[center][b]Shay[/b] "Shay! Oh God I've missed you so much." Alex told her while she greeted Emma and him. "Hi Shay! Mr. Alex was a bad boy this morning he ate the last toaster strudel! And the icing!" Emma said among her giggling. Shay smirked and ruffled her hair gently. "Oh did he now? I'll kick his butt for you and buy you your own toaster strudel." She told her and glanced up to see Alex staring at her, dazed. She went red and smiled at him shyly, looking away. They knew each other quite well and she had grown up with him, but he still caused her to become nervous. She hoped to God she never lost him, or Emma. They meant so much to her. "Wait what?" Alex asked confused. He hadn't heard them. She smirked down at Emma who said, "Your boyfriend's an airhead."She whispered to Shay teasingly. "Hey! I heard that!"Alex exclaimed and poked Emma's arm accusingly. Shay stared at them with joy and compassion. She loved these two and twas happy that they had one another. Still, she wished she had a sibling - a biological one. It was lonely to stay home alone for so long while Garrett was out on business trips. She had tried to go with him so she wasn't lonely but he didn't let her go. Once, she had sneaked int the airport and almost onto the plane but a security guard had found her . Garrett had been furious but impressed, that she had managed to go that far and forge a ticket. She sighed and looked back to Alex, breaking out of her reverie. "So I'm taking AP classes... I don't know how well this is going to turn out. What classes did you sign up for?" Shay's eyebrows raised. She wasn't shocked he had the classes, but was more shocked that she, too, had been accepted. "AP classes as well. I think the class director was drunk when he took in my application." Her voice was low so Emma wouldn't hear her last comment. "We'll be competing with Alcina now." She was the brain's of their group. She wouldn't ever be on Aly's level but that didn't bother her. Her dream career was to become a guardian and go to their college academy for it. It had remedial courses but they weren't major. She didn't try to fail but she didn't try too hard either. She only did if the classes applied to her dream career. This semester though she planned to take it more seriously because of the nature of her classes. These were going to be tougher this year. At least she would have Alex there to help her. Without warning, she turned and rested her head on his shoulder while still holding Emma's legs. [hr] [b]James[/b] James stared outside, unable to imagine that his life were still real. Was he still living with Rose and her mother, or was he at the palace still? He sometimes felt confused and wasn't sure if something so great could be so real. He did not take anything for granted, in fear it could be taken away. He would rather have his intestines pulled out of him before he went back to the superior, especially under Victor's watch. It was a fate worse than death. There were terrible things he knew that could happen but he hoped that they never would. He loved Rose, Jason and their friends dearly. He was so terrified of losing them. He worked out at least two hours a day, every day, and trained with the Guardians almost every other day. He took it so seriously and wasn't one to put it passed him to relax. James slept, but it was only a light sleep. He couldn't ever relax, no matter how hard his brother tried to persuade him with his power. James knew to hide it from the others and act as if everything were fine but there were always small traces of fear and panic underneath. He startled, was always aware of his surroundings, and scanned every room or sought out exits in buildings. Loud noises alarmed him, and sometimes he regarded the others with hostility, though he never meant to purposely. They had become accustomed to it and wouldn't yell at him for it, either. He had managed to sleep the previous night but it had only been for five hours. The irrational yet realistic fear of the superior raiding his life again was immense. James didn't realize they were halfway to Fernwood until Jocelyn's voice returned him to the present. "So Rose. Any reason you were up at 3 am watching Friends?" He looked over to see an exhausted Rose. He hadn't even realized she had been up, because he had been too preoccupied with his own fears. He knew something was wrong, but wasn't going to bring it up in front of her mother. He didn't want her to worry. She was a second mother to him, but he knew nothing could replace his parent's. The thought of them brought sorrow to his heart and a deep ache to emerge in his chest. He quickly focused on the scenario at hand to distract himself. "Well. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. " Rose decided to say. James knew this was a lie, and that she received nightmares. He had tried to help her by using mind shield,s but he knew the superior were strong, too, like he was. "And now I pay the price for that."She said with a yawn. "That you do. Just go get some coffee you'll be alright. You can nap after classes." Jocelyn said as she slowed the car to a stop. He felt his heart race with a thousand fears of what could happen at the academy. The Guardians could try as hard they wanted to stop the superior, but there were always loopholes. He had to tell himself to stop thinking about it at least thirty times before he could function correctly. "Alright kids. This is our stop. "She bent over the seat to hug each of them. James hugged her back and was silent, nodding. "I love you guys. Call me if you need anything I'm only a fifteen minute drive away. Be safe and James... Please make sure she doesn't get into trouble. Take care of each other." He looked at Mrs. Beaumont and nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Beaumont. I won't let anything happen to Rose. You know me." He smiled and climbed out and ran over to the other side to assist Rose. "She's my little flower." He kissed her head, waved to Jocelyn, and then continued towards Fernwood academy. "Rose." James began as he looked at her once out of sight of Jocelyn. "Do you want to talk about it?"[/center]