Moving day. This was nothing new to Maya. Ever since she was 6 years old she had been in foster care and has been moving around her whole life. Whenever she thinks she is in a good place and can finally settle her social worker appears out of no where and moves her to another home. This move however was very different. It wasn't just another foster family she was being sent to; it was her father, Kermit Clutterbucket. The man who murdered her mother. The man who was sent to prison for 10 years. The man who they say has changed. The man who ruined Maya's life so far. Kermit Clutterbucket, Maya's father. Not only was this move momentous for Maya because she was going back to her father against her will, she was being sent to Austin, Texas. Maya, a complete city girl, was being sent to hicksville.

"Maya you need to give him a chance to redeem himself." Louis said.

Louis was Maya's social worker. He's been assigned to her since day one and only wants what's best for her, yet he's never been able to find her a steady home. Let's face it, no one wants a teenager in their home and they definitely don't want to adopt one. Maya has been one of those unlucky kids in the system.

"Are you forgetting this is the man who beat me and my mom and then killed her? I don't think he deserves a chance to even redeem himself." Maya protested.

"I know you aren't thrilled about this move, but you have to try. The state gave him custody, your leaving the system. There's nothing I can do for you now."

"I am not happy about this at all." Maya said setting her suitcase down.

"I'm sorry Maya, but you have to try. I can't do anything more for you."

"So what if he hasn't changed? What if he hits me? I have no where to go? That's it? I'm stuck all because he has custody again?"

"He's not going to revert back to his old self. He's on medication, he's been alcohol free for 10 years, he's been under the watch of doctors for a long time now. If he posed any threat to you the state would have denied his petition."

"I don't feel good about this one Louis!" Maya whined.

"I'm sorry, but you have to. Look, you have my cell number so call me if you need me. I will always answer because I've been with you for almost 11 years now."

Maya took a deep breath.

"Your flight is boarding now." Louis said breaking the silence.

"You're really making me do this?" Maya asked completely serious.

"I have no choice."

"I hate you." Maya said tearing up.

"I know." Louis smiled giving her a hug.

The two released and Maya picked up her bag.

"Call me when you land." Louis said.

Maya shook her head yes and walked onto the plane.

Louis hated this whole situation too. He's been trying to adopt Maya for years, but the state has always said no because he doesn't make enough money according to the state to feed another mouth. Maya added to his family would make 4 children total, but that would never happen because of state guidelines. Louis and his wife loved Maya as their own, but this was beyond his control no matter how much he fought for her.

The plane will be landing in 5 minutes. We please ask for everyone to return to their seats and buckle their seat belts. Thank you for flying American Airlines and we hope you enjoy your time in Austin, Texas.

"Yeah right." Maya mumbled to herself.

Maya got off the plane and began to look around. She prayed he forgot about her and she'd have to call Louis so he could report Kermit, but unfortunately that did not happen. There he was. He was standing their with a smile on his face. Maya froze just looking at him. Memories flooded back to the day she was taken into foster care. Everything happened so fast and she was so young and scared. She didn't want to ever be in that situation again.

"Maya!" he said snapping her out of her daze.

She just looked at him. He was waving his hand at her like an idiot.

"Maya!" he said again as she walked over. "It's so good to see you!"

"Mhm." Maya sounded.

"Okayy, well I don't live to far from here. About an 30 minutes give or take traffic. Can I take your bag?" he said reaching for it.

"No I got it." Maya said moving it away from him.

"Alright. Well then lets go." he said leading her towards the parking garage.

The ride home seemed like I took forever. 30 minutes was way to long for Maya. Kermit talked and talked the whole time. Maya eventually got fed up with hearing his vice and put her headphones in. She couldn't have cared less what he had to say.

"We're here." Kermit said stopping in front of a house.

"Cute." Maya mumbled.

"I've been in this house for about 3 years now. The neighbors are great."

Maya just nodded. She didn't want to say much because she didn't want to be anywhere near him.

Maya retrieved her suitcase from the truck and then it hit her.

"Wait. You said 3 years. I thought you just got out?"

"I've been out for 3 years now."

"And no one felt the need to tell me this?" Maya said to herself.

"Kermit!" a lady said snapping Maya out of her thoughts.

"Maya, this is Annabelle." Kermit introduced them.

"Nice to meet you." Maya said politely.

We've been together since I got out as well."

"Together?" Maya asked.

"We're married. We also have a 3 year old son."

"What?" Maya said shocked and a little hurt.

"She's your step mom." Kermit said.

"Yeah… I don't think so." Maya said walking into the house.

It was like nothing Maya would've ever guessed. It was neat and tidy and so not Kermit.

"You like?"

"No." Maya said sarcastically.

Annabelle looked hurt but Maya didn't care.

"Where's my room?" Maya said breaking the silence.

"Upstairs and 2 doors to the left."

Maya then went upstairs and into her room.

She opened the door and took one step in and froze. The room was horrid. It was bright pink and had stars on the walls.

"I remembered from when you were little your favorite color was pink and you loved stars." Kermit said behind her.

"Interesting." Maya mumbled.

"Is it alright?" he asked as Maya set her suitcase on the bed.

"Well actually I don't have a favorite color."

"Oh. Well you can change it anyway you'd like." Kermit offered. "Whatever you want I'll pay for."

"Well in that case I want black." Maya said bluntly.

"Black?"

"Mmmhm. It's neutral and this way I never have to see colors."

"Okayy." Kermit said.

"Well dinner will be ready in a few hours. Is chicken alright?"

"Actually I am vegetarian." Maya said bluntly.

"Oh. Well I'll be sure to make something for you then."

Maya was silent as she unpacked her clothing. Most of it was black. Maya really did have a favorite color. It was blue, but she didn't want anyone to know. Black was neutral and she was able to control her wardrobe easily if everything was black.

"Okayy, well let me know if you need anything. I'll be downstairs with Annabelle." Kermit said leaving the room.

Maya didn't respond. She was being very cold towards them and was very happy to do it.

"She want's to paint it black?" Maya heard Annabelle say as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She decided to hang out and eavesdrop for a minute.

"Yea. She said she has no favorite color."

"But black is morbid don't you think?"

"I mean it's her choice."

"And all her clothes are black?" Annabelle asked.

"From what it seems." Kermit responded.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong with her?" Annabelle said.

"Well I happen to think I'm pretty normal." Maya said walking into the kitchen.

"Oh no Maya that's not-"

"Your allowed to have your own opinions about me." Maya interrupted her.

There was an awkward silence.

"All settled in?" Kermit asked breaking the silence.

"Sure…" Maya trailed off.

"Well dinner will be done in a while." Annabelle smiled.

"About that…" Maya started, "I thought I could go around town and get used to my surroundings. You know, since I'm stuck here for a while." Maya said coldly.

"Alright that sounds good." Kermit said.

"Will you be back for dinner?" Annabelle asked. "Timmy should be back and he's been waiting to meet you…"

"Timmy?" Maya asked.

"Our son, your step brother." Annabelle said.

"Oh right." Maya said. "Well I figured I'd just get something while I was out."

"But I've been preparing-"

"That sounds just fine Maya." Kermit interrupted Annabelle giving her a shut up look.

"Great." Maya held out her hand.

"You need money?" Kermit said reaching for his wallet.

"No I have money. I need the keys."

"Keys?"

"To your car." Maya said.

"I don't think that's a good-"

"Don't be silly Annabelle." Kermit said taking the keys from her. "We can trust Maya, right?" he said looking at her.

"That's your choice, not mine." Maya said.

"Well I trust you." Kermit said handing her the keys.

"Thanks." Maya said taking the keys and walking away.

"When will you be back?" Annabelle asked following Maya.

"I don't know..." Maya said, "Later."

"Well don't be to late!" Annabelle yelled as Maya shut the door.

Maya was blaring the music as she drove around town. She didn't care if she was disturbing the peacefulness of the town because she didn't want to be there. Maya didn't even know where she was driving to, just as long as it kept her out of that house.

Maya was enjoying Patron Tequila on her playlist when the red and blue lights lit up behind her.

"Shit." she muttered to herself before pulling over.

"You were driving pretty fast back there Ma'am." the officer said as he approached Maya's window.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see a speed limit sign so I figured 45 was a good speed." Maya said.

"You new in town?" he asked.

"How could you tell?" Maya said sarcastically.

"You were playing your music pretty loud as well."

"And?" Maya asked.

"And we have laws against that kind of thing.

"You have laws against playing music?" Maya laughed.

"No. We have laws about the loudness of it." he said getting upset with her attitude.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Maya said bluntly.

"Your attitude is not needed Ma'am." he said rudely. "License and registration please."

Maya handed over her information and the cop walked off with them.

Cause I'm bleeding out if it's the last thing that I do….

Maya's phone started ringing.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" a man said.

"Who is this?"

"It's your father." he said.

"Who?" Maya said again.

"Your father. Kermit. Kermit Clutterbucket."

"Oh. It's you. Well I was here and there."

"Where is here and there."

"I don't know. I've been in this town for like 5 hours." Maya said coldly.

"Well what do you see?"

"I see fields." Maya said. "I'm on some back road somewhere."

"Is there anyone around?" Kermit asked.

"Yea. I was just having a rousing conversation with Officer Fr-air." Maya said reading his name tag.

"Friar." the cop corrected her.

"Right sorry. Officer Friar is his name."

"You got pulled over?" Kermit said angry.

"Relax. I was playing my music to loud. Look, I'll call you back." Maya said hanging up the phone.

"Alright Ma'am. Everything checks out and I'll serve this as a warning for the speed since your new in town."

"Awesome!" Maya said.

"But-"

"What?" Maya groaned.

"The music level was unacceptable. You'll have to appear in court for that."

"Seriously?!" Maya whined.

"Yes. It's not something that can be written off." Officer Friar said.

"Ugh." Maya spouted.

"Is this your current address where I can send your paperwork?" Officer Friar asked.

"I wish." Maya whined.

"I'm sorry." Officer Friar asked.

"No it's not. I don't know my address." Maya admitted.

"You don't know your address?"

"No. I've been here for all of 5 hours." Maya said again.

"Alright fine. Do you have a name of a parent?"

"Well I don't consider him a parent…"

"Name."

"Clutterbucket." Maya said.

"Ahh. I know that name all to well." Officer Friar said.

"What?" Maya asked.

"I know exactly where to send your court paperwork Miss Clutterbucket."

"NOOO." Maya said abrupt. "My name is Hart. Maya H-A-R-T Hart." she said very clearly.

"Alright Miss HART. I know exactly where to send your files. Expect them in the mail shortly."

"Whatever." Maya said.

"Oh and Miss HART."

"Yea?"

"I'll be watching you." he said before walking away.

"Wouldn't want it any other way!" Maya said sarcastically. "Goodbye Officer FRIAR." Maya said before speeding off.

"What an ass." Maya said to herself.

Maya returned back to Kermit's only to be greeted by him as soon as she stepped into the door.

"Where were you?" he said.

"I don't know. Places."

"You got pulled over?"

"Yes. My music was too loud."

"Did he give you a warning?"

"Something like that…" Maya trailed off.

"Maya."

"I have to appear in court."

"WHAT!? All for music?"

"Yea that's what I said." Maya admitted.

"Well, I guess I can let this one slide." Kermit said.

"Sweet."

"Kermit!" Annabelle said.

"Relax Annabelle."

"Look kid. You've got school in the morning."

"What? Already?" Maya said shocked.

"Yes. I will drop you off."

"Whatever." Maya said going up to her room to shower.

"Kermit! How are you just letting her get away with all this?!" Annabelle whispered thinking Maya was out of earshot.

"She's having trouble adjusting. Give her time. She'll warm up to us." Kermit said and Maya closed her door.

"Ahhh!" Maya jumped as she turned around to see a child going through her drawers.

"Hey! That's my stuff!" Maya shouted as she ripped the clothes away from the child.

He started to cry.

"What's going on?" Annabelle said as she flung the door open.

"Knock much?" Maya said angrily.

"What's going on here? Why is he crying? What did you do?"

"ME?! He was going through my stuff!"

"So you didn't need to yell at him." Annabelle argued.

"He shouldn't even been in here!" Maya argued back.

"What's going on? Is everything alright?" Kermit said coming into the room.

"She yelled at Timmy." Annabelle said.

"He was going through my stuff!" Maya shouted.

"Okayy, okayy. Timmy, stay out of this room from now on." Kermit scolded his son.

"Everything good now?" Kermit said to both girls.

"No!" Maya demanded. "She barged in here without even knocking!"

"Annabelle?" Kermit said.

"Her door should not be closed." She pleaded.

"It's my room!"

"Maya's right" Kermit admitted.

"What?" Annabelle said before storming off.

"Sorry." Kermit said chasing after Annabelle.

"Knock next time!" Maya shouted before slamming the door and locking it.