Aww Look At That, It's Like Were Almost A Family (Jade)

I chewed on my bottom lip as I concentrated on my breathing, my nose inhaling the smokey frankincense.

Mayline hit the singing bowl which gave off a loud vibrating ping.

I tried to keep my thoughts clear and focus on the meditation but my mind kept going back to all the worries that kept popping up. Magic, evil father, my sister, and brother, Liam, and to top it all off senior year started in two weeks.

"Jade, your mind is wandering again," Mayline's voice cut in. I gave a hrmph and straightened my back.

The front door flung open and Jack's footsteps echoed through the manor.

"Got some more mugwort!" he called out giddy as a goat.

My eyes snapped open and any part of me that was actually zoning in was gone.

Mayline scowled at her brother and snuffed out the burning incense.

"Honestly," she muttered as she stood up.

I heard Hale snicker and Ryker was starting to chortle too. I glanced over to see what had caught their attention.

Peyton was slumped over asleep, her head resting on her hands, which were propped up on her knees.

I reached over and nudged her awake, he elbows fell from her knees and her torso dropped, luckily she woke up and caught herself before her nose slammed into the floor. That made Ryker and Hale go nuts.

Peyton gave a sleepy groan as she stretched out her arms.

"Hmmm, that was nice," she sighed, contentment.

"You fell asleep," I stated with a breath of a laugh.

"Yeah, it was a lot better than whatever you guys were doing," She stated and laid down on her mat.

Hale leaned in and kept an eye on Jack and Mayline, in a hushed voice she entranced us.

"I was doing some reading on spells and herbs-"

"You were reading?" Ryker butt in, without a second thought Hale brought her elbow back into his throat with enough force to make him gurgle on his own breath then she continued.

"Apparently mugwort can get you to get in a more meditative state. Lossen your mind like a drug, "

"It's not a drug!" Mayline called from the kitchen. "It helps loosen your mind when meditating. To open your mind up to visions,"

Hale leaned in closer and smirked.

"I don't know if you've ever smoked, but you can get some very lucid visions,"

Mayline sent her a very disapproving frown and Ryker gave a chuckle, Peyton gave a snore, once again asleep.

I bunched my lips to the side and hurled a pillow at her. She bolted up, her hair swirling around her from the static electricity.

"Ahh people before you leave, here are your transfer papers, you all will be going to the same public high school this year. Makes it easier to keep an eye on you," Jack explained handing Ryker and Peyton heavy envelopes.

They were transferred to my school? I was still in school? It all seemed so bizarre, to be thinking school after the last few weeks.

Jack handed Hale a more official-looking envelope.

"I talked to the academy and convinced them to let you switch your learning there but they said they could no longer house you if you were to switch schools, meaning you would have to file for emancipation, you would be more than welcome to stay here in the room set up for you," Jack told her handing her the papers.

Hale looked absolutely horrified as she took them and nodded.

"And that concludes your lessons today, you're more then welcome to go if you wish," Jack smiled and wished us a farewell as he retreated down the hall.

"Oh wait! One more thing!" Mayline called, bring our attention back. "A long time ago we took in a child who lost her parents, that night," her face went sorrow thinking about the night our ancestors punished the coven. "She's been away for the summer, checking in on the other witches left from our coven. She'll be back in the next few days. She'll be able to help you in any way you need. Magic or schoolwork. Your Academics are still important,"

Done with her announcement she turned back to what she was doing.

Hale and Peyton started to chat about their training sessions and Ryker reached into his pocket for his phone, when he reached back out a piece of colored paper fell out.

I chewed on my lip, and curiosity got the better of me.

"What's that?" I asked and nodded my head to the crumbled paper.

Ryker looked down and shoved the paper back into his pocket.

"Nothing just details about the final art show at my school," Ryker brushed off.

I looked at him and probed further.

"Oh? Like a showcase of your work?" I asked hoping he'd open up some more.

"Yeah, from the past few weeks, all out in the public," he grumbled, trying to shut down the topic.

I pursed my lips, he was not making this easy.

"Perhaps we could go? I'd love to see your artwork," I offered, giving him my best puppy eyes.

He squirmed a bit but nodded.

"Sure I guess, Maybe it will be better if I know some people,"

I smiled and rubbed my sweaty palms on my yoga pants.

I cleared my throat and gathered the attention of my sisters.

"Speaking of which, I have a dance recital on Saterday, I can get you tickets," I asked, then went back to chewing on my lips.

Hale and Ryker both nodded.

"Sounds fun, how should we dress for this stuff?" Peyton smiled, pulling her sweatshirt tighter around herself.

Ryker spoke first.

"Umm fancy I guess, my Mom got me slacks and a button-up shirt,"

I nodded.

"Yeah, formalish, nothing too extreme but dressy," I added.

Peyton nodded and blinked slowly and sleepy. Hale fidgeted and nodded.

"I figure something out," She murmured as she tugged on her jacket and pulled her out so it laid on her back.

I nibbled on my lip more nervously and looked at Peyton, she gave me a nudging look, switching her eyes between Hale and me.

I swear sometimes it was like Peyton could read my mind, a quick glance at the bracelet on her wrist told me she didn't though.

I cleared my throat and looked back at Hale.

"Actually I could use some new heels, maybe we all could go shopping," I hinted.

"Ok, I'm in," Peyton yawned nodding.

"Excuse her, she didn't have her coffee yet," Ryker quipped, smirking.

Peyton glared at him.

"And who's fault is that? Your the one who overslept and then we didn't have time to get my coffee," Peyton sassed back.

"You don't need coffee every time we go out!" Ryker countered.

Peyton rolled her eyes.

"Obvisilvy I do!" She huffed like a toddler.

Ryker shook his head and looked back at me.

"I can't today. I need to finish up some paintings before next Sunday, you guys have fun,"

He stood up and rolled up his mat, then put on his crocks.

I nodded and looked back at my sisters.

"Ok then, girls afternoon how about we meet at the mall at two?"

They both nodded and we all packed up our things getting ready to leave.

"Well I should get some things done at home first," I sighed then looked over at Peyton. "You take a nap,"

We all burst out laughing. I gave them a small wave from the door.

"Bye, Ryker have fun painting!"

I slipped out and shivered. Autumn in Seattle was settling in, I could start to see the little puffs of my breath. I'd have to find my winter coat soon, I wonder where it was, in the hall closet or did Dad tuck it away with the winter stuff?

Large arms clasped around my waist and pulled me back. I opened my mouth to scream but a voice whispered in my ear first.

"Don't scream, it's just me,"

I took the held breath from the scream and exhaled in a long sigh.

"Urgh, Liam you scared the schnitzel out of me!"

Liam chuckled and let go of me, walking by my side.

"Sorry, I was calling your name though. I saw you pass by my apartment. You never turned around," He smiled apologetically.

I nodded and shared his emotion infused smile.

"Oh, must have been deep in thought,"

"No big thing. So what are you up to today?" he asked stepping around a lampost.

"I'm meeting Peyton and Hale to go shopping,"

"Oh, fun," Liam's voice went a few octaves higher them normal.

"Really? Because it sounds like you'd rather shove a pencil into your eye," I chuckled and stopped, waiting for the red hand to turn into the white walking person.

"Yeah shopping with a group of girls isn't my cup of tea," Liam admitted with a grin.

"Oh you mean like, Oh my god that dress is sups cute, you should like totally get it! Like its perf babes!" I squealed in my best girly-girl voice, which earned me some strange looks from the people who were also crossing the busy street.

"Yeah kinda," Liam shook his head at me with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and shoved my shoulder into his arm.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that won't be any of that from us. I think Hale would punch anybody who approached us like that," I cocked my head to the side. "Actually I should give her a pat-down before we go in," I smiled to myself.

We walked half the block in silence before Liam spoke again.

"When will I meet your family, your siblings, and your dad?" the last part was more drawn out.

We climbed the stairs to my apartment complex.

"Actually soon, I have a dance recital coming up, I can get you a ticket, if you want to go,"

I moved out of the way so one of my neighbors could go in. I leaned my back on the old brick, Liam waited for the women to go in before he extended his arm over my head so he was hovering over me.

"I would love to go," He leaned in, his breath tickled my neck, I tensed up a bit. "I would love to see you dressed up in short skirts and tights,"

I gulped and smirked, straightening my back, I leaned up, and with my best dominating, sultry voice I whispered.

"I'd give you a great view, on top of you,"

Liam gave a low groan, almost growl like as he stepped closer to me.

"I'd get a better view if I tied you up and stripped you down myself,"

I reached up and kissed his jawline before ducking under his arm and opened the door.

"In your dreams,"

I heard him mutter before the door shut.

"Like you wouldn't believe,"

He swung the door back open and followed me up the stairs.

"Is your dad home?" He asked as I fumbled with my keys.

"No, but I have to get some stuff done before two,"

He smiled and placed his hands on my waist, I stepped closer to him.

"Not you kind of stuff, perv. House cleaning stuff."

"Whats wrong with a little hope?" Liam kissed my forehead and stepped back. "I'll see you tomorrow maybe? Call me when you get home and tell me all about your girl trip,"

I nodded.

"Have a goodnight, I'll talk to you later,"

"Bye,"

He went back down the stairs and left. I went into the apartment and grabbed a change of clothes and took a cold shower.

I dressed again and frowned at the foggy mirror, my hair was too thick to let air dry in time. I pulled out the hairdryer and spent half an hour drying it.

Once I was presentable , I got to cleaning. I got the dishes done and picked up the kitchen and living room.

I stopped at one-thirty I decided I should head out.

I grabbed a heavy sweatshirt and slipped my phone into my purse before locking up.

I hailed down a taxi and got there with five minutes to spare. Peyton was out front pacing back and forth, iced coffee in hand.

I paid my tab and waved her down.

"Get that nap in?" I greeted.

She gave me a false frown.

"You joke, but yes I did, it was very nice, thank you for asking,"

We laughed and then stopped s we heard a motorcycle roar behind us.

A woman swung her leg over the bike and pulled her helmet off. Hale smoothed down her hair that was all frizzy from the headgear. She clipped her helmet back to the bike and talked with the driver.

"You think she's going to introduce us?" Peyton asked.

I shook my head.

"Probably not, she's got a lot of walls up still. She'll introduce us when she's ready. You still haven't met Liam,"

Peyton raised her eyebrows.

"Who's Liam?"

"My boyfriend we met a few weeks ago,"

Peyton gaped and swatted my arm.

"Where are you people finding all these cute people!"

I smiled and murmured. "Honestly feels like their finding us,"

Before Peyton could ask more questions, Hale started walking toward us.

"Hey," she greeted and we all walked in, escaping the chilling winds.

As much as I loved to shop, I'd never really went to the mall, mostly due to the lack of a group to go with, a problem with being an anti-social extrovert I guess.

We found a map directory and huddled around it.

"So? Where do we want to start?" Peyton asked, her eyes shifting over the different shop names. Through I hadn't known Peyton long I could tell she was smarter then she let her on, I could tell how quickly she read just by how fast her eyes went over the words. Or maybe I was over exaggerating and my delyxia just slowed me down more than I thought.

I shook my head and brought my focus back to the present and pointed to a store on the map.

"Maybe there? It looks promising for nice evening wear," I offered and looked between them both.

Peyton smiled and Hale shrugged.

"Great," I smiled and nodded and took the lead. We passed a few bakery stands that took a lot of self-control and budgeting reminders to walk past their intoxicating smells and not get anything.

When we walked into the store a woman greeted us and gave us a rundown of the specials. Anything with a green dot was thirty percent off.

"Okay, Hale so what are we going for? I'm assuming dark colors but are we showing skin? Curves?" I asked looking at all the racks of clothes.

I looked over to Hale and she was looking over herself. And bite my tongue. Her curves were there but her more athletic build took more of her look. Her arms were defined in upper body strength that took away the look of gracefulness and was also covered in mix-matched scars. That didn't leave much hope for her legs, and Hale didn't tag me as tights kinda girl.

She shrugged and just said.

"Whatever you think is best,"

I gave a confirming nod and turned back to the racks and started to shift through them. Piling up a cart full of potential matches. Peyton created her own pile and somehow we flowed onto an easy conversation. Talking about favorite bands and what pet peeves we had. When I decided that we had enough choices we found a dressing room.

After twenty - seven dresses we found one that we all loved. A black cdress, long sleeves but had a nice v-neck, tight around the torso that flowed out at the waist and stopped at the knee.

Peyton found a dark blue dress that looked amazing with her red hair. I grabbed a pair of strappy black heels and we checked out.

When Hale pulled out a bundle of hundred dollar bills, my eyes bulged.

She paid for the dresses and heels and got out of line. Me and Peyton and I looked at each other as she pairs for us.

"How do you have that much money? And why are you just carrying it around? It needs to be in a bank!" I exclaimed in whispers.

Hale looked at me and shook her head.

"I got it from fighting, I got a portion of the bets people placed. It's not in a bank because I don't know anything about banks and don't trust anyone to help me,"

I chewed at my lip.

"How much do you have?"

Hale quirked an eyebrow and looked at the wad of cash in her hand.

"With me? I don't know like a thousand," she brushed off and tucked it back in her jeans.

I gaped.

"You have that much money? I've seen you wear that outfit like ten times, why don't you buy clothes, a phone or something?"

Hale looked at me and then looked down.

"Because I don't know-how. I mean it took us two hours just to find one dress. Could you imagine how long it would take to find an actual closet full of clothes that suited me. I mean I have no clue what my style even is. Not to mention I hate shopping and lack the space,"

I squinted my eyes and checked the time, the mall closed in five hours.

Peyton came over and looked us over.

"What's going on?" she asked confused.

"Hale what if we did some more shopping? Expand your wardrobe," I asked giving a sheepish smile.

Hale's face flashed disgust, but changed into a thin smile.

"Fine just a few more stores," she agreed.

Hale turned and started to the exit.

"That was oddly agreeable," I mused

"Maybe she's sick?"

When she couldn't see us we laughed and she gave me a small high-five.

Three hours later we were drowning in bags. I was impressed with everything we bought and how easy the afternoon was. I was just shopping with my sisters, no drama, no war, no lifelong separation.

We were in one of the last stores when Peyton changed the topic.

"So who's the girl who dropped you off?" She looked out the corner of her eye to watch Hale's reaction.

I sent Peyton a scolding look and then looked back at to Hale, my curiosity edging in.

Hale stiffened and continued to push hangers, looking over the clothes.

"Her name is Lev. She's... um, I think she's my girlfriend or something like that,"

Peyton and I shared a look.

"Well do you like her?" I asked.

Hale opened her mouth and then closed it. After a few beats, she nodded.

"And does she like you?"

She looked at Peyton a bit spooked then looked back to the rack of clothes.

"And it seems like your hanging out a lot. I'd say your dating," I told her with a small grin.

"So, what are you going to about moving out?" Peyton asked.

Hale shrugged.

"I don't know. I don't think there is much of a choice. Jack said they had a room for me,"

Peyton snorted.

"Yeah, you and Mayline living under the same roof sounds super safe,"

We all laughed at that.

"I will say it's going to be weird, all of us going to school together," I admitted.

They both nodded in agreement.

"School just sounds weird in general. I mean think about the summer we had. And now we're expected to just go to senior year? Go take tests, cheer at football games, and find dates to prom? It just feels so surreal," Peyton told us, there was a slight shake to her voice.

I grabbed each of my sisters hands and squeezed them, they both looked at me.

"We will get through it together,"

The rest of the afternoon was light and there was no more talk of the problems that were hanging over us.

"Oh before we leave coffee!" Peyton smiled at the small cart.

Hale looked at her with a disapproving look.

"You had one like two hours ago,"

Peyton grimaced.

"Yes, that swas two hours ago,"

We laughed and followed her to the cart.

We fit all of our bags into a taxi by some miracle. We dropped Hale off first and when the Taxi pulled over I saw the motorcycle that was parked nearby.

Lev leaned on the building and started to head over when she saw Hale.

"Thanks for today, I really appreciate it," Hale said goodbye and Lev told her she would help with the rest of the bags and she went up to her room at the academy.

Before Lev could turn to leave I caught her arm.

"We were never really introduced. I'm Jade, one of Hale's sisters. Hale doesn't talk much about her personal life but I'm sure she told you about how she has to move. I was wondering if maybe there was a way she could stay with you?"

Lev looked a little more relaxed and gave a slow nod.

"Maybe, you know your sister. I'll try and bring it up with her,"

I nodded and started back to the taxi.

"That's all I can ask, thanks. It was nice to meet you,"

I got back in the taxi and Peyton elbowed my arm.

"You just can't help but help can you?"

I shook my head and gave a small smile.

"Not when it comes to family,"