Caleb Calloway was silent during the entire flight. They had one stop, but didn't have to get off of the plane thank God. For 6 weeks, he gave his mother the silent treatment. His thirteen-year-old twin sisters, Claire and Charlotte, were aware of his vow of silence so they weren't fazed by it.

His mother, Margot Johns-Calloway, on the other hand was becoming rattled by it each day. As they began their descent into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport a wave of emotions flooded him. He couldn't believe everything that happened over the past two weeks.

The plan was for them to spend the summer in Los Angeles with their dad while their mom started her new job in Austin. June and July were supposed to be centered on paternal bonding. Caleb knew that really meant they would have freedom to do whatever they wanted.

His dad was never really adept to the role or duties that fatherhood called for. Charles Calloway was far too fun and cool to be a father. He was more of an Uncle Jesse type. Caleb would have a mom-free summer to express his anger and frustration about his current situation through his art.

He called it art. His mother and other conservatives called it vandalism. Graffiti was art and the best way he knew how to express himself. His Tamir Rice piece near Kendra's Bakery in Inglewood, California gained local news coverage for its "creative and poignant depiction of police brutality."

He was beyond ready to use last year's Christmas money to buy a new set of spray paint cans and get to work, but that didn't happen. Instead, Margot received a call from a competing Real Estate Agency that she initially turned down.

They were offering her double what she would be making, as well as, relocation coverage. The only complication with this impressive offer was that they needed her to be ready and working by end of June latest.

Again, Margot was showing her selfish colors, in Caleb's opinion, and took the offer to put her wants before her children's. Well, really before his. Claire and Charlie were still reeling from the fact that they would have their own rooms in the new house. He forgot how easy they were to please in comparison to the little sisters of his friends back home.

Back Home. Those two words saddened him more than he thought possible as the older flight attendant announced their arrival in the thickest Southern accent he had ever heard. It was as if his mother could read his mind as she sighed "Welcome Home!" He knew it was a ploy to get him to talk to her and he wasn't going to break that easy. He knew the silent treatment was childish, but he literally had nothing nice to say to her. At this point, it was all about principle.

"Mommy, how are we going to get to the new house?" One of his sisters sighed. "Yeah, Mom, is your company picking us up in a limo?" Claire and Charlie were identical twins. Not like the Olsen or Mowry twins who somewhat look alike, but if you stared hard enough you could tell which one was which. The doctors called them "mirror twins" and outside of little quirks that only family knew, no one could ever tell them apart. They loved that fact when they were younger and so did he. Caleb enjoyed using them to trick people.

"Actually," Margot smiled, "Patrick's coming to pick us up and he has a surprise for you guys." Great. Patrick, correctly known as, Patrick 'The Douche' Shepherd. He was Margot's boyfriend who thought he knew everything thanks to his military background, role and career as a successful security consultant.

He was annoyance personified and Caleb made sure he knew it every chance he got. The twins were kinder, so they tolerated him. They were cordial, but out of obligation not grace. Margot's grasp on Caleb's arm snapped him back to reality. "I hate that you're upset with me, Cal, but I need you to be on your best behavior. You can be angry with me all you want, but do not be rude to Patrick or his surprise." Caleb rolled his eyes as he thought, Great, so the surprise is a person.

"There you are," Patrick beamed as he rushed to greet them by baggage claim. Caleb could already see the suitcases they had stacked up where Patrick once stood. Margot was adamant that they have matching luggage whenever they traveled.

It further confirmed her obvious obsessive-compulsive disorder and need to control everything. She wasn't too thrilled when Caleb stenciled and painted all over his once pristine beige suitcases. In the pile, he could see his black and red luggage sitting upright.

"Welcome to the Lonestar State, guys!" Claire and Charlie feigned a smile, while Caleb stared through him. Margot gave the girls a slight nudge and shot Caleb a stare that would've come paired with a slap if it could. "I'm sure y'all are hungry, so we'll grab some dinner before heading to the house." He smiled. "I want to introduce you guys to someone before we go. Gang, meet my daughter, Parker."

"Daughter!" Claire and Charlie exclaimed at the exact same time. They hated when they did that, because it prompted demands from perfect strangers for them to do more "twin things." The look of sheer confusion on their faces was worth a thousand words, but the awkwardness between Margot, Patrick and Parker was priceless.

In that instant, Caleb could hear it before he could stop himself. The laugh came barreling out uncontrolled. It was a deep laugh – the kind that forms in your stomach and only occurs absolutely unexpected. When he was finally able to compose himself, Caleb could tell Margot wasn't happy at the reason for his laughter, but was glad to hear it nonetheless.

He didn't know whether it was the needed laugh or the blatant discomfort between everyone else, but Caleb decided to be cordial. He knew he wasn't doing it for his mom and definitely not Patrick, but he felt bad for his sisters and the new girl.

"Hey Parker, I'm Caleb and these are my sisters Claire and Charlie." As Margot talked while they rounded up their bags, the twins and Caleb learned that Parker was a year older than the twins. Caleb found this hard to believe. She looked a few years younger than them, but he quickly accessed that this was probably due to her tomboy appearance.

Her strawberry blonde hair was tied back into a messy ponytail and buried underneath a Texas Rangers baseball cap. Her white washed jeans were loose and paired with Converse tennis shoes and a baseball tee. This look was distinctly opposite in comparison to the twins who prided themselves on being little fashionistas. Caleb knew that until that very moment, the twins hadn't really thought about how different life would be outside of LA. This was going to be fun.

They met Patrick nine months after their parents had divorced. Neither mentioned Patrick having a daughter, but judging by how quickly Parker flocked to Margot it was apparent they knew about each other. Patrick and their mom met at a conference in Phoenix, Arizona where they were guest speakers.

Caleb never understood how a conference would require a security consultant and a real estate expert together, but Margot would just smile and say, "It was obviously fate." Almost two years later and they were still going strong. Initially, they planned on attacking Patrick 'Parent Trap' style, but he was resilient to say the least.

Eventually, the twins warmed up to him, but Caleb wasn't easily fooled. He knew that whatever was going on between his mom and douchebag wouldn't last, but now that they were on Patrick's territory Caleb had to figure out how to snap some sense into his mom before it was too late. "So, what do you think?" Caleb once again snapped back to the present.

"Huh?" Caleb looked at Patrick confused. He had mastered the art of tuning him out. "The restaurant. What do you think of the restaurant? They have great steak and lobster here." Patrick was so eager for affirmation and approval it was disgusting. Caleb was oftentimes indifferent about what the war between them was about or how it truly got started, but at this point, again, it was about principle.

"Longhorn's Finest. Interesting." Caleb tried to refrain from laughing at the specks of hope that shamelessly formed on Patrick's face. This is too easy. "It's interesting..." he continued. "You know, considering the fact that Claire is a vegetarian and Charlie is allergic to seafood."

If you looked up the word dread in the dictionary you'd find Patrick's face at that very moment right next to it. The Douche - 0, Caleb - 2 (one for each twin of course). The twins, God bless them, were right on queue like the good old days. Claire began to make queasy faces and gag noises as she looked at nearby plates. Charlie immediately scratched her arm just enough to give Patrick slight palpitations. He looked frightened as his eyes dashed from Margot to the twins and back to Margot.

Caleb began to smile at himself until he noticed Parker. She hadn't really spoken to them since the airport and other than talking to Patrick and Margot, Caleb would've thought she had her own silent vow. Parker was a great observer. She watched the twins react and their parents' reactions and then her eyes locked with Caleb's.

She smiled in recognition of his tactic and went back to observing and eating a slice of the complimentary bread. He wasn't sure if he imagined it or not, but getting any type of thumbs up from Patrick's own daughter was telling in itself.

Dinner went by rather quick after the antics. Everyone was eager to get to the new house, especially Caleb. Charles had promised to get state of the art movers to replicate his room from Los Angeles in Austin. Caleb wasn't holding his breath thanks to his father's track record, but he was slightly hopeful that he would at least come through on this one.

As they pulled into the half-circle driveway in front of the house, Caleb couldn't deny the house's beauty. Margot, being an extraordinary real estate agent, prided herself on providing her clients with the best and in this instance her clients were her kids.

The sun was setting, so they didn't get to really admire the landscape and architecture like Margot hoped. They did however, have the interior to be amazed with. The three-story house looked bigger on the inside than its exterior let on.

There were windows everywhere with modern furniture and decor throughout the first floor. The living room was large and open, but led into a welcoming den that connected to a wide dining area. The kitchen had its own wing on the first floor, which wasn't a surprise due to his mother's love of cooking and baking. He liked what he saw so far, but would never let his face show it. The girls were eager to go upstairs and see their rooms, but Margot wanted to talk first. Shocker.

"Girls, you can go find your rooms when we're done. I had them decorate it just like we discussed in LA." Margot smiled as she watched her teens bubble with excitement. She looked over to Caleb and sighed the deepest sigh he'd ever heard. It was in that moment that Caleb could see just how exhausted his mother was by all of this.

"Caleb, I know the move has been hard on you. I know that Texas U wasn't your first choice..." Caleb chuckled and muttered, "Like I ever had a choice." Margot's eyes narrowed. "You were on the waiting list there, but Patrick and I were able to speak to some people at the college and you've been accepted."

Caleb looked at his mother confused. When he got his waiting list letter it took everything in him not to break out into his Pharrell inspired Happy dance. He never wanted to move to Texas - let alone go to a university there. He was going to work while in Texas for that semester and wait on his acceptance to California State University for the spring. He had a plan. It was solid. He wasn't worried - until now.

"What do you mean I've been accepted?" Caleb could feel his fist clenching. "You're a brilliant kid, Cal, and I knew that news of the divorce was getting in the way of you giving your all academically. We talked to some advisors and officials at the school and you've been accepted provided you attend their Freshman Festival and start classes this summer."

Margot rushed that last part out with the last bit of strength she could assemble. What is happening? Caleb tried to understand what his mother just spewed.

"Look, son, they have an amazing summer program at Texas University. You will be able to live on campus and get better acquainted and ahead of the game before fall starts," Patrick smiled. I think I should punch him now. Caleb reasoned as his knuckles turned white. "I am NOT your son! You and my mom can live in your own Southern style fantasy world, but do NOT intervene in MY life!" Caleb snapped standing up from the all white leather sofa.

"I didn't ask for this, Mom! I asked you for the summer. I begged you and you couldn't even give me that. You were so ready to get your Happily Ever After with Inspector Douchebag here that you never stopped to think about what I wanted!" He yelled. "But regardless you'll still get what you want, right? In a few weeks I'll be out of the way!"

Caleb didn't even know when he left them. He remembered his last words, Charlie, Claire and even Parker's matching facial expressions, and hearing his mother begin to cry as he walked away. Now, he was standing in his ACTUAL room. His dad had delivered and he was grateful.

The one good thing about the house is that it had a basement and his room took up more than half of it. Caleb was convinced that was his mother's real estate agent way of apologizing. It was basically an apartment, which he would have loved. But after tonight, he knew he wouldn't have enough time to appreciate it or grow attached.

"You okay?" The voice startled Caleb. It wasn't familiar. Parker. He watched as the gangly teenager made her way in. "I don't really feel like talking." Caleb scowled looking back at his phone. The Texas U website stated that the freshman orientation, Fish Fest, was starting this Saturday. He didn't even have a full week before he had to be on campus.

Granted, he graduated the first week of May, so technically he had already had over a month off, but that was beside the point. "I get it," Parker sighed still standing in the room. "But don't you think you were a little harsh towards your mom."

Caleb eyed her suspiciously. They weren't friends, so he was in no mood for banter or a lecture. If it was one of his sisters, maybe, but they knew him and knew he liked to be alone to stew and brood. "What do you want, Parker? You don't know anything about me or my family!"

It sounded harsher than he intended. "You're right. I don't, but that doesn't mean what you said or did was right. Your mom was just trying to be helpful. Moving when you're in high school is different. It's easier. But college is the real world and you've got to figure things out on your own. She did all the hard work for you and you just ragged on her."

Caleb sighed. She may have a point, but that's not going to stop me from throwing her on my list of People to Hate. "You don't have any right..." Parker raised a hand to stop him. "I actually do. We all do. You think this move only affects you and that's selfish. The twins' lives have also been uprooted. My life has been uprooted. It sucks, but you don't see us carrying on and throwing temper tantrums like a toddler."

Caleb was speechless. Who the hell does she think she is? His face must have given away what he was thinking. "I may only be fourteen years old, but I've dealt with more crap than most. I know how much divorce sucks, so I'm sorry for that. But you have more than most people and should be grateful. Your mom has been the best thing that ever happened to my dad and judging by how happy she seems I can assume he does the same for her too."

Caleb noticed as Parker's face began to grow redder. "It's not like you can't talk to or visit your father whenever you want. And if all else fails, you could always get a job and figure things out on your own. So, grow up, quit being self-centered and just take solace in the fact that you have people around that genuinely care about your wellbeing."

The door slammed behind her as she stormed out. Caleb couldn't believe everything that was happening. The flood of emotions he felt now could be compared to a monsoon. He let each one wash over him as he tried to determine what it all meant. Anger. I'm not a kid anymore. Why couldn't Mom just talk to me about what she and Patrick were planning? Betrayal. Did Dad know about this plan? Did he even care? Did Mom even care that maybe he was acting out because he wasn't ready for all of this.

Sadness. All of my friends would be out now tagging before heading to the beach to talk about what college life would be like. Stephanie would probably be going on and on about the Fashion Merchandising program at USC to Tommy. Regret. I hadn't gotten in to USC and Mom knew that. I let my anger and the divorce get the best of me and threw away my junior and senior years. If they hadn't done what they'd done I probably wouldn't be going to college at all.

Caleb was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the faint knock on his door. When Charlie entered he was snapped back into reality. She looked so much like their father, which was fitting since she was named after him. Charlie and Claire shared their dad's dark brown hair, dimples, angled jaw and doe green eyes. Their mother hated the idea of a Jr., so she promised if they had a girl that she would name her Charlotte. Caleb thought she would change her mind since they ended up with identical twins, but she hadn't.

"You hear to lecture me to?" Charlie giggled at him. "No, although you did have it coming. Parker read you like a good book! I loved it." Caleb frowned at his sister's obvious delight. "Don't give me that face. You know darn well she was right about everything and YES I was outside listening."

Caleb couldn't help but let out the stifled chuckle. Charlie was never ashamed of her blatant disregard for the rules. She was very much so their father's daughter and rightful namesake. "Mom is still crying." Caleb sighed as he ran a hand through his long blond hair in an effort to shake the discomfort.

"Why are you so freaked by the whole thing? I mean you're going to college. You won't even be in this house with everyone!" Caleb looked at his sister confused. "What do you mean everyone?" Charlie sighed and shook her head. "Caleb, for someone so smart you really are dumb, you know that?" Charlie plopped onto the bed beside him.

"If you hadn't gone off into your crazed-man monologue you would've had time to sneak away with me and see that there are three bedrooms upstairs and the Master bedroom has both mom and Patrick's stuff in it." Caleb stared at her confused. "What are you talking about, Charlie?" She stared back at him like he should have caught on by now. "This isn't just our house, Caleb. This is OUR house." Charlie could see by his facial expression that the pieces were coming together. "Finally." She laughed picking up his iPad.

"Are you kidding me?" Caleb couldn't believe it. "You're in shock. I think I was too for a millisecond, but I realized it actually made sense. Mom and Dad have been divorced for a while, heck the last couple of years of the marriage was pitiful at best. Patrick and Mom have been together for two years. Mom is pushing 38, so if they want to try and have their own kid now is the time..."

Caleb tuned her out as he tried to process the information. Why am I really so upset? Mom isn't some old timer that doesn't get to have fun or live her own life. Parker was right. Patrick really does love her and makes it disgustingly obvious. I should be happy for them, but I'm not. Why?

"Earth to Caleb." Charlie snapped. "I didn't say this for you to wig out again – just for perspective. It's really not so bad and I think deep down you know that." She eyed him with a hint of pity and he hated it. Claire was the pre-Madonna of the two.

They were both evident products of the LA lifestyle in appearance, but that was all superficial when it came to Charlie. She was too smart for her own good and was aware of things even before those directly affected by it.

"You know, people expected news of the divorce to hit Claire and I the hardest. I don't know why it didn't," she sighed. "Maybe because you two are girls and could tell that Dad was never really cut out for the role of faithful husband and doting father." Caleb sighed looking up towards the ceiling. He could feel the familiar sting behind his eyes and refused to let his baby sister see him cry.

"It has been bad between them for years, Cal. Why are you holding on to all of it still? I mean, Parker was a bit rash in thinking she could clap-back at you like I can, but the little minx was right. It's their life. You're letting the negative feelings rob you." Caleb couldn't face her. Charlie was too aware and would read right through him.

They laid in silence for a little bit before she stood. "Look up the university and see what you can find out about it. I'm sure it's cool. I mean, it is college and you'll have schoolwork, but there will also be no parents or curfew." She smiled her contagious smile.

"Caleb you should totally take me up there this week to look. I did get you out of your unnecessary funk." He sat up. "What makes you think I'm not in a funk?" She called out as she left, "because you have a smirk on your face and Lord knows we haven't seen that in a while." I hate how observant she is. Caleb thought.

He searched the school's website and social media for everything Texas U. He couldn't deny the campus looked great and the pictures of female students were all pretty hot. Maybe it isn't ALL so bad.