Their Home. Not Mine. ((Casey))

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie paced around her new room. She didn't belong here, this wasn't her home. This was Ethan's home. The Jacobs residence. Not the Jacobs-Mendez residence. It wasn't her place to be here. She was practically breaking and entering here. It wasn't like she could just shrut back into the shelter and pronounce herself homeless again, she owed this family. Plus her would-be kidnapper was still out on the loose and knew she used to live in that shelter. But he also knew she lived here now. This terrible man knew almost everything there was to know about Ezzie. They knew she had no parents, he knew she was homeless, he knew she had a boyfriend named Ethan whom she visited often, and he came very close to finding out she was a witch. She couldn't leave the Jacobs household until her debt was payed. They didn't think she had any debt, but Ezzie knew. They had taken her in, despite their worries about her relationship with Ethan. They had given her a warm bed and three meals a day despite the fact that she wasn't their child. They had even offered to adopt her, but Ezzie refused, claiming she was only a guest, and that she would find her own place soon. They had given her a home, and Ezzie had to give them everything she could, until she turned eighteen, which was when she came of age in the muggle world. That was four years from now, but Ezzie didn't care. She was perfectly happy living the life she lived. It wasn't like she had a choice. Ezzie needed some fresh air, a brake from cooking and cleaning and doing Mrs. Jacobs' taxes. Ethan was out with his friends at some muggle party Ezzie didn't feel up to attending. Her being there would put every kid in the house in danger. That guy seemed to be willing to do anything to get Ezzie in his car. Plus, Ezzie felt quite awkward with all of Ethan's friends, most of which were girls waiting for him to dump her for them. Most people thought she was crazy for not going with him to make sure he didn't wander off with some girl, but she trusted Ethan. Despite what others have said, she had faith in the fact that Ethan had changed for the better.

She figured maybe she'd go for a walk and get a bit of fresh air, maybe visit Diagon Alley, although she didn't feel like the bustling streets today. She needed the wide open spaces of the park across the street. With it's beautiful trees and flowers, the park was a perfect place to relax. She figured it wasn't too safe going there alone, so she prepared herself for anything. She pulled her hair back in a bun and wore a hooded jacket over it, so nobody could yank her away by the hair. She placed her wand in her front left pocket and a sharp pocket knife in the other. She wore her special boots she had received from Ethan the other day that had little sharp spikes on the edges, for stepping on people's feet if she needed to. She even wore a few hard gold rings so it would hurt extra hard if she tried to punch someone. Amanda, Ethan's mother, had given her a small collection of her old jewlery for Fridays when they went to a formal country club. Feeling confident that she was combat ready, she walked cautiously out of the house, looking over her shoulder every other second, making it look like she had a permanent twitch. She walked around the park for a few minutes and decided she wanted to ride on the swings, there would be kids there. Kids meant parents. Parents meant protection. Ezzie flinched at every white car that drove by, but continued on to the playground, where there were many other children, one of them being her good friend from Hogwarts, Casey Allen. Casey was going into fourth year and was also a Gryffindor, and they had been good friends for years. Casey was among the large few who still didn't know the secret of her home life.

"Hey Casey! What are you doing all the way out here in London?" Ezzie yelled from across the playground.

[Casey Allen G5]

“Hey. Get up. Get loud. Start pumpin' up the party now!” Casey sang to herself while sunbathing on the beach in Newport. She smiled to herself bopping her head along with the song of her own voice. How she missed just lying around on the beach. She couldn’t do such a thing in London. No, this was one thing that could only be done in Newport. Bradley always knew exactly what Casey needed and this was it. A vacation, a breather. After all, Casey wasn’t exactly any normal teenager. She was a teenager with more secrets than most. No muggle would ever guess that, that brown haired girl was both Eden Sweden and a witch. Sometimes, Casey felt glad that she could pull hiding big secrets off, but other times she wished to tell people, to not have to lie all the time. But, it was necessary what she did. Casey wanted a normal life as well as being a pop star and this was the only way she could do it. She pulled her sun glasses down a tad eyeing the ocean from the spot on the towel on which she laid. “Casey!” A voice screamed. Casey popped right up already knowing who it was. “Gabby!” She squealed getting up and running to her friend. “I didn’t think that you would be back before that fancy boring school of yours starts. So, how’s France?” Lies, more lies. Casey didn’t like telling them, but there didn’t seem to be another way. “Awesome, but Aunt Pearl was strangling me. I needed a break.” She explained. Gabby nodded and then sat down on Casey’s towel to talk more about her summer.

“Bud, you okay?” Bradley asked walking up on Casey an hour later, staring to the sky on the porch. She looked at him and shook her head. “Daddy, can I have a vacation from vacation?” She asked with a goofy grin of her face. “Let me guess, you had to lie to Gabby.” Casey didn’t even have to nod for her dad to know that, that was what was bothering. “Bud, I know it hurts, so maybe..you should tell her.” “What? No!” Casey shrieked. “She’ll never think of me the same!” She protested. Bradley sighed. “Fine, fine.” He looked to his daughter. Casey thought for a moment, then looked to her dad. “Daddy, we’ve been here long enough. Let’s go back to London.” She said thinking that if she went back in London, she wouldn’t have to lie to any friends. Bradley eyed her for a moment making sure that was really what she wanted to do. “Alright bud, but I don’t think we’ll make it back here for school starts.” Casey thought about that for a moment and then nodded. “It’s what I want.” She said finally. Bradley nodded. “I’ll go tell Joel. I think I’ll let him stay here.” Casey nodded as her father went inside. She on the other hand stayed outside watching the people Newport sun. Why couldn’t things be easier?

“Home sweet apartment!” Bradley called as they entered the spacious apartment. Casey looked around it calmly. It was the same as they had left it two days ago. She sighed taking in the familiar sights again. “I think I’ll go for a walk.” She told her father as she turned towards the door. “But we just got here!” He called after her. Bradley then smiled a bit and shook his head as it was clear that Casey was going out for her air. “Teenage girls.” He uttered walking to the kitchen. Casey pulled her aqua cardigan closer to her skin as she crossed the street to the park. She loved visiting this place. It gave her the chance to get away from everything. Casey smiled looking at all the parents and their kids. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice. She nearly gasped out loud, turning. Ezzie Mendez. It wasn’t that Casey didn’t want to talk to her friend. She really did. She was just tired of lying was all. Oh well. “Hey Ezzie!” She smiled walking towards her friend. “Oh you know, just a little family vacation.” This didn’t make too much sense, since Casey lived in Newport, an excellent vacation spot, but she figured if Ezzie asked, she would just say that she needed a vacation from Newport. “You live around here right?” Casey asked. “How’s your summer going so far? Nothing unbearably crazy has happened, right?” She asked raising an eyebrow. Casey then wanted to Ezzie to say something as she secretly wished she could spot all the lies.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie stood there at the far side of the park, waiting for Casey to come. She walked over with a smile. Ezzie glanced behind her and couldn’t help but notice a little girl lying on the ground crying because she scraped her knee. Her parents came running over to her at the sound of her distressed voice. Her mother soothed her by picking her up and rocking the little girl in her arms. Her father whispered something in her ear and she gave him a wide toothy grin.

“ICE CREAM!” The little girl screamed with delight. Her father laughed and he picked her up and placed her on his shoulders. They left the playground smiling and laughing. They looked like such a happy, perfect family. They looked kind of like the family Ezzie used to live in. She remembered a lot from those peaceful days in Cuba. The countless days her father would take her out to play soccer and come back late in the evening to a delicious Cuban feast. All that had changed immensely when Ezzie got sick and was sent to Spain for treatment. Everything in her life revolved around that fateful day. If she hadn’t fallen ill, she would still be in Cuba, unaware of her powers, oppressed by Fidel Castro; and living a happy life with her family. However, Ezzie did fall ill and was sent to Spain for treatment. Her family did escape after Ezzie was cured and they did roam about Europe. Ezzie did receive her Hogwarts letter, and her parents did try to drown her. She had freedom from Cuba, and she was a witch, but she was also an orphan. Ezzie forced the memories out of her head and forced herself to concentrate on the conversation she was having with her good friend Casey.

She barely caught something about Casey and her family having a wonderful family vacation together. This comment gave Ezzie a sharp pang of jealousy, much like the one she felt when she looked at the little girl and her family. She didn’t have much time to wonder why her family would be taking a vacation here in London, when they already lived in the perfect vacation spot of Newport. Casey then asked her about her summer and asked her if anything interesting had happened so far. It had been about a month since summer holiday started and it was safe to say Ezzie wasn’t bored. She had many interesting events happen to her in one month than most people would have in a lifetime. Casey raised her eyebrow and Ezzie felt guilty for leaving one of her best friends in the dark like this. She remembered the amazing feeling of relief she felt when she told Harmony and Ethan and their families about her true life. She wanted to feel it again, this time by telling Casey her true secret. She deserved to know. She had always been open and honest with Ezzie, so now it was time for Ezzie to be open and honest with her. She took a deep breath and began to explain her summer so far.

“Well, I’ve got to say I’ve definitely been busy. What with getting a new boyfriend, living in a homeless shelter, singing on the streets for spare change, and almost getting kidnapped by a creep that is still out there looking for me.” Ezzie sighed and waited for her friend’s reaction. She knew this wasn’t going to be easy to handle.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey noticed the little girl that had fallen and whose parents were picking her up and trying to calm her. Casey sighed. What she would give to have her mum back. Casey didn’t know where Heaven was. She hadn’t sent any messages or post cards since she left when Casey was nine. It had been years and still Casey wished to be cradled in her mother’s arms again. What she would give to have that feeling back, to remember it again. The little girl quickly snapped out of her crying faze. Casey smiled at the girl’s dad. At least Casey had a dad that she could depend on. Casey had a father as well as Joel. Maybe it wasn’t the perfect family, but Casey loved them all the same. Still, having her mum back would be a blessing. Casey knew all the wishing in the world wouldn’t bring her mum back, but she still found herself wishing for her every night. Still, a part of Casey cursed her mum for leaving her, for giving up so easily on Bradley. Casey wondered what she would say to her mum if she came back. She wondered if her mum knew that she was Eden Sweden. Did she even have a clue? Casey asked herself these questions often, but they didn’t help much. They didn’t offer any answers. They just lingered in the air and stayed there. Casey sucked in some air wishing that she could let this go. But, knowing that it was hopeless.

Casey waited for Ezzie to say something normal. Something like, yea, my summer has basically been boring. But, that didn’t come. What came scared Casey to the point that her mouth nearly dropped. What came was the truth. She eyed Ezzie trying to find the words to say, but not coming up with anything. Casey had never thought of Ezzie this way. Ezzie’s life had never seemed perfect, but Casey didn’t know that it was this complicated. For a moment, Casey felt guilt pouring over her. She wished she could tell Ezzie her secret. Could she? How could she even begin to explain this? Ezzie had just poured her heart out and Casey doubted that she could even say what she needed to say. Would Ezzie understand? Casey had never told a friend about her other life so far. She shook her head slightly. She needed to focus on Ezzie. She took a beep breath. Focus. “Wow.” She said trying not to think of her secret. “Umm, are you okay?” She asked first and then looked to the ground and then back up. “I mean, how’s the new boyfriend, you never told me that you lived in a homeless shelter, and can I beat up that creep kidnapper guy?” She asked in her normal voice. Casey shook her head again. “I don’t blame you for not telling about where you live.” She said finally. “People need to keep things to themselves sometimes right? To protect people.” She waited to see what Ezzie would say about that. She needed to know before she went on.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie said this as casually as she could possibly make it, even though it was the most serious matter in the world to her. Casey looked like her jaw was going to fall out of its socket; and Ezzie couldn’t blame her. It was a lot to handle. She knew how Harmony had reacted. It was much different than Ethan’s reaction, for they shared completely different bonds. Ezzie could tell Harmony wasn’t expecting such a past behind Ezzie’s smile. Ezzie could bet Casey wasn’t expecting it either. She had such a carefree and happy personality, who would ever guess she lived the way she did? Ezzie always had a smile on her face, and was happy for the life god had given her. Living in a homeless shelter wasn’t really bad. The only part of being homeless that Ezzie detested was the long work hours and constant lack of sleep and food. It could make anyone cranky; except Ezzie of course. Casey’s expression lightened a bit, but then she started asking questions. Questions that made Ezzie smile.

“Well, his name is Ethan Jacobs, you might know him. He’s in the year above us, same house. I’m living with his family now; they decided to take me in, for my protection.” Ezzie sighed. “That creep is still out there somewhere, and pretty much the only thing he doesn’t know is where the hell I go during the school year. His buddies confessed to following me around with the guy for months, they all say the same thing. He knows everything, and he’ll stop at nothing to get me.” Ezzie shuddered involuntarily. Just the thought of a crazed lunatic like that following her around all day made her sick. For all she knew, he could be in that white car right now, waiting for her to leave the playground.

“I’ve been living at the shelter ever since second or third year, and I’ve been homeless ever since before first. Those creeps say they’ve been watching my every move since just about third year. It’s a pretty scary thought.” What Casey said next put a warm feeling in her heart. She always loved that Casey understood things. Most people just stared openly and never listened to a word she said. Casey actually listened, and provided input that was packed with knowledge and understanding. That was one of the main reason they were friends. She told her about secrets. Sometimes they were for the best. Sometimes, they were for a friend’s own protection.
“You don’t know how happy I am to know you understand. Sometimes, there are many reasons why I keep my secret so quiet. One of them being to protect my friends. To protect them from knowing the truth, to protect them from doing exactly what it was Harmony Chan did to save my life. I swear that girl should be in our house, the way she fought that scary man away. You should have seen it. She could have been kidnapped right along with me, but she wasn’t. For a second, I thought I was staring at Jackie Chan, not Harmony Chan.” Ezzie wondered if they were related or not. She voiced this opinion with her friend. “You don’t think maybe they are related? Jackie wasn’t British, so I don’t think they could be.” Ezzie shrugged.
“Hey, maybe we can go over to the Jacobs and you can meet everyone!” The idea just came to her. It would be nice for Casey to meet everyone. She waited for Casey to reply.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey wished with all her might that she could tell Ezzie the truth. If only she could. But, that wasn't an option. It just wasn't. It couldn't be possible that Ezzie would understand this. That Ezzie would look at her the same way. Casey wasn't sure if Ezzie was an Eden fan. She had never mentioned it before, but Casey just wasn't sure. She was simply afraid to tell anyone. The only people that knew were Joel and Bradley and some people that worked for Eden. That was it. Casey had been too afraid to tell anyone else even though her dad had given her permission to tell her closest friends. Casey shook her head. Here Ezzie was being completely honest about the horrible things she had been through and Casey was keeping a stupid secret. A secret that didn't make her life any worse, only made it better. Why couldn't she tell good news? Why couldn't she let people understand and be happy for her? She couldn't. She was simply too afraid of what Ezzie would do. Casey sighed. Eventually, maybe she could let it out. But, for now, it was the best to leave her friend in the dark. For now, this was best.

Casey smiled lightly as Ezzie talked about her boyfriend. She nodded. “Yea, I’ve heard of him. Who hasn’t?” She joked lightly hoping Ezzie hadn’t taken it the wrong way. Ethan had a reputation of being a ‘lady’s man’, but maybe he had changed. Casey wasn’t one to judge people about rumors. After all, Eden was constantly in the tabloids. Casey didn’t find her name used in much gossip at school, but she knew if news got out, Casey Allen would be a regular name. This almost made her shiver. That wasn’t the life that she wanted. Casey felt sick when Ezzie told her the things about the almost kidnapper. She shook her head. “Umm, maybe I shouldn’t try and beat him up then..” She said in her normal witty banter sort of way. Casey always sounded like she was half-joking, half-being serious, which she usually was. “Have you tried magic?” Casey asked trying to help. “There are spells out there to keep you from him. I’m sure Ethan’s parents will help you there, and I can do whatever you need me to.” She said nodding. “If you ever want to come to Wales to get away, let me know. He can’t find you way down there, right?” She asked just wanting to do something, anything for her good friend.

Casey couldn’t understand why someone would do such things to Ezzie. Casey knew another friend in a similar situation, but the person after that girl was a relative, a crazy relative. This was different. Casey forgot about all of her problems, her lies and just listened to Ezzie wishing that she could help in some sort of way. “That long, eh?” She asked quietly. “Do you think he still follows, you?” She asked glancing around looking. But, she didn’t see anyone suspicious. Casey felt completely scared for Ezzie. It wasn’t a feeling that she liked. Casey smiled a bit as Ezzie talked. “Sometimes, you have to keep secrets.” She said uneasily wishing her secret could be reveled. “Sometimes, you just have to..” She paused. Casey then smiled again when Ezzie mentioned Harmony. “Yea, she is a pretty great person, eh?” Casey laughed. “Yea, totally.” She joked about Harmony Chan and Jackie Chan being related. “Well, maybe they aren’t related, but they both kick some serious be-hind.” She laughed glad that she wasn’t lying for the moment. Casey looked shocked for a moment, then sighed. “Meet..them..now?” She asked not really wanting to lie to anyone else. Suck it up girl. “Sure, okay.”

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie suddenly realized this was probably very sudden, after all, she had only just told Casey about Ethan. She should have given Casey more time to process what was going on. She probably had other plans to attend to, things to do and people to see. Casey was pretty much always busy, going to a wedding, or a family emergency popped up somewhere along the line. She never could really explain what was going on with her friend, but she knew that if Casey wanted to tell her, she would. There was no pressure in revealing secrets. Ezzie knew how she would feel if her friend was pressuring her into telling her something. She would hate it. Ezzie felt it was only fair to let Casey keep her secret without any pressure to reveal it. She would tell Ezzie when she was ready. If she never told her in all the time they spent together, that was just fine too.

Surprisingly, Casey accepted her invitation to visit the house. Ezzie had to admit though, Casey did look a bit unsure if she should go or not. Ezzie smiled. "You've got to see this place, Casey. It's huge. It's like Hogwarts, only it doesn't look like a castle, and it's got no moving stairs and evil professors. It's got talking portraits though!" Ezzie smiled again as she walked with Casey toward Ethan's house. Her new house. It seemed so odd saying it. My house. Just the thought tickled her tongue. She wasn't quite used to it yet, but she hoped she would one day. They arrived at the large blue manor across the street from the park and Ezzie yelled for Ethan.

"Well, here we are." Ezzie shrugged as she called for him again.

She didn't bother to call for Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, they were barely ever home these days. She felt bad for Ethan, never having his parents around. It must hurt him to some degree that he had two kind and loving parents that never spent time with him. But then she remembered how he used their absentness to his advantage. There was a loud raving house party in this place every other night. She smiled more to herself, remembering the wildness of it all. There were even a few parties where celebrities were involved. She smiled as she remembered hanging out with some famous American stars in the V.I.P. area of Ethan’s party. They were surprisingly nice, for people who spent more money in an hour than Ezzie ever had in her lifetime. Ethan finally came down the stairs, his heavy footsteps echoing in the large sitting room area.

“What’s up?” He asked.

“Ethan, I want you to meet my friend Casey. She’s in my year, a Gryffindor.” Ezzie smiled. “Casey, this is my boyfriend Ethan.” She glanced at Ethan. He was wearing his heavy leather jacket and jeans. His nice white sneakers too. He was going out-yet again.

“Listen, Ez. I’m going to Dave’s party. You two want to join?” Ezzie raised her eyebrow.

“Please, Ethan. You know how much I hate those loud raving parties of yours. I can barely stand the ones here. Plus Casey is over.” Ethan shrugged and walked out.

“Well, he’s just a social butterfly, isn’t he?” Ezzie shrugged and walked into the kitchen.

“Do you want anything to eat? There’s so much food here it’s a wonder I’m not fat by now.” Ezzie laughed as she opened the fridge and removed a large chocolate cake. It was yesterday’s dessert that she never finished.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey smiled as Ezzie spoke about Ethan’s house. Casey’s house in Wales was pretty large, but probably not the size of this place. Also, most of Casey’s house was secret rooms that no one could get into unless they knew the secret password which was an idea that Casey made up years ago. Eden Sweden’s closet itself made up a huge room. It was hidden inside Casey’s small closet that her friends would see. Casey smiled. “I hate the talking portraits at school. I think they are the only things at Hogwarts that gossip about me. I’m not sure what they say, but I see them whispering. Quite annoying that is.” She laughed. Casey followed Ezzie to the house. She assumed that it couldn’t be very far since she had found Ezzie here after all. As they approached it, Casey realized that he apartment wasn’t far away. She made a mental note not to walk near the house for the rest of the summer. She didn’t want Ezzie to find out that she had been lying. Not yet at least. Casey wasn’t ready to tell anyone anything. But, maybe, one day she would be.

Casey smiled. Yep, the house was just as amazing as Ezzie said that it was. Casey was used to large houses, but she had never really lived in one, just attended parties at mansions and such. Bradley wanted Casey’s life to be as normal as possible. And huge houses weren’t apart of that. “Wow, Ezzie. This is awesome.” She said following her friend inside the house. For a moment, Casey wondered if she had been to a party here as Eden. Maybe she had, but Casey couldn’t remember any of that for the moment. “Hi.” Casey said as Ethan entered the room. She knew him from school, but not very well. “Yea, I think I’ve seen you around school.” She said truthfully. Then again, Casey was sure that she had seen him as Eden at certain events, but of course she wouldn’t say this aloud.

Casey watched the two as Ethan asked if they wanted to go to a party. Casey knew that Ezzie wasn’t exactly a party girl and she understood this logic. Eden was used to parties, but Casey, not so much. After all, Casey believed that too much of a good thing wasn’t good at all. Casey watched Ethan leave as Ezzie told him that they wouldn’t go. Casey smiled to Ezzie. “All boys seem to be that way, don’t they?” She asked raising an eye-brow playfully. Casey had dated boys before, but none of them had ever been overly talkative nor had they stuck around too long. Casey’s fault really. She had too much to do to have time for a boyfriend. If only there were a boy who was just as busy as her, that would make it easier even though that didn’t make any sense to a normal person. Oh well. Casey could wait for someone that was right. “Umm, yea. But, just a slice.” She answered as Ezzie pulled out the cake. Casey looked around. “So, what’s it like living here?” She asked truly wanting to know. This had to be different from Ezzie’s old lifestyle. Had to be.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie took a bite of the sugar free chocolate cake and savored every bite of it. Even with so much going on in her life, Ezzie couldn't forget about her health issues. Her breathing problem was the reason Ezzie had come to Europe in the first place. She wouldn't have needed a European doctor if it wasn't for Ezzie's constant breathing problems. She could go long periods of time without being able to breathe. Some called it an extreme case of panic attacks. Ezzie just called them breathless fits. It was because of these breathless fits though, that Ezzie's sugar levels had to stay very limited. Casey accepted a slice and Ezzie went to go get the knife. She opened the drawer and cut a piece.

"It's sugar free. I don't know if you'll like it. I've got a few health problems that have gotten worse since the kidnapping, so the healers say I have to watch how much sugar I take in." Ezzie felt bad for Casey, she was hearing secret after secret and barely had enough time to take it all in. Ezzie would not have felt very good if her best friend told her so much in such a little amount of time. Ezzie was sure Casey would never think of her the same way again. There was so much Casey still didn't know, like her life in Cuba. Ezzie promised herself she wasn't going to drop any more bombs on poor Casey. Not tonight, anyway. She would tell Casey her secrets in slow doses, Ezzie knew from experience hearing large pieces of information at once wasn't good for the mind or the heart. Casey asked her what it was like living in such a big house. Ezzie didn't know much herself, she was just starting to get used to it.

"Well, that's a tough question to be honest. I used to spend more than sixteen hours of my day, six days a week working at some stupid hotel. I barely had time to eat. I only used to have real meals when I returned to the shelter late at night. Now I just have to open the fridge." Ezzie handed Casey a fork. "I still do a lot of the things I would have done at the hotel though. I keep busy. I cook for them, I clean for them, I even do Mrs. Jacobs' taxes." Ezzie laughed. "It's the least I can do, you know? They've done so much." Ezzie smiled as she took another bite of cake. "It's kind of weird though. You know how famous the Jacobs family is, right?" The Jacobs were famous for having money, and a lot of it. Mrs. Jacobs designed clothes, makeup, and even hair care supplies. Mr. Jacobs was a best selling author who owned a chain of bookstores all across Europe. Plus Mr. Jacobs' family was famous even before he was born. The Jacobs family had a legacy to live up to, and they were doing an excellent job. "Well there was kind of this really embarrassing incident the other day. Ethan and I were in the park and were were kissing. The paparazzi caught a picture of us and now I'm the new 'mystery girl'." Ezzie laughed, even though it wasn't funny at all. She had been sharing a private moment with her boyfriend and now it's out for everyone to see. "The camera only caught the back of my face. Ethan noticed the flash and got me out of there before they saw who I was." She finished her cake and walked over to the sink to wash the dish. She then dried it and put it back in the cupboard where it came from. She took a sponge and started wiping down all the counters in the vast kitchen. Ezzie had an obsessive habit of cleaning everything in sight. It was a way of keeping her hands busy. When she was done with that, she started sweeping the floors, all while she was talking to Casey. "So Casey, how long have you been out in London? Maybe you can come over again sometime. This house is basically always very empty or very full. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are barely ever home, and Ethan's either at a party or throwing one here. Either way you're welcome to come." Ezzie smiled as she put the broom back into the closet and sat back in her seat.

"Mi casa, su casa!" Ezzie couldn't believe she was saying this. Was she actually calling it home? Had she finally gotten used to the change? Ezzie knew she could answer yes to all of these questions. She didn't know why she hadn't seen it before. A home didn't have to be where your biological family lived; a home was where your heart was. A home was where you were surrounded by people who cared about you, and respected you in every way. The Jacobs mansion was home. She knew that now.

Translation:

mi casa, su casa: my house, your house

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey nodded and took the slice of cake from Ezzie. “Sugar free is fine.” She said smiling. Since Casey lived with her father and Joel, the house was over-run be sweets. Casey wasn’t much of a sweet eater to tell the truth. She liked sugar-free things from time to time just to get away from all the sugar. Plus, Casey always had to be conscious of her weight. Even though Eden was only fourteen, no one cared. Eden got constant criticisms like every star. They wanted her to be perfect. Casey knew that she would never be perfect, but she could try, right? Casey took a small bite of the cake and then eyed Ezzie. She didn’t know that her friend had health issues. She eyed her calmly. “You’re gonna be okay. Right?” She asked wanting the truth. Casey was known for passing out, but that was about the only problem she had. That usually only happened under stress or extreme heat. Otherwise, Casey was a pretty healthy person. It saddened her to hear about everything that Ezzie was going through. Ezzie was being so truthful and she couldn’t be. Why couldn’t she just be like Ezzie? Truthful and honest.

Casey listened to Ezzie. She knew that her friend had a job. She just didn’t know it was like this. Casey had a job, but not a normal job. Her job was being Eden Sweden so Casey had no idea what real jobs were like. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. You need to be a kid too, you know?” She asked even though Casey barely had time to be a kid herself. Eden couldn’t be a kid in the public eye. She had to be a star. This had taught Casey to grow up fast like Eden and she was. She raised and eye-brow. “Taxes? Ezzie Mendez, you are a smart girl.” She laughed taking another bite of cake. Casey nodded. “I’ve heard of them before, yea.” She admitted, but Casey knew more than she was letting on. Of course Casey knew the Jacobs family, well Eden knew them really. Casey was pretty sure that she had worn one of Mrs. Jacobs dresses to an event, but she couldn’t remember. Casey laughed at the story. “Wow, it’s a totally different life it seems. You know, you deserve this Ezzie.” She said truthfully. And she did. Ezzie deserved this life after everything she had been through.

Casey smiled. “Now I know to stay clear of you and Ethan. No way I’m going on a tabloid.” She joked smiling. As she thought about it, she was right. Casey couldn’t be on a tabloid. She couldn’t risk people seeing her face and connecting it with Eden Sweden. No, that was too risky. “Hey let me help you.” She said as Ezzie was cleaning. Casey then went to the sink with her own plate and washed it. Then, she got a sponge and started to help Ezzie with the counter. She then watched Ezzie sweep the floor, trying to think of a way to help. “Me?” She asked when Ezzie asked how long she was going to be in London. “I think just for two weeks. We’re staying at a hotel.” She lied. But, it was too risky to show Ezzie where the apartment was. People knew that as where Eden stayed in the summer. Bradley was looking for a nice, big house for them in London, he just hadn’t found one yet. “Thanks. Yea, I’ll come visit sometime before I leave she said nodding.” Casey was pretty sure she would be spending her rest of the summer in London up until the time she would go to Capri. Casey laughed. “Thanks.” She said smiling thinking about when she should go back to the apartment.