I was not happy but I was at peace. I'd finally decided to take charge of my own destiny. I was sixteen and that was a huge problem.

Mr. Xavier smoothed the way once he knew what I needed, or demanded was more like it. His lips twitched after that talk. It was the closest I'd come to a smile when he wasn't with Madison and Brightly.

I had to be emancipated. It required a judge. In less than a week it happened. Financials were turned over to me and I spent another week ...