I go back to our little room, and see that everyone is still there, waiting.

"Well?" Abigail asks as a form of greeting.

"You're looking at the newest Head Councilwoman." I say, letting the sash in my hand show.

A moment of silence carries itself through the small apartment. Then, comes the loud applause. Madelyn starts clapping, and soon the rest of the members of this family join in, too. Do I clap? I shouldn't clap, that would be egotistical. What should I do, though now. I look over to Emma, who has a hint of bitterness behind the pounding of her hands together.

"Emma, what you're about to do is amazing, too."

She smiles down at her hands. "I'm not going to save the world."

"Most pages go on to positions of power. You will do great things as well." I grab her hands and shake them a little bit.

"You really think so?"

"I know so." I smile a little bit. "But there's one thing you'll have to do before you go off."

"What?"

"Teach me how to use make up. Duh."

"Oh." She nods her head. "I'll teach you today and tomorrow, how's that sound?"

"That sounds perfect." I say.

"Oh, both my girlies are going off, and changing the world." Abigail covers her mouth with her hands. We don't need to see her lips to know that she has a smile the size of the Grand Canyon.

All eyes sort of fall to David. "What?" He quirks a brow. "I'm fine where I am. Besides, I'm not the good of a leader."

"You'd be fine." Matthias says.

"I don't know. I think, once Canada graduates, maybe I'll finally go and got my doctorate in Chemical Engineering. I forgot how cool that stuff was."

"I'll get some sort of degree, maybe in poli-sci." Emma says.

"I'll go and get my masters, come and work here for a few years, and the go an get my doctorate in Earth Sciences, or something like that."

"It's funny how a few months can change you, Canada." Matthias says.

"How so?"

"Well, for starters, before you came with us, you didn't want anything to do with Earth Sciences. Not for loathing, but it just wasn't on your radar. Back then, you didn't want to make friends either. Once you got a friend group, though, you sure took off."

"Thanks." I nod my head a little bit. "Now I have to face the consequences of my actions, though."

"How so?" Abigail asks.

"I won't be in Clare forever. I'm going to have to leave one day, if not for here, then to preserve the secret. I'll miss Gayle." I feel the lump start to grow in my throat, and I swallow down hard on it.

"We know that this is hard, but it's part of our life cycle. Once you come here, though, you can make some good, long term friends." Matthias explains.

"Like Mikah."

"Sure." I nod at Emma's suggests. A lot of time is going to have to pass before I think I can ever call Mikah an acquaintance, let alone a friend.

"It's going to be hard, but hey, you'll always have us, your family. We'll always be here for you, come heck or high water."

"I like the sound of family a lot more than I like the sound of 'clan'."

"Yeah, me too."

The day wasn't filled with very much, we went to a few small seminars, conversations, and circles. At around the, however, we are all dismissed to our rooms to get ready for the ball. At one point, I hear a knock on my door.

"It's open." I say as I continue brush my hair.

"It's Emma." She says as she walks through the door. "Now, who's ready for makeup practice?"

"I guess I am. Is it really that close to the ball?"

"We still got two hours, but I still have to get myself ready."

"Point made."

"Also, I don't know how long this is going to take with teaching you."

"Another point made."

"Anyways, so, lets start off, this is concealer, is goes under your eyes and on any patch of acne, or anything like that. This is foundation, you put this on just about everywhere else. These here is eye shadow, it-"

"I think I know where eye shadow goes."

"It's kind of in the name, I'd be worried if you didn't." Emma says. "But, either way. One thing you have to know about eye shadow is, when you use multiple layers, you have to blend, or it'll look weird. Think about how sunscreen is. You have to blend it in, or your a weird looking white mess."

"Got it." I nod.

"I'll teach you how to actually do this tomorrow." Emma says as she does her work. "This is eyeliner. The hardest thing anyone will ever put on their face. I'd like to see what happens when someone uses it with an instinct, though."

"Would you like me too?"

"No, I don't know if instinct works with makeup, and I did a pretty good job on you."

"They say that it can give me infinite intelligence, though."

"Infinite instinct, it's an educated guess."

"An educated guess that will always be right." I smirk a little bit.

"An educated guess that will always be right, now, close your eyes." She glides the tip of the bottom of my eyelids. "Blush and lipstick are the easiest parts of all." She offers me a little compact and a brush, and I take it, looking in the mirror. I take a deep breath in, and a deep breath out. I feel my instinct kicking, pushing my hand up to my cheek, and brushing the rouge onto my cheeks. I open my eyes to see them done perfectly.

I smile a little bit to myself. "Look at that, instinct can do makeup."

"Then why doesn't instinct also do lipstick?" She offers me the tube.

I don't need instinct to know how to use this one, I've done it before, and I'll do it again. When I do, I'm satisfied with the results.

"You look beautiful. As always."

"Thank you." I say, observing myself in the mirror. It bases itself off of neutral tones, but the darker ones, allowing itself to be natural, yet dramatic. Something that I hope imitate one day.

"I'll go get ready, unless you need help with your hair."

"I'll be fine, but thank you."

"Hey, what are sisters for?" Emma grabs my hand and squeezes it.

Sisters.

I put my hair into a french braid, and slide my dress on. My dress is dark emerald green, with lace detailing along the sweetheart neckline. The sleeves are more for show, and don't hold anything up, but they do drape across my shoulders. The bottom of the dress does poof out for a ballgown shape, but really isn't like a Cinderella ball gown. It's there, but not there. I put on my purple sash, and smile at myself as I run my hands down the side of my dress. I can't help but smile.

I put on my shoes (Flats which I had to fight Emma on buying. She thought I should get heels, I thought I shouldn't snap my ankle.) And walk out into the living room. Matthias already sits out there, adjusting his cuff links on his tux.

"You look beautiful. That sash looks nice on you." He says.

"Thank you." I say as I slowly take a seat down into the chair that I usually sit in. I wonder where I'll stay when I live here. "You look really nice, too."

"Thank you, but be careful. I have a wife." We share a little laugh, but then we sort of fall to a silence. Abigail soon comes out and lets out a little gasp.

"Oh, Canada, you look amazing. You've grown up so much."

"Even though I haven't aged a day?"

"Even though you haven't aged a day." She says, cupping my face. "You, and Emma, and David make our family so proud."

"I try."

"Same here." Emma joins in. When did she come in? Either way, she look beautiful as always.

"Likewise." Turns out Emma and David came out at the same time.

"Should we all head out?" Matthias asks.

We all chorus in some sort of agreement, and open the door only to find Harrison waiting there.

"Good evening, Wayward's."

"Good evening, Harrison." Abigail says.

"I've been instructed to take Madam Canada to where the council people will be meeting for when they enter."

"Of course." I nod, give a wave to my family, and step out so I'm next to Harrison. "I'll see you guys in there."

"See you in there." Abigail waves, and they all walk down to wherever the ballroom is.

"Your speech was wonderful, Madam." Harrison says as we begin a small walk down the hallway.

"Oh, thank you."

"I've heard that you're being asked plenty of questions on it."

"I am, during the some of the smaller seminars today."

"That's wonderful to hear. I would also like to congratulate you on joining council."

"Thank you."

"Of course. I am quite excited to see what you will do for the global community."

"As am I."

"You will be taking up residence here in how many years?"

"4 or 5."

"We are looking forward to it."

"So am I. I always wanted to live in a castle."

"Yes, I suppose most people do." Harrison nods, and we walk in a silence until we reach a small area where people are already waiting. They all wear sashes, so this must be the rest of the council people. "This is where I am to drop you off."

"Thanks for escorting me down here."

"My pleasure, Madam. Or should I say Head Councilwoman?"

"Whichever way is easiest for you."

"Of course. Have a good evening, Head Councilwoman."

"You as well, Harrison." He walks away, and I join the small crowd as soft string play in the background. They all hold small glasses of some sort of blood, and servants rush around to keep them full.

"O negative, Head Councilwoman?" A servant offers.

"Of what species?" I ask.

"Human." The servant replies.

My breath hitches in my throat. I have never seen someone ever drink human. I see what it does to people. It's like drugs. It's addicting, and, since alcohol has no effect on vampire's, the closest thing that we can get to drunk. Its unethical, and might even be becoming illegal. It would probably be illegal by now if the council people didn't drink it.

"Head Councilwoman Canada?"

"Sorry, no thank you." I say.

"Would you prefer a different species." The servant says in a much lower voice.

"If it wouldn't be a struggle."

"I kept some at the bar, just in case." He says. "We have boar, deer, bear, rabbit, mountain lion, you name it."

"Just deer is fine."

"I will bring that right out for you." He nods and walks back to the bar. A few moments later, he comes back with a glass.

"Thank you." I nod a little bit.

The glass is not clear, and it isn't filled to the brim. Unless you were standing right above it you probably couldn't tell that it was blood. But I knew. I also knew that for once, I was hanging out with real monsters. If any hiker comes within 100 yards of this place, they're a goner in a matter of minutes. I keep my distance away from the crowd. They all share their cups, commenting and making various faces, and stating various opinions.

"Try some AB, I promise, it's good." A woman says, holding her drink out to me. I don't know when she got there, but when she says this, I can't help but jump.

"No, thank you. I stick to animal blood, and animal blood only."

"Oh come on, try it." A man says, offering his glass to me.

"Thank you, but no thank you."

"Calm down, Carlisle."

"Really, Stephen? Another Twilight pun?" The woman crosses her arms.

"It is the reason for my season, Cheryl." Stephen says. "But still kid, you should try some, it's good, I swear."

"No, but thank you-"

"Ah, Councilwoman Cheryl, Councilman Stephen, I see you've met Head Councilwoman Canada." The voice of Reigna Na'im, says, cutting through our conversation. We all go into the usual formalities of bowing and curtseying, and come back up. "I was wondering if I may speak with Head Councilwoman Canada for a moment?" They all take a step back, and I walk along with her.

"Did you-"

"Loud and clear." Reigna Na'im interjects.

"I'm sorry that you had to see that."

"If anything, they should be the one's that are sorry. I will alert them that their services are no longer needed, and they will go back on a rehabilitation program so that they are no longer a threat."

"Those are hard programs to go through."

"You look most beautiful tonight."

I don't min her changing the conversation at all. "Thank you, so do you."

"You are too kind. That sash, it really does compliment you."

"Thanks."

"I'll let you get to it, they should be announcing all of you any minute now."

"Of course." She gestures me to where most of the crowd is, and I take, yet another, deep breath in. "Thank you."

"Thank you." I walk to the front, and join the crowd. After a few moments, the doors swing open, and we all begin to slowly begin our procession out. An announcer calls names, and varying amounts of applause follow.

"Announcing, of the Association of Vampires Against Climate Change, Head Councilwoman Wayward." I smile as the applause is around the same it has been, but maybe just a little bit more. I finish walking down the stairs, and find David hanging out on his own by the snack table.

"You didn't trip." He greets.

"I did not."

"We're all so proud of you, but I think I might be the proudest."

"Is that so?"

"Definitely." He nods a little bit.

"There you are." Alexandria says, making her way over to David.

"Told you I'd be by the snack table."

"Head Councilwoman Canada, I would like to congratulate you on your new position. We all look forward to spending time with you." She says. I notice that she has a sort of pin on her dress. Now that I think about it, all of the other pages have it, too.

"Thanks, I look forward to spending time with you guys, too."

"Head of your own council at... how old are you again?"

"19."

"Not even before your roaring 20's." Alexandria nods knowingly.

"That's one way to put it." I say. I look around a little while when Alexandria continues talking to David, and I catch Emma standing and talking with Mikah, both of their medals shining. I walk over, only to catch them mid conversation.

"Hi." I say when I'm standing next to them. Let it be known that I want to maybe see if I can get Emma away from Mikah.

"Hi, Canada." Emma says, quickly wrapping me in a tight hug. "Enjoying you first grand ball?" She asks when we break away.

"Yeah, but the night is still young."

I don't want to lie to Emma, but I don't want er near Mikah either. Maybe he's learned from what he did to me, though. Either way, I need to keep my eye on that boy... or I guess man.

"Congratulations on becoming a Head Councilwoman." Mikah says, sounding like he belongs in some colonial movie.

"Thank you." I smile a little bit.

A slow song comes over the hall and people begin to get onto the dance floor. David and Alexandria are practically running onto the floor, and Abigail and Matthias join the mix.

"Head Councilwoman Canada, do you dance?"

"Not really." I say. Or should I say, not with you.

"Your adoptive sister and I share an ability, I can make you dance if you'd like."

"That won't really be necessary."

"Then you'll join me for this waltz?" He extends his hand. I glance over at Emma, who's giving me two thumb up, and a look that says "Do it" Since Mikah's back is turned to her, he says none of this.

"Sure." I say, begrudgingly taking his hand, and joining him out on the dance floor. All of us join in, performing the same choreographed dance.

"I can sense that you are still mad at me." Mikah says in a low enough voice that only he and I can hear.

"Wonder why." I fight off the urge to roll my eyes.

"So, I would like to offer my sincerest of apologies to you. I was out of line, completely."

"You were. You told everyone that I was going to be a page."

"I know, it wasn't right, I was getting ahead of myself."

"Completely." I roll my eyes.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" He looks me in the eyes with his two orbs. They remind me of Gayle's, but Mikah can only wish to have as nice looking eyes as Gayle. Wait, what? However, when I look at him, I can't help but see the sorrow he has in his eyes. They tug on my heart strings.

"No. What you did was not your best moment, nor will it ever be." I watch as he slowly looks down. "But I do forgive you."

He slowly looks up, a big grin on his face. Not quite as nice as Gayle's though. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Thank you also for, not reporting this to high officials."

"It's nothing."

"Trust me, it's everything. It would have been the silver bullet for me."

Fun fact: A sharp item, usually a knife or a bullet, is the only way to kill a vampire. And, it as to be straight through a vital organ, like an intestine or a heart.

"They would've killed you for spreading a lie?"

"Spreading a lie about an esteemed guest, taking said esteemed guest to a snowball fight, and taking her phone."

"I see." I nod my head a little bit. We continue on with the waltz. We execute every spin and step, and leave each other when it's done. "Thanks for getting me out onto the dance floor."

"Anytime."