Ebony stared at the house in front of her blankly, tensing up as she saw the social services worker nod to herself. So this is where her 'father' lived. She applied the term loosely as she had never even met the man. She was the result of a one night stand, a mistake, an unwanted result of lust and alcohol. She shook her head as she knew her mom loved her and never regretted keeping her. No matter what the other kids thought or called her, she was loved. Her mother made sure she knew her father didn't hate her he just had his own family. Her own mother had taken full responsibility for Ebony. Something about not wanting to rip apart a brand new family because of one night. Ebony's thoughts were interrupted by her social worker.

"Ebony, honey. We're here." Ms. Marigold smiled encouragingly at the young teen.

Ebony bit down on her lower lip. She walked behind the woman up to the front door where she knocked firmly but gently. A chubby man who appeared to be in his forties opened the door, "Ah yes. You must be Ms. Marigold." He looked around the older woman and smiled warmly at her, "Hello Ebony."

Ebony looked him over as she managed a small, nervous smile. He looked at the social worker before hugging his daughter in his arms tightly, "I'm so sorry Ebony… I know it won't help and what I say means nothing to you but I truly am sorry for what happened to your mother."

Ebony looked into his eyes when he let go before nodding softly, "Me too…" She could see it in his eyes, he really had no ill will towards her mother or herself. All she could see was worry.

Ron let them in to see a woman and young boy talking in the living room. Ebony raised an eyebrow before the man turned to her, "I'm Ron. This is my wife Judy." He pointed to the woman who also looked to be in her forties.

Judy quickly hugged the girl, rubbing her back gently. "It's nice to meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances." Ebony smiled weakly at her, nodding softly in agreement. Judy grinned, "You're so beautiful! You must take after your mother."

Ron huffed from across the room, "Hey. I heard that."

Judy rolled her eyes playfully, "You must be hearing things. Anyways, Ebony, this is our son Sam. Sam this is your sister, Ebony."

Sam walked up to her and awkwardly held out his hand, "Uh... Hi..."

Ebony cracked a small smile and shook his hand lightly before turning to Ms. Marigold, "All right, I can see you're in good hands Ebony. I'll check up on you later." She waved as she sat her bags down and left. Ebony tensed up, screaming in her head at the woman not to leave her already.

Ron picked her bags up and smiled at her, walking upstairs. "Alright, Sam will give you the grand tour and show you where your room is. It's right next to his if you need anything. Ours is downstairs."

Judy straightened down Ebony's wild hair from walking here, "We have to pick up some things from the store but you can get to know your brother." Ebony thought to herself it's probably just a way to let her get more comfortable in the house, her new home, while they were gone. Ebony watched the woman kiss her son's forehead before leaving, Ron following soon after.

Sam rubbed the back of his head, "Umm. I'm not the best at this stuff but this is the living room. The kitchen is through the archway to your left. My.. I mean our parents' bedroom is behind the stairs, down the hallway. " He grabbed her hand gently and led her upstairs. Ebony looked down at his hand before squeezing gently. Sam smiled at her happily and showed her his room. "This is my room, it's a mess." He opened the door, allowing Ebony a peek. Ebony nodded before Sam moved on to their shared bathroom and finally her room. Sam grinned shyly, "We heard you liked brown so I helped with your room."

Ebony opened the door and gasped softly. Her room was kind of large compared to her old one but the walls were painted a warm brown color. There was a full sized bed tucked against a corner of the room with light brown sheets and pillows. A book shelf half-filled was next to It, on top of a matching dresser and desk. Her closet was open showing it was already organized with some clothes for her. Her bags were lying on the bed.

Ebony quickly turned to Sam and hugged him tightly. She loved her room and it made her want to cry from how happy it made her. These people she had never met before cared enough to try and make her room to her liking. Ebony thought they wouldn't even want anything to do with her as she was a surprise burden on them.

Sam laughed happily, hugging her back. "I guess you like it." Honestly he was just happy to help distract her from her suffering.

Ebony nodded happily, smiling softly. "I love it. Thanks Sam…"

Sam just waved her off, laughing softly. "It's alright. Think of it as me making up for fourteen years of missed birthdays."

Ebony laughed before yawning softly, "If it's alright, I'm going to go to bed early tonight..."

Sam nodded softly, "Of course. I'll be in my room if you need anything... Good night, Ebony."

Ebony watched as he shut the door behind him on the way out. Ebony sighed before putting in her headphones and starting her playlist on her Ipod. She began unpacking her bags, hoping the music would calm her nerves and she could fall asleep soon. Ebony grabbed her last suitcase and put away her laptop before placing the two photo frames she had of her mother on the nightstand by her bed. The first photo was of Ebony and her mother, Misau, at her last birthday. Ebony was laughing as Misau had spread icing all over Ebony's face. Misau was trying to hold back her laughter as she held the empty spoon, a banner in the background that spelled happy birthday. The second frame was a picture Ebony had got of her mom. They were out hiking and the wind had began blowing Misau's long brown hair. Misau was smiling into the distance, looking at the sunset that cast a warm glow over her dark tan skin. Ebony gently ran her fingers over the glass and sighed at the memory. That day felt like it was yesterday but also years ago. "Oh mom.. I miss you so much.." Ebony felt a tear roll down her cheek and sniffled softly as she wiped it away. She laid down and held her stuffed rabbit to her chest, crying silently to herself until she fell asleep.

~~~Dream~~~

Ebony looked up and realized she was in her mother's black '96 Camaro. Ebony quickly turned to the driver's seat to see Misau there, rambling on about how rude her English teacher was to Ebony. "Who does she think she is?!" Misau groaned as she looked over at her daughter before back at the road. "I'm sorry Ebony, but you'll still pass! You're the brightest person I know."

Ebony heard her own voice come out even though she didn't say anything. "I'm just glad I'm not the only one who got a bad grade on this paper. She hates all of us. Mom, you have to say that. I'm your daughter." Ebony felt her heart stop as she realized this was when it happened. Ebony tried to yell at her to pull over but nothing came out of her throat. She went to grab the wheel but her hands just passed through it. Ebony looked ahead of them and saw the white '67 Chevy Impala speeding towards them on the opposite lane. Ebony closed her eyes tightly as she heard the two cars collide head on. When all the noise calmed down Ebony turned to her left and opened her eyes. Her mother was on the hard pavement in front of them, the other car upside down. Ebony quickly got out, running to her mother. She felt the tears rolling down her cheeks seeing her dead, bleeding out from the glass embedded in her skin. Ebony looked over at the other car, slowly walking over. She looked inside to see a drunken boy in the driver's seat, out cold. Next to him was another young female who was gasping for breath, trying to get free from her seat belt. Ebony turned back to her car to see herself, her head on the dash and also passed out. She reached up and touched the scar she had from the gash before she started sobbing, seeing the faint lights of the ambulances and police approaching.

~~~End Dream~~~

Ebony sat up quickly, gasping for breath. She looked around and took a deep breathe, trying to calm down. Ebony looked over at the pictures of her mother laughing, still alive. She felt more tears rolling down her cheeks from the sight. All she could see was her mother's bloody, torn up body on the pavement. Ebony looked up when she heard knocking on the door, "C-come in." She said having to clear her throat first.

Sam poked his head in before gently shutting the door behind him, making his way over and sitting beside her on the bed. "Ebony, Are you alright? I heard crying..."

Ebony wrapped her arms around herself, looking away from the photo frames. "Just a nightmare..."

Sam saw her look away before hugging her tightly, "About your mother?"

Ebony nodded slightly, tensing up at the hug before relaxing slightly. "Thanks for caring about me even though you just met me Sam.."

Sam grinned crookedly at her, "You've always been my sister. You're family and I'll always be here for you. I love you."

Ebony hugged him tightly, smiling softly. "Thank you Sam.. I love you too."

Sam smiled and nodded, "You're welcome." When Ebony let go he yawned softly before getting up, "Well good night sis. See ya in the morning."

Ebony nodded, getting comfy again. "Good night Sam.."

Ebony woke up, last night's even replaying in her head like a home video. She sighed softly and rubbed at her face. The tears had dried and left her cheeks feeling dried out and tight. Ebony looked at the clock; it was 7:42 A.M. Ebony slowly got up before looking through her closet. She picked out a soft band t-shirt, jeans and her favorite black converse. She slipped into the bathroom, taking a quick shower. Afterwards she changed and walked downstairs, pulling her hair into a ponytail as she walked. Upon entering the kitchen she saw Sam eating a bowl of cereal.

He looked up seeing her there and grinned softly, "Hey Ebony." Ebony smiled and fixed her own bowl, sitting next to him. She silently ate her food, looking everything over. She was still trying to get used to the idea that she lived here now, with complete strangers, even though they were family.

"Good morning Ebony." Ron walked into the kitchen and smiled at the two kids eating cereal. "Judy already left for work but I'm going to the store to pick up some things. You want to come?" Ebony quickly went pale and shook her head no.

Sam tilted his head "We can get your some more stuff for you room! And there's this new comic I want to get that just came out."

Ebony turned to Sam and then back to Ron, feeling her skin turning pale at the thought of getting in another car, what if they got in a wreck too! You can't trust the other drivers on the road and she barely even knew them. They could be terrible drivers.

Ron realized what was bothering Ebony and smiled slightly, "You don't have to go Ebony. You can stay here, just lock all the doors and don't answer the door or phone for anyone."

Sam got up and slipped on his shoes, hugging Ebony gently afterwards. "We'll be back and then we can hang out, alright." Ebony let out a small smile and nodded, continuing to eat her cereal.

Ron watched his son run out to the car before kissing Ebony's temple. "I'll be back in no time. Make yourself at home..." He waved one last time before leaving to the store with Sam. Ebony watched them leave through the window and sighed softly, rubbing her temple. They were really nice... She should probably give them a chance at least.

Ebony finished eating and washed all the dishes for them, she had nothing better to do. She put them in the drainer before sighing. "What now?" She looked around the living room before sitting down and figuring out how to work the T.V. She changed the channel to a kids show she used to like and watched it quietly, waiting on Sam and Ron... Ron. Did she call him father, dad, daddy. Should she call him anything but Ron? Ebony sighed as she hugged a pillow to her chest and looked at the pictures on the wall. They all looked so happy together. She didn't hate Judy for being with Ron. Her mom never got with anyone else but she would have been fine with it if she did. She rubbed her face before jumping as she heard the door unlock. She turned to see Ron walked in with Sam behind him.

Ron placed some bags down in the kitchen before sitting down beside her on the couch. He smiled and handed her a dark chocolate bar, "I heard you liked these."

Ebony's eyes lit up as she thanked him, quickly opening it and biting a piece off. She grinned at him happily as she chewed and swallowed. She knew he cared enough to try and cheer her up. Food was always a good thing with her. She gently hugged him, "Thank you.."

Ron smiled and gently rubbed her back, "You're welcome, I'm going to put the groceries away." He got up and walked to the kitchen.

Sam plopped down onto the couch where Ron was and grinned at her, a lollipop in his mouth. "I bought this new video game, would you like to play with me?" Ebony smiled and nodded. He grinned and got up, holding her hand as he walked up the stairs to his room. He let go when he opened the door and sat his bag of lollipops on the table before he set up the game. Ebony looked around and smiled at how messy but organized it was. It was clear where it needed to be but there were clothes thrown about everywhere else. She sat down on his bed and smiled at him when he handed her the second controller. Together they spent the next few hours kicking each others butts at the game. They had joked and laughed around, not noticing Ron and Judy smiling at each other from the door way as they watched their children.

~~*First day of 9th grade*~~

Ebony looked herself over in the mirror and sighed. She had on a band tee, dark jeans and her favorite converse. She had lightly scrunched her short hair and added some mascara. She noticed her high cheekbones and nose that her mother also had. She quickly shook her head and walked by her room, grabbing her backpack. She walked down the stairs only for a flash to make her trip slightly, "What?"

Judy lowered the camera and grinned, pulling Ebony into a hug. "It's your first day of school! Well for us anyways, it deserves pictures!"

Ebony smiled softly and grabbed a pop tart before looking over at Sam who was groggily eating his cereal. Ebony sat down beside him and ate her pop tarts, watching Ron and Judy getting their stuff together. Judy looked at the clock and sighed softly, "You two might want to go wait on the bus." Ebony tensed, biting her lip tightly. They have been trying to help her get over her fear of cars since her accident but she still would freak out most of the time when they went fast or a car got too close to them. Ron always comforted her telling she was still making progress and they shouldn't rush anything.

Sam slipped her hand into his and squeezed, "You'll be fine. I'll be there."

Ebony smiled and gently nudged him with her elbow, "You're so mushy sometimes."

Sam just grinned goofily before grabbing his back pack, "Bye mom, bye dad."

Ebony let go of his hand and stepped over their dog as they waited on the sidewalk for the bus, "First day of South Gate High School, woo."

Sam chuckled at her, nudging her side. "It's not thhhaaattt bad."

Ebony laughed and pushed him away before rolling her eyes, "School is always bad, especially for the new girl."

Sam just sighed softly seeing the bus heading towards them, "Just keep your head up and ignore everyone else. If they don't like you then they don't matter."

Ebony laughed softly at him "You're being mushy again." Sam pushed her shoulder and laughed, getting on the bus.

Ebony gulped, looking the bus over before taking a deep breath, she could do this. She had to do this. She slowly climbed the steps and found her brother and quickly sat beside him, closing her eyes tightly as it began moving. She could hear everyone whispering around her about not knowing who she was. She took a deep breath before ignoring them and the feeling of being in a vehicle with a stranger driving.

~~*lunch*~~

Ebony got her tray and sat down at an empty table. She pushed her food around on her tray wondering if the food was edible or not. It looked questionable to her. She looked up to see a bunch of girls sit down in front of her.

"Um, who are you?"

Ebony sighed softly, not looking up. "Ebony."

The girl laughed but to Ebony it just sounded like nails on a chalk board. "What kind of name is that!? Ebony. Haha!"

Ebony just rolled her eyes, "And what kind of laugh is that, you should have a doctor check that out."

The girl narrowed her eyes and went to get up to yell at her when another girl walked up beside her, "Hey Ebony! There you are! I've been looking all over for you. Our table is over by the gym, not by the doors."

Ebony blinked at the girl, she didn't even know who she was. The preppy girl just narrowed her eyes, "Oh so she's friends with you, Mikaela."

Mikaela smirked and nodded, pushing Ebony towards said table, "Yeah so I suggest you get lost."

Ebony looked Mikaela over, "Thanks…"

Mikaela smiled, sitting down at her table with another girl. "No problem, she's a grade A brat. I'm Mikaela Banes. This is my friend Samantha Combs."

Ebony smiled slightly, "I'm Ebony Witwicky."

Mikaela laughed softly, "Witwicky? Are you related to Sam Witwicky."

Ebony nodded slowly, "He's my half-brother..."

Mikaela and Samantha just grinned, "He can be a dork sometimes. He's a nice kid though."

Ebony smiled and nodded, "You have no idea. I have such great stories on him."

Mikaela chuckled, "You'll have to tell me these stories some other time."

Ebony looked up as the bell rang and smiled slightly at Mikaela, "See you later?"

Mikaela nodded, hooking arms with her. "Definitely. You need someone to keep the brats away until we get you some more backbone."

Ebony smiled and nodded softly, "Well now I at least have two friends, it's better than one if you can count your brother as one."

Mikaela just laughed and walked towards their lockers, "Just stick with me Ebs."

~~*Time Skip, 2 years. Ebony's 17th birthday*~~

Ebony groggily opened her eyes, her alarm blaring in her ear. She grumbled to herself softly before turning the alarm off. Oh why did they have to go to school on her birthday. Ebony rubbed her eyes, looking at the photo of her mother next to another of her new family at an amusement park. Ebony smiled slightly and grabbed her clothes, quickly running into the bathroom and locking the door to beat Sam. She laughed hearing him yelling at her from his room. She shook her head before taking a shower and getting ready. Ebony quickly straightened her hair before running down the stairs, "It's my birthday!"

Ron looked up from his newspaper and just chuckled softly, "Really now? Never would have guessed."

Ebony pouted at him but smiled when Judy came up and hugged her, "Happy Birthday darling!" Ebony grinned and sat down at the kitchen table to a plate of pancakes being sat in front of her. She smiled and quietly ate her pancakes until Sam walked down the stairs.

He saw Ebony and playfully ruffled her hair, "Happy Birthday Ebs."

Ebony fixed her hair and huffed playfully before placing her dirty plate in the sink to wash later. She grabbed her back pack and went to leave until Judy and Ron looked up from their coffee, "Oh Ebony, Sam. We're signing you two out early for Ebony's birthday gift."

Ebony raised an eyebrow before grinning, "Really!?" Judy and Ron smiled, nodding happily.

Sam pumped his arms, "Oh yeah! Gettin' signed out early!" Ebony rolled her eyes, pulling Sam out by his shirt. Sam just grinned goofily at her as they waited on the school bus.

~~*5th period~~

Ebony was working on drawing the schematics of a pen and how to put it together, piece by piece when the class phone rang. Ebony looked up as her teacher sighed softly, looking at her. "Yeah, she's here. Alright." He turned to her and waved her off.

Ebony quickly turned her paper in and walked to the front of the school where Judy was waiting with Sam. Ebony slipped her back pack over her shoulder and jogged up to them, "Alright. Where are we going?"

Judy just grinned, pinching her cheeks. "It's a surprise honey! You'll just have to wait and see."

Sam chuckled only earning himself a punch to the arm. "Ow, hey no punching!"

Ebony looked to see Ron waiting in the car. Ebony took a deep breath before getting in, buckling up immediately. Ebony sank back in the car, "So where are we going?"

Ron chuckled from the front, "It's not far Ebony but you'll have to wait till we get there to know." Sam gently held Ebony's hand as they began moving down the road. Ebony opened her eyes when they came to a stop, narrowing her eyes. Why were they at a Kawasaki shop? She got out, hesitantly following her parents and brother into the store. She gaped at all of the ATVs and motorcycles. Ron crossed his arms, "We're here to get your first motorcycle."

Judy grinned at her and nodded, "We were going to do it when you passed your permit test but Ron here wanted to wait to make sure you had good grades, jerk."

Ebony laughed softly before hugging them both tightly, "Thank you!" Ebony looked around and began looking at one of the white ninjas while Ron talked to the salesman with Judy.

Sam stood beside her, whistling softly, "Lucky."

Ebony stuck out her tongue slightly while inspecting more of the mechanics of the motorcycle. She looked up to see the salesman walk up to her. He smiled at her, "That would be the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. It's a perfect beginner bike. It doesn't pull too hard and is an easy ride." Ebony looked up at Ron; her hands together making it look like she was praying. She added the puppy dog eyes.

Judy nudged Ron in the ribs, "Ron."

Ron rolled his eyes slightly and nodded to his daughter as he looked at the price tag, "We're splitting the cost with you so yes, you can get this one."

Ebony grinned at him and hugged him tightly, "Thank you dad..."

Ron smiled, she still didn't call him dad much and when she did it was special. "Yeah yeah, go pick out a helmet and gloves at least."

Sam walked over to the helmets with her and grinned, holding up a bright pink one, "How about this helmet?"

Ebony looked over and just stared at him. "Yeah because pink is just my color." Sam laughed, shaking his head as he put it back and continued looking. Ebony picked up a black helmet with white tribal patterns and looked at the tag, it wasn't that expensive but it was sturdy enough. She held it in her arms, "Sam."

Sam looked over and raised an eyebrow, "Looks good!"

Ebony smiled before picking out a pair of black gloves, walking up to the desk and laying them down. A lady smiled at her and rang the two items up for her, "That will be $172.45" Ebony pulled out her debit card and swiped it, signing. She waited and smiled, grabbing the bag from the lady and walking to where her parents were signing the wavers to buy the motorcycle for her. Sam was already by them, messing around on his phone. Ebony watched him out of the corner of her eyes, noticing how he was twitching his hand a little, while watching his parents out of the corner of his eye. He was jealous of his sister getting her first vehicle before him.

Ron was handed the keys, "Alright, we're all done here. Have fun and be careful with your new Ninja."

Ebony was handed the keys and she smiled softly and looked at Sam, "You know you're going to get a super awesome car and then you won't have to put up with me on the bus."

Sam smiled slightly, how he could ever stay upset at Ebony. She was a sweetheart, at least when it came to friends and family. "You know I don't mind."

Ebony grinned, linking arms with him as they walked outside, behind their parents. Judy turned around, halfway in the car. "Now you be careful and follow us home alright?"

Ron nodded, "Go the speed limit!"

Ebony laughed softly and nodded, "I promise I'll be careful." She put her helmet on, strapping it under her chin. She slid the eye cover down, slipping on her gloves as her parents reversed into the parking lot, waiting on her. Sam smiled at her and gently patted her helmet before getting in the car. Ebony walked over to the guy bringing out her motorcycle. He smiled at her and walked away. Ebony sat down, rubbing her hand over the designs before starting it up. She grinned feeling it rev beneath her. She backed up and drove up behind her parents, giving them a thumbs up. Ebony drove behind her parents down the road, loving the vibrations of the engine and the freedom she felt on a motorcycle compared to the claustrophobic feeling she got in a closed vehicle. She looked up at the sky and smiled to herself, for some reason she just knew this year was going to be different. This was going to be her year.