Jonathan and I made it to Port Harbor and walked together to the previous building we went to when I arrived on campus. We were the only ones getting inside the transportation cube, and in a matter of moments, we were back in Ohio. Walking out of the cube, it was completely dark outside, and Jonathan and I walked together in silence until we made it to the trailer park.

Standing outside, I noticed the pickup truck wasn't around. My dad could've been having a late night at the bar, which wasn't common, but it wasn't unusual either. No lights were on in the house, which really confused me. Going to the door, I knocked and waited, but no one ever answered. I set my bag down and rummaged through it until I found a key.

Stepping inside, I noticed the smell of my house. It smelled like a cinnamon candle but with hints of tobacco. It was pitch dark inside. I had to turn on a light. "Mom! Dad! Are either of you home?" I could only hear silence except for the hum of the refrigerator.

I saw a sheet of paper at the center of the dining room table.

Dear Rollie,

I feel like I'm wasting my time writing this note, as you probably changed your mind and won't be coming home for Thanksgiving. But, just in case you do stop by the house, I'm afraid your father and I have already gone to Aunt Millie's house. She invited us to come over early, and your father and I were able to take time off work. I really doubt you'll read this letter, but if you do, the choice is yours. You can magically fly to Aunt Millie's if you really want to come, or if you'd rather just stay at school, I'm sure you can do that too. In fact, I recommend that. Your dad has been rather upset about your decision, and to be perfectly honest, it's getting a little to me too. Mainly because we never hear from you. People will ask me at Thanksgiving how you're doing, and I don't know how to answer that honestly. You've been gone for 2 months, and I have no idea if you're happy or sad or if you even still care about home. I shouldn't even extend you the courtesy of writing this letter if you come home since you haven't done the same for us, but I'm happy to be the bigger and more mature person.

-Mom

I had to read the letter a second time because I didn't believe it at first.

"Rollie? You okay? Is anyone home?" Jonathan said as he stepped inside the house.

"They've abandoned me,” I uttered.

"What are you talking about?"

I showed him the letter. Jonathan frowned but said, "Rollie, it's no trouble to take you to your aunt’s house. I can pull out a map if you know where your aunt lives, and we can use the teleportation––“

"Don't even worry about it." I grabbed the letter from his hands, ripped it up, and threw the remnants on the table. "I think I'd rather go stay on campus."

Jonathan pursed his brow. "Are you sure about that? It's really no trouble at all to transport somewhere––"

"I already had doubts about coming here. Let's just go back to campus." I sighed. "But before we leave, I just want to check one thing." I walked out of the living room and down the small hallway to my old bedroom. It was littered with piles of clothes. My parents were treating it like their own private closet.

Jonathan and I took a late boat across Port Harbor to get back to Attleton. It was strange being on campus with no one around. Jonathan escorted me back to my building, and I went to my bedroom and fell asleep. At least I would have the campus mostly to myself. I could practice my fire bolts all day Wednesday if I really wanted.

Back in my dorm, my roommate and my suitemates were gone. It felt a little lonesome, But I also had an opportunity to do something I hadn't done in a while. Play my albums on my vinyl record player. I turned the light on in my room and blasted the speakers at full volume to The Ramones.

It was invigorating and freeing to bob my head and do some studying. I felt it would drive most people crazy to try and focus while music blasted in their ears, but it worked for me. The following morning I went to the dining hall and had breakfast. Seeing the vast room and only a handful of older students sitting at tables, eating their meals, and studying their books was weird. I wondered why they didn't go home or what their lives were like. Jonathan and Principal Pine were the only two people I saw go into the staff dining room. Jonathan made eye contact, and he came over to my table.

"Rollie, I have something for you." Jonathan reached into his cloak and pulled out an envelope

I opened the letter.

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Hi Rollie,

I know we talked about you coming over to my parent's house for Autumn Break. I wanted to let you know that in case things didn't work out in your home world, I asked my parents, and they said you could stay with us for the break. You'd really like my parents. Everyone always tells me they're some of the coolest people around.

Here's my address:

3019 Duly Lane Hartsera

Stop by whenever. I hope Jonathan can get you this letter in time! Sorry if he doesn't.

Love, Farrah.

After reading such an infuriating letter last night, this one put a smile on my face.

"Jonathan, can you take me to this address here?" I pointed at the paper and showed it to Johnathan.

"That won't be a problem at all. When would you like to go?"

"As soon as we possibly can."

Jonathan nodded and told me to meet him back at the Clock Tower when I packed up. We left campus via boat an hour later and took the ship to Port Harbor once again. The island of Port Harbor was busy on Tuesday night, but it was even more alive on Wednesday in the middle of the afternoon. Many mages and gargoyles crowded the streets, trying to get from one place to another. We stayed in our area and went to another dock taking ships to Hartsera. The boat we took was the same massive size as the one I took to Port Harbor the day before. Arriving on the island of Hartsera, I noticed the horizon reminded me of Attleton. Except there were thousands of colonial row houses and a few industrial-looking towers near the back.

I sat at the front of the cabin with Jonathan, looking out the wide open window to see the full view of the city.

"As you can tell, this is a popular city where many people live," Jonathan said.

"Sorry to drag you out here just to have to go back to campus. That's a lot of riding around for you," I said.

"Don't worry about it. I actually have some business I have to tend to anyways."

I studied Jonathan's face, he had a slight frown and his eyes opened a little more. His knee started bouncing quickly.

"What kind of business?"

"I'm not sure if you remember the woman who was the Winderon for your first trip to campus, Genevieve. But she and I, you may have noticed, had a rapport with each other, and so I will be visiting her."

"So she's your girlfriend, huh?" I smirked.

Jonathan chortled to himself. "I guess you could say that, but I don't know. I'd rather not talk about it."

"Why?"

"You remind me of a nosy toddler," Jonathan said, but he had a smile on his face.

"That still doesn't answer my question."

"There's just a line between a staff member's private life and school life, you understand?"

"I'm just messing around with you." I grinned.

"You know, Rollie, you're a good kid. I feel like you could be my younger sibling. I have an older brother, but we never really clicked or joked around like you or me. And I care about you too. That story you told me about getting into a fight with your dad. Sorry for bringing it up again, but I just wanted to thank you for telling me. You can always tell me anything. It's all safe with me."

I was surprised to hear him say all that, and I couldn't help but feel a little emotional and choked up. "Of course," I uttered as my eyes brimmed.

The boat arrived in Hartsera, and we anchored at the dock. Stepping off the boat, Jonathan escorted me to a little station with trolleys going in and out, operated by no one. Magically traveling throughout the maze of colonial row houses. I thought I had gone back in time to the late 18th century. Even the trolley cars had white trim and a base of red brick. It was dusk, and soft lights glowed from the living rooms of the houses we passed. I couldn't believe that people remembered where they lived. It felt like a never-ending maze.

Our trolley cart made a stop, and then Jonathan led me outside. We walked a block, and he kept checking the addresses of the houses. All of them had the same bold white letters above the doors. I couldn't tell if I disliked the conformity of the neighborhood or if I loved it. All of the houses were two stories and beautiful. Then we entered a district with three-story row houses, and those ones had more style to them. Variations with the frames of windows, some had turrets jutting out, and others had peaked windows at the top. But Jonathan said we went too far and walked back to a two-story row house.

"This is the house right here," Jonathan said.

Butterflies swirled around in my stomach.

Jonathan looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "Well? Aren't you going to knock?"

I gulped. "Are you sure this is the right house?"

Jonathan laughed. "I'm so certain of it. I'll knock on the door myself." Jonathan walked up the steps and gently rapped on the door.

It swung open, and a tall, lanky guy with big circle glasses beamed at us. "Hello! How can I help you, gents?"

"I'm the head counselor at Attleton, and I'm bringing Farrah's friend, Rollie, here since he was invited by this letter."

"Hello, sir," I said as I handed the letter to the man.

"Yes, yes, I'm Farrah's father. Always loved the alliteration of that. Farrah's father. Anyways! Let me see this letter!" His voice turned sour at the end. He read the whole thing and glared. "And you're Rollie? A boy? A boy? A BOY!"

My chest collapsed, and I tried to form words, but nothing came out.

Farrah's father glared at me for a few frightening seconds and then cracked up. "I'm just messing with you. Farrah told me all about you, Rollie. Please! Both of you, come on in, have a drink, and have some snacks. We've got plenty for you." Her father took a step back, and I entered the house.

Jonathan stood outside and cleared his throat. "Sorry, but I must get going and tend to other matters this evening."

"At least have a cup of water before you go. You brought this fellow all the way out here from Attleton. You may as well stay a few minutes."

"That's all right. I must get going. Give Farrah my best, and have a wonderful Autumn Holiday."

Farrah's father closed the door behind me after I exchanged goodbyes with Jonathan. He turned back around and hugged me, I was startled, but it was pleasant to receive.

"Sorry, I'm a hugger. Please, feel free to call me Jack. It's a pleasure to meet you, Rollie. Welcome to our house. Let me take your bag for you, and I'll show you where your room is." I handed my bag to Jack, and he ran up a staircase, and I followed him.