I checked the time on my calender app on my new iPod. I had bought it yesterday from the nearest Apple Store (well, i hadn't gone myself. Rylee did, because I was more noticeable than she was). Somehow, they transferred all the data I had on there onto this new one. I don't know how they did it, but according to my sister, they sure opened up after they heard this iPod was for Ryan Carter. I had gotten a new case too, it was a drawing of Miko Tran and Miana Ryder, from the third book, back-to-back, decked in awesome steampunk armor. I have got to stop fantasizing over my case, it's just a case! I checked the time again: 5:34 p.m, Wednesday June 15. 6 days until the invasion.

I was on the way to the private jet airfield our family owned. Tony was there, with a couple of my guards. My parents were in the SUV too, in the front talking amongst themselves probably about whether I should be admitted to a mental health facility. Rylee was in the other window seat, scrolling through her Facebook newsfeed, sometimes texting somebody. And me? I was just staring out the window. Oh, right. You're probably wondering why I'm going to the private jet airfield.

Well, yesterday after shooting a couple of scenes for Mister Not So Spy, I made Rylee drive over to Raina's place. All three of us (Austin and Avery were busy doing their homework after they came back from Film Fest) planned the next 6 days in advance, and what we were going to do.

So basically, I was going to go all over the US getting people together, rallying citizen troops, making patrols and sectors (we asked certain celebrities to come to the place in advance). Rylee was going to come with me, except she'll be flying more often, going to spread the word and try to convince everyone everywhere, and setting up the shelters, facilities for the homeless, places for food and water, etc. This was going to be hard, for just 2 people for all over the US. But of course, we do have the 50News video recording to rely on, where Hawk himself told the truth. And, we'll have TV cameras video taping us and our duties most of the times, especially for Rylee and her speeches. I checked my Twitter last night, and I was in for one heck of a surprise. I went from 10 million followers, to 11. So, 1 million people had seen the press conference, and decided to believe Raina and I! Wow! But it wasn't all from America, those followers were from everywhere; Iceland, Russia, South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand, Brunei, the UK, India, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, and even more! How in the world they knew about this is beyond me. It really is a small world!

Oh, yeah. Raina is going to stay back in California, and train Eleanor. She grudgingly agreed to let the twins make public announcements here and there all over California with Clarisse as a guardian to protect them if anything happens. Jace and Arthur are both doing pretty much the same thing as Rylee and the twins, but around surrounding states, not cross country like me.

I would be gone for 5 days, stopping everywhere as I go, and preparing everything. On the last day I would take a trip with no stops back to California. We had already agreed that Hawk would attack California first, since we live there, and that's where most of our section leaders are (meaning the celebrities). Then, most likely, Washington D.C, or New York. Rylee would come with me too, and my parents would stay at home, and work with my management to try and maintain my image. I have to say, I feel pretty grateful for having the parents I have now. I mean, how many parents do you know would maintain your own image for you while you go cross country and try to battle a conspiracy which sounds far fetched? That's right, not many.

Raina was supposed to meet me in the airfield, to say a good-bye. Just her, Eleanor and the twins are with their grandmother. Raina's mom is doing who knows what who know's where. I feel bad for Raina and the twins. They do not deserve a person like their mother. Maybe she was a good person in the beginning, but now, she's hopeless. The best thing for her is a psychologist, or an institute.

We reached the jet airfield at 6:00 p.m. The jet Rylee and I were using is already here. We have 2 security guards, just in case: Paul and Hector. I've known them before, I liked Paul better; He was funnier, and more laid-back, but responsible. Hector was the stiff, serious one.

We all got out of the SUV. It was a bit hot, even though the sky was darkening a bit. Hector got our suitcases out of the trunk. I had one, and seeing how Rylee is one of those girly girls, she has three. Three. Who needs three suitcases for five days? Sure, they were the somewhat small ones, but still. I sighed. I will never understand girls.

My parents, Rylee, and I all stood in a circle. We were all silent for a moment, accepting that this might be the last time we will see each other (Hawk might plan some secret attack so he can destroy us so there will be no resistance). Suddenly, my mom broke the silence by rushing forward and enveloping Rylee and me in a hug. We both put a comforting arm around her, and buried our face in her brown hair. My dad came too, and surrounded us in a bear hug. Soon, we were all encompassed in a massive family hug. But none of us broke away. We were family, and families always stick together no matter what. Finally, after a couple of minutes we slowly separated from each other. My mom was in silent tears.

"You go save the world, okay?" Dad told me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded, swallowing a lump in my throat. Rylee and I had inherited his green eyes, which were currently gazing at me very deeply. "Bye, Dad. See you in five days."

He gave me a smile, and saluted a good bye. Dad doesn't smile often anymore, he's usually stressed, always typing up things in his study. He owns a car company, and he's always busy. But his smile reminds me of when I was younger, when he wasn't so busy, when we used to toss the Frisbee to each other, play football, and water guns. I wish I could go back to that time, when I didn't have a care in the world. The funny thing is, when you're younger, the more you want to grow up and be an adult, and be responsible and respected. But when you grow up, you have so many responsibilities that weigh you down, you want to be young again, back when you don't have a care in the world. It's kind of like a paradox. Funny how the world works.

Rylee came up from behind me, and hugged Dad. I smiled inwardly, daddy's girl through and through.

I went over to Mom. She gave me another hug, after we broke up, she shook a finger in my face. "Remember, no talking to strangers until it's completely necessary, and don't take anything from them either. Don't take drugs or alcohol, always use the life jackets, and always ask your guards for help when you need it. Pack extra food just in case you run out. If you're in an emergency, call 911. What's the number for 911?"

"Uh, 911?"

"Don't talk back to me mister. I gave the guards my number, and I made Rylee put it in your new iPod. You can also contact me through Facebook, and your dad's contact information is on your iPod too. Your guards information is with Rylee ask her when you get inside. Also-"

I leaned in and gave my mom a kiss on the cheek. I smiled warmly at her, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine. Both Rylee and I will be totally fine."

She sighed, and I realised how much she's aged. She's in her 40s, but you could tell she was really beautiful when she was younger. "I know, love. I don't know why I'm worrying, you've been on planes without me lots of times. You'll take care of Rylee, right? You're her sister, after all."

"I will, though I doubt she'd let me." We both let out a nervous chuckle.

Hector came down from the jet and approached us. "Ryan has to be on the plane in five minutes . So you'll have to speed this up. We've already got your suitcases on board."

Mom nodded, and so did I. Hector left, and Mom gave me a smile, "I'd better go say good bye to Rylee. Bye, Ryan. Have a safe trip."

"Thanks, love you."

"Love you too."

She left to go to Rylee, and they embraced in that way only mother and daughter could.

"Hey, Ryan!" I swiveled around to see Raina coming towards me. I was near the set of stairs that took us up to the plane. She stopped in front of me, and smiled. She was wearing dark jeans, her pair of Converse, a white T-shirt under a light green cardigan. She looked tired, and her hair was down in their brown waves. "How are you?"

"Nervous. Can't believe we're actually doing this," I replied, stuffing my hands in my pockets.

"Yeah. It's a surprise for me too."

"How's Eleanor?"

"Good, she's with Grammy. I'm going to start training her tomorrow. It's too much for a little girl like her," Raina shook her head, her wavy brown hair shaking slightly. We were silent for a moment, when Raina brightened up and touched my arm. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you, we have a new ally!"

That piqued my interest. "We do? Who is it?"

She grinned, and turned a little pink. "I met him at the grocery store the yesterday after you left. I had to get some food for the twins since we were almost out. He knew me from the press conference, and he saw me with you that day at the Swirl. He helped me find most of the stuff I needed-he worked there- and told me his name was Blake. He was really nice and stuff, and offered to help us! I said I'd have to check with you first, but he was okay with that, and even helped taking care of Eleanor, while I was deciphering the Tome."

"Wait, you let him in your house?"

"It's Grammy's house, and she said yes."

I frowned. I didn't like this Blake guy. Sure, he took care El, and helped Raina with the groceries, but still! "How old is he?"

"Um, 16 or 17 I think."

My eyes widened. "I don't like him."

She gaped at me. "You don't like him because of his age?"

"Well, if were older, like 30, then he would be more experienced and responsible and much more fit for, um, whatever we're doing. Saving the world."

She rolled her eyes. "And you think we're fit for this job? Come on, Ryan, just give him a chance, he's really sweet. And he offered to help. And not many people would do that, you can't just throw that opportunity to waste!"

"How tall is he?"

She stared at me. "What? Why does that matter?"

"It just does, how tall is he?"

"Um, like maybe a head taller than me. Probably as tall as you." Oh good, I can take him. Oh my God did I just think that? What am I doing, I should be happy for an ally! Why should I care Raina thinks he's sweet, and nice, and helpful, and Eleanor likes him? I shouldn't, but it bugs me. Oh God please don't tell me I'm jealous. This cannot be happening.

I frowned. I still didn't like him. "I still don't like him, something about him is strange."

"You don't even know him. You haven't even met him!"

"I know, I want to meet him first and then see."

"There's no time!"

Yes! "So he can't help us."

She grumbled, and looked at me with those captivating blue eyes. "Why do you not like him?"

"I don't know," I shrug. "I just don't. He might turn traitor, or something. And we really don't need that."

"He's not like that, he's too nice and kind for that." Well, that hurt.

"How do you know?" I challenged. "You've only just met him!

"So?" She glared at me. "You can tell. And you know what? He asked me how you were, and I said you were amazing and sweet, and everything. Now I wish I hadn't. You just try to be the boss of things! Maybe I am just the accomplice."

That hurt me more than I'd like to let on. I should apologize, that would be the right thing to do, but I won't. I can't. I don't like this Blake guy and that's that. And sure, maybe it's from jealousy, but I don't care anymore. "Well, someone needs to be the boss! You're too dumb to realise what a bad decision you're about to make! And trust me darling, you've already made one, we don't need another." I instantly regretted saying that.

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. "I knew it. I knew activating the automaton was my fault. Why did I believe you? You were just trying to get me to move so we wouldn't get caught by Hawk."

I reached for her hand, but she pulled it back. "Hey, Rai, I didn't me-"

"Stop," She said, wiping a tear. "You don't need to lie I know it's true. But I'm still going to say yes to Blake. You don't know him, and you're not the boss of me!"

"You don't know him either! And someone's got to be the boss or we'd be screwed! If Blake joins us then we are going to be screwed."

"No we're not! Why don't you just understand?" Right after she said that, her cerulean eyes flashed brightly, as if something unlocked and she figured out something. "You're jealous," Raina whispered.

No, no, no, no, no, no. Why did she have to figure that out?! "No, I'm not!" I lied.

"Yes, you are," she said. "That explains it. That explains why you wanted to know his age, and his height."

"You're wrong! I'm not jealous! That's ridiculous!" A part of me wanted to believe that sentence too, but deep down I knew that wasn't true. I was jealous.

"No," Raina shook her head. "You're ridiculous. I can't believe you're honestly thinking of relationships and-and love and whatever when we have a world to save in less than a week. How could you? Thousands of people are going to die, and you're thinking of that? " I know, I was ashamed to be even thinking about that too. How could I? I'm such an idiot.

"No, I'm not! How could you even think about that now? How could that even be an option? I don't even like you!" There we go, back to the fifth grade. But you could see in her eyes it really hurt her. Good. Maybe then she'll believe me.

"Yeah, well I don't even like you either! So go make out with Melanie, or whatever! I don't even care! Heck, you can even marry her for all I care!" No, she can't mean that. I won't believe it. I can't believe it.

I yelled back, "Fine! Maybe I will! After all, she's much more interesting then you!" I lied.

She shrunk back, pain flashing in her eyes. Raina's changed, I know that much. What happened to her stuttering, and shyness? "I bet, since celebrities and fame, an-and social status seem to be the only things you care about!" They most certainly aren't, but I'm not going to back down. I know I should, to get Raina back, but I won't. I can't.

"Maybe they are!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"I'm leaving! Good luck trying to unite everyone," she said sarcastically. I knew deep down she would still continue training Eleanor, and that seemed to be the only good thing going for us at this point. She flicked her hair off her shoulder, and turned around walking away from me.

"Thanks!" I yelled back.

"No problem!" She climbed back into the taxi that took her here, and slammed the door, and after a few moments the taxi drove off.

Raina left without saying good-bye. It hit me so hard I almost staggered. This might be the last time I would ever see her. And the last thing we ever did was argue. I won't let that be the last thing. I can't.

A/N sorry for the late chapter. The entire last week was consumed by marching band camp, and honestly I had no idea how to do this chapter. Hopefully it's long enough for your liking :) I thought up the bit about the argument at the last second, so it's a bit hurried, since I wanted to post this as quickly as possible. Did you guys like it? If you did, or if you have any like criticism or something, please write a review :D They make my day!

Also, school is starting tomorrow, so I dunno if i'm going to post often, also I'm in the marching band and I've got to stay afte school like 3 times a week so, that's also something to consider. Anyways, thanks for reading!