I paced infront of my car for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past ten minutes,  Gently biting my thumb between my lips my head periodically lifting towards the school. I wasn't sure what made me more nervous, being this close to a place I swore I'd never come back to, or the fact Emerson was taking so long to come out.


I watched as students flooded from the doors in groups, some heading straight for buses, others into the parking lot while some stayed behind.  Twisting on the balls of heels I paced another lap, looking up at the school for a moment before muttering to myself watching my feet as I walked.


"All good over there Trash Panda?" Rockys  voiced echoed across the parking lot, even with her taunting tone I could hear the underlying concern


"Yup... all good. Just waiting for Emerson"  I yelled back  waving my free hand submissively 



"Really? cause I can smell you from here" she called back fully gaining my attention

Standing in the small patch of grass between the parking lots and the bus pickup loop. Rocky was almost unrecognizable in school attire. Her regular dark-toned clothing and matching jean jacket replaced with a muted beige scheme, the biggest change being her signature ripped jeans for a beige pleated skirt that resting just above her knees. She squinted her eyes blocking out the sun as she looked in my directions. 

"I just need Emerson to hurry up and get in the car"  I insisted with a slight huff.


"Alright" Rocky shrugged casually turning her back to half jogging as she headed back in the heavy set of double doors.

Tilting my head to the side I knitted my brows in suspension. she made it pretty clear she was going to find him. However, what she did once she found him wasn't so clear. I stood there for a few moments before I could hear a small commotion coming from the school doors.

"Will you stop it?!" Emerson grumbled annoyance flooding his voice as twisted to face Rocky.



"When you move faster I will. Unless you'd rather me pick you up potato sack style" she advised crossing her arms.

Emerson raised his hands in a defeated manner turning back around he took long steps making his way towards me in front of the car. Every so often checking over his shoulder to see if Rocky was still following him, She was.

"One poodle head delivery"  Rocky  announced   motioning her hand in a showing fashion


"You know Scirocco your hair inst much different than mine" Emerson responded clearly not impressed with being called a poodle 

"Call me poodle. I dare you" Rocky challenged complete closing the gap between the two of them looking him dead in the eyes.



"Whatever. What's going on Micah? You won't even pick me up when I'm sick" He questioned concern taking over his announce with Rocky

"First off, most the time your not sick you're just trying to get out of gym test cause your lazy."  I started crossing my arms over my chest "Secondly get in the car" I added nodding towards it.


"tell me whats going on?"  he demanded.


"Were spending the next week or.. so at Mames." I informed opening the passenger door.


"Okay now I'm more curious" Rocky pipped her eyes flickering between the two of us.


"Why would we have to go there? I thought you said Mames was a safe house for us?" he questioned his voice slowly shifting as concern turned to worry. "What's going on, wheres Quinn" he demanded eyes locking with mine, I let out a long sigh. 



"She's at home. with Opa and die Oma Ebba" My voice fell as I spoke realization slowly washing over Emerson's face.


"What?! and you want to leave her there?!" he snapped  stepping closer


"Who and who" Rocky questioned confused.



"Our grandparents. The one who banished our father for falling in love with our mother instead of marrying someone else for the good of the pack" I informed shifting uncomfortably. 



"And you're not going home because?"  she added.


"die Oma Ebba only acknowledges us if she wants something that benefits her. Quinn wouldn't say what, but she told me to get Emerson somewhere safe" I informed "So I can only imagine what the wench has planned" I added.

"If you worried, why not just come to the pack house? You'll be safe there" Rocky added plainly as Emerson finally got in the car.



"I wouldn't want to be a bother... and Emerson doesn't really know anyone..." I informed with a half shrug " but thank you" I added



"You are kidding, right? It wouldn't be a bother at all, It's up to you though just know the offer is open" She added kindly patting my arm.


"Thanks, Rocky, we should get going" I replied giving her a half hug before heading to the drivers' side.

"I will not calm down Strawberry Leontine. This is not something to be calm about."Physalis barked slamming his fist against the island counter, Berry and I both flinched


"Raging about isn't going to help Physalis Cymbeline,"  Berry argued back, mocking the use of her full name with his own.




Physalis ran his long fingers through his gold locks, his jaw clenched as he shut his eyes taking in a long breath. I had never actually seen Physalis like this, sure we joked about his temper and he always played along. I knew from school days that he was proactive... but this... this was different.  As soon as we had learned just why my grandparents had come to town, something inside him snapped. 


They wanted to take me away... to fix the agreement my father had broken. Marry me off to some man I had never met before. If I didn't, they'd take Emerson in my place and despite his instance, I refused to let that happen. I had spent my life, given up everything to protect him, my family and I was not letting my wicked die Oma ruin that. 


"I will not let that bitch take her away" Sal snapped at his sister as if I wasn't in the room.


His attempt to calm himself failing miserably as once again Strawberry in her own anger attempted to speak reason to him in the fact waging war was not in the best interest of anyone. For a moment I looked at the stairs case that led upstairs, Emerson had gone to sleep hours ago, however, with Sal's outburst I couldn't help but wonder if was awake now.  We had told him not to worry, it would be fine we'd figure something out... but we hadn't come up with anything.



Pulling my eyes from the door they found there a way to Mame sitting at the table in her usual chair. She hadn't said anything, she just sat there watching us attempt to talk reason into Sal.  I watched her for a moment before she slowly looked at me, she stared at me for several moments before standing up.

"Mame, what is it?" Strawberry questioned ignoring her brothers' temper tantrum.


"Mondschlacht" she stated flatly

{Authors note: what do you guys think so far?  Do you sense any relationships brewing? whats Micah going to do about the Arrangement? any ideas? }