A/N: Hey guys! :) Just a few words in the beginning. This story is completely made up. I don't have any personal experience with this, only the internet, so there can be some irregularities to the way it's done in real life. This story will contain abuse, but it won't be graphic. I'll mention it, but won't go into too much detail. If anyone get's offended by that, I'm sorry, but this story won't be for you. Just choose one of the hundreds of other awesome fics on this site :) Oh, and I rated this story M just to be on the safe side. Now enjoy!

Chapter 1

„What do you want, you freak? Go sit somewhere else" was snarled in Beca's direction when she came into the big kitchen and wanted to sit down for some cereal.

She looked flatly at the two girls sitting at the counter for a moment but then decided to just ignore them. It wasn't worth the effort when she would be out of the house in the next few hours. She quickly poured herself some cereal in a bowl and took it with her to the other end of the kitchen. She preferred to eat somewhere else but it wasn't allowed.

She has been in this group home for the past two months and it's been driving her insane. The other teenagers were aged from 13 to 17 and didn't particularly like Beca. They were jealous of her for getting another chance so soon and didn't let her forget it for even one day.

Her next foster home would be her fourth one. Normally kids would only get one or maybe two chances. For Beca to have been given so much chances and still coming back to the group home every single time didn't sit well with the other kids, who put up a harsh front but secretly only wanted to get another chance as well. They thought Beca was ungrateful for all those chances, that she deliberately messed up in her past homes and that she was just plain weird for not talking much.

If only they knew, Beca thought darkly as she quickly finished her breakfast. She put the bowl in the dishwasher and quickly went back to her room. Normally she would have to share a room with two or three others, but since the other girls didn't want anything to do with her, they all shared another bedroom down the hall. Beca wasn't really sorry about that since she got her own room out of that.

The room was a standard room for group homes. Beca would know, she's been in several different ones. There were three beds shoved headfirst under a small window. There was only just enough room for someone to walk between the beds. A small table with three chairs was shoved next to a small wardrobe. The walls were a plain white, same as the linens on the beds.

Beca slowly made her way to the bed on the far right and plopped down into it. She wanted to get a nap in before Marie would pick her up in the afternoon.

Marie has been her new social worker for the last three weeks after her old one had neglected his responsibilities a little too much, which resulted in Beca getting sent to another group home after a visit in the hospital.

Before she could think a little more about her new social worker or drifting off into a nap, her ringing phone reminded her that she had forgotten to call her best friend yesterday evening once again.

She groaned and quickly located her phone. She saw that she had been right in her assumption when the name 'Weirdo' greeted her on the screen. She quickly swiped at the little green button on her phone and put the phone to her ear.

"What's up, dude?"

"You forgot to call. Again. I thought we agreed that you would call me every night at 9? I was worried."

The sad and worried tone in her best friends voice hit her right in the heart and she started feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry Jesse. I was really tired and listened to music. I must have fallen asleep."

Jesse led out a big sigh.

"I'm not mad at you Beca. I'm just really worried about you. Especially after these last few months."

Beca hated when he brought up her past and ignored the comment completely.

"I'm fine. So, what's been going on with you? Anything new?"

Jesse laughed loudly. "We've talked two days ago. I've just been going to school and helping out around the house. Nothing major."

"What about the blonde you are always talking about? Has she talked to you yet or are you still pining after her from the background?" Beca loved teasing her best friend. He always became flustered very quickly and forgot his train of thoughts. She often used this to her advantage when he got a little persistent in his inquiries about whether she was alright.

"Stop it. And no, for your information, she hasn't talked to me yet. But she can't ignore me forever. I've got a class with her. I hope we'll be doing a lot of group work in the future. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. Are you nervous about this afternoon? Do you know where you're going yet? How do you like Marie so far?"

"You could let me answer a question before asking new ones. Would make this a lot easier." Beca said sarcastically and rolled her eyes. Not that Jesse could see that but she did it on principle.

"Shush, Beca. Now start talking."

"That's kind of contradictory, don't you think? And you sure are nosy, Swanson. No, I don't know where I'm going yet. Marie said that the family she has in mind only just registered as foster parents and the paperwork has to go through before she can tell me anything. But since she hasn't called yet, I guess everything is in order and I'll be out of here in a few hours. And why would I be nervous? I've done this before if you recall."

"That's why I'm worried." Jesse knew that Beca hated when he talked about her past, so he tried to avoid it at most times but sometimes he had to say something.

"Just let it go Jesse. There is no use in worrying before I know anything. You know that I wanted to stay here for the last two years but Mrs. Plum said that I had to go. So even if it's going to be awful, I have no choice. I don't want to stress myself out beforehand."

Jesse gave up. If Beca didn't want to talk about stuff she wouldn't. He had tried a lot in the last few years to get her to talk but Beca could shut people out extremely quickly when she didn't like what they were talking about. He didn't want to fight with her, so he got back to one of his earlier questions.

"Okay. So, what about Marie? Are you two getting along well?"

"I've only known her for about three weeks. But she seems to care, I guess. We'll see." Beca never got along with her former social worker and was glad that she got a new one.

"Give her a chance, Becs. She's been my social worker for the last four years and look how I turned out."

Beca snorted. "Yeah, that's what I aspire to be. A bumbling junior in high school who doesn't even have the balls to ask the girl he likes out. No thank you."

"You know what I mean. I think I'm doing very well. I've been getting good grades, I get along with my foster parents and they are even saving money so I can go to college if I want to. Don't you want that too? Someone you can depend on?"

"I don't need anyone. I can only depend on myself. It's been that way since my grandma died, why would I want to change that? This way, I'll be the only one who can hurt or disappoint myself. Less trouble that way."

"That hurts, you know? You can count on me, you know that. I'd do anything for you."

Beca sighed. "I know. I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that. Of course I can depend on you, but you're not always here. And if you're not, I have only myself. And I like it that way. I hope the next family will leave me alone until I graduate. After that I'm out of here."

"You've been saying that for years Becs, but where would you go? With no money and no support, you won't get far."

"I don't know where I would go, but anywhere is better than here."

"Let's continue that another time. I know I have no chance of convincing you right now. But I will, you'll see."

"Yeah yeah, we'll see. Keep trying."

"So, are you all packed?"

Beca looked around and found her two bags on the ground next to her bed. She had shoved every item of clothing she had (which weren't much) into one bag and her other stuff like her headphones and some pictures of her and her grandma into the other bag this morning.

"I guess so. I don't have much so packing went pretty fast." she joked.

"Why won't you let me buy you some stuff? I've been offering for years now and you are always refusing. It would be much easier for you if you just accepted help once in a while."

"I'm fine. I've got everything I need."

"You are really stubborn, you know that? Just wait, I'll get you to agree one of these days. Anyway, good luck with the new family today, I have to cut this conversation short. I have to make a quick grocery run. Will you call me as soon as you have a minute to yourself?"

"I will. Don't worry Jesse. It will be fine. Go do your stuff. I'll just take a nap until Marie shows up."

"Okay. Let's talk later. Bye Becs."

"Bye Jesse."

Beca hang up her phone and closed her eyes. If she was honest with herself she was a little nervous. Her last homes had a lot to be desired, mildly put. She would gladly spent the rest of her teenage years in these group homes minding her own business. She didn't want to have to deal with another new family who would pretend to be nice at first only to abuse and exploit her as soon as the social worker looked the other way.

She had long given up on the dream of a new family that would want her. The only person who has ever loved her has been her grandma Elizabeth. Well, and Jesse, but that's a friendly love and not a parental one. Her grandma had taken care of her for the first six years of her life and Beca had loved her dearly. Sarah, her mother, didn't really care about her and was a drunk. She happily gave Beca over to her mother when she asked. Custody remained with Sarah though, because they were living in the same house and they wanted to avoid the paperwork.

Beca has been a mostly happy child in her early years. She couldn't understand why her mama didn't want anything to do with her, but her grandma always held her when she was crying over it. Elizabeth helped her granddaughter with everything, she read her books in the evening, she played with her in the park, she answered every 'Why'-question when Beca had that phase and took her to every doctor's appointment.

Beca had been very curious and very clumsy from very early on in her life. She would try to do everything herself and got herself hurt regularly. Nothing serious, just a few bruises and scrapes and a burn or two when she decided she wanted to cook her grandma breakfast when she had been five. Elizabeth put a band-aid on her injuries every time and it would magically hurt less.

Her mother ignored her for the most part and Beca tried less and less to get her attention. Which is why she was even more devastated when her grandma suddenly died of a heart attack when Beca had just turned six.

Sarah was just as dependent on her mother as Beca. She couldn't deal with all the things she had to take care of now. The house and the funeral and taking care of a child. She drunk more and more and even lost her job.

Beca had never been more grateful for her grandma's cooking lessons after the incident when Beca had been five than at that time. She knew how to cook herself basic meals and knew the way to school on her own.

It hadn't been easy after her grandma's death. But she had dealt with it.

She was very independent by the time she was eight. She thought it was going okay until she came home one afternoon to find her mother lying on the couch with a few empty bottles of alcohol on the ground and an empty bottle of sleeping pills.

She tried to wake her mom up but she wouldn't move at all. Beca quickly called the ambulance from the house phone. She went to the hospital with the paramedics, but it had been too late already. Sarah Mitchell had overdosed and left Beca all alone.

There was no other family to take her in so she was taken to her first of many group homes.

Not wanting to remember the rest of her pitiful life, Beca quickly played some music on her phone and was asleep in minutes.

Four hours later, Beca was woken by her ringing phone. She blindly searched for it and accepted the call.

"-llo?" she mumbled into the phone and sat up to help her wake up a little faster.

"Beca? It's Marie. The papers finally went through and everything is in order now for your move. I'll be there in about an hour and pick you up. Is that okay?"

"Do I have to?" she asked quietly.

Marie sighed on the other end of the line. "We've talked about this. I've spoken with the Beales a few times and they seem really nice. Please give them a chance, you can't stay in that group home forever."

Beca and Marie had had that conversation a few times over the last few weeks. Marie had won the argument every single time but that didn't deter the brunette girl from trying again and again. But Beca also detested pointless conversations and gave up pretty quickly this time. She knew that she couldn't change it anymore now that the paperwork was through.

"Fine. Yes, I've packed my stuff already so you can show up whenever you want. There is nothing for me here."

"Are you still not getting along with the other girls?"

Beca snorted. "It's more that they are not getting along with me. They don't like me and I can't change that. Not that I want to. The good thing about all this is that I don't have to see them again after this. Thank god for small mercies."

"Hey, be nice. Well, since you are already packed, I'll quickly grab my stuff and come and get you. Don't forget to say goodbye and thank you to Mrs. Plum. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"Yeah yeah, I will. But I bet she will be glad that I'm gone this soon. She didn't like me either."

"Let's talk about that later. I'll be there soon, okay?"

"Yeah, Bye."

"Bye Beca!"

Marie hang up quickly and Beca rolled out of bed. She quickly wondered if she should change for the meeting with the Beales, but decided against it. Chucks, skinny jeans and a black long-sleeved t-shirt had to do the trick. No use in pretending that she was someone else. They would figure out the truth soon enough.

She put her phone and everything else that was still on her bed into her bags and took both of them downstairs. She put them next to the door and went in search of the group home leader.

Mrs. Plum was a small pudgy woman in her fifties. She had been the leader of the group home for the last fifteen years and was a decent person. She wasn't warm and friendly but her kids always had something to eat and a place to sleep. She made them go to school and took them to the hospital if the need arose. Which happened more than Beca had thought. But she shouldn't be surprised with 6 -10 teenagers living in the house regularly.

She found the older woman in the kitchen where she was unloading the dishwasher.

"Mrs. Plum?" Beca slowly closed in on the other woman who turned around when she was addressed.

"Rebecca. What can I do for you?" She said without much emotion and turned back around to finish unloading the dishwasher.

"My social worker just called and said that she'll be here and get me in twenty minutes to take me to my new foster family. I wanted to let you know and thank you for all you did for me."

Mrs. Plum turned around and looked at the fidgeting girl in front of her for a whole minute. Beca grew more and more nervous as the staring continued. She was about to say something when Mrs. Plum came up to her and gave her a quick hug. Beca squeaked in surprise and wanted nothing more than for the woman to let her go. She couldn't handle physical contact. At all. She was always a recluse and not very social but since what happened at her last foster home, she detested being touched.

"Good luck girl. I know that you had it rough, but don't let that stop you from finding family and love."

Beca finally managed to get out of the hug and wanted to ask Mrs. Plum what that was all about but the older woman was already back at work.

The brunette girl hesitated for a moment but then turned around to get out of the room.

She threw a quick "Thanks, good bye." over her shoulder and grabbed her bags. She went outside and sat down on the stairs to make herself comfortable while waiting for Marie to arrive.

She only had to wait for about 10 minutes until an old blue Ford came around the corner. Beca ran to her social workers car quickly, put her two bags in the back seat and plopped down in the passenger seat next to Marie. She told her a quick "Hey" so she wouldn't be impolite but didn't say anything else. She looked out of the window and wondered why they weren't driving yet.

She turned back around to look at Marie. The woman had a nice, friendly smile and long brown hair. She was about thirty and wore a stylish black blouse and blue jeans and sneakers. Beca liked the way the other woman dressed, it suited her and didn't look grown up at all. "What are we waiting for?"

Marie smiled. "Well, you seem eager today. Not so badass and unfeeling as you want to make everyone believe, huh?"

Beca rolled her eyes. "I'm not eager. I just want out of this house. The other girls have been driving me insane. Can we go?"

"I'll have to run in quickly and tell Mrs. Plum that I'm taking you. We don't want her to think you've been kidnapped off her porch."

"I told her already, let's just go."

"Rules are rules. I'll be back in two minutes." Marie quickly got up and wandered into the group home.

Before Beca could make herself comfortable and maybe fall asleep to escape the coming conversation, Marie was already back and starting the car.

After driving for about five minutes, Marie broke the silence.

"Aren't you curious at all? Don't you want to know where I'm taking you?"

Beca continued looking out of the window but replied. "Not really. I don't have a choice in the matter, so why would I get angry about where you're taking me? It's not my decision. I'll see when we get there."

Marie pouted. "You're no fun. And so serious, lighten up. Fine, you didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway. You're staying in Atlanta. And you're going to the same school as Jesse."

Beca's eyes lit up. "Really?" She asked excitedly as she watched Marie's smug smile.

"Yep. It's only about half an hour from here and the Beale's live just about ten minutes away from Jesse. So meeting up will be easier for you two."

Beca smiled brightly. She was thankful to be in the same school as her best friend. The awkward new girl thing had been getting old pretty quickly.

Trying to remain true to her reputation, Beca quickly hid her true feelings behind a sarcastic smirk and replied. "Cool."

Marie laughed. "Oh you're so adorable, trying to look cool and uninterested. But I have seen through that smirk. I know you are happy about this, so don't deny it."

Beca didn't reply. Marie sighed deeply but smiled non the less. "Do you want to know about the Beales?"

Beca shrugged. "Not really."

Now it was Marie's turn to roll her eyes. "Sure. I'll tell you anyway. So the parents are Claire and Andrew Beale. Claire is working from home, she's a writer. Well, she writes cook books, but I guess that still means she's a writer? I don't know. Anyway, Andrew works in a big company as a manager. Something with computers and IT. They were very nice when I talked to them and they are really excited to meet you. They just registered as foster parents a few weeks ago and didn't think they would get someone this soon."

"Get someone? I'm not property." Beca said angrily.

Marie looked at her guiltily when they had to stop at a red light.

"I'm sorry, wrong choice of words. I think you would get along well with them."

Beca was still angry at the earlier comment and replied in anger again. "How would you know? You've known me for three weeks."

"I just think they would be a good fit. And it feels like I have known you longer from all the stuff Jesse has told me, so I just thought..."

Beca's heart started beating very fast and she nearly shrieked her next words. "What?! 'All the stuff Jesse has told you...'? Has he been talking about me behind my back? To his social worker of all people?!"

Marie winced at Beca's harsh tone and had an 'oh shit' expression on her face. Jesse had told her some stuff in confidence and told her to never tell Beca anything about it because if she found out the shit would really hit the fan. Beca was an extremely private person and didn't appreciate other people talking about her. At all.

He said he'd been worried about Beca and since Marie was doing a good job as his social worker he asked her if she could maybe try to get Beca under her care as well. She needed some details to be persuaded, but quickly agreed after Jesse told her some stuff.

"Calm down. He told me nothing specific. Just that he's been worried about you."

Beca snorted. "Sure. When that dude starts talking it's like the beginning of a water fall. He never stops with just one thing. What has he told you?"

"It wasn't much, I swear. You should talk to him."

Beca looked out of the window angrily. "Oh, you can be sure that I'll be talking to that snitch."

Marie sent a quick mental sorry in Jesse direction but continued driving. She decided to ignore the earlier topic and continue with the Beales.

"Well, Claire and Andrew have two kids. The older one has just finished high school and enrolled into the army last summer. His name is Nathan and he is 19. The daughter's name is Chloe and she is the same age as you. Since Nathan isn't living with them anymore, it will be just Claire, Andrew, Chloe and you. I'm sure he will visit for the holidays though."

Beca only hummed a little and tried to seem uninterested. In reality she was glad that the Beales had kids. All her former foster families didn't and that didn't work out well for Beca. She prayed that this home would be different.

Before she could prepare herself mentally, Marie arrived at a driveway and stopped the car. She turned around and watched Beca for a moment.

"We're here."

"Hm. Let's get this over with." Beca said but was secretly trembling with nerves. She got her bags out from the back seat and followed Marie to the front door.

Here goes nothing, she thought as Marie pressed the door bell. She heard some voices from inside and a few seconds later the door was opened.

A/N: I hope you guys liked this. I still have another story going but I couldn't help myself and had to start with this one. The idea has been floating inside my head for the past few weeks and I had to put it on paper (or screen). So, I hope you liked it, and if you did please leave a review to let me know :)