"Phlox, wake up, wake up," I could feel somebody shaking my shoulder and calling my name.

"Oh do wake up now," It was another voice and it sound both annoyed and mad. "You'll be late."

A hard push woke me up. It was however the fall I had from my bed and the painful throb in my hips that did the trick. I rubbed my eyes at the back of my hand. With eyes still closed I planned to give that person a loud yell. I am still tired from last night. I wouldn't call it a conversation though, more like a confession and nightmare wrapped in one night.

"What is wrong with you?" I thundered. "I'm still sleepy." I added the last part and it didn't come out as harsh as I planned because my yawn got in the way.

Blinking my eyes, I had a clear view of a pair of knees and upon glancing up I came face to face with the person who woke up. Surprise, surprise. It was no other than Cam and Lea both dressed for school, I presume. My mind is still foggy from last night that it refused to process anything today. They are dressed in their respective color with a cardigan for Cam and a denim jacket for Lea. That is actually a denim shirt that was sent to her by her parents for Christmas. But Lea's clothing sense is more comfortable than appearance so mix and match it is. She is holding a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of lychee juice and she's waving it in front me.

"Eat," That's all she say like I'm her pet. But now's not the time to nag her as I am too tired to cause argument.

"Come on, get up Phlox. It is already seven-twenty. You're later than me," Cam said still shaking me. Thank you for that, Camellia but there is no need to scream. I don't really know if she's really screaming.

Lea continued to wave the oatmeal in my eyes before thrusting to me when I ignored it.

"Classes start in a few minutes. If I were you, I'd haul myself off and go take a bath."

"That's why we though to bring your breakfast here to save you time," Cam grinned. In this scenario, she is the only one who is smiling. I don't know how she always manages to smile. Lea has her arms crossed and is scowling while I'm running my hand through my hair, blinking the exhaustion away.

Grudgingly, I took a bath, change my dress and swallowed the oatmeal with munching thanks. And in a record time of ten minutes, I am ready for classes. Just one problem thought; with the way I stayed up last night I'm pretty tired and my mind is kind of not functioning very well. It is still hung up on what happened last night. So with my current state, how am I supposed to pay attention to class when I can't even pay attention to where I am walking?

"Phlox, why did Madam Salla wanted you in her office last night?" Lea asked as I tripped on my own feet three times. For a moment I thought that she has forgotten about it or I was secretly hoping that she'll just drop the subject. But I guess seeing my exhaustion and the apparent all-nighter I had, it's clear as a day that something did happen.

"Ah…..yes about it," I trailed off as I rack my brain for answers. I hate to do this but I have to lie to them. It won't be long but I have to figure this out before I disclosed to them the truth.

This is not the right time yet. I am not yet ready.

Both Cam and Lea gave me expectant looks.

"Salla just talked to me, that's all." They gave me an incredulous looks and I think Lea raised an eyebrow. "She talked to me about my behavior in History and towards Liam. She told them that though I might hate my teachers, I have to respect them."

If they found it quite odd considering that I'm not the only one who hates our teachers, they didn't say anything. And for that I am grateful.

"She did?" Cam took this minute to stop in her tracks and stared at me rather strangely. Lea has to push her to keep her walking. Even while interrogating, Lea is still strict with time. "But I thought you don't hate Liam? Not anymore?"

"Sometimes, well anyway she told me that she trusts them to be better teachers and if I trust her then I should trust them too." This is far from what Salla said to me last night and it still boggles my mind at how I was able to come up with a lie. With the way my mind is crawling like snails, I'm surprised I am able to think of an alibi.

"She has a point though," Lea nodded in agreement.

"I think it's absurd. She might not be able to see the lapsed in her character," Cam shook her head, her hair swaying back and forth like thin strands of gold.

"Whatever it is, just leave it," I muttered sleepily.

"If that's what she all said then why it does look like you haven't slept the whole night?" Lea doubts. Of all the times I wished Lea to be observant, she chooses this moment to be one. Somehow I want to overlook my sleepiness and focused on our lessons instead. Guess that's not happening today especially with the way she waited for my answer.

I am indeed sleepy. I have not slept a wink until sunlight slowly crept in the sky.

"I sort of argued with her. You know, until my point is proven." I shrugged to show the message you-know-typical-me.

"I know and how did it go?"

I mentally rolled my eyes. You really want to know, Lea. "She wouldn't believe me but she doesn't argue back. I mean if she does, then our conversation would've dragged until the early hours of the morning. You know I never back down from an argument until I get my point."

"I see. Can we go now?" She sighed. I can't tell if she's discouraged because of my vague and somewhat half lie answers or that she didn't get what she wanted. Whatever it is I just keep my mouth shut and followed her closely behind.

Cam and I shared glances. I shrugged at her confused stared. As much as I want to answer them, I can't at the moment. Not when my mind is all fuddled with last night's crazy confession.

We arrived five minutes later which has sparked Lea's displeasure. Luckily, Madam Lane wasn't there when we arrive. And even if I tried to reason with her that it's okay, this doesn't settle her temper. Giving up on making Lea see reason, I languidly slumped on my chair and waited for Madam Lane to come. I then listened to her endless chatter. With Spells, we are now on Drenching charm which is pouring water over something. Kind of useless when you think about it. But I'm happy that it did work on me. I didn't accidentally pour juice or murky water on my partner. And most of our classmates have partners except for Ella. And she's very high handed though I've noticed that she's also like me. Half of her spells backfired but she insists that her partner should be good. At least that's what I hear from the sitting room talk.

"l'acqua," Her voice pristine and fine. She has her nose in the air and flipped the stray blonde hair off her forehead.

And from the tip of her fingers, cold water just sprayed on me without introduction. I was startled for sure as I was standing on my feet waiting for sleep to take over me.

Guess today's her lucky day.

"Now you do it," She was smiling too smugly for my taste. Maybe because she has perfectly done it but it was obvious when she looked at me a minute earlier that she's terrified of what may happen. And now that she's done it, she gloats.

"Ah…what?" I rubbed my eyes and when I do, I gawked at my state of my dripping clothes. It's snowing like it'll never end and I'm wet. Good thing we have air vents in the classroom or else I'd be shivering.

"The spell," Ella gritted her teeth and she raised a finger as she is about to snapped it at me. "You have to do it again."

But I have already done it. I was the first one to do so after she insists that I should be first. My aim was bad so I wasn't able to get her wet except for her shoes and ankles which isn't really much in comparison to my dress. I don't know why she even wants to repeat it. It is because she got it right and wanted to know if I can get it right too on the second time? Unfortunately, the trumpet was heard before I can protest back.

"Oh, never mind." Again she flipped her hair back and marched to her seat and grabbed her bag before leaving the room.

When we left the room, Madam Cetate is standing by the room drying evert student with a wave of her hand. She's mumbling words of encouragement and apology for your dripping mess.

"Phlox," Lea whispered to me during Potions. It surprised me that Lea is talking to me during class and the topic is not related to the lesson which I have no idea what it is. Madam Phland's lesson is boring and with the way she read the passages of the book, I would gladly trade places with Peony just to get out of this room. On the second thought, that's not a really nice way of thinking. I'm sure Peony is now dying to get away from Aeron and be out in the open.

"I'm sorry but I think it is really pointless that Salla kept you the whole night."

And there it is. I really thought that our conversation this morning before Language has put her mind to ease but throughout the morning, I can sense Lea flustering about. I'm surprised that it took her until Potions to spit it out. During Spells, I thought she's going to pull me away from Ella and interrogate me until I give in.

"What is your point, Lea?" I sighed gruffly. I am really sleepy and I don't have the strength to lie to her or even make up stories less pacify her. Sleep is what I need and that's something I can accomplish if I hid behind this large book we had.

"I don't believe you," She ground out. Her eyes dilated and she looked at me intensity. Seriously, Madam Phland would catch us and we're in serious trouble. Except for Lea maybe, she's a general favorite of the teachers.

"I don't care," whispering furiously at her, not taking my attention away from Madam's book.

"Just tell the truth, Phlox."

I would Lea but now's not the time. And if I did tell you then you'll only judge me and that'll make your head spin. But I don't think there's anything that could make Lea's head spinning. It could be spinning right now as we speak, processing our body language and the way we communicate with each other.

"Lea, I have nothing else to say except what I did back then. That's what we talked about. Now if you don't believe then fine, don't. But please don't disturb me by asking for details." I groaned, my eyes falling but I fought it hard to stay up again.

Good thing Madam Phland is discussing about some fish and how their spine were made into powder and mixed with drinks for skin rash.

For the whole day I only give monosyllabic answers and even avoiding meeting their gaze. After Liam dismissed us, I abruptly went to the Central Tree to have dinner and depart before Cam and Lea arrived. I don't want to see them staring at me with confusion and expectations. Back then I lived with no else's rules. I have no one whose expectations I need to fulfill. Aunt Gale expected me to help her with housework which I did. That's not a difficult expectation. But now, I have the lives of people depending on my head. I feel so choked up with all the pressure.

I rush into my room and flung myself on the bed with my back against the mattress. I stared at the ceiling thinking, desperately hoping that there's a crack in there or an uneven paint. Something that'll remind me that I can be imperfect too.

How did Lea know that I'm lying? How did she figure it out? Sure it might be evident in my face but there are a lot of reasons that could cause behind it. I can be worrying over my exhaustion that I won't be able to listen properly in class. But let's face it, I rarely listen to class so I guess that reason can be crossed off.

I ran to the bathroom and stared at my tired reflection. Or was it because I am not good in lying? But then I had told I had told lies over the years and no one called me for it. But why now? Of all the lies I had, why must it be this lie?

Should I tell them? Should I not? I hate how I am beginning to act like Salla. Well of course she is my mother, whispered a voice in my head. Should I do it? Should I not? I even started pacing just like what she did last night.

Telling them that Salla is my mother and Aeron is my father is just the first part. If I told them about Peony, then I have to start at the beginning and make necessary introductions and I might even have to defend Peony. But the hardest would be, telling them who Aeron is. I don't think I'm ready to share to the world who and what my father really is. Not that he has become a true father to me or I could consider as one. I have been happy by myself without my parents, thank you very much.

"Well, of course I should tell them. They're my friends and they could help me with my predicament." I am now sitting at the bottom of my cabinet which I opened for that purpose only.

"Peony," I closed my eyes, unable to see her helpless and probably bound at the mercy of Aeron. "She has been exposed to magic and when she'll probably be set free she has no choice but to study in Palanole. She has been exposed to magic so they can just take her back to the human world. And if she'll be studying here, she needs friends and Cam and Lea can be her friends."

So with determination while present in my veins, I marched to Cam's door and knocked soundly. I don't even know if she'll be here or if they'll be in the sitting room.

Cam's door swung open, revealing her in a night gown. Her eyes widened in surprised.

"I need to talk to you in my room and tell Lea too." I marched back to my room and paced back and forth until Cam and Lea came in.

"Phlox," Lea began upon entering. She didn't even shut the door. "we just wanted to say sorry."

"Wait, Lea why is it we? Shouldn't it be you? I didn't say anything," Cam held bother her hands in the air and went to close the door.

"It is still the same," Lea whispered to Cam.

"It's okay," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "It is all right. I did lie or partly lie."

"See I told you," Lea looked at Cam and without seeing her, I know there's a big grin on her face. "I know that she's lying."

"Lea, I think Phlox wanted to give an explanation so perhaps tone down your enthusiasm a bit?"

"I know but then that proves that I have nothing to apologize. I mean, Phlox did lie."

"Yes, I did lie," I mumbled.

"That's okay, I already forgive you," Cam promptly piped up. I looked up and found her smiling. I can't help but to smile a bit too.

"I'm not sure," Lea twirled a lock of her hair and trailed off uncertain.

"Lea," Cam exclaimed, twisting to face Lea.

"You need to tell us the truth."

"Oh," Cm shrugged and looked at me apologetically. "I want to know the truth too. Why were you up so late and what did you and Salla talked about?"

"The situation is complicated and delicate."

"I can live with it. Come on and confess," Lea sat on my bed and tucked a pillow on her tummy. She looks like a kid eager for a bedtime story. "I know you don't have a lot of friends but you've got to learn to trust your friends. And I mean real friends."

I wanted to asked them if they are really my friends but after all the scruples I've done and dragged them into I think I'm pretty lucky that they didn't run to the hills and left me.

"I trust you,"

"I might argue with that."

I ignored her and yawned instead. Sleep is what I really need right now.

"Me too," Cam sat beside Lea and has all my pillows around her. "If you trust us then why won't you tell us what you're hiding?"

I grunted in response. There isn't really an appropriate response for it. I'm literally kicking myself for lying to them and for telling that I did lie.

"Just tell us. We can help you, you know," I stared at Lea and saw the sincerity present in her eyes. She is in her nightgown too but unlike Cam who looks like Wendy Darling and very well put. Lea has her hair in odd angles which made me wonder if she ever brushes her hair. And she has purple shadows under eyes but it's more like a permanent fixture on her face compared to mine that has suddenly appeared.

"Yeah, Phlox tell us," Cam agreed with Lea too. "We're dying to know. What I want to say is –in case we can help you."

I laughed. I know Cam and I know that she didn't really mean that or actually slipped her tongue. It's her way of lifting the heavy mood, acting like she's prying when it's far from her intention.

"Okay, I'll tell you."

Before I closed my eyes, I saw Lea leaned a little towards me and Cam rest her chin on both of her hands. The only time she did this was during Botany.

"Remember those stories I told you? About me founding out that my parents were dead. Aunt Gale knew my mother and Mrs. Liam too," I swallowed. Somehow telling them now feels like I can a ball of gummy bears stuck in my throat in comparison to the time when I told them about it and it seems like it's no big deal. Just a topic passing through.

They nodded.

"Well, its lie. It is all lies. I just found out last night. With Salla," I paused and wiped my sweaty palms on my nightgown. Suddenly sitting on the floor isn't a very good idea. My urge to move around, to do something is taking over my mind. So I stood up and start pacing, shaking my hands occasionally. "My parents are alive and guess what," I paused again to look at Lea and Cam. Both of them are clearly confuse as evident on their expression. "I've seen and been with my mother for six months." I added a laughed that borders bitter and sheepish.

"Six months? But that's impossible," Cam exclaimed first.

"If you say that you have seen your mother for six months, then it would only mean that -" I don't like where Lea's head is going. Sure, it is going to the right direction and I have to give it to her for her cleverness but a part of me doesn't want people to know the truth. Maybe because I know that if I tell someone about it then I have to face it and all the questions it comes with.

"that she is here in Palanole," Lea completed her thoughts.

Bulls-eye, Lea. Bulls-eye.

I nodded. "Yes and she is Isabella Higgins."

"Isabella, isn't she your father's sister? The one you said that you saw in your father's photo?" Lea wrinkled her brow. I could see the cogs working in her head right now.

"That's what I thought too but it turns out that it was a lie. I believe what Liam then said that my parents are dead and Aunt Gale refused to tell me details about them. But last night I found that it wasn't true."

"How did Salla knew about your parents? I can't understand why she decided to tell you about them." Lea asked the same time that Cam also asked for the names of my parents.

I ignored Lea's question and instead answered Cam's. After all it would also answer her question.

"My mother's name is Isabella Higgins or that's what I guess her family name would be," I repeated. "But people knew her as Salla."

"Salla!" They chorused and both of them sat upright, pillows forgotten. Cam's expression is of pure shock while Lea is disbelief.

"Salla? You mean our Salla?"

Okay, although I might be a bit hesitant to claim her as my mother it is still weird to hear your friend call Salla as their Salla. But then, was she really mine? She's the headmistress of the school and basically that means, she belongs to everybody.

I nodded and they gasped. Audibly.

I furiously whispered, shushing them up. "No one is supposed to know."

"But why?" Cam is no longer sitting too. She in on her feet and is rocking on her heels. "Phlox, you've searched for your parents throughout your life, why would you want to keep it as a secret?"

Of course, she can't understand. I have this queasy feeling in the bottom of my stomach that I really want to let it out. It's been there since last night. Everything is simple in Cam's world. Mine used to be too but it got complicated overnight.

"I can't, Cam. Can you imagine how weird it'll be once the students knew that Salla's my mother? I can't imagine what they would say and the attention I'd get because of it. Plus, it isn't like we have a happy reunion with Salla."

The butterflies in my stomach seem to double in size. I have never opened up to anybody. I never have someone to tell the details of my life. Oh yeah, Edmund did get parts of it but the situation right now is different. With him it just slipped off of my tongue, it was freely done but now I felt forced to tell them.

"Salla already know who I am. She has seen me in the human world when I went to visit Liam. But she didn't say anything like 'Hey Phlox, I'm your mother. Your parents aren't really dead' you know? She could say something like that and spare me the heartbreak."

Cam didn't say anything and even Lea has shut her tongue. It's true that they don't understand. They don't know how it feels to be betrayed by your own mother. I want to cry, to yell and to shake the truth out of Salla. I have these mixed emotions in me right now that I don't know what to do.

"Um… what about your father?" Lea inquired after the silence. She is fiddling with her fingers, avoiding my eyes the same thing that I'm avoiding theirs too.

"Do you also know his name?"

"Ah…my father," Biting my lip, I inhaled a sharp breath playing on the hem of my nightgown with my toe. "Salla also told me about him."

"And?"

"He is Aeron Higgins."

"Seems a harmless name," shrugged Cam who has taken the edge of the bed again.

I sighed. Seriously, how messy did my life became?

"I wouldn't say that if I were you."

Cam asked why.

"Because Aeron is the man who has been killing random people." I said quickly. How I ever managed to do that in one shaky breath, I'll never know.

And as I expected they are both stunned. I don't know which has shocked them more, the news that my mother was Salla or that my father is a murderer. Cam who just sat on the bed's edge came tumbling down and landed on her side but she didn't mind the pain. Lea's face has drained off of its color and her twitchy fingers stopped.

"I know it kind of shocking…" I began, running my hands through the knots in my hair. I willed myself to stop fidgeting but I have to or else I'll explode into tiny pieces.

"It is pretty shocking," exhaled Cam, climbing back to bed.

"I know," I sighed. "I was pretty mad at Salla when she told me. The moment I knew my parents were alive this is not what I had in mind."

"You never get to choose your parents," Cam actually approached me and clapped me in the back as a support.

Lea's question took me off guard. I wasn't expecting that to come from her, okay maybe I did but not now. I was expecting it later when I have the time to organize my thoughts.

"Did you ask her why she left you?"

I gulped, my heart beating wildly in my chest. It has been like that for the whole day. It's like I have this need to just run with the wind and get lost. All these things have been pretty constricting for me, so suffocating.

"Because she doesn't want me to grow up with him as a father," The lie came out fast before my mind could process it. I wasn't thinking of saying it but I guess it's good that I did. Because if I told the truth and that would require me telling them the story again and quite frankly, I don't think I have the energy to do it.

"I guess that's understandable. Not that I agree with her leaving you," Cam added hastily. I wouldn't mind it really. I understand where Salla is coming from. "But I don't think it is good for the child to grow up with Aeron as a father. I hate to think what your first lesson would be instead of learning the alphabets."

"I don't think it is also good for a child to grow up without any parents," I mumbled.

Cam was taken back. "I agree but between the two of them, I think the latter is the lesser of the two evils."

"You grow up with your Aunt Gale, right? They might be your foster family but they are your family nevertheless. And I think even if you don't have a father, you have a father figure in your life."

I nodded. Uncle Adam was indeed nice to me and he understands me too. I think.

"Which reminds me, since we are talking about Aunt Gale, there something I need you do to for Peony," I blinked. Do they know Peony is?

"Do you know who is Peony?"

"Not really, but we have an idea of who she is," Lea replied. "She's the lovely child of your Aunt Gale who has notoriously made your life miserable."

"I really didn't think of her as such,"

"I think you did. At least you do while you were giving us parts of your life living with them," answered Lea just as quick as my contradiction is to Peony's defense.

"Anyway, the main reason why Salla wanted me in her office was to tell me that my loving father just kidnapped Peony,"

"Kidnapped her? Why would he do that? What would he gain by kidnapping Peony?"

Cam and Lea fired questions to me like they're snowballs, one after another.

"Well Lea," Cam answered in her condescending tone though it doesn't really fit her. "He is the most hated man here, sorry for that Phlox,"

"None taken. I would've said it myself."

"So I don't think Aeron needed a reason why wanted to kidnapped Peony. He even killed people without any reason."

"Actually, there's a reason behind it," I squeaked. "He's looking for me."

"Why?" Lea asked again. It's like she never runs out of questions.

"Dunno, maybe because I'm his daughter so as a father he must look for his daughter," I sarcastically replied. I am evading again. "And he doesn't recognize me so he probably thought Peony was me." That wasn't a lie.

"Yeah, possible," Lea agreed, stroking her lips with her fingers. Her words said she's thinking it as a possibility but the way she stares at me says the opposite. "But I think that's a bit irrational to kill whoever he likes because he is looking for his daughter."

I sighed. Guess I have to tell the story after all.

So I told to them why Aeron took Peony and how he mistook it as me. Of course I have to go back and tell them why he is looking for me. And since I'm spilling the guts, I might as well pull the big guns too. Not the I'm-going-to-die-by-sacrificing-myself. No, that would come later.

"The reason I told you this is because Salla," I just can't call her as Mom or mother. "said that she will save Peony," I highly doubt she could do that unless she offered me as a piece to be exchange for Peony's safety. I wanted to add this but I didn't.

"and since Peony already knew our secret I have a feeling that she will study here at Palanole. I want you two to befriend her," I rapidly told them, waving my hand in every direction. Fidgeting, squirming or pacing, anything to keep my anxiety at base.

"Befriend her?" Lea repeated like it's a vile word. She's pretty smart so I didn't repeat but the words 'friend' and 'Peony' might not be a good mix in the sentence.

I nodded.

"You're joking, right Phlox?" chuckled Cam.

"She maybe the damsel in distress now but tomorrow, I don't think so," Lea showed her disagreement and her answer by shaking her head.

Well, it's not like I assumed that they'd just accept Peony when I tell them to. And with the way, I recalled my life with the Byrants, I have a feeling I haven't really filter my words. But now's not the moment for reflection. I need to make Lea and Cam okay with Peony studying here in Palanole.

"She still needs some friend and I thought you could be her friends?"

"But she treated you badly," Lea practically screeched in my ears. Even if I stood half a meter away from her, my ears still feels like they are ringing. "She is nothing but wicked to you."

Cam then began enumerating the things that Peony did to me. But honestly, she does when we were children. I don't think I can held her responsible for her actions the same thing that I can't be held responsible for the words that flew from my mouth. I have no filter even back then.

"I don't understand why you still think like she's an angel. Helping her when she didn't help you," scoffed Lea.

"I didn't say she was an angel," Here I go again with my crass. "People have mistakes – "

"But that doesn't mean you're going to consider their mistakes it all the time," Lea ground her teeth and her eyes blazing. She rarely argues this much compared to me. She knows she is right and leave it at that. If you don't believe her, then your loss. That is what I think she believes in as I've seen her.

"It's your guilt talking."

Then Salla words came back to me when I reacted on the same thing over Aeron. "Salla said that no one is perfect. Everyone commit mistakes. That's why she sort of accepted what her husband. She condemned the act but not the person." And yeah, I'm ashamed that Peony suffered at the hands of Aeron because of me. This is the least that I could do for her.

I was tired at bickering with them. I haven't slept much last night and my mind is in turmoil. The last thing I need is an argument but here I am in the middle of it, persuading my friends. Can't they just yes and go to bed? Why must they always ask for proof, for reason? Don't they know that there are some questions that have answers but there are some that don't have? Okay, their question might have an answer but it is lost to me until I can get my head back in proper working order.

They were both silent. I sleeplessly raised an eyebrow or was it an eyelid in surprise.

"That still doesn't mean – " I didn't let Lea finish just like all those times that she interrupted me.

"Well, I'm going to be friends with her. And if you are my friends then you have no choice but to be her friends too." I didn't add the part where if I will be able to see Peony here in Palanole. But that's something they don't need to know until the very last minute.

"You sounded like Salla," Cam furrowed her brow.

"Of course, she is my mother."

"Oh yeah, right. I forgot."

It is so easy to forget considering that I went on without one for fifteen years.

"So you're gonna be friends with her?" Even though I just exercise force on the matter, I still want to know if they're okay with it. Just a confirmation.

"I still need to think that," Cam looked at me, narrowing her eyes and scratching her fingers against her chin.

"Okay, I'm deciding now…hmmmmm," she mused. Her feature was so comical that I wanted to giggle but didn't. I have to keep a straight face. "Okay, I have decided. My answer is yes."

I whooped. One down and one to go. Cam's easier to persuade than Lea. She is the one that I need to convinced and that's going to take a lot of my nonexistent convincing powers.

"Oh, I don't know, Phlox," Lea sighed, shaking her head at my "crazy ideas" as she calls it. I read it in her mind and I shouldn't have but I figured I need a scoop inside her mind so that I'll know if there's a chance.

I tried not to speak or contradict with her as she think. She needs time to decide, she needs a lot of time to decide. I know I don't really have a gift of persuasion but I'm hoping that it'll work even just this minute.

Cam was lying on my bed in her belly side swaying her legs in the hair. And Lea was using Cam's back as a support of her elbow in which her chin was weighed on her palm. Cam would occasionally move and Lea would smack her butt. How long would it take for her to decide? Please don't tell me at least 24 hours. I impatiently sighed and waited for her decision. Cam has already agreed so I'm pretty certain that she will too.

"I'm sure she will be nice, Lea," Cam suggested, wagging her brow. Lea pretended that she is not there and goes on thinking. Her forehead wrinkled so much that I don't think I can even iron it out. "Everybody will be nice if you are nice to them too."

"You really think so?" Lea asked. She is slowly accepting it.

"Yeah," I nodded enthusiastically.

She shook her head. "She's mean, stubborn and so I am. I don't think we will be in good terms. Perhaps with Cam because she's level headed,"

I stole a sneaky glance at Cam who only smiled brightly at me.

"Please, I'm sure she will behave well. After all she's new to this place. She will be keen to the environment so I don't think she'll cause any trouble,"

"Like you didn't," Lea mocked bringing back the time when I sneaked off at night and got caught by Liam.

"I know but Peony's not me. She's more careful but playful."

"Fine, I'll try to be friends with her," Lea finally agreed, giving extra emphasis to the word try. "But I still don't know why you want us to be friends with her. She could study here and make new friends with other people. I think she and Livy would get along so well."

I ignored her.

After that, they went back to their room and I tucked myself in the quilt. It felt like I haven't slept on anything as nice and soft was my bed when in the past months, I slept in the same bed. But it's the challenges and difficulties in life that made me appreciate the little things. Though I felt a little bit of nostalgia. In a few weeks, I will be gone and I will be leaving this room. This has been my home more than my small room in the Byrants. I hate going away but I have to.

"Phlox, are you sure you're okay?" That would probably be the tenth time Cam asked me since yesterday.

I get that she's worried and Lea too but right now, I just want to push back those issues at the back of head and later re opened that box for inspection and examination. Right now, I have more pressing matters to attend. Like Peony, for example. I need to know she's okay and where she is.

Cam and Lea would not understand my drive to help Peony and honestly, a part of me too. But I know I had to. Maybe because no matter how Peony hated me, I see her more of a sister or maybe a friend than an enemy. Sure there are times when I wouldn't hesitate to flush her in the toilet if she could fit in the bowl. But I remember the times when we would have tea party together and play dress up. Plus I feel guilty that she is in that position because of me. If only my dear old Dad, was intelligent enough to look here in Palanole.

"Yes, I'm fine Cam. I've told you that already," I refrained gritting my teeth but sometimes it can't be helped.

"I know but you seems calm."

"Calm? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"With all of these Phlox," interjected Lea who just entered and plopped on my bed, crossing her arms and with a half-stern, half-worried expression on her face.

"You took the news too easily. Cam and I are waiting for a breakdown any minute when you told us about it. But you act like it was nothing. Like your whole life just didn't tumble down."

Yeah, it did tumble down and crashed but what do they expect me to do? To cry and mope the whole day. I don't have time for that. Because if I do that, Peony's life is in danger every tick of the clock.

"I'll deal with the rest of it, Lea. We have examinations to take and I'd like that to be my priority."

I know that would shut Lea up as she is dedicated to her education.

"This is the way you cope, right?" she timidly asked.

I nodded. Cope? Perhaps but the appropriate world for that would be forget. I am willing myself to forget it and just deal with it as it is.

If Salla's my mother and Aeron's my father, then fine.

"But Phlox, you need time to process all of this, you know. Anger, betrayal, sadness. You can't lock those emotions."

Lea means well and perhaps she is right. I haven't been able to process all this things yet. But I will after I solve the case with Peony.

"I'm fine, Lea. I promise I'll deal with it but right now I'm setting my priorities and it isn't on the top of the list." I smiled at them. Whether they were convinced by it, I don't know but I tacitly indicated in that smile that discussion is over.

March has passed away so quickly. It has been a month since I knew the truth about my parents, a month that I carefully laid out my plan to perfection. People passing by will say that there hasn't been much change but for me something big has fallen onto my lap. Sometimes I felt like time is rushing, wanting to get rid of me, to leave my friends. The approaching suicidal mission has me thoroughly saddened that I don't listen much to the lessons. And sometimes I admit, I asked myself as to why should I study when in fact in a month I'll be gone.

On my birthday I celebrated it with Lea and Cam. It was simple but it was the best birthday I could have. The Byrants aren't big on celebrating my birthday. They ordered pizza sometimes takeout food and ice cream. But this time I had a raspberry cake from the kitchen. I suspect it was Salla who requested but I can't be sure because a cake just appeared on my bed with a note wishing me a happy birthday. My fellow Opelets greeted me, hugged me and some of them gave me gifts. Mia gave me a dark blue robe which was too long for her. Cristina gave me a notebook that never runs out of pages. It was actually a magic notebook. I can communicate to other people by writing my message and as to where notebook, book or paper I want it to appear. It was really great. But among the gifts that I received, I love Sabel's gift the most. She gave me scarves. One was blue and the other was salmon with two white stripes on both ends. The other one that was wrapped in a brown paper with a flower similar to the flower in the envelope I had received last summer. It was a scarf, a special scarf. It was from him. I know from the way it smelled. How it even manages to trap his scent into the wrapper, I don't know. It was plain ocher, which deeply resembles his eyes.

Salla and I celebrated too, at night though. It was a chocolate cookie-and-cocoa celebration. She did request the cooks to bake me a cake and have it sent to me. She gave me a flower, the same flower I got from Edmund's gift. She smiled when I twirled it between my fingers. It was the same flower that my father gave to her, the same color, blue. It's called phlox, just like my name.

Well, it the simplest birthday celebration yet the best so far. At least now I have friends and a mother to celebrate my 16th birthday even when I couldn't call her mother in person.