Shifted

Amber

For a long moment, everyone stood still. I guess seeing someone morph into an animal right in front of you can be shocking. More or less the rest was a blur.

We have to go back into the system. Well, that's an exaggeration. Red gets to stay with her older brother and I get to stay with my parents but the twins, Matt, Apollo, and Willow are in the system. Right now I am sitting with them. Jake is trying to find Red.

"What are we going to do?" Willow asked.

"I don't know," Thomas said putting an arm around her.

"What about our parents?" Lucy asked Thomas.

"I don't think we should go back there," Thomas told her. Lucy nods.

"Amber, can I talk to you?" Matt asked me. I stood up from the chair and walked into the hallway. "Amber listen. After today you are going with your parents and I am going into the system."

"Just till you turn 18 then we can be together again-" I start.

"Amber." he interrupts.

"Maybe I can get my parents to foster you-" 

"Amber. After today you need to forget about me. Be a real high schooler. For the both of us." Matt held my chin and forced me to look at him. He gave me a sad smile kissed me and walked off without looking back. I found out later that he had given the phone back to my dad.

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"What is she doing?" Willow asked as we stepped outside.

"Red?" I called to her, "Come say goodbye..." I looked over and saw Jake shake his head. Red looked over at us and smiled. She ran over to us under the cover. She took off her sweatshirt to revile a mostly dry shirt. 

"Sorry I ran like that. That I snapped like that and if I scared you." She wiped the rain from her forehead. "I realized a long time ago that eventually, we will have to go our own ways and that day is today." she looked at us all and smiled.

"Thomas. You are a really clever guy and hopefully, when you are a little older I will get to see what amazing creations you make and I will be able to say that he was the closest thing I had to a brother...until I discover I actually had a brother." She hugged him and Thomas hugged her back for the first time he hugged someone other than Lucy and Willow.

"Lucy you need to continue your interest in nursing. You will be incredible. You are incredible. Thank you for everything." She hugged Lucy and Lucy hugged her. Lucy said something into Red's ear but I couldn't hear it. I thought it was just goodbye or I love you or something but Red pulled away with a confused look on her face.

"Willow you will forever be my little sister and I will forever be proud of you. One day you will be a very successful lawyer." We all smiled remembering all the times Willow was able to convince people things completely false. "When that day comes I hope I will never have to call for your help but if I need to I know you will be there for me." She knelt and hugged her, Willow winced. "Sorry."

  "Apollo. For a man of little words, I have learned a lot from you being in my family. One day somebody is going to be amazingly lucky. Invite me to the wedding." Red and Apollo hugged. Apollo told her something I didn't catch. Red smiled her pursed lip 'your welcome' smile and slightly nodded.

"Amber." she looks at me. "I don't even know what to say." I shook my head and hugged her. After a moment I let go. Red looked at my Father. "You take care of her Noah." My dad nods. That was the last time I saw her before my little brother was born. But I am getting ahead myself.

Author: Thanks for reading. (ODP:4/12/18)