The morning sunshine fills the energy within me. I'm enjoying the air duel happening before my eyes, and Tally is giving Hunter an ass whooping. Damn. Suddenly, Tally looks pale. Double Damn. She collapses.

The girls rush to her side, and I find myself facing a confused Hunter.

"What did you do to her?" I accuse pointing at a crumpled Tally.

"Nothing. I didn't do anything," Hunter replies.

"As much as I want to disagree, I actually believe you. You don't have the skills to cause this type of damage. You don't have it in you?" I say as I turn my back on him. He's not worth my time.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn. Pow. Damn. My hand rubs my jaw. Double Damn. That is going to leave a mark.

"You little prick. What did you do that for? I ought to..." I feel another hand—on my arm this time, I turn with my fist up, but I am met by a hand of fire.

"Calm down, bärchen. It's just me," EJ says.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

"Yes," I say in a low voice.

"You're getting worked up. Look," he says pointing at a stick I must have picked up, and there is smoke moving around my hand. Damn. I'm really that mad? Double Damn. This stick is going to catch on fire. My hand twitches.

"Don't drop it!" he pleads. "Just calm down. Like you were doing. Breathe in. Breathe out." He starts breathing more deeply than I am. I find myself calming after matching his breathing pattern.

"Thank the Universe," EJ says while holding his hand out. "Now you can give me the stick."

Once I hand the stick over, EJ yells at a retreating Hunter. "You, come here!"

As soon as Hunter joins us, EJ erupts. "This tension and animosity has gone on long enough! I think it's time for a weekend getaway—just the Guardians and I. We will leave in two days," he says before stomping off.

I sneer at Hunter and walk off to find Jonah or Tanner or Ande—anyone but being around this guy.

When I catch up with Jonah and Tanner, Tanner stops and looks at me.

"What was that about?" Tanner questions.

"He's just being a jackass, as usual."

"He's not so bad." Tanner argues.

Why is he trying to defend him?

After a silent moment, curiosity gets the best of me. "Why are you defending him? He's been negative since day one. He picks on Tally and sneers at most of us. He doesn't pay attention and is sometimes disrespectful of the Elders. You'd think he doesn't really want to be here."

"I've seen other people act similarly as he is. I think I might have an idea of what's wrong. I just have to figure a way for him to open up and tell me," Tanner answers.

"And you think you can help that?" I ask pointing behind my shoulder.

"When did you become so cynical? No one is without hope."

A scowl marks my face. "You need to meet my adoptive father then."

Tanner's eyebrow shoots up.

I hold my hands up. "Another day. I don't think my temper can handle another reminder." I huff and walk off ahead of them.

I push the thoughts of my adoptive father out of my head. I walk to the clearing to calm myself before the cookout and bonfire the Elders are having tonight to celebrate Mick's twentieth birthday.

Once there, I decide to return my sister's phone call. It takes multiple rings, but she finally answers.

"Hey little sis, what's up?"

"Nothing much. Looking at nursing programs."

"I thought you had one picked out."

"Sure if I had the money for it," she murmurs.

"How much do you need?"

"No Dominic, this isn't something you're going to pay for too. I can do this on my own." The determination is clear in her tone.

"I know you can, but I want to help."

"You've helped me my whole life." She pauses, and her tone lightens. "Now what's going on with you? Meet anyone?"

"No," I say a little too quickly.

My answer must have been too hasty because a squeal pierces my ear.

"Hey. I might need my hearing," I complain.

"What's she look like?"

"How do you know it's a 'she'? There are plenty of people here."

"Have you changed that much? Must be some type of guy to turn Mr. Serious' head."

"No silly. It isn't a guy. It is an 'Ande' though."

"Ande?"

I smile knowing that would get her attention.

"It's a nickname for Andrea. Anyway. Blonde hair. Honey eyes."

"Seriously? Not just brown eyes?" I can imagine Grace's smile.

"Do you want me to tell you or not?"

"Fine." She huffs.

"And she's short."

"Everyone is short to you."

"Most, yes. She's the bubbly type. Super friendly."

I hear a giggle on the other end.

"Not that friendly. Anyway artistic, cheerful, kind. Well a pretty special person."

"Didn't you just meet her?"

"Sure, but I didn't tell you I was getting married or anything.".

She snorts on the other end.

"Very ladylike."

"Whatever."

"Anyway as I was saying. She seems pretty great. All the others are nice too. One is rough around the edges, but there is a tenderness to her. One is kind, but I think she might have someone at home, and she's just not as cheerful. And the last girl is my cousin's girlfriend, so she's off limits anyway."

"So, you just settled?"

"That isn't what I said. Basically if I meet Ande someplace else under different circumstances, I would still be interested in her. She's different. I want to get to know her. Maybe try and build some sort of relationship. She isn't the one-night stand kind of girl."

"Big bro is thinking about the future." My sister coos.

"Not the future, just tomorrow. I don't want to mess up a chance with someone I have to spend days with for who knows how long."

"How long are you going to be gone anyway?" A sadness reaches across the line and grips my heart.

"I'm trying to think of a way to get you two out of there. It just might take me longer than I would like, but I will get you out of there."

"Good, because he isn't any better since you've been gone."

"Is he worse?"

"No just redirects his anger, or whatever emotion he's feeling on a particular night, on everyone else instead of you. You were the recipient for long enough."

"No amount of time is too long, if it means he isn't taking his frustrations out on you two."

"He's not taking it out on us per se. He just likes to voice his displeasure at us more than he used to. I think he needs some serious help, but we've already talked about that."

"I know. I'm not sure there is any help for him."

Bushes sway and twigs break. Next, Jonah is walking out of the woods. He's jumping up and down to get my attention. I chuckle at his behavior. Dumbass. but I love him all the same. I end the call as soon as possible, because the sad undertones of her voice almost break me. My adoptive father is such an asshole for taking his frustrations out on them. When I was at home, I was the verbal punching bag—which was fine since it kept most of the pressure off of them. I have to figure out a solution soon.

It is still bright outside when everyone gathers to celebrate Mick's birthday. Her actions here at the cabin suggest she's been on her own for a while and hasn't had much support from anyone. I'm glad she has cousins to connect with like I do, because for me, it has been an amazing experience—even if he's a bit of a goofball.

EJ sets up the grill to cook the variety of burgers that are planned, and everyone helps bring out the dishes that were prepared earlier in the day. After today's events, Tanner and Jonah try to lighten the mood by cracking jokes and cautiously picking on everyone in the group. Estel and EJ get in on the action, and it becomes a battle of who can out do the others. It brings plenty of laughter and smiles, which is what everyone needs tonight. We need to be in the mood to celebrate and make this a good night for Mick.

A bonfire is planned after dinner is cleaned up, and I plan on getting Ande to sit next to me. We've been talking all week, and I've gotten to know her better. My feelings have only grown.

When I get to the circle around the fire, Ande is sitting next to Tally and Mick. I motion for her to come sit by me. Tally nudges her, and Ande heads over. Once she sits next to me, I freeze up and sit awkwardly staring at the fire. Tanner and Jonah start arguing about whether having water or earth elemental magic is best.

"I have the coolest elemental magic." Jonah grins.

"And mine could cool your elemental magic down." Tanner replies.

"And mine could use up all of the water in the area."

"Mine is better because I can cause giant waves."

Jeez, it's like watching ping pong listening to these two.

"Only if you're near a big enough body of water. Tanner's Mudhole would barely hurt a fly with it's tiny ripples. I could make vines wrap around your body or bring giant pillars out of the ground."

"And fire can evaporate water and bake earth. Stop these silly arguments," EJ interrupts.

"Hey EJ," I yell across the bonfire. "They could work together and make mud."

"Good point. Maybe we should work on that."

Jonah and Tanner both groan at that suggestion.

Their argument is funny, and I get so engrossed in it that I've forgotten my nervousness. But after they groan, my attention is pulled back to the fire and another hand is pressed into mine. Damn. When did I start holding her hand. Double Damn. Maybe she doesn't want to hold hands with me. I go to let go, but Ande's the one who won't let go. Turning, I smile at her innocent look and shrug. Before I can ask any questions, another disagreement erupts.

"Cats are better than dogs. They are independent and low-maintenance," Jonah states.

"Dogs are playful and energetic. Some make great guard dogs," Tanner responds.

"I've seen my share of cats that would tear someone up." Jonah turns to me. " What do you think, Dominic?"

Why did I have to be pulled into this?

"I think they all need too much work."

Of course, that wasn't going to settle the argument.

"I still say dogs are better," Tanner says.

"And a good sized snake could squeeze the life out of either one." Mick adds before she saunters off.

Giggles have me turning my attention back to the circle. All of the girls are laughing at the stunned expressions on Jonah and Tanner's faces.

Everyone is called up to the deck, and Mick is pushed out the door by Estel. On the table sits a cookie cake for Mick. I don't think I've ever seen her turn pink before, but we've been able to accomplish the feat by singing "Happy Birthday". Mick receives a few gifts from the Elders, and we help clean up the mess before some of us return to the bonfire to roast marshmallows. Ande ends up burning marshmallows and getting them stuck on her fingers and mouth. What a tempting sight.