The last snowfall was finally starting to melt from the looks of it outside. Little green buds were growing all along the skinny branches of the trees on Hart Street. Even the once chilly air seemed to gain back its usual humidity, thus making the stinging in your nose cease. I trudged along the sidewalk, followed by James Woodsen and my little brother Henry. I could hear James' giant feet sloshing into the wet snow and Henry's lithe paces making the least noise as possible. The sun was beaming down brightly, yet we all knew it was playing tricks on us. It can't always be sunny and warm, that's what most of the tourists learn the hard way.

Henry tugged on my tartan pea coat. I had to peer up at the fourteen year old, but he still acted like a child imprisoned in a seventeen year old's body. His sly smile didn't set me off as much when he sneered, "Where are we taking the mutt?" He started to laugh the horse laugh he loved to haunt people with but he soon stopped when I punched him in the arm. His olive green eyes narrowed as he gave me a dirty look, "Ow! Val!" Henry started to rub his arm tenderly. I was surprised that he wasn't wearing a coat, let alone a sweater. He only wore a long sleeved cashmere sweater that matched his bright eyes. I grinned a bit evilly, I gave that to him for Christmas.

By mutt, Henry meant James, my best friend. Henry often loves to criticize James because he considers him as the big brother he never had. I'm glad James returned the favour by hanging out with Henry from time to time and giving him a good punch in the arms.

Glancing at James, he looked unaffected by Henry's snide comment. What I didn't understand was that he actually seemed to have enjoyed the title given to him. To prove my theory, he gave a wide childish grin, his amber eyes lit up, "You two could bring me anywhere, just as long as I get my bone-- I'm good." James kicked a bit of snow off his large hiking boots and messed up Henry's brown hair. By some miracle, he managed to be taller than Henry-- which no boy I ever knew managed to do. My parents say that Henry's just an early bloomer, but I believe that he's probably some changeling from a family of giants.

"Try to act like civilized people for once, " I muttered. I was about to drone on about what we could do in such a boring afternoon when I got a sudden twinge. I always got this weird feeling that almost clicks in my mind for about one second when I know that someone in particular is coming. It's more specifically a particular person.

"Heaven lies straight ahead, " Henry suddenly interjected in a breathless tone. I watched as his expression became quickly subdued.

Angry, I was about to give Henry another slap when I looked ahead just to prove my instincts. Walking down the sidewalk towards us was the Cleftons. They were the local enigmas in our high school. These people were beyond anyone's reach. As I saw these three girls walking down the sidewalk, they always struck me as the type of people that were too gorgeous to be human. So was their cousin, who was walking down with them. No one could actually say, without sounding stupid, that the Cleftons were unattractive. They all wore trench coats believe it or not. They still managed to all look serious and a bit intimidating as they quickly closed the distance to one foot.

We must have stopped walking down the sidewalk at one point because Noel Clefton's thin eyebrows furrowed as he gave us a certain look. He whispered something into Felicity's pin straight a burgundy hair. Her pale face lit up as she started to grin. She cupped her mouth as she pointed at Henry and let out a smooth laugh. I heard Henry take in a sharp breath. The Clefton girls always left most of the boys hyperventilating. I glanced at James, who was probably looking straight at Cadence. My thought was right, his eyes were glued onto Cadence, who was pretending not to notice. He once even confided to me about a year ago that he had feelings for the walking doll. I found it outrageous since he's chasing a girl that doesn't even bother looking in his direction while all the other girls are out there chasing after him.

Beside the quickstepping Cadence was Emile, who was taking her time walking daintily. Being the smallest of the Clefton bunch gave her the advantage of looking innocent, which was apparently attractive to some of the guys at Westmount. Especially with her big brown eyes and long curly black hair, she looked like a Victorian era porcelain doll. Her and Cadence would have fit in lavishly in an old Eaton's catalogue. Their sister Felicity looked more like the doll buyer in the Eaton's catalogue, especially while wearing that coat that I secretly vied for. That tea green trench coat seemed to taunt me as they stopped right in front of us.

Noel's eyes were ridiculous. No boy could ever heave thick black lashes that rimmed those almond eyes that every girl swoons about in-between classes. It's a shame he doesn't take an interest in anyone except for his studies and his artwork. I think that makes him more desirable. He smiled at us in a warm way that could fool any of us into thinking he was a long time friend, "James, Valerie... Valerie's brother...?"

Henry gave one of his goofiest smiles and fumbled to step forward, "Henry Klaus. You are...?" Henry was a terrible liar. Telling from the glint of jealousy in my little brother's pale green eyes, he is probably as jealous as I am over Noel's unrealistic features. As always. Henry let out a laugh before Noel could say anything. I sighed and clenched my teeth at my brother as he mused, "Oh yes! You're Noel Clefton... Ahaha. Yes, I forgot about you..."

Noel didn't seem to hear the little edge in Henry's voice. He just smiled and nodded, his jet black hair grazed his forehead making a strong contrast. He wore a white knit hat and matching scarf that made him look very European in his black trench coat. "Yes, I am. I'm always forgettable, aren't I?" He flashed a smile at me, which made me shift my weight from foot to foot, uneasily. My stomach had the reverse effect of a sinking feeling.

Felicity, who was leaning one arm on Noel's shoulder, let out a hearty laugh. Whenever Felicity laughed, it became contagious. As we all started to laugh, we seemed obliged to do it. Her eyes crinkled at just the right places when she smirked, "Don't say that Noel, you always have to be too modest."

Cadence shook her head while swinging her white shoulder bag with a constant rhythm, "At least somebody is modest." She gave a crooked smile then glanced at James, "Enjoyed school?"

James, apparently lost in Cadence's wide deer like eyes started to stammer. I grimaced and ran my hand through my chestnut coloured hair, James always had something to say. Now he was rendered speechless by some fairy like nymphet. It was almost sickening to watch. At what seemed like forever, he finally spat out, "Good. Good." I'm sure that 'Good, good' will make any woman be swept off her feet.

We all started to laugh. I tried joining in, trying my best not to sound pained. I wanted to get home already-- not waste my time with a pack of beautiful people. The matter was, there was too many of them here. Not the regular ones. Just the ridiculously lovely ones. What peeved me is that they all acted like the Cleftons-- enigmatic, aloof, too cool for thou. One person in particular that seemed too cool for anyone was Reed Rosedale. He was usually the one to sit alone in the corner and mind his own business. You might think that he would have plenty of people trying to get his attention, but his quiet and moody demeanour often drove people away. I usually find myself staring at the back of his rusty caramel coloured hair in Art Class wondering how unique one person could look in such a uniformed town like this.

From his lightly tanned skin, almost orange hair, and cold stone gray eyes, Reed was the most fascinating person to look at. He's the type of guy that people would just stare at from across the room and not be embarrassed about it. Well, I was once-- he turned around in his seat and I jumped up. The look on his heart shaped face read suspicion when he made his lips form a tight frown. I remembered blushing violently red for the rest of that day.

Reed, even though he was the 'lone wolf' type, sometimes talked to the Cleftons. Well, the Cleftons would mostly approach him. What they talked about, I don't know, since they talked in a language I never heard before. I know quite a few languages since my father is a linguist and insist for me and Henry to learn as many languages as possible. It sounds like they're speaking some form of Gaelic, but it is different all on its own.

He also talks to the other two gorgeous people. These were the ones that peeved me the most for some strange reason. The Ruckmeres. I know the least about them-- besides Reed-- they don't look like sisters yet they claim they are. They're like night and day. I don't question that, but I don't care about it either-- I don't want to at least. They all share the same innocent doe eyes though. They haunt me constantly because it is so contradictory to their personalities. I may seem to sound a bit too wary, but I think they shouldn't be trusted. The only other person that Reed tolerates is Afton Fletcher, another one of them, if I should coin the term like that.

"Hello?" Emile clapped in front of my face, causing me to be fully alert and almost fall over. Thanks to James, I was glad I didn't fall down. Emile was giving me a sly look with her impish grin, "Wow, you were daydreaming, weren't you?" She gave a little laugh, "Sorry about that."

"No, no... It's okay, " I mumbled bitterly, clearly embarrassed. Even Henry gave out one of his indiscreet scoffs. I shot him the dirtiest look ever-- he returned it with a sneer. I turn to Emile, who was looking up at me amused. Her large hazel eyes glinted with a bit of mischief in them. I grimaced. I'm not entirely sure that she meant that apology.

We all stood there on our invisible sides of the sidewalks, as if whoever crossed the line would face a terrible end to their valued life. That was another thing too add-- The Cleftons, Ruckmeres, Afton, and especially Reed try to avoid body contact anyway possible. I actually saw Helen Ruckmeres, the more rambunctious of the two, actually put on her gloves before shaking a person's hand. Maybe that doesn't say much, but it could be strange enough to question.

Cadence tucked her straight hair behind one ear and smiled cheerfully, "Well then..." She glanced around us, as if we had something to say.

"Yup..." Henry induced the awkward moment.

I looked at the bemused faces of Felicity, Cadence, Emile, and Noel, they seemed to be poking some fun at this. Out of instinct, I grabbed my little brother's arm and tugged. I looked at each one of them, "I just remembered, we had some work to do--"

"--What are you talking about, Valerie?" James gave me a confused and almost annoyed look. I believe he is upset since I'm making him depart with his beloved Cadence. I rolled my eyes, I knew I should have left with Mallory to go shopping with her. Besides James Woodsen being one of my best friends, I have to have Mallory Bogart as my best and only female friend. James' amber eyes found that little giveaway in my naive face. He gnawed at his lip and mouthed, "Don't even try to lie to me."

Feeling a bit insulted, I tugged some more on Henry's stick thin arm, "We're leaving now...So...Bye." I forced my brother down the sidewalk. If James wanted to flirt with the robots he could. I had no problem with that. Seriously.

Henry leaned down to whisper, "What do you think you're doing?"

I whipped my head around and hissed, "Being your sister, now let's go!"

This was ridiculous. I know I can't be this pissed. It just felt good to act like it.

________________________________________
"I guess Val needs to calm down," James muttered while smiling at me. He scratched at his dark brown hair sheepishly and then added, "I think I'll have to leave too-- you know, to get her." He turned around awkwardly then turned back. It was very strange to see how a boy could lose so much of his confidence around very pretty girls.

I felt Emile's light touch at my arm when she nudged me. I felt like baring my teeth at her. She had willed me to step forward. I heard Felicity stifle her lowest of laughs as I stumbled in front of James. I didn't get to stop myself, so I went ahead and asked, "You looked as if you wanted to ask something. Did you want to, James?" The mistakes I always make... From the corner of my eye, I noticed Noel's warning glance-- he could already feel it coming up. I widened my hazel eyes at him to make him stay put.

James turned around I noticed the slightest worry line crossing his smooth forehead. It's a pity humans could do such a thing to themselves. He stammered suddenly and spat out his words, catching me off guard, "Cadence...I-I really would like it sometime if you know..."

"...No, I don't know, " I replied. I made my voice go up an octave to sound interested. I even tried running my hand through my waved locks of mahogany.

Emile let a laugh escape. I shot her a glare as she added, "Sorry..."

I pointed at her, Felicity, and Noel, "Please go wait over there. Right now..." My eyes borrowed into each and every one of theirs as they reluctantly left to lounge by a nearby tree. I glanced back at James. I sensed the distressed energy escaping from his aura.

It seemed even stronger when he spoke. I almost got knocked over. His emotions were too overwhelming. My vision almost faltered when he choked a bit, "Would you...Would you like to go to the cafe with me anytime?" He stepped forward and tugged at his green coat sleeve. His whole aura hit me like fire and dry ice.

"I..." I didn't know what to say to his question. Emile had set me up for the worst but... I looked up at James' face. He was such a pathetic human. How could I refuse. I suppose it would be something enjoyable, to go out and just forget about what could eventually happen. I took in a breath and looked up at him again.

His eyes locked on mine when I glanced back at him. I looked away. Some strange emotion crossed my senses. It was the same one that James always got when he was near me. My teeth clenched slightly. I didn't understand. My hands were still warm yet they didn't hurt as much now when I looked up at James. His hazel eyes were the soft brown that milk and coffee made. I didn't understand coffee, it's a vile drink that humans and Emile enjoy with a passion. James ran his hand through his short hair and said, "I didn't mean to sound like I was coming off too strong but... I mean, if it's okay with--"

"No..." I interjected. The look on his bright face seemed to dim. I've become used to breaking many hearts but there was something so affecting in his look. Yes, it was pathetic. That was the emotion. I felt some empathy towards James. I could tell he's very sensitive. Maybe that could have been why I said what I said next. "I meant, I'll think about it? Maybe tomorrow. That'll be a Friday afternoon, if I'm correct?"

I have seemed to had removed an emotional bandage from him. James nodded, this time enthusiastically, "Yes, yes. I'll just talk to you about it at school... Or could I give you a call--"

Felicity clasped my shoulder tightly. She held on tightly as she said, "Just ask her at school." Felicity pulled me in with Noel and Emile in a sort of protective way.

I winced at her harsh words and glanced at James. He furrowed his brows and thought about that, "Well... I thought that calling could be..." He let his voice falter when Noel came to my other side. I felt like breaking something or even trying to freeze over a lake. Noel and Felicity had no right in trying to protect me like this.

"No, calling wouldn't be that great. We're not going to be home at al this week..." Noel searched for the right lie to tell James. James, on the other hand had gotten a suspicious look. That was the same expression that was always on Valerie Klaus' face. There was something about that human girl in particular, something I don't understand. Her emotions are all over the place and just the energy she gives off. I shuddered, I felt obliged to act up beat and live up to my surface personality in order to hide the obvious from her.

"Uh, don't worry about it, " James announced slowly after Noel shrugged.

Emile stepped up to us, demanding attention as she clapped her hands, "Okay, okay! Look at the time! We’ll see you tomorrow then James? I guess so... Bye!" Emile managed to shove us all past James without actually making any body contact. I was impressed. Emile has got very good at manipulating people and objects. She turned back and shouted, "Yeah, you knwo where we live! Right?! Okay!" She let out a light giggle, yet I could feel the nerves in them, just as much I could feel the wound pulsating in my right shoulder.

We finally got away from James. Felicity let out an idignant huff and then stopped walking when we got to our house. It wasn't our house as much as someone owned a horse. You can buy it, yet it's still its own. Our real home was the forest behind the house. I glanced at it longingly. I haven't been there for about three weeks. Worry washed over me. I hugged myself and averted my attention to Felicity, who managed to melt the ice on the black lamppost facing our large colonial home. Steam was emitted into the air in little wisps. I stiffened when I saw Felicity's brown eyes glint with the violent orange in them

Noel kept his eyes on the ground, not saying anything. He didn't want to get involved in things that didn't concern his love life--as usual. Emile was trying to pick away at the attention by humming a light May Fair tune in her soprano voice. She was shivering as the cold--my cold-- made her uncomfortable. Her pale pink trench coat was half open so that her crane neck was exposed. She seemed so fragile--too fragile-- to ever be the one who needed to bring spring to life. Yet, besides Noel, Emile is the strongest one here. Unfortunately, I'm the weakest. That is why Felicity and Emile take so much precaution in my rare spontaneous actions.

Like the one I just made.

Suddenly, I got the feeling that something bad was going to happen. I glanced up at Felicity, about to object to what she might do. It was too late when her scorching hand singed my ice cold face. Emile gasped when she heard the little sizzle of fire meeting ice at a full force. The freezing air seemed to betray me by documenting the sounds of the event that took place. I closed my eyes concentrating on the continuous echo that sound through the air.

Felicity grabbed one of my arms and pulled me towards her. "Never do anything like that again. I swear it...if you do, I'll...I'll--"

Noel grabbed her arm instead and pulled her away from me, "--You'll what Felicity?"

His eyes were so intense I was even afraid of him. The subjects were right when they said that Noel had an imposing presence. I've never seen it until now. Noel was usually quiet and hung back with the usual faint smile on his face. Now, he seemed so angry...it was frightening. Felicity, on the other hand, was usually the one to impose her presence. She would always have that red hot temper that could make you angry for no valid reason. Seeing her now, she was just reduced to a mute. Her pink lips were pursed together and her eyes searched Noel's face for any indication of weakness.

"I said, you'll what?!" Noel demanded. He shook her arm until the other one released mine.

She just stared back at him, stunned by his outburst. Even though Noel wasn't shouting, his words still had the equivalent force. "I...I was going to just... I don't know..." She looked down and started to tear up.

Noel let go of Felicity when she started to give out a small sob. It was almost like a dog yelping. It made her seem so small. My heart ached for my sister. I reached out to touch her when she felt what I was going to do. Felicity whipped her head around and shouted, "Leave me alone!" She pushed past Noel and stepped around Emile after an unsuccessful attempt at pushing her too. She bolted straight to the forest, passing the home.

Emile touched her face absently and gave a wistful look after our sister. She looked back at us, "I'll... go check if she's safe." Emile bolted after her and disappeared.

"Safe..." Noel muttered under a taunting breath. He slapped the lamppost and stated, "The only person we have to check on is you."

I didn't ask why. He already gave me the answer countless times. Noel shook his head at me, "Cadence? What is wrong with you today?”