Eight Years Later: Present Day

Ember awoke to the sound of her alarm clock blaring from the table beside her bed. She blindly reached out to snooze it and groaned, throwing the covers over her head to block out the sunlight. It was the first day of her junior year of high school. She lay there, looking at the ceiling listening to the birds chirp outside when she heard the boys next door.

"Hey Ember! Wake up!" Rocky yelled from the window across from hers.

Rocky had finally gotten over his crush after they tried making a relationship work a few years ago. Within a week, they realized there was no romantic chemistry, and they were better off as friends. And what a good friend he had been to her. She had never really gotten along with other girls, thinking they were too dramatic and catty. Bonding with Rocky and Tum-Tum was all the bonding she needed. She was happy to be the girl in the boys group.

She walked over to her window and slid it open, sticking her head out of it, "Hey, what's up?"

"If you want a ride to school, you better hurry and get dressed. Colt isn't dressed either, so you do have a little bit of time, he's definitely dragging his feet this morning," Rocky noted sarcastically looking behind him at his sleepy, annoyed brother.

Ember smiled. Some things never change. Speaking of things that never changed, her interactions with Colt never did either, even though she attempted time and time again. He just didn't like her, and she'd finally gave up on trying to figure out why. If he didn't like her, it was his loss, his problem.

"I'll be right over!" She yelled back.

She went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth first and applied her makeup. She was never the type to wear a lot of makeup, but she did apply a little powder, mascara, and lip gloss. She was blessed with a beautiful complexion, so a lot of her look was natural. She also wore her hair naturally, which was wavy curls. She rarely straightened her hair or did anything with it, really. She always let it air dry and she would get the most amazing waves from it. A blessing from her mother, as her mother constantly reminded her. Her hair came down to her mid-back now. She decided on a pair of skinny jeans and a black tank top, slipping the items onto her body. She finally finished with matching black boots and headed downstairs.

Her mother, Angela, was in the kitchen already making breakfast while her father, Carl, sat at the kitchen table reading a newspaper.

"Good morning, darling," Angela said sweetly as she kissed her daughter on the head.

"Good morning, mom. Hey dad," Ember greeted, looking over at her father who was now face deep into his phone. His eyebrows furrowed, so she knew he was thinking hard about something.

"Is something wrong daddy?" Ember asked getting concerned.

"Well sweetie, we've been needing to talk to you about something. Your father has been offered a job in Virginia and we think he's going to take it," Angela told her daughter as she sat a plate down at the table, ushering Ember to sit down and eat.

Ember's mouth dropped open. "What?!"

"Yeah honey, we've given this a lot of thought and it just seems like the right move for our family. We've deeply considered you in our decision, we don't want you to think otherwise." Angela responded.

Ember pushed her plate away, suddenly losing her appetite. She could feel her hard-headed, fiery temper bubbling inside of her, begging to escape. "You've deeply considered ME? Are you sure? Do you have ANY idea how this affects me?" She yelled.

Carl stepped in at this moment, "Watch your tone, young lady. Yes, we did consider you in our decision. But the fact is still the same. We're moving. And you're coming with us. End of story."

Ember scoffed at her father, unable to keep her cool. Too many emotions were surfacing at the moment. "What about my training with Miro? What about the boys?"

"Well honey, we can get you involved in some ninja training in Virginia. I'm sure we can locate an instructor there." Angela replied.

"But I don't want another instructor! I don't want new friends! I want my life here! I'm graduating next year and you're wanting me to start all over somewhere else? No way!" Ember cried as she jumped from her seat, grabbing her backpack in the process.

"Honey, we need to talk about this," Angela replied softly, trying to calm her daughter's outburst.

Ember slung her backpack over her left shoulder and looked at her mother. "Thank you for ruining my life. I've got to get to school now." She walked out of the house without another word and went next door to see the boys were already in the car waiting on her.

"It's about time!" Colt groaned sarcastically as she got into the backseat beside Tum-Tum.

"Shut up, Colt. I'm not in the mood for your bullshit today, or other day for that matter. So take your sarcastic, self-centered comments and shove them up your —" Ember replied but was cut off by Rocky.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Rocky asked her, concern filling his eyes.

"Yeah, fine, just peachy," Ember grumbled.

Rocky decided not to push the subject further and turned around in the driver's seat and started the car. Colt remained quiet as well, which was surprising. Normally he would be engaging in witty banter with her by now.

"I have Ding-Dongs for breakfast, do you want one?" Tum-Tum offered, holding out the snack to her. She smiled at the gesture. Anyone who knew Tum-Tum knew he was serious about his food and didn't share. She knew he was offering because he wanted to cheer her up. The gesture alone made her heart melt. He was the little brother she never had.

"No thanks, Tum. My stomach is in knots already," Ember replied.

"Because of the first day? You don't have anything to worry about! I'm worried because it's my first day EVER of high school. How's the food? Do they have a variety at lunch?" Tum-Tum asked her and she could hear Rocky and Colt laughing from the front seat.

"Laugh all you want, losers, but good food is a necessity for a good school year. Oh and Rocky, please don't try to kill us like you did that one time we were trying to save Jo," Tum-Tum shuddered at the memory.

"Ha, ha, you're so funny Tum," Rocky said sarcastically. "I'll have you know my driving has improved since then!"

The rest of the drive was mostly silent and when they arrived at the school, the parking lot was full. A lot of people were standing outside of their cars, excitedly catching up and talking about their summers.

The four got out of the car, grabbing their backpacks for the day. Ember went to walk away after she shut her car door, but was stopped when a hand grabbed her arm. "Hey, can we talk for a second?"

Ember turned around to look at Colt's hazel eyes. He was a great bit taller than her so she had to look up at him. "What about?"

"I know I've been a jerk to you most of the time we've known each other, but are you okay?" Colt asked her, a different emotion reaching his eyes that she had never seen before.

"You're wrong. You haven't been a jerk to me. You've been a complete to me, Jeffrey. And why do you care now? Now that I'm about to move away and you'll never have to see me again?" Ember asked him aggressively and maybe a little too dramatically. In Ember's defense, Colt had been a complete jerk to her for most of the time she'd known him, it had been building up for a while.

"You're what?" Colt asked surprised, his face full of shock.

"I'm moving. I found out this morning. My parents are moving me to Virginia," Ember told him.

"Wait! What?!" Rocky and Tum-Tum yelled in unison.

Ember's eyes started to tear up and she knew she couldn't trust her voice, so she simply nodded her head.

"But they can't do that! They can't take you away from us!" Tum-Tum argued.

"What about your training? What about school? Did they even ask you for your input?" Colt asked her, his voice softer than usual.

Ember shook her head no, "No, they didn't. But they don't have to. They're my parents. And they've told me that I'm moving, that I'd just have to accept it."

Rocky sighed and pulled her in for a hug. Ember wrapped her arms tightly around him and buried her face in his shirt. She kept her emotions in check though and forced her tears back down. She finally let go of Rocky once she had accomplished that. When she let go of Rocky, she looked at Colt and noticed that he had been watching her and Rocky the entire time. But he didn't look angry or annoyed this time. His eyes were actually softer, more concerned.

The bell rang and everyone from the parking lot began to walk inside the school, each going to their assigned homeroom. Colt and Rocky pointed Tum-Tum into the right direction for his homeroom for freshmen before they turned back to Ember.

"I've got to get to my homeroom, are you going to be okay?" Rocky asked her.

"She'll be fine. We have the same homeroom this year, we'll walk together," Colt answered for her.

Rocky looked surprised at his brother and nodded his head. "I'll see you guys at lunch then."

Once Rocky was out of earshot, Ember turned to Colt. "Thanks for the offer in front of Rocky, but you don't have to pretend to be nice to me." Ember then began to walk away, but Colt chased after her.

"But wait! I'm not pretending. I'm really sorry, Ember. I'm sorry for being such a complete ass, I believe those were your exact words," Colt chuckled trying to get her to smile.

It worked. She returned a small smile.

"I really am sorry. And not because you're moving. I never really disliked you. I misunderstood what was going on within myself," Colt explained in the best way he knew how.

Ember looked at him confused, about to ask him to explain his last statement, but the bell rang again, signaling they were going to be late. They took off running and made it just in time before the door closed.

———————————————————————-

It was the end of the school day and the four ninjas were completely exhausted as they approached the car. "I'm hungry," Tum-Tum stated.

Rocky laughed, "But you're always hungry, Tum. I'm sure mom is making dinner. E, do you want to stay for dinner?"

Ember immediately agreed. The longer she could keep away from her parents, the better. Besides, one more meal with her second family seemed like a good idea before she had to leave. It pained her to think she'd never see them again.

They pulled into the driveway and Ember took notice of the "For Sale" sign that was already posted on the front lawn of her house.

"Well they don't waste any time, do they?" Colt noted sarcastically.

Ember didn't respond. She just slowly got out of the car and followed the boys inside. Jessica was in the kitchen, cooking dinner and greeted the boys one by one as they came in. She smiled when she saw Ember. "Hey my favorite girl, are you staying for dinner?"

Ember returned her smile, "I'd love to, thank you for offering, it smells delicious."

"You're always welcome here, dear. You've always been like a daughter to me." Jessica replied warmly.

Ember and Colt helped Jessica set the table in the dining room and soon, everyone was seated and digging into the roast beef that had been prepared. Samuel Sr. was seated at the head of the table.

"So, how was school?" Samuel Sr. asked.

"It was great! The food was awesome!" Tum-Tum exclaimed with his mouth full of food.

"Don't talk with your mouth full of food, Michael," Samuel Sr. corrected his son, but with a smile.

"Boys?" He asked Rocky and Colt. They both sighed and mumbled a combination of "good" and "fine".

"So, Brooke.. When I got home, I noticed a for sale sign in the front lawn. Are you moving?" Samuel Sr. asked, directing all of his attention to Ember.

Ember looked over, "Yes sir, they told me this morning. We're moving to Virginia."

Samuel Sr. looked surprised. "Virginia? Wow."

"Yeah, they're taking her away from us," Tum-Tum grumbled as he played with the food on his plate with his fork.

"I'm sure there's a good reason for the move honey," Jessica assured her son.

"It's a job offer and my father has taken it. I don't want to leave. My life is here. I feel like I belong here. You guys are like a second family to me. I wish I could do something to stay," Ember said softly.

Jessica looked at her apologetically and sipped on her glass of water. Colt looked at his plate, unusually quiet. It was too quiet for a moment and when the phone rang, everyone jumped. Jessica stood up and walked to the kitchen to answer it.

"Hello? Oh hi, Angela. Yes, she's here. Okay, I'll tell her. No problem. Bye," Jessica could be heard in the other room.

Jessica returned to the dining room with an apologetic look on her face. "Ember, sweetie, when you're finished, your mother is asking if you'll return home."

Ember sighed and nodded. She finished her food and took her plate to the kitchen. Colt came in with his own plate after her.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Colt asked her, his hands in his pockets.

Ember smiled at him, mesmerized by his hazel eyes. "It's just next door, I'm sure I'll be okay," she teased him.

Colt nervously laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I know. I just figured if you're about to move, I might as well try to be nice as much as I can. You know, make up for lost time?" Colt reasoned with her.

"Well when you put it that way, how could I possibly resist?" Ember replied teasingly.

They walked out of the house together and stopped at the end of her driveway. "What are you going to miss the most?"

"Training with you guys and Miro," she replied.

"I'm going to miss it too," Colt replied softly.

"You always hated me being there!" Ember exclaimed jokingly, slightly pushing him.

Colt returned her laugh and put his hand over hers that was still on his chest and they both felt a jolt of electricity run through them. Colt immediately jerked away. "I never hated you. I told you I just didn't know what was going on within myself. I also never told you, but your ninja name suits you. Ember. You're the glow from a burning fire. You're a wildfire and no one can smolder you. You will always come back alive, you'll always have that fire within yourself."

Ember looked up at him, surprised to hear something like that come from Colt. She was speechless, completely out of words.

With her lack of response, Colt chuckled nervously and stepped back. "Well, goodnight, Em."

Ember smiled softly at him and looked at her feet. "No one has ever called me that before," she replied.

"Well, consider it your new nickname from me. I'll see you tomorrow." Colt told her as they both turned from the other and headed into their homes.

When Ember stepped inside her home, her parents were already waiting on her in the kitchen. But she told them she was much too exhausted from the first day and asked if they could talk tomorrow. She retreated to her bathroom and took a long, hot shower before she headed to bed.

———————————————————————-

Ember never really woke up because she never really went to sleep. She tossed and turned all night long. Finally, defeated, she rose out of bed and got dressed with her normal routine. She decided to dress in a bright royal blue sundress with black sandals. As she walked downstairs, she heard voices. And one of them, she wasn't expecting to hear so early in the morning.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw her parents at the kitchen table drinking coffee with Jessica Douglas.

"What's going on?" Ember asked cautiously.

"Well honey, Jessica came over this morning to discuss the move," Angela replied.

"Oh," was all Ember could say.

Jessica smiled over at Angela and Angela nodded in response. Ember was even more confused.

"Samuel and I would love for you to come and live with us and the boys," Jessica explained to her.

"What?" Ember exclaimed, her mouth dropping open.

"It would be a shame to lose a valuable member of our family, especially when you don't want to leave. I've discussed this with your mother in length. You can have the spare bedroom down the hall and live with us until you graduate," Jessica replied with a smile.

"Oh my God, thank you, thank you so much!" Ember cried out with tears in her eyes as she went over to hug Jessica. Jessica wrapped her arms around her and patted her back.

"It's no problem at all, sweetie. The boys didn't want to see you leave and neither did Samuel and I."

"Have you told them?" Ember asked pulling away from her.

"I haven't, I didn't want to get their hopes up just in case your parents said no. Why don't you go over and tell them now?" Jessica explained.

Ember hugged Jessica one more time and kissed her mother and father goodbye before heading out the door. She ran over to the Douglas house and rang the doorbell and knocked frantically at the door.

Tum-Tum opened the door rubbing his eyes, "Is all that necessary this early in the morning, woman?"

"It most definitely is when I'm not leaving!" Ember replied back halfway shouting in excitement.

Tum-Tum stopped rubbing his eyes upon hearing this, his eyes wide with shock. Colt and Rocky came running from their room to the top of the stairs.

"You're not leaving?" They all yelled in unison.

"Well, my parents are. But I'm not." Ember replied.

The boys all shared wondering looks before looking back at her. "Well, where are you going to go?" Tum-Tum asked.

At that moment, Jessica Douglas walked inside the house behind Ember with a huge smile on her face. "Boys, meet your new roommate. She'll be living with us until she graduates."

Rocky and Colt ran down the stairs in excitement and Tum-Tum leapt for joy. They all crashed into her in a group hug, which she gladly returned. Her whole world was crashing down just 24 hours ago and now everything was right again. It's funny how life works.