Jake Addams April 24th, 20XX

As soon as the door slammed shut my younger sister turned and looked at me with an expression like I’d betrayed her in the worst way possible.

“ You didn't tell me you knew a real-life prince!”

I choked on a piece of broccoli, more particularly one of those that had been discarded from her plate, and began to cough loudly at hearing that. My younger brother had to go and get me a bottle of water from the fridge.

“ Woah Jake! He’s got like a million bottles of water in there!”

Usually, I would have realized that the reason was that he wanted to avoid doing dishes and would have commented but I was stuck on the dazed look on my baby sister’s face.

“ What did you say?”

Her young eyes began to sparkle as she began to talk about my friend who was around 9 years older than herself. Even if girls mature faster than guys, isn't this a little too quick?

“ He’s so nice and graceful and he’s so pretty!”

At this, even my younger brother nodded but he did so with a frown.

“ I don't like him. He looks too much like a girl. Guys aren't supposed to be pretty. They're supposed to be handsome like Jake.”

Frona sneered and grabbed him by the nose, using her larger stature to bully her younger brother.

“ What nonsense are you spewing from your mouth when there's no comparison.”

A strangled sound escaped from me at that and drew their attention.

“ What was that?”

Just the sound of my heart breaking.

“ It was nothing. But have you guys finished your work? I'm going to check in half an hour before we go.”

I coughed it out and waved them away to do their homework. Thankfully their mom had enrolled them into an afternoon school that started at 12 and ended at 7 so they had time to catch up since I hadn't been able to force them to do it yesterday.

First my girlfriend and now my little sister? At this rate, I would have to have a blood feud with Finn.

Frona only stuck her tongue out at me in response and quickly devoured her lunch then the two returned to the living room to finish their homework.

As I cleaned up I couldn't help but get lost in my thoughts. Truthfully when Finn had asked what had happened at the mall I had struggled on whether to tell him.

I had downplayed it quite a bit to Will and Nikolas, as I was still in shock but after I took Finn home had time to myself I couldn't get over how insane it had all been.

He went beyond being just different. it was the way he walked, talked and even the way he looked.

It was too much to just put it down as a split personality disorder because that didn't explain the physical changes.

As well, I tensed my arm and put in an effort to prevent myself from touching my neck again. The fact that Nikolas had been able to tell so easily yesterday bothered me.

Meanwhile.

“ How the hell did that toothpick get so strong?”

Okay, to call him a toothpick was a bit exaggerated however he really didn't look like he possessed enough strength to take me down as quickly as he had, even if he had the element of surprise.

I remained lost in my thoughts until the time hit me as well and I got up.

“ Frona! Luca! Get out here! I have to get you to school!”

Frona bounced towards me with a slightly less than happy smile but Luca dragged his feet as he walked towards me,

“ Jake, are you coming back home?”

His little voice, so full of regret and sadness almost made me tear up as well but I restrained myself and shook my head with as serious of expression as I could make.

“ Sorry kiddo. I gotta stay out and make enough money to get you that robot for next Christmas. And Frona’s baseball as well”

He frowned and then said with a struggle,

“ So if we didn't want them, then could you come back?”

I slowly shook my head but lifted him up and carried him as we walked towards the door. Only Frona got jealous and I had to piggyback her as well.

“ It’s okay Luca. I’ll visit a lot okay? Besides, don’t we still have today before your mom gets home? I’ll take you guys out to eat after school okay?”

He started to put up a fuss but Frona probably pulled a face behind my back and made him giggle and temporarily get distracted.

Before we left I heard a smattering of footsteps hurrying away from the door and the elevator ding loudly.

The fact that this was a restricted floor made the culprits pretty clear but it wasn't my apartment and it was more than clear that Finn could handle both himself and his staff so I let it be.

I began the harsh struggle to the door with the two little monkeys on my back and in my arms.

Before I left I grabbed Finn’s keys off the holder, unable to restrain myself from the temptation of getting the chance to drive such a nice car.

As I loaded the two into the back I couldn't help but think what a misery it was that the first time I got to drive such a nice car was on a babysitting run.