~~~~~
I stuck to my room the rest of the afternoon to try and avoid my family. I got all my homework caught up for the entire week and a couple of origami made, with the only interruption being another uncomfortable dinner. That night I had the same nightmares over again and became even more sleep deprived than usual. I didn't know who to ask for help - Jack was gone, Mom was gone, and Dad was on edge. I really needed a bigger network of support, but who was I going to turn to? Mr. Anders? While I appreciated that I could talk to him, I didn't know how I was going to bring up the subject. And what if it was normal for Jack to disappear for days at a time? I would just end up embarrassing myself and continuing the perception that I had a thing for Jack. While I'm sure Nathaan-ell would be more than welcoming for me to turn to, I knew that it would be less to help solve my emotional problems and more to take me on as his current "challenge".
I had felt alone a couple of times over the last few weeks, but never like this. Before this it had been me just whining about all the new things I was finding out about myself and my family and the people or creatures around me. I was alone in that I was unique for a teenage girl, what with the affinity for fire and wardcrafting parents, but at least I had some people to talk to.
Now I was truly alone.