open up!" Moanah smiles and takes her toothbrush.

She looks up in the mirror and washes the toothpaste out of her mouth. Hastily she ties her hair in a ponytail and walks to the grand staircase. While she tries to remember the most important things of school, she grabs an apple in the kitchen. Ian stands like always against the counter with his cup of coffee in his hands. On his jaw rest a soft pink scar from the accident. He smiles when she kisses his cheek. "Good morning, Mason" greets Moanah to the boy who sits in silence, finishing his bowl of cereal. Mason doesn't react. Moanah rubs hastily through Kaylee her hair and grabs her scarf. "Relax Moanah, it is only eight" laughs David. "Yeah, but I did promise to be a little earlier. My friend Sasha had to write some stuff over. David smiles. 'Do you want a ride? I pass anyway. You can put your bike in the back of my truck." Moanah nods, smiling. David takes his coat and greets Ian. "Be careful kids" he laughs and finishes his mug. David effortlessly lifts the bike into the back of his pickup. Moanah buckles her seat belt.

"Thank you, David" she smiles. David smiles amused exposing the dimples in his jaw. "I pass anyway" he mocks and stops in front of the school gate. "Have fun Moanah" "You too, she smiles and takes her bike from him. David wasn't the worst. At least not for Moanah. He was always sweet to her. But maybe that is because he prefers to date her as being her brother. Tristan once had a fight with him because of this statement. But Moanah pay attention to it. Words... Nothing else she though.

In a hurry, she goes on the side for a boy with a skateboard and walks into the school gate. As promised, she lets Sasha overwrite some lessons. Sasha had leukemia and therefore missed many lessons. Moanah hated it, also because Sasha was her only friend.

"Thanks, Moanah" she smiles and looks up when the bell rings. Like most of the time, Tristan has an argument again before the first period. Mason is being bullied again and Hope is making out with a boy behind the toilets. A regular school day... Like no other.

"Ian McKenzie how can I help you," Ian asks politely when he answers the phone. "Ian there is a phone for you. The principal." Ian sighs. He scratches his eyes. "Put it on." "Your three o'clock appointment has also arrived." Send her upstairs, Ian blows. "Coming up Ian" happily echoes through the phone. Ian already takes a writing pad and sighs. The director ... again ...

"Mckenzie" says Ian affirmatively. "Good day Mr. McKenzie." Ian hastily interrupts her. "Please call me Ian." "Okay, Ian" resounds hesitantly. "I need to talk to you about your children." "Which ones right?" "Eh everyone" sighs the director at which Ian swallows.

" First, David. Now that we know that he has to train for two hours every morning. But after that training, he usually does not come to school or arrives too late. This means that his lessons are seriously behind." "Which lessons precisely?" "All" mumbles the director to which Ian sighs. "Tristan is basically the same problem. I guess he just doesn't want put much effort into it cause he. Well, he's such a smart guy. But he's so behind on his homework that his grades are dropping." "I'm working on it," Ian promises.

"Now Hope doesn't really have a serious school problem, but I want to inform you that she has detention tomorrow." "May I ask what for?" Ian asks indignantly. "Hope has seriously offended a teacher, let's say. This is because the teacher told her that she and her partner should stop making out on the play yard." Ian swears silently. "Ah" he answers while writing.

"Selina will unfortunately also have to stay in detention. She slammed a boy." Ian repeats "slammed" a bit louder than hoped. His appointment, waiting patiently behind the glass door, looks up. "I'm sorry" answers the director sincerely.

"Now Mason. He's a very special boy as you already know. So smart but so lonely. I don't think he's happy sir. I'm sorry to say this, but he looks depressed." Ian swallows. Mason, the eternal problem is his mood. "I'm looking for help for him" Ian replies softly. "I can have him talk to the school therapist tomorrow." "Please," says Ian and hastily writes Mason down his name. "Now Moanah." "Moanah also," asks Ian surprised. His sweet Moanah always did the best she could. "No no, it's nothing bad. She just... she is so smart. So wise and so before her age. I want her to skip a grade. She will be in Tristan his class." Ian smiles. "That's my girl" he answers proudly.

"I'm sorry to tell you about all this sir, but I know your family has been through a lot and that you are a good father, but maybe you should think about a babysitter." "Oh, be sure madam ... Tonight my kids will have a serious chat with me" promised Ian ... The evening promised to be long. Way too long....