I still find it hard to believe this story has actually turned into something good :P

Review please!

Thanks

Your loyal authoress,

~Prenn

WHO JUST WATCHED THE MARSHALL LEE SPECIAL EVERYBODY! WOOT WOOT!

Chapter 3

Cataline's eyes narrowed. "Are you asking me a question, Torrin? If so, spit it out."

"I'm-I'm wondering why you lied to me."

"I didn't lie to you, son. I never have. I'm afraid I simply don't know much about the situation."

Torrin sighed. All hope was lost. The ominous mood deferred into a neutral state. Cataline left the room, and Torrin was free to take his late night nap.

The next morning, Torrin was woken up very early, perhaps around five in the morning. "Ohhh Lauren? Is that you? I'm tired. Why are you shaking me…ugh." The boy moaned.

"It's me, now get up." Zena said crudely. "We're moving. Er…you're moving. You, mom, dad, Kyle, Lauren, and Natalia."

"You're joking." The boy's voice cracked as he forced himself to sit up straight on the bed. In a moment of mental absence, he rubbed his tired eyes a little too hard and they stung a bit.

"I'm here to help you pack everything that needs to go."

"Wait…why aren't you coming?" Torrin was so tired, and not in the mood to argue, so he played along. For now.

"I'm a legal adult and it was my choice to stay and watch the house." Zena began to fill boxes and bags with Torrin's items. "If perchance I don't have time to collect all your items by myself, won't you come over here and help me?"

"Oh. Right." Torrin stood to his feet.

"Here." She handed him a large box. "Gather all your clothes, both dirty and clean. You'll have time to sort everything out once you get there but for now, just hurry."

Torrin was still dazed and exhausted. He was fairly certain his sleep cycle had been interrupted. As he was packing, the real news began to hit him. Moving meant leaving behind the few friends he had and the kind teachers he knew in school. All the staff members were helpful to him when he needed it. There was always someone around who cared. Well, it was already February, so hopefully the new school Torrin would be attending would not be too awkward for him to enter in the middle of the year.

"Do you know where we're going?" Torrin asked his sister.

"Ask mom later." Zena said offhandedly.

"I'm all packed."

"Great." Zena reached into the box, pulled out an old orange tee-shirt and blue jeans of Torrin's and placed it in his hands. "Put these on. I'm not looking. Be quick about it."

"How are things going?" Lauren peeked into the room with a mischievous smile on her face as usual.

"I hope you're ready, Lauren, or else they'll leave without you." Zena stated.

"Silly Zena, of course I'm packed! I never had very many things to begin with. You know how mom and dad are…"

"Then go help Natalia pack please."

As Lauren vanished as quickly as she came, Torrin was reminded of something quite strange. It was probably just some quirky coincidence but, the fact held true that mom and dad rarely let the kids buy stuff. All except for Zena, who always got what she wanted. For years, Torrin believed that was so only because Zena was the oldest.

However there were too many strange things going on for Torrin to overlook anything anymore. Something was definitely on the verge of budding here. Why did Torrin get the eerie feeling that his parents were running away from some bad news? Whatever their reasons were, they were for certain not telling Torrin the full truth.

It was another two hours and some change before everyone was fully packed to mother's satisfaction. "Where's dad?" Torrin asked.

"Not now, hon." Cataline took the young boy by the arm and sat him down on the living room couch betwixt Kyle and Lauren.

Torrin faintly overheard his father's voice from the other room. It sounded like he was on the phone. "Come on, Natalia." Zena carried the youngest girl into the van and began to strap her in. From outside, she gave Cataline a thumbs up.

Mom nodded.

"What's that all about?" Wondered Lauren, whose curiosity was one day sure to become her downfall.

"As you all know, this is very sudden news you have received. Do not take matters lightly; what has happened is very serious. We are in fact moving, and to no place you've ever been to before. It's in a foreign country. Very far away. You won't know anybody there at first, but soon you'll make friends. The school you'll be attending is Vishita Academy. Paste that name to your brains. The students of Vishita are ones you can share secrets with, unlike those who go to your current schools. I believe this was a satisfactory amount to spring on you all at once."

"That's nice and all, but why are we moving?" Lauren inquired.

"The job your father and I work at has requested our immediate—and permanent—transfer."

"To where?" Kyle asked in an "I don't care" tone.

"Japan."

Lauren almost chocked with excitement. She jumped up ecstatically. "Oh my gosh this is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me! Japan is so kawaii, and soon I'll be kawaii too! Thank you so much, mom, for getting yourself transferred! Thank you oh thank you!" The child wrapped her constricting little arms around Cataline in a very obnoxious manner.

"What?" Kyle asked dully. "Why there?"

"Work." Cataline kept the reply short and sweet. "So say goodbye to all your friends. We leave in twenty minutes."

Edgar came into the room now. "We're gonna meet Pinji for dinner. I've just arranged it."

"Excellent." Cataline smiled. "Take care of any last minute stuff, kids."

"This is so cool!" Lauren, who had enough enthusiasm for everyone, kept running around in a hyper fashion.

Torrin felt a little off balance here. The home and world he had grown accustomed to his whole life was all about to change…tremendously.

Before Torrin even knew it, dad was already rushing everyone into the van. "Come on, kids. We don't want to miss the flight."

Torrin was rushed along into the van. The overpowering noise of the surrounding people was very distracting to him. He could hardly think, or do anything at all for that manner. He thought it best to close his eyes for a bit. Then just as he was about to drift into the sea of unconsciousness, he was recruited for the plane ride.

Gee, several hours of total insecurity awaited him. Torrin didn't want to stick around for all the lonely quietness while his siblings were busy texting all their friends to tell them the news. If it weren't for the daunting factor that Torrin really didn't have any friends, he would have fallen immediately to sleep. The thought kept him a little later then he expected.

But eventually he gave in and fell asleep.