June 1st, 2007; New York City, New York

Topanga Matthews sat on a park bench watching her daughter, Riley, run around with her friends Maya, Farkle, and Ruby. Skylar Santiago, Ruby's mother and a friend of Topanga's, sat down on the park bench.

"When are you leaving?" Topanga asked her friend, eyes glued to her six-year-old daughter.

"The flight takes off at ten pm," Skylar replied.

"Are you coming back?" Topanga questioned.

"I don't think so, Topanga," Skylar sighed. "Too many memories."

Topanga nodded, remembering the car accident that had taken the lives of Skylar's husband and youngest son. "What about Ruby?''

Skylar took a deep breath. "I don't know, Topanga," she said. Standing up she yelled, "Ruby! Time to go!"

"Bye guys!" Ruby called happily, running over to her mom.

"Bye Ruby!" Her friends responded.

"Goodbye Topanga," Skylar said sadly.

"Goodbye Skylar."

September 5ft, 2014; 10 pm; Paris, France

(Italics=translation)

Ruby POV:

"You can buy me diamond earrings and deny-ny-ny, ny-ny-ny, deny-ny, but I smell her on your collar, so goodbye-bye-bye, bye-bye-bye. I know you lie 'cause your lips are moving. Tell me; do you think I'm dumb? I might be young, but I ain't stupid!'' My phone blasted out my ringtone, Lips Are Movin' by Meghan Trainor, startling me.

"Bonjour? Hello?" I asked, picking up the phone.

"Ce est Ruby Santiago? Is this Ruby Santiago?" A male voice inquired.

"Oui. Yes."

"Mademoiselle, je suis desole de vous informer que votre mere a passe loin dans un accident de voiture. Miss, I am sorry to inform you that your mother has past away in a car accident." The man said. "Selon sa volonté , vous êtes de se déplacer à New York avec la famille vol quitte demain. According to her will, you are to move to New York City with the Matthews family. Your flight leaves tomorrow." The phone clicked from the other side, signaling that the man had hung up.

Unshed tears pooled in my eyes as I stared at the phone screen. A mix of emotions pooled inside of me and I screamed in frustration, throwing my phone at the door. As I got up to get my phone, I realized that crying would fix nothing. Taking a deep breath, I wiped the tears from my cheeks and scooped up my phone.

"That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt," I said, quoting The Fault in Our Stars.

I made my way to my bedroom and started packing my belongings. After about two hours, I had all my clothes packed. I put the suitcase by my door and set my flute next to it. Looking at my phone I realized that if I left Paris at 8 am like planned, it would be 9:30 am when I arrived in New York.

"I'll have to go to school," I groaned. "And I doubt that the Matthews, whoever they are, will let me be homeschooled."

I sighed and fell backwards onto my bed. "Note to self: pack sheets in the morning."

September 5th, 2014; 4 pm; New York City, New York

Topanga POV:

I stood in the kitchen preparing dinner as my husband, Cory, sat at the table grading papers. Auggie was at a playdate with his friend, Ava, and Riley was in her room with Maya. As I put what I was making into the oven, the phone rang. I picked it up and put it on speaker as I washed my hands.

"Is this the Matthews residence?" A male voice with a French accent questioned.

"Yes, it is," I replied.

"I am Officer Thompson of the Paris Police Department. I understand you are acquainted with a Ms. Skylar Santiago?"

Cory stopped grading papers and looked at me. "Yes, I am," I said.

"Then, Mrs. Matthews, I am sorry to inform you that Ms. Santiago past away in car accident," the man said as I froze. "Are you aware that you are her daughter's godmother?"

"Y-yes I am," I repeated.

"Is your home fit to take in another child?" The officer questioned.

I looked at Cory, who nodded. "Yes, Ruby is able to move in."

"Wonderful," the officer said in a monotone. "Her flight is scheduled to arrive at 9:30, New York Time, tomorrow morning." With that the officer hung up.

I turned to Cory. "I pick Ruby up at the airport tomorrow and drop her off at the school where you explain to Riley?" I asked.

"Will you explain to Auggie?" Cory questioned.

"I will," I responded.

"Deal," my husband said. "Is she going to stay in the guest room?"

"Yes," I replied. "We can let her paint it and put up posters if she wants to."

"Sounds great," Cory said.