teen angst

April 2041 - George Gaunt is 62, Edward and Kaylynn Gaunt are 35, Cassiopeia is 12, Bellatrix and Regulus are 9, Sirius is 6.

Cassiopeia is sure that Arcadia is the most boring place ever. She's twelve this year, and in the seventh grade at Arcadia High School, and she still doesn't have anything better to gossip about than her little brother Sirius!

"He's such a baby," she tells her mother.

Her mother just sighs. "You should be nice to your brother," she says automatically. She knows it won't do any good.

"Can you believe she's in high school?" George muses. "It seems like only yesterday she was learning to walk."

"I know," Edward agrees. But he feels bad for his oldest child. He knows how lonely it can be to grow up in Arcadia with no one your own age around. It didn't matter so much when she was younger, but now that she's a teenager she hates living here.

Luckily, Sirius doesn't care what his big sister says about him. He hardly ever plays with his older brother and sisters; he's happy as long as he can spend his time playing the piano.

Bellatrix and Regulus are more interesting, but they aren't that interested in playing with their big sister either. Mostly they like spending time together, even though they don't really have anything in common. Bellatrix is a serious girl who likes playing chess, while Regulus is a sweet boy who loves playing outside with the dogs.

"Regulus! You have to think logically," she scolds him.

Regulus just wants the game to be over soon so they can play in the backyard.

She ends up spending a lot of time with her grandfather playing golf. He teaches her to putt using his old Execuputter. "You're a natural," he tells her. "Golf is an important skill for a businessman to have."

It's Kaylynn's idea that Cassiopeia should start playing a soccer. "You like sports," she says, "and it'll be a good way to meet new people."

"Eww," Cassiopeia complains, "what if I break a nail?"

But there isn't a lot to do in Arcadia, and Cassiopeia is surprised by how much she likes playing soccer, how satisfying it is to beat the defenders and kick a perfect goal. She's always been driven and competitive, and sports turn out to be the perfect outlet for that. Plus the soccer helps her stay in good shape. Between golf and soccer, it's easier to stay entertained, but she still can't wait until she can leave home and go to college.