after they met her

sixtyone

i v a n a

It was surreal.

I stood outside the manor, two large suitcases by my side, their weight a tangible reminder of how much I was leaving behind.

We only packed what was truly necessary, the rest of our belongings staying behind, waiting for the day we will return. Glenn had only brought one suitcase, while Logan, with his endless supply of gadgets and clothes, had somehow managed three.

Asher and Logan hoisted the luggage into the car, grunting slightly as they maneuvered Logan's overstuffed cases. The car itself was nothing remarkable, just a plain blue family car that didn't draw attention. Glenn noticed my skeptical look and grinned, ruffling my hair.

"We don't want to stick out, you know," he teased, his eyes sparkling with humor.

I tried to smile back, but it felt strained. The cool autumn air nipped at my cheeks, and I pulled my coat tighter around me, adjusting the earband and scarf I wore.

The weather had shifted in the past few days, and now the trees around the manor were painted in shades of amber and red, their leaves crunching underfoot as we moved around.

Everyone had gathered outside to say goodbye. Logan and Glenn were shaking hands and exchanging firm, back-slapping hugs with everyone. Their laughter filled the air, as if this was just another casual trip and not the beginning of something unfamiliar and unsettling.

I sighed, hesitating as I made my way toward Asher. He had just finished saying his goodbyes to the others and turned to me with a warm smile.

"Don't worry too much, okay?" he said softly, pulling me into a hug. His embrace was firm yet comforting, and I clung to him for just a second longer than I'd intended. When I stepped back, I could only manage a small nod.

Then it was my father's turn. He immediately pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly. He murmured a quiet goodbye, his tone sadder than I was used to hearing from him. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded again, feeling a lump form in my throat.

Finally, I found myself standing between Gray and Matthew.

"Don't worry, princess," Matthew said, his voice steady and reassuring as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Time will fly faster than you think. You'll be home before you know it."

I followed his gaze toward the mansion, its towering frame outlined against the morning sky.

Home.

I started biting the inside of my cheek. It wasn't really about me leaving this house that worried me.

Gray must have sensed my unease because he put his hand on my other shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"If those boys ever give you a hard time, just call us, okay?" he added with a small, tired smile, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a phone and handed it to me.

I blinked down at the device.

It wasn't a modern one like the ones my brothers had or the one I had before. Instead, it was simple and encased in a Hello Kitty cover that looked ridiculously out of place.

"Thanks," I managed. The heaviness in my chest grew as I turned the phone over in my hands. I didn't want a new phone, a new school, or new friends. I didn't want any of this.

Matthew leaned in, giving me a quick hug. "You'll be okay," he said quietly, his usual happy demeanor replaced with something more serious.

Gray and Matthew hugged me at the same time, leaving me awkwardly squished between them. I let out a small laugh, mostly out of surprise, as their arms encircled me. When they finally let go, I felt a pang of loss already settling in.