Chapter 2 was a flashback chapter. They're will be a few of them throughout the story.

Mitch and Avi walked back to their families as the feast began. Mitch noticed not so new faces around the large circular table. Mike turned and smiled at his son.

"Mitchell! Avriel! Come say hello!" As they got closer, they noticed three of their new classmates. One was a tall boy with a perfectly styled blonde wave and blue eyes. Next to him, a short girl with long black hair and tan skin and a dark skinned boy with a megawatt smile.

"Mitchell, this is Rick, his wife Connie, and their son Scott. Angela and her daughter Kirstin. Now, this is the man at the top of the food chain."

"I'm only at the top because you chose to be a family man. My name is Oluwole, my wife Curline, my sons Kevin and Kellon, and my daughter Candice." The man spoke with a thick African accent.

Mitch smiled at them all before turning to his mother. She weaves her hands through his hair. She'd never show it but she was scared. She had 16 years to contemplate how this was going to go. She'd never turn her back on Mike and Mitch. The truth was Giovanni, the day he left, told her she'd come back. He'd have their family one way or the other. She imagined Gio sitting back and waiting for the right time to appear.

No actual warning came pertaining to Mitch's 16 year of life. However, when Mitch received his acceptance letter, a second letter appeared beside it with no return address. It was not signed and only had one word printed in cursive on it. SOON. They, of course, wouldn't tell Mitch. He was afraid of his real father. Mike used his influence and informed the former members of the Resistance. Mitch had to be protected, at all costs. It was part of the reason all five teenagers ended up in Fortem.

"He will be protected, Michael." Angelica said while curling her fingers around his wrist. "You two need to protect yourselves."

"We'll be fine. It's not us he wants and I'm willing to lay my life down for my son." The 5 friends glanced at each other. They had to protect them. Mike was naive enough to not see he was standing in Giovanni's way.

:::::

Amongst the excited teenagers, Avi had just finished a rousing story of his family's vacations. They were billed as family fun but in actuality Mike and Shelly used them as training lessons.

Mitch couldn't shake the feeling of the stare coming from the blonde seated two seats down. He was never one to shy away from awkward moments so he cleared his throat and leaned in.

"Is there something wrong?" Kirstie, Kevin and Avi watched Scott blush immediately. "N-no. I just can't get over how beautiful you are."

Kirstie smiled as it was Mitch's turn to blush. "Thank you."

He looked over and saw Avi's grin. He decided to speak with Scott on a personal level later as to save the two of them the embarrassment.

"Do you think they'd let me room with you guys? I don't trust any one else." Kirstie asked, pulling her hair back.

"Doubt it. We'll probably be separated by gender." Kevin answered nonchalantly, stuffing his face with food.

"And what makes you think we'd want to room with you. Getting your make up and bras everywhere." Avi asked as if it was obvious.

"Ok one, that's sexist and two, Mitch is basically female."

"I am not!"

"Please honey, clearly you're more feminine than me."

"Excuse you! I am not."

Kirstie rolled her eyes, "yeah ok, but still."

They were getting along. It was almost like they had known each other for years. They were having such a good time, they almost missed Kanipe speaking.

"Parents, it's time for the students to move in. If you will, help yourselves to any refreshments that you'd wish."

The 5 stood, grabbing the bags that hadn't be brought to their rooms and turned to their parents. Mike grabbed Mitch and hugged him tight. "Did I ever tell you how amazing you are, kid?"

"All the time, Dad."

"Learn all you can. Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Have fun, meet new wizards, fall in love-" Mitch missed the slight glance at Scott. "And never forget who you are. You're a Grassi!"

Mitch nodded with tears in his eyes as his father moved over. Nel kissed his forehead, silently chanting a protection spell, and let go. "I love you, Kissyboy."

"I love you too." Being the gentleman he was, Scott ran over quickly to grab Mitch's bags. Mike smirked and mouthed "Watch it, Hoying" to Scott as he turned to walk away. The 5 looked at their parents walking away, then looked at each other. This was about to be a long year.