**Sang**

After my date with Gabriel, the next few days fly by in a whirlwind of last minute studying with Kayli to make sure we both pass all our finals. And then, the dreaded day come. Monday was part one of our Japanese final. The written part thank god. Mainly multiple choice, fill in the blank, and forming complete sentences. Tuesday was my English final. we had to write three short essays based on the three genres we covered in class. That one as easy enough, I already knew what I wanted to write about, and talking about the things I've read generally comes easier to me.

Wednesday was part two of our Japanese final, the speaking portion. Each of us were called into the hallway with Dr. Green and we had to have a five to ten-minute conversation with him. I think I did ok if the perma-smile he wore when I left had anything to do with it. Thursday was double test day. First, was our computer tech final. In addition to handing in our final project, we had to recreate the demo web page that the professor projected onto the whiteboard. Later in the day we had our Algebra final which was pretty easy. Thanks to Kota I'm a lot better with numbers. And finally, Friday, today. Today I took my management final. Fifty questions on things we've learned throughout the semester. And might I say, walking out of that classroom with my test complete, is the most amazing feeling ever! Now, it's time to meet up with Kayli.

Kayli didn't have any finals today, so she's been waiting in the quad for me. I told her she didn't have to, but she said since Axel has the same class, she wanted to be the first to congratulate us both. As I'm walking down the steps of the building, I turn my head to the sun and pull my jacket around me a little tighter. I breathe in a big breath of fresh air and start giggling uncontrollably.

I'm done! I'm finally done! I've taken my last final! And now all I need to do is wait for my grades!

Well, that's not really all that I have to do, but I'd rather not think about trying to figure out where to live once classes are officially over next Tuesday. Move out day is next Thursday. Kayli and I have no idea where we're gonna go, but I'm not gonna let that ruin my good mood. Finals are over!

My bright smile widens a bit when I see Kayli standing with Axel over by the bench in front of the building. Her hands are cuffed loosely around his neck with his arms around her waist. They're wearing matching smiles that make me wish for one of my guys. They look so happy, so content, so...in love.

"Hey lovebirds," I call out, walking over to them. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I kind of need to steal my roommate for a bit."

They both smile in my direction as I get closer, their arms wrapped around each other's waists.

"Hey Sang," Axel greets. "How do you think you did?"

"Pretty good," I respond. "I answered all the questions, so there's that. How about you?"

"Pretty sure I aced it," he smirks.

"Awesome. Can I steal Kayli for a bit?" I ask. "I promise to return her to in perfect condition."

"Not a problem," he tells me, placing a kiss on her cheek. "You two have fun. See you later."

After Axel walks away, Kayli loops her arm through mine, and we start the long trek back to the dorms.

"So," she starts, after a few moments of silence. "How was your last final?"

"It was pretty good. Owen and Axel helped me study a lot. I think I did really well."

"Great. So, I know you told Ax you'd return me in perfect condition, but I was thinking we have a girl's night. Just the two of us. No schoolwork, no boyfriends, just you, me, and a beautiful bottle of white wine or two."

"Sounds perfect!"

We spend the rest of the walk talking about our other finals and our guys. Conveniently leaving out what we're going to do once the semester is over. It seems that neither one of us wants to face that right now.

When we get back to our room, the envelops on our beds are both shocking and expected at the same time. The Academy has been a tad quiet since Thanksgiving, so I knew that it was only a matter of time until they reached out again. A part of me is thankful that they waited until after finals, but another part of me is a bit tired with the whole cloak and dagger thing. I get that they're a secret organization, but come on, enough with the parlor tricks already.

Dropping my bag on the bed, I pick up the letter and slid my finger under the tab to open it. I can hear Kayli doing the same behind me. Inside, there's an index card with another riddle, if you could call it that.

I know why the caged bird sings.

Do you?

Rolling my eyes slightly, I put the note down and walk over to my laptop. I'm opening the internet browser when Kayli comes to stand beside me.

"'I know why the caged bird sings. Do you?' What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Does yours say the same thing?" I ask her.

"Nope. Mine says, 'The past is the father of the present. But where is yours in the future.'"

"The past is the father...got it. The past is the father of the present. It's an excerpt from an Agatha Christie novel, written in 1969."

"And your quote?"

"The title of a famous book by Maya Angelou, I know why the caged bird sings. It's an autobiography. Also written in 1969."

"So, I'm guessing the year is more important than the actual quote?"

"The year is telling us the time. The quotes are telling us where to go."

"Looks like we're going back to the library. So much for our mimosas."

A few hour later, at 8:10, Kayli and I are sitting at a round table in the back of the library, along with the rest of our Academy initiates. Dr. Roberts, Mrs. Rose, and Mr. Buble join us a few moments later.

"My, my," Dr. Roberts starts. "You guys are quite the intellectual bunch. Or, you just have intellectual friends." He smiles in Kayli and I's direction. "You're here tonight for your exit interviews. This will be your last chance to prove to us that you have what it takes to be in our organization. The interviews will be one on one, in alphabetical order. Lake Bancroft, you're up first. Good luck to you all."

The time crawls by as one by one, each of us walk into the study room behind Dr. Roberts. No one ever comes out besides him, so there must be some other exit somewhere in there. The interviews last for about ten minutes, before he comes back out and calls another person. Kayli and I are the last two in the room when Dr. Roberts comes back out and calls for Kayli.

"Ms. Winchester," he calls.

"Wait," she says. "I thought we were going in alphabetical order. Sang should be next."

"Yes, she should." He confirms. "But we wanted to talk to you first."

Kayli and I share a look before I nod at her to go after him. She gives me a small nod in return before standing up and walking after him. Left to my lonesome, I grab a book from the shelves before retaking my seat and start reading the book my quote came from. I'm a few pages in when I hear the door open.

"Ms. Sorenson," Dr. Roberts calls out. "We're ready for you."

Placing the book back down on the table, I send the good doctor a small smile before standing and following him into the room. When I walk in, he closes the door behind me, and gestures for me to have a seat at the table. The room is slightly bigger than I imagined, about the size of my dorm room with a rectangular chair in the center. Dr. Roberts takes the empty seat between Mr. Buble, and Mrs. Rose, leaving me to take the open chair across from them.

"So, Ms. Sorenson," Mr. Buble starts. "How would you describe your time here with us?"

"It's definitely been enlightening, sir." I respond.

"How so," he asks.

"Well, I've gotten to do a number of things I've been interested in, but didn't really think were...instrumental, for lack of a better word, to my education."

"And what makes you say that?"

"Well, I'm good at solving puzzles, and of course that's useful in the real world. However, your challenges always made us think, not just outside of the box, but it created the need for an entirely new box. They showed that everything can't be categorized and that it's not a bad thing. At least, that's what I've taken from this experience."

"I think that's a very astute observation Ms. Sorenson," he smiles. "Do you think your roommate, Ms. Winchester, has had the same enlightenment."

"I think that Kayli, Ms. Winchester, is extremely bright, in her own way, but doesn't think too highly of herself. I think with the right guidance and support system, she'll learn to be better. To be able to show people the same thing that I see in her."

"And what exactly do you see Ms. Sorenson?" Dr. Roberts asks.

"I see a girl a lot like me, who has been through a lot and has a very cynical outlook on life. But, over the last month or so, with the help of some of your members, she's really come out of her shell. The girl who walked in here earlier isn't the same person I met in September when I walked into my door room. She's better, more open."

"And these members, you mentioned," Mr. Buble says. "That'd be the Toma team, correct?"

"I suppose so."

"They've entered a rather, unorthodox relationship with Ms. Winchester, is that correct?" he asks.

"Yes," I hedge.

"And what do you think of that?"

"I think their relationship is their business. If it works for them, there's no need for me to have an opinion on it."

"Yes, but aren't you in such a relationship yourself, Ms. Sorenson? With the Blackbourne team?"

"Yes, sir."

"And how exactly did this relationship come about?"

"We were all friends and then it became something more."

"And everyone is fine with you dating all of them?"

"Everyone like who, sir?" I ask with pursed lips.

"Why everyone on the team of course."

"Yes, I suppose everyone is fine with it."

"You suppose? Meaning you don't know?"

"I'm not a mind reader sir."

"No, I suppose you're not. Let's, suppose, you were to join the Academy. We are made up of units, teams, families, if you will. Do you understand?" At my nod, he continues. "Ok, so say you were to join, and the Blackbourne's want you on their team. Now everything is fine now, but what's to say in a few years, or heck a few months, someone decides that they don't like sharing. One of those guys wakes up one morning and says, 'you know what, I want Sang to myself'. Now I'm sure they could work it out amongst themselves, but really Ms. Sorenson, do you want to be the reason that those brothers turn on one another? They are one of the best teams we have in the Academy. Is that something you want to mess up?"

"With all due respect sir," I grit out. "My relationship with those boys is none of your business. And if it didn't work out for us, that wouldn't be your business either. But I can assure you, those boys have nothing to worry about from little ole me. I'd never break them apart. I'd take myself out of the equation before that could ever happen."

"You say that now Ms. Sorenson. But could you really? Do you love them? Do you feel more strongly for one more than the others?"

"I care about each of them separately, but equally. They each have a place in my heart, and I think that's all the information you need to know."

"Would you be willing do what's right for those boys, if the time came?" he presses.

"I don't think that's anything you need to be concerned about. Sir."

"Very well," he nods. "It was nice talking to you Ms. Sorenson. Dr. Roberts will see you out."

"Thank you," I stand, along with Dr. Roberts. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

Dr. Roberts leads me to the side of the table, where there's a large painting on the wall. He slides his hand down the side of it, and pulls slightly when he gets to the center. The painting reveals a long hallway that curves to the right. He gestures for me to step inside, following close behind, and loses the painting behind us.

"You did wonderfully in there Ms. Sang," he tells me. "You didn't let him intimidate you, and you didn't get flustered. Job well done."

"Why was he asking all of those questions about me and the guys?"

"Many have tried to integrate a bird into an all dog team in the past," he sighs. "And while it's not impossible, it does take a lot of work, and understanding. Two things that teenagers don't usually understand. But I believe you're a smart young woman, and those boys are brilliant. If anyone can figure out how to make it work, you can."

"So, does this mean I'm in?"

"Yes Sang, you're in," he smiles. "There will be a banquet introducing you all to those who are already members this coming Wednesday. I'm sure Mr. Coleman already has something in mind for you to wear."

"Wait, they know?"

"They know that you were selected to participate in the process. They won't know if you've made it unit then, when you pick your team. But of course, a brilliant girl like you, you were a shoo-in."

"So, wait, I get to pick my team?"

"Ofcourse. Family is a choice after all. Now, to get out, all you have to do isfollow the tunnel. It'll lead you to the back exit of the library. Have a goodnight Ms. Sang, and welcome to the Academy."