You know, Wind commented the moment Jack woke up the next morning, you never tried to figure out what me and Baby are here for.

Jack yawned, stretching as he sat up. "Wait, I can't think this early in the morning," he muttered sleepily, already dozing off.

Jack! It's already six-thirty, Baby pointed out, loud and clear in the teen's still foggy mind. You're supposed to be up anyway, Jack!

"Can't I sleep for a few more minutes?" Jack mumbled, but he knew it was useless to ask.

Wind proved this by saying, Shower first, then you can take a nap after you get ready for school.

You're not really gonna get rid of us, right? Baby blurted out suddenly, surprising Jack.

He tilted his head, considering it. "If I could? Maybe..." He trailed off, seeing Baby's disappointed look. "I really don't know." I'm sorry.

Baby bit her lip, looking at her feet. As she looked up to reply, she froze when Onyx appeared, fuming quietly to herself. While Onyx was distracted, Baby quickly escaped from the room. Jack wondered if she was okay.

What's up, Onyx? Wind asked her lightly, smiling politely at her.

She scowled at him. Drop dead, Wind, she snarled at him.

Wind didn't seem fazed by her attitude. You should try being more positive, he said calmly. I've heard it helps people be less grumpy. Why don't you try smiling a little more sometimes, Onyx? Maybe Baby wouldn't be so terrified of you.

Onyx glared at him. I don't want to deal with any of you idiots this early in the morning, she growled at him, then stormed away.

Wind sighed, shaking his head. The reason Mr. Lunar wants us to talk is so that we can learn to get along and accept each other, he told Jack softly. This isn't getting along. We have to compromise somehow.

"Compromise? With her?" Jack sent Wind an incredulous look. "How do you think that will go?"

If we put in a real effort? Perfectly. Wind looked curiously at Jack, who was passing by with a bundle of clothes and a towel. Hang on a moment, Jack. Don't forget what I said about trying to talk to Jamie.

"I don't think it'll change anything," the teen said quietly, "but I'll talk to him if I see him."

Good. Wind clapped his hands together, looking around. Where's - ?

WIND! Baby shrieked, causing Jack to wince.

Oh, there she is. The oldest voice turned around as Baby nearly flew into his arms. Good morning, Baby.

Not a good morning! She's trying to murder me! the younger voice was telling him as Jack slipped out of the room. He tuned the following conversation out as he headed to the bathroom, sighing softly at the silence.

But at the end of the hallway was Onyx, leaning against a wall with her eyes closed and arms loosely crossed over her chest. At first glance, her posture seemed relaxed and casual, but as Jack approached he noticed her tense shoulders and clenched jaw.

Found Baby's would-be murderer, he thought to himself, half-expecting a reply anyway. When none came, he couldn't help asking the nightmare teasingly, "You asleep?"

No. The nightmare's eyes opened slightly, and she watched him warily. Don't ask me for some heart-to-heart speech, Jaclyn. My heart's made of sand, stone and darkness.

"If you even have one," he replied with a smirk, "but ten points for being poetic. And c'mon, Onyx, heart-to-heart speeches are always fun."

She rolled her eyes lazily and closed them again. Watch it, Jaclyn.

"Or what?" Jack stood in front of her and crossed his arms to mimic her stance, but he also leaned forward to annoy her even more. "Wind wouldn't let you hurt me."

Onyx's eyes remained shut. There are things even Wind can't protect you from.

Something about her casual way of saying it made Jack stop and stare at her. "Like what?" he finally asked, dropping his arms to his sides.

Looks like we'll have to wait and see, doesn't it? And then she opened her eyes and smiled humorlessly at him. Scared yet, Jackson?

"No," he said defiantly and walked into the bathroom. "Stay out here."

Like anyone would want to see you naked! She snorted as the door was closed and locked. You're too sick-looking. And you wonder why people avoid you so much.

Analyze what they say, right? Jack looked at himself in the mirror. Does she mean...that I should be healthier? Or try to be? Or was she just making fun of me? He had no idea.

After a quick shower, Jack quickly finished getting ready and was running down the stairs when he tripped and stumbled forward, barely managing to catch himself before he fell down but not before slamming his elbow into the railing. Hissing in pain, Jack tried to straighten up and rub his arm to bring back some feeling to the suddenly numb limb.

"That hurt!" he exclaimed with a grimace.

I didn't do it! Baby interjected quickly, and Jack blinked at her, confused.

"Do what?"

Push you, Wind said, sounding concerned as he appeared. Are you alright?

"Yeah," the teenager said, but his arm still ached dully. "What happened?"

Baby pointed out helpfully, Your shoe was untied.

Tripping on loose laces from untied shoes happens all the time, Onyx stated flatly, not even bothering to look at Jack and the other voices. Usually it happens to small children, so we shouldn't have expected Jaclyn to tie them himself. Tilting her head back, she smirked at the oldest voice. Isn't that right, Wind? It's your job, isn't it?

I think, Wind said softly, you should leave him alone, Onyx. To Jack, he added, You should get going. You don't wanna be late, do you?

As much as Jack wanted to ask Wind about Onyx's comment, he had to admit that the voice was right; if he didn't leave now, he would probably miss his bus. So he ran and hoped he made it on time. As he arrived at the bus stop, Jack noticed Bunny sitting on the curb, hunched, over something in his lap.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked him curiously, sitting beside the older teen and looking over at the sketch pad Bunny was working on.

Bunny hardly glanced at him as he finished sketching something on the paper. "Drawing a quick rough draft for my project. One of the guys at the high school offered to be a model, so I'm tryin' to see how it'll look before I start it."

Jack blinked at the detail of the picture. Although it was just a "quick" sketch, it was clear that it was supposed to be an older teen dressed in a loose, black and grey striped shirt and dark pants. The teen's dark hair was pushed back, and his lightly shaded eyes reminded Jack of Onyx, who suddenly appeared and stared intently at the picture.

"It looks great," Jack told Bunny, impressed. "What are you doing for the background?"

The older teen shrugged. "Not sure yet. This guy - Pitch - said I should try something that would counter the dark colors, but I haven't decided yet."

"Wait, if he's in your class," Jack said slowly, unsure, "then why is he helping you?"

"He's in a Photography class," Bunny explained, frowning at the sketch thoughtfully. "And he's already done with his project."

We should meet him, Onyx commented suddenly, leaning forward to look at the sketch closely.

Wind had appeared and tilted his head at Onyx. Meet who? The guy in the picture?

Yeah, Onyx replied, still looking at the drawing. He looks familiar, doesn't he?

Jack ignored them and started to ask Bunny another question when he noticed his bus down the street. Great, he sighed, standing up. "My bus is here, so... See ya, 'roo!" Jack called over his shoulder to Bunny with a grin as the bus stopped a few feet away.

Bunny grumbled under his breath at the nickname, but Jack didn't notice as he climbed on the bus and found an empty seat.

Baby spoke up, appearing in the aisle. Hey, Wind, have you seen him before?

Pitch? Wind looked at the younger girl as he sat down beside Jack. Yeah, me and Jack have seen him before, once or twice.

We have? Jack tried to keep his expression blank, just so no one could catch him making any odd faces. He'd been given strange looks while talking to the voices many times because of it. When? Where?

A couple of years ago, remember? He was some kind of volunteer at a marathon that you raced in. Wind frowned thoughtfully. Now that I think about it... He worked with some of the sponsors or something. I think.

Jack stared out the window. Marathon? Wait - He remembered now. Oh! I know which one you're talking about now. He almost smiled but quickly suppressed it. That explains why the name sounds familiar...but why does Onyx wanna meet him anyway?

Who knows? Wind shook his head. Where is Onyx?

Onyx? She left earlier. Baby peeked over the back of their seat at them. Wind smiled kindly at her, but Jack resisted the urge to look at her. Why? Think she's up to something?

I don't think so, Wind said slowly, but then he shrugged. It doesn't matter. She can't do anything, not with the way we are.

The way we are? Jack echoed, closing his eyes. What's that supposed to mean?

But Wind's only response was a startled yelp before he vanished after someone sat on him.

Number one thing to hate about being invisible! Baby said ruefully, also disappearing. Nobody ever cares or respects you!

Jack tried not to smile sympathetically and looked out the window at the passing scenery.

You still haven't figured out what we're here for, have you? Wind asked as Jack got off the bus.

No. Why won't you just tell me? he asked, making his way through the crowd of students.

Baby appeared, walking quickly to keep up. Because it's no fun if we tell you now! Plus, she added, deflating a little, it's not exactly something we're aware of ourselves.

...You're not? It hadn't occurred to him that maybe they didn't know either.

Well, Wind probably knows, Baby amended slowly, and the two glanced at the voice in question, who nodded once to confirm their thoughts. And we already know why Onyx is here... But I never really knew.

Alright. Jack took a deep breath. Let me guess. You look and sound just like my sister, but you act a lot like Tooth and constantly worry about me... So... He frowned slightly. What does it mean?

"Jack!"

Looks like your time's up, Wind commented, and Jack looked around for whoever had called him. Remember what we talked about last night?

Jamie ran up to the older teen, grinning. "Hey!"

"Hey, Jamie," Jack greeted him, smiling. "You're in a good mood, huh?"

"I guess?" the boy laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. "Me and my friends are sitting over there - " He pointed at a picnic table with five other kids just outside the cafeteria. "You wanna come sit with us?"

Jack was too surprised to answer. "Um - " He shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to respond.

Jamie's smile wavered. "Unless you already have somewhere else to sit -?"

Jack! Wind elbowed him.

You said to talk to him! The teen almost shook his head, but he stopped himself. You never said anything about sitting with him AND his friends!

I said try making friends, the voice reminded him, exasperated. That actually requires hanging out with them, Jack.

" - fine if you don't wanna be seen with a bunch of kids," the younger boy was saying with a nervous smile.

Just try it this one time, Wind told him. If it doesn't work out, then you can blame me and at least say that you tried.

Fine! Jack relented, saying out loud with a cheerful smile, "No, it's fine. Lead the way."

Jamie brightened up quickly and nearly dragged the older teen to the table. "C'mon, I'll introduce you!"

"This Pippa, Monty, Claude, Caleb, and Cupcake." As Jamie said his friends' names, they waved to Jack and greeted him politely. "Guys, this is Jack."

"Hey." Jack grinned, and that was the extent of his socialization. Wind, help! But Wind didn't speak up. Desperate, Jack blurted out the first thing he could think of. "So, uh...what grade are you guys in?"

"Sixth," Pippa answered as Jamie and Jack sat down. "What about you?"

"Eighth." Seeing the younger students' surprised expressions, Jack added jokingly, "Yeah, I know, I'm old!"

Monty and the twins laughed, and Pippa and Cupcake rolled their eyes. Jamie smiled, relieved that everyone was getting along.

"You're not that old," Cupcake assured him, tapping her pencil on her homework.

Jack started to relax. "Yeah, guess you're right."

"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Jamie asked him curiously. "Monty and me were about to get in line if you wanna come with us."

Jack hesitated, then decided that it wouldn't hurt. "Sure. I'll go."

"What should we get? They have burritos, pizza, and..." Monty stood on his tip-toes to see over the shoulders of the other students. "Cereal."

"I'm okay with cereal," Jamie offered, already knowing that there was cereal in every line. The two younger boys looked at Jack, who had seemed distracted. "Jack? What do you want to eat?"

"What?" Jack blinked at them. "Oh. Um, I don't really eat breakfast."

"What?" Jamie and Monty looked so scandalized, Jack had to keep himself from laughing. "Seriously?"

He shrugged. "Yeah."

"But you eat lunch, right?"

Jack shook his head, not thinking that it was a big deal. "No, not really."

Jamie and Monty stared at him. Who skips breakfast and lunch?

"But you have to eat something!" Monty told him, and Jack realized that he was actually worried about him. "Are you sure you don't want anything?"

Jamie glanced at the breakfast lines. I can get an apple or something for him. "If you don't want to eat breakfast, then I can grab an apple or an orange for you. You can eat it later as a snack."

Jack hesitated. But they shouldn't have to share their food with me.

Just take it.

Wind? You know I can't do that - Are you even listening?

But the voice had been so faint that Jack wondered if he had even heard him. Still, it sounded like something Wind would have said. So Jack gave up. "Yeah, okay. Thanks, Jamie."

AN: I'm back! Sorry for the long wait (and the short chapter)! I'll try to start updating every week or so from now on, but I can't make any promises. Eventually, I'll edit the first three chapters and start working on my other stories again. Also, I might stop replying to reviews after each chapter. I'll start replying through messages (if it works this time), unless you're a guest. Maybe. But for now...

To FanFicCriTicTheThird - Don't worry, I do the same thing sometimes. And yeah, it was kinda weird, huh? It's probably because the story's kind of unusual. Sorry, I paired them up mostly for convenience. And I mentioned Pitch in this chapter! :) Hopefully he'll make a real appearance in later chapters.

To Wilona Riva - I'm glad. :) Thanks.

To Cat Lunanoff - (spoilers) I hadn't meant for him to be like Nightlight, but yeah, he kinda is. :) And you're right about all of them, actually. I'll be trying to go more in-depth with each of them later, so I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. :) Thank you for your review, and it wasn't rude at all; it actually helped me start and finish this chapter. :) Sorry for the long wait!

To Darkflower123 - I'm glad you think so. :) Thanks!

To thejellyfish99 - I'm glad you love it. Thanks! :)