"Mom? You're the master?"I ask incredulously.

"Yes honey," she replied, "It's time we talked to you about your magical side."

"My WHAT?" I shouted. No. This wasn't happening. My family was normal! We had a normal tree house in our back yard, and there wasn't a city up here, and my mom wasn't some "master". And there was definitely  NO magic. 

"Your magical side," my mother calmly replied, "You see, my side of the family gives you magic. And my position as leader is simply because we are the oldest magic family. Everyone else here has magic as well. There has been magic in the world for far longer than there has been writing. And in my family, your family, what type of magic you have changes with every 3 children. Sam, Ann, and Charley all got Air. Every child gets a companion of the magical sort on their 13th birthday, when they come into magic. Your pet isn't a cat sweetie. It's a dragon. It's a baby so it doesn't have wings yet. It's perfectly disguised to the outside world, and as soon as it wants to, it will reveal it's true form. Oh, and Kyle's bird is one of the last phoenix's in the world," my mother (The MASTER??!!!) explained.

"So you're saying that I'm magical like you and my siblings but you don't know how yet and my beautiful new supposedly normal cat is a dragon?!" I exclaimed, "Does dad know about all of this? Usually he hates anything to do with magic." It's true. I mentioned the Harry Potter series too him and he went berserk! He believes in logic, reasoning, and science. 

"No your dad doesn't know so don't you tell him," mom snapped. "Anabelle doesn't know either," she added in a much calmer tone.

"But that means I can't talk to anybody!"I complained. That's not necessarily true... I was exaggerating. But still, when you can't talk to your most trusted sibling, it feels like you can't talk to anybody. 

"Now don't complain. You can talk to me or any of your other brothers and sisters. From the end of this school year, you and Kyle will be homeschooled. We don't want anyone finding out about your magic." Mom said. Her chair turned around and I am transported outside in a whirlpool of magic. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it felt like being squished under all my siblings at once; and I'm telling you, their heavy. It also smelled faintly of... orange blossoms? No, roses. No, It smells more like wild mint. Thyme? Apricots? Plums? Chasing the scent of her magic, I don't realize it's over, and I'm standing next to Kyle.

"Let's go swimming!" he said, jolting me out of my thoughts. Magic is sure hard to pinpoint!

"What about swimsuits?" I asked.

"Come with me and I'll show you," he replied. Leading me into the locker rooms for the pool, he explained what to do. I walked up to a locker, and put my hand into the place where there should have been a lock. My hand sunk in, and it felt like clay was forming itself to my hand. Immediately, the locker opened, and a choice of swim suits were hanging in there, along with 2 towels. I got changed into a purple blue and black 2 piece and shorts, marveling at the magic.

I stepped into the swimming pool and it became noticeably warmer. Kyle and one of his friends, John, dived off the deep end together, drenching me. We spent a wonderful afternoon splashing and playing in the pool.

As soon as we got out, we're dry. When Kyle and I headed back, I was surprised to see that Mom was already home. I wondered how that worked. But as soon as her mom saw me, she said,

"Hurry up! Your guests are arriving!" I gasped. So much had happened today that I had completely forgotten that it was my birthday! So I hurried and got inside.

My party included 6 girls, my entire family, lots of hugs, a beautiful cake, and presents galore! My kitten Beryl sat on my lap whenever i sat down, and was pet and hugged by so many people I was surprised she didn't hide under the bed. She was my favorite present by far, even without knowing she was a dragon in disguise. 

As I was falling asleep, I thought about my birthday. It was amazing on so many levels. I wondered how I could find my magic. I tried to think, but I was so sleepy; I fell asleep before I could think of anything.