I wake up groggy right where I went down. What the...

I slowly roll over and realize no one is there, except for a note.

Figured you would want to know what happened.

I left you where you went down. If you're going to treat Alex like dirt I'll treat you like dirt. You're too stubborn for your own good, and I don't condone being a jerk to your friends. Hope you come home when you wake up, we need to talk.

-Luke

Oh talk we will.

I grab my bags, thankfully they're still there, and hike back down the mountain. He wants a war, I'll give him a war.

I walk into the front door to see Tio and Tia standing by the table, around Julie and the boys. None of them notice me, so I take the opportunity to slip upstairs. I can hear singing downstairs, looks like they're working on a new song. Great.

I bite my lip and dial the one number on my phone I promised I wouldn't call again anytime soon.

After several rings, they pick up.

"Hello?"
"Hi, Uncle Matt?"
"Hello? Who is this?"
"It's Emmie."
"ESMERALDA ROSALIÑA MARTINEZ WHERE IN THE EVERLASTING GARDENS HAVE YOU BEEN!" The bellowing voice of my uncle startled me, and clearly startles the dark haired golden retriever that just entered my room.
"With friends. I just couldn't stay there any longer." I say quietly, hoping he drops it and Reggie doesn't get any hints.
"But there's a really cool map of España at their house." I cover. España is my uncle and my cover for "someone close, I can't talk right now."
He doesn't get the hint.
Shoot me.
"IF HE HIT YOU AGAIN EM I'LL SHOOT HIM!" He growls into the phone.
"Uncle Matt!" I scold. Reggie grabs my good arm, turning me towards him.
"What does he mean, hit you?" He asks, teeth clenched and eye brows furrowed, clearly hoping I'm not going to answer the way he thinks I am.
"Nothing. Stay out of it Reg. You weren't supposed to hear that." I say.
"Are you safe? Do you need me to fly you to me?" Uncle Matt asks.
"No, I'm ok. I just needed to ask a favor." I say, seeing the panic in Reggies eyes at the mention of me leaving.
"Sure Mija, what's up?" He may be my mother's brother, but he definitely thought dad was super cool foe being Latino, and did a lot to learn the culture and Spanish slang.
"I need you to check on Ryan for me." I say, referring to my step brother, crossing my fingers that he agrees.
"Uh, ok? Why may I ask?" He questions.
"He has something of mine, and I need it back." I explain.
"Ok, what does he have?" He asks, and Reggie looks at me in anticipation.
"He has my childhood blanket in his stash. I need it." I tell him.
"You've got it chica. Got anywhere I need to send it too?" He asks.
"Dads sisters house. I'll stop by there to get it and then keep moving." I explain.
"Okie dokie. Wait, your mom said something about a shoulder injury? What happened?" He's worried.
"I got hurt dancing. I'm ok." I explain.
"Are you lying to me?" He asks. Reggies eyebrows go up, and I know he's thinking I'm lying about everything.
"No, I honestly did get hurt at dance this time. Josh dropped me."
"Ok. Hey, gotta go your mom just pulled into my driveway. Talk to you later kiddo."
"See ya. Love you." I hang up, turning to Reggie.
"Are you here to scold me too?" I ask.
"No, I wanna know what made Luke so mad that he put a hole through the drywall when he came back." He shrugs.
"We fought, I collapsed and when I woke up, I was alone with this note." I push it towards him.
"Ouch, harsh." Reg notes, reading it.
"Yeah."
"Hey, wanna come downstairs? We just finished writing a killer song!" He tries to lighten the mood.
"And face the kid who ditched me? I think not." I say. "Besides, where's Laken?"
"He left. Said he wasn't gonna wait around for you to come back, that he would be back on Sunday." I nod. Sounds like Laker.
"Just come down Esmeralda." He deadpans. Oh he did not.
"No can do, Reginald." I shoot back. He mocks a shocked expression, dramatically holding a hand to his chest.
"I'm hurt!"
"Reg! What's taking you so long!" Alex's voice carries up the stairs. I panic. I bolt for the bathroom, and Reggie acts like he's looking for something.
"Reg, why are you in Emmie's room?" He asks.
"Looking for something." Reggie states. "Found it!"
I peak out to see him holding one of the two sweatshirts I brought with. My old hockey sweatshirt. I used to play, until Dad and Jack died. I lost my passion for anything but dance after that.
"Hockey? She played hockey?!" Alex asks.
"Apparently!" Reggie says, proud of himself for covering. Alex grabs it and says
"Luke's gonna flip!" Before poofing away with it. I poke my head out to see Reggie give me an over exaggerated wink before poofing out himself. Squaring my shoulders, I grab the tags around my neck, and slowly walk to open the door. Hearing the voice of the only kid that can make me madder that anyone I've ever met coming up the stairs, I do the logical thing and fling the door open, scaring the crap out of the three boys coming up the stairs, Alex badly enough that he falls backwards into Luke, Reggie enough that he screams, and Luke enough that he misses a step and almost falls all the way down dragging Alex with him. Thankfully, Alex grabs the railing, and Luke grabs Alex. Disaster, averted. Guess it's time to talk to them.