Chapter 1

"Come on, Gabriella. It's time to go." My social worker, Laurie, said to me. Once again, I was leaving a home I was starting to get used to. I've been in foster care since I've been nine. Where are my parents? Well, I never met my dad. I was told he was a "useless bastard". At least that's my mother's opinion. Oh, and my mom? Who knows. She's some druggie. When she's sober, she was a great mom, when she's not... I went into my room and locked my door. I was taken away from my home when I was seven and I moved in with my grandma. It was great. My grandma was how you would picture Betty Crocker. Then, when I was nine, she died. 'They' said I couldn't go back to my mom. As far as I know I hate 'them'. They've done nothing but make my life miserable. Take me away from my mother, make me move almost every two months, it sucks.

"Where is it to this time?" I asked throwing my bag over my shoulder.

"New Mexico. Albuquerque to be exact."

"Alright." Positive side to my life; I get to go all over the country, all expenses paid.

Laurie and I climbed into the silver Suzuki and headed for my new life. Well, my life for now, until I'm forced to leave. Again. Don't ask me how many homes I've been shuffled into. How many faces I've seen, how many times I've been told "this is your new home". I never believed it, never will. This child care was a bunch a shit. They did nothing to work in our benefit. They took us from our parents, our friends, our family, our lives. I'd like to meet them. Whoever they are.

A pair of headlights glowed in my eyes waking me up. I opened them to see the "Welcome to New Mexico" sign. I've seen a couple of those signs. 'The Land of Enchantment' was printed on the sign. You've gotta be kidding me. Enchanting? My life is far from that. Way far.

I looked at the car radio and saw that it was three in the morning. I looked over at Laurie to see her sipping down a cup of Starbucks Coffee. I lied my head against the cold window. I looked down at the pavement we were passing.

"How long till we get there?" I asked.

"About five minutes."

"What? We're gonna show up at someones house at three in the morning?"

"They're expecting you, don't worry."

"How long till I'll have to leave here?" I whispered.

She took a deep breath before she answered. "I don't know."

"Do they ever?"

"No." She shook her head. "They don't."

I heard the car shut off and looked at Laurie. "We're here." She smiled.

I stepped out of the car and saw a huge house sitting in front of me. It had a wrap around porch with a white swing hanging on there. The neighborhood was... original. This new home reminded me of Desperate Housewives without the drama. This will be interesting.

"Gabriella! Come on." Laurie called from the porch. I ran up to her and heard footsteps and then the heavy front door swung open. There stood a short, round, aged woman. She was too old to be young, but too young to be old. She looked about fifty.

"You must be Gabriella!" She gasped wrapping her arms around me. "It's so nice to meet you. You're even cuter than I expected." Like I haven't heard that one before.

"Um. Hi." I tried smiling."

"Well don't just stand there, come in, come in." She waved her hand welcoming us in. I walked into to see a huge shiny wooden staircase, the perfect kind to slide down.

"Are there any other kids living here?" I asked hoping for a no.

"No. There aren't just you me and Wilbert."

"Wilbert?" I asked with my eyebrow narrowed. My mind thought back to the second foster home I lived in. She told me it was her, me, and Ross. Ross was a stuffed flamingo sitting at the bottom of the steps. She said not to worry though, he was taking his medication. A week later I was in a new house.

"Yes. Wilbert, my cat. He's harmless, though."

"Uh okay."

"Well I have to get going." Laurie spoke up. "Gabriella, be good. We don't want a repeat of last time do we?"

"Nope." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Good." Laurie said some things to this lady I was supposed to live with and then left.

"So, you have your first day of school tomorrow. Hopefully, you got some sleep on your way here."

"Yeah." I said. "Where's my room?"

"Oh! Upstairs second door on the right. The bathroom is right across from it."

"Thanks..." I gestured for her to tell me her name.

"Oh, just call me Mimi."

"Oh. Kay." I picked up my bags and walked up the steps.

I opened the door to see a normal size room. Average. It had your basic dresser and matching desk. The bed was suitable with a plain bedspread. My eyes landed on a closet, I opened the door and already saw hangers filled the shelves. I'll unpack later. I walked over to the other closet, but saw steps instead. Man, it was dusty in here. I climbed the narrow steps and saw a huge round room and the ceiling with a sunroof. I looked up at the moonlight glowing through the window lighting up the room. I guess this life will do for now. Hopefully.

I woke up to the birds chirping and the sun hitting my eyes. I rubbed my eyes before opening them. First day of school here in New Mexico. I've always done good in school. I figured if I got good grades I could go to a college on a scholarship and not have to worry about paying the ridiculous amount of money.

When I was ready and had all my supplies I would need in my bag I walked downstairs to see Mimi, as I was to call her, sitting at the long dining room table eating a piece of toast. I heard the front door open and turned my head to see a guy around my age walk in carrying a gym bag and a newspaper. He had on jeans, a pair of vans and a red t-shirt that said East High. His brown hair hung right above his gorgeous blue eyes.

"Oh, Troy, thank you." Mimi said as she accepted the newspaper out of his hands. "I want you to meet someone." She waved her hand at me. "Gabriella, this is Troy, Troy, this is Gabriella. She'll be living with me for a while."

"Nice to meet you." He said sticking out his hand.

"Yeah." I said not taking his hand. He pulled it back out of embarrassment I guess. "Uh, Mimi? I have to get to school early so I can find everything."

"Alright. Have fun."

"Wait up, Gabriella, I'll walk with you."

"Whatever." I mumbled before walking outside.

He caught up to me and started asking questions. "So, where did ya move from?"

"Places."

"Eh. Move a lot?"

"Yup." I said staring in front of me.

"How do you know Mimi?"

"I don't."

"Well then how can you live with her-"

"I just do. Okay?" I picked up my pace a little.

"I can keep up with you."

"I really don't care."

"What's your problem?"

I ignored that question knowing life is my problem.

"Not much of a talker, huh?"

I still didn't answer him.

"Well, if you need help finding your way-"

"Look." I stopped walking and looked at him. "I don't need your help. I've been on my own since I was a kid. I'll be fine." I started walking again.

"I'll find out who you are, Gabriella! I'll know you better then you know yourself. I promise you!" He called after me. Oh great. Just what I wanted to hear.

Okay, so I don't know how good this story will be. It was really random and it looks like I'll also be doing 'A Crazy Night in Vegas' please tell me what you think of this. If I get enough reviews, I'll continue it. Thanks. =