Start of Time ▷ Seth Clearwater

FIVE

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FIVE; MOVING IN

"WELCOME, GIRLS," Billy Black greeted as he opened the door of his home. Jasmine and Amelie stepped inside, both wearing hesitant expressions. Jasmine could hear the faint chatter coming from the backyard of the Black home, and she was wondering what they had been discussing.

After much debate over what Amelie and Jasmine would decide, Harry settled the arguments by formulating a gathering at the Black house with the council. Most people had offered to take Amelie in, despite the girl's clear disagreement after feeling like such a burden.

"Everyone's out in the backyard. Sue and Emily made lunch," Billy informed, smiling.

Jasmine nodded. "Thank you, Billy."

Jasmine felt slightly empty without Leah by her side, who refused to attend because of Emily's presence. She knew Sam would also be there, and Leah didn't think her heart could handle the sight of her cousin and ex-boyfriend sharing a love she used to have.

Cheers and applause ensued when Jasmine and Amelie finally made it outside. Everyone had been awaiting for their arrival, and it made Amelie even more nervous for the upcoming discussion.

Amelie was immediately surrounded by members of the council, but Jasmine was approached by Emily first.

The girl was smiling and Jasmine couldn't bear to stare at her for long without glancing at the scars running down her face. "Hey, Jas. I wanted to thank you for your RSVP to the wedding."

She simply nodded. "I didn't want to cause any trouble. I know you and Sam are happy."

"We are," Emily assured.

Sam came up to the two, looking a little stern. He understood that Leah and Jasmine both gave Emily the cold shoulder after she began to date Sam, and he knew that it troubled Emily greatly. "Hi, Jasmine. How are you?"

Jasmine remembered that one of the people who volunteered to take Amelie in was Sam, and she was hoping that her sister wouldn't have to move into Emily's house. She knew Emily would be a wonderful caretaker, but she was still leery of Sam's true intentions.

"Getting better," she answered.

"Jasmine," Harry called, motioning to the plastic chair beside him. "Come sit so we can begin."

She side-stepped Sam and Emily to join Harry. Everyone began taking their seats, and Amelie sat beside her sister, gripping her hand for support. They exchanged a glance, knowing that this meeting would decide Amelie's future.

Jasmine could feel another pair of eyes staring at the side of her face, and when she looked over, she was caught by the burning gaze of Seth. Jasmine offered him a soft smile, and his grin grew wider.

"Alright, everyone," Harry started with a loud voice. The talking began to die down as every eye turned to him. "I think we all know why we're here today. An innocent girl is forced to come to terms with a new living situation because her mother was incapable of following her civil duties as her guardian. We need to decide where Amelie is going to stay before she goes off to college because her and her sister cannot come to terms with a solid agreement."