All I've Ever Known

Any Way The Wind Blows

New start. New life. That's what I kept reminding myself as I made my way into the townhouse that had just been mine for most of the summer, but would now be home to me, and my older brother, and his friends. Now that they were back from break, my summer of re-adjusting to "normal" (read: supe) life was ending, and it was time to begin work

I pushed my glasses back into position and pulled my backpack fully onto my back before heading in to say hello. When I opened the front door, I was greeted immediately by a massive bear hug from my older brother, Luke Riordan. I hugged him back warmly. We may not have gotten along super well as kids, but when you lose one brother, you hold the other one closer.

"Hey! I'm glad you made it safe." I said, pulling away to hang my backpack by the door.

"We all did." came a feminine voice from behind him, and I smiled wider when I realized that Cate was already here. I hadn't met Luke's friends yet, but Cate had come home to our place for holidays sometimes, and she's the sweetest. I hugged her as well.

"Cate! It's so good to see you again. It's been too long."

"So this must be the infamous Maggie." came a deeper voice from the living area.

"Andre, Jordan, this is my baby sister Maggie. Mags, this is Andre, and Jordan is in the kitchen."

"It's nice to meet you both." I said, smiling. Andre clapped me on the back.

"Welcome to hell, newbie." he said. I laughed. Jordan nodded in my direction before opening the fridge.

I easily slipped into the bubbly facade I usually put on, especially around family. Luke made it easy, his good natured attitude allowing me to fully play the part of a bubbly college girl, whose biggest decisions were what to wear and what to drink.

"So, how'd you get in as a T.A. in your first semester?" Andre asked. "I remember Jordan was gearing up to apply for like, ever." He grinned, unfazed by the glare Jordan sent across the room. I forced myself to smile lightly, as if this question was straightforward. You rehearsed for this. You know what to say. I reminded myself.
"Oh, I was working with Professor Park this summer to get caught up - so I could be on track to graduate on time. And she was impressed by my resume and everything, so she allowed me to submit an application." I said, hoping the rehearsed lie sounded natural enough. Andre seemed appeased, but I could still feel Jordan's glare burning a hole in the back of my head.

"What'd you have to do to get caught up?" Cate asked curiously.

"Oh, just some combat training. They don't exactly offer those classes at traditional colleges." I said, laughing. I had followed my script, and it played out exactly as Grace told me it would. Maybe this all would work - maybe I could finally put it all behind me. Luke jumped in with a story of his own about his training, and the focus was off of me.

Well, mostly. It honestly felt like Jordan had been staring at me from the moment I walked into the room, as if I was a caged animal about to strike. But finally, Jordan left the common area, mumbling something incoherent. The rest of us kept chatting for another half hour or so before I excused myself.

"Alright, well, I have to go check on a few things for Professor Park's classes before day one. I'll talk to you guys later. I'm excited that you guys are finally here, it's been boring living here all alone." I said, smiling. I waved goodbye and headed upstairs to my room, one of three smaller single bedrooms.

Looking around the room I had come to call home over the last few months, it felt like the room of another person. A girl whose life I had been forced to assume, no questions asked. But there were bits of truth, tucked amongst the lies. My prescription strength sleep aids next to my bed, the worn brown leather moleskine under my mattress, the worn out baby blanket tucked under my pillow.