Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Prison Break or any of its contents. I am in no way affiliated with any of the characters or producers of the show.

A/N: Well, I've been planning to write this short story for about a month now and I've finally built the time to write it. This story will be set back when Michael was about sixteen in the year 1991. The book will only be about five chapters if that. For this story I used ideas from a friend of mine and some experiences that happened either to me or close friends. I hope you enjoy it!

Dedication: This book is dedicated Max, a very important person I left back home. I miss you!! This one is for you!!!!

June 12th, 1991…

--------------------------1784 Honeygate Dr, Chicago IL --------------- (9:00 a.m.) ------------

…Looks like we're moving again…another house…another family…what's new…

Michael Scofield rested his thought filled head against the head rest of the mini van him and his brother were traveling in. Another foster family awaited the both of them just outside Chicago which came as no shock to the young man. He was finally sixteen, just two more years of this and he could finally control his own life. Being able to live in the same place for even a month sounded almost like a dream to young Scofield. He would give anything just to be normal but knew normalcy was as obscure as the president standing on his hands during a presidential address.

He leaned his head toward the window of the van and watched the passing cars roll by quickly. By the expression set on his face anyone could tell he wanted to escape, run away or anything just to leave the constant chaos behind him but knew if he did so it would only augment the situation. Unlike Linc who was known for his fortitude Michael was more or less wary of everything. The young man felt the sudden stop of the vehicle and looked out his brother's window to find a tan suburban home right in front of them. There were kids surrounding the house, a dog in the backyard along with two adults waiting the arrival of their new foster kids.

The adults seems rather opulent from what he could tell by their looks. The man was wearing a dark business suit, red striped tie and had his wife in one arm and a phone in the other. His wife however was wearing a light pink sun dress, white ovular sunglasses and striped white sandals. The couple seemed happy but Michael knew they had that 'look' or 'expression' as if they didn't know what they were in for. Over all they seemed amicable by their looks but who knew what would happen after they actually met him and his brother. Good first impressions were feasible but didn't' come very easy when it came to Lincoln.

Scofield continued to look out the window until he heard the social worker. Almost like a dog he reacted quickly and hopped out of the van right behind his brother. The inviting young couple smiled as the young brothers walked up the path to the front door to meet their new fate. Michael watched the man reach his hand out for him to shake but completely alienated his offer. He looked down at the ground in retrospect of his last action and sighed. The man was not his adversary by any means but Michael could feel a vibe coming off from the couple that was unwelcoming…he just knew it.

"Hello sir. I'm Dorothy Ronald with the Chicago Department Child Services bureau. I would like you to meet your foster sons. This is Lincoln Burrows." The lady paused a moment and pointed toward the taller boy Lincoln and smiled. "…and this is his younger brother Michael Scofield." She pointed toward Michael and continued to smile.

"Hey Michael, my name is Duane Pearson and this is my wife Lynn Pearson." The middle aged man held out his hand once more only to be rejected by both young men. Even being denied a handshake he seemed nonchalant about the entire situation. "Well, your room is upstairs. You'll have to share for right now but I'll see what I can do in the mean time."

"Your social worker told me your size in clothes so there are some in the dresser and closet. If you do not like any of them I will be more than willing to take them back in exchange for new ones." The bleach blonde green eyed woman commented smiling with pearly white teeth and enough make up to cover the continental United States.

Without saying a word Lincoln quickly walked inside the two story house in search of his room. Michael sighed and looked at the worried couple in front of him. He held out his hand as his new foster father smiled and shook it with great pleasure. "You'll have to grant clemency to my brother. He really isn't a bad guy; you just need to give him time before you begin to embark on knowing him."

"Thank you Michael." Lynn smiled once more and looked deep into Michael's gorgeous blue eyes. "We'll be having the neighborhood over for a cook out to introduce you to the neighbors. I'm hoping that you and your brother will attend. We're not going to force you to go but I sure hope you will…"

"Yes ma'am." Michael answered as Duane looked from Michael to his wife and smiled. "Where is my room?" He asked in explicit anticipation as to where he would be living for whatever time they would be there and at the rate they were going would only be a couple weeks if Linc kept his behavior the way it was.

Mr. Pearson quickly opened the front door to reveal a beautiful spotless foyer that had crystal white steps leading to the second floor. Directly straight of the doorway was the open kitchen and informal living room. To the left of the doorway was a single bedroom that had exercising equipment and storage space. The right of the doorway consisted of a formal dining room with a dark oak table and hutch with fancy china placed carefully inside. There was also a formal living room which looked as if it were never used. The furniture was barely sat in and everywhere he turned he couldn't help but to notice the wide range of glass products.

"Your room will be upstairs…" Lynn journeyed her way up the stairs followed by her husband and Michael.

Michael followed the two adults down the hall and to the left. The room was nothing special by any means. There were two twin size beds on either side of the wall complete with a pair of closets on one wall and a 24 inch color television placed on top of a tall oak dresser. He sat his gym bag on the blue quilted bed and turned to face the couple. Lincoln was lying on the green quilted bed with his cassette player on maximum sound factor completely oblivious to the fact there were other people in the room.

"Michael, I would like it if you would mow the lawn for Duane. He has a conference call and cannot be disturbed. I would hate for the grass to be too long during the cook out." Lynn kissed Mr. Pearson on the cheek and watched as he left the room. "I would really appreciate it. I know I've only known you for a few minutes but…you know how it is…"

"Yes Mrs. Pearson. I'll take care of it as soon as I get settled in." Scofield began unpacking what belongings he had left after the many moves he had endured.

-------------------------------- Michael ----------------------------- (4:26 p.m.) --------------------

The hot Illinois sun was beating down on the Michael as he began cutting the grass as a favor for a man he barely even knew. It was only in his nature to want to help others even if he barely knew them. It was almost a suppressing force that he could never control even if he so desperately wanted to. He gently slid his shirt from off his back and threw it on to the bottom of the drive way. Michael continued to mow the lawn up and down in aisles until he noticed a girl at the end of the drive way right next to his house. He could tell the girl was a bit younger than him but that didn't stop him from looking. She had superfluous brunette hair that flew in the steady gusts of wind.

Michael wiped the sweat streaming down his forehead and noticed the girl glance toward his direction. She quickly turned away as soon as Michael looked back. They were now playing the 'game' all crushes play, the one where one person looks back and as soon as the other one does they both turn away. Scofield quickly turned pink when he realized the sudden connection he had with the woman sitting on the drive way.

Once the grass was cut, he turned the engine off of the lawn mower and placed it in the reserved spot in the garage. He turned the corner of the house to find the young woman gone. There was not a single trace of the beautiful brunette. His eyebrows showed immediate signs of frustration.

"Excuse me, are you the new guy?" A female voice questioned from the bottom of the drive way. She watched Michael quickly turn to her as he smiled at the sight of her sitting at the bottom the drive way.

"Yes, I guess so. My name is Michael…Michael Scofield…" Scofield brushed his hands against his rather baggy jeans and held it out for her to shake. He felt her most delicate skin reach his and smiled. "And you might be?"

"I'm Rebecca Caraway. I live right next door. Mrs. Pearson told me that you were moving in. She also hinted the fact she thought you were cute." Rebecca giggled and watched Michael's face turn a pale pink. "You shouldn't be embarrassed. She was right….well…at any rate I'll see you tonight?"

"…Yeah…" He stumbled watching the brunette lift herself away from the driveway. She glanced back toward him and smiled. "…See you tonight…" He blurted out and she continued to smile.

Michael quickly found himself leaning against the side of the house breathing heavily as he felt his heart pound quickly beneath his chest. The unsteady rhythm made Michael uneasy at first. His entire body grew tense as the flashback of his previous encounter with the girl next door rolled through his already tired mind. Could this actually be love at first sight?

---------------------------------- The Cook Out ------------------------ (6:27) ----------------------

"Honey is the hamburgers about done. Everyone inside is awaiting their dinner and some are getting a little impatient." Mrs. Pearson wrapped her long flowing arms around the waist of her husband who was wearing an apron that read 'kiss the cook'. She smiled as she read the apron and kissed him at the side of his neck. "Be in soon dear." She smacked his butt as she left the patio area.

"We've been married for fifteen years and we still have the fire…" Duane turned down the heat of the propane grill and looked over at Michael who was currently leaning against the wall of the patio. "Someday I hope you find a woman who will light up your world the same way Lynn does me."

Scofield said nothing and gently opened the sliding glass door to reveal a mass crowd of people awaiting to meet the 'new-comers' as he and his brother were now known as. Ignoring the constant hellos from everyone, Michael scurried upstairs and in his bedroom. On the dresser he noticed a folded paper crane in which he knew exactly what it meant. The crane meant that despite his brother not physically being there with him, he was emotionally there and that is all that should matter. He sighed and placed the folded bird in the palm of his hand and let out yet another sigh.

Well Linc, you promised change but as far as I can tell…you…you…lied…

A steady tear rolled down the young man's face as he dropped the bird directly in front of his feet. He deliberately stepped on top of the tiny bird leaving behind all the painful memories of the past. Michael quickly opened his bedroom window and stepped out onto the roof just above the garage. He had discovered this location a few hours ago that day. It was his place to think, relax and escape his own reality. The young man looked down at the many people then quickly turned away. The sight of people just wanting to meet him brought butterflies to his stomach. Just then he heard a noise behind him. Startled, he turned to face his window to find the image of Rebecca.

"Do you mind if I join you?" The brunette questioned lifting the window slowly and stepping out onto the roof. She smiled brightly but couldn't help but to notice the sad facial expression given off by Michael.

"No…" Michael said scooting to the more toward the garage so they young lady could find a seat beside him. He watched Rebecca plop down beside him with her knees tucked into her stomach and arms wrapped around the top of her knees. "Shouldn't you be with the party?"

"It is kind of hard to be at a party for two people who aren't there…" She commented.

"I guess you have a point…" He sighed and looked down at his hands. "So, how did you know I was up here?"

"Lucky guess…" Rebecca said as she continued to smile in hopes she could lift the spirits of the young man beside her. "…Spill…" She said rather loudly.

"What do you mean by 'spill'?"

"I mean, tell me what is going on. Nobody risks their life on top of their roof unless they think life isn't worth living which in that case I don't believe it coming from you." Ms. Caraway stated plainly.

"…Just trust me Ms. Caraway you wouldn't want anything to do with my problems. I'm fine…" He stuttered looking deep into her gorgeous blue eyes. He smiled partially then looked back down at his hands.

"I know about you. Mrs. Pearson told us everything, about your parents, about your brother, about you."

"Don't think for one minute you know me Rebecca. You don't know me…" Scofield added standing up from the roof. He brushed his hands across his pants and looked down at the young lady. "I'm sorry to have said that but you really should learn to not assume things…"

"Yes, that may be but don't you dare assume that I don't have problems myself and have no idea what it is like to have a tough life sir. So excuse me for wanting to help." She quickly stood up and looked at Michael furiously.

"Wait…" Michael said pulling her arm back toward him. He let his body ease back down to the roof and watched her do the same. "I'm sorry…so…tell me your story….since you obviously seem to know mine…" He smiled.

"Well, I'm fourteen since about a week ago. I have a little sister and brother who are a pain. My parents do nothing but fight and when they get along all hell breaks loose. My father is being held in jail for the murder of a man back in Toledo. My mother is an ex-junky who until about a year ago was addicted to crack-cocaine but I don't completely think she quit yet. I live with my mother and step dad who has been known to beat me until I bleed. So when you say I don't know what I'm talking about I beg you to reconsider."

"I'm…I'm…I'm so sorry. I had no idea. You seem like such a nice girl, I mean you are but I had no idea how much was hidden in some sort of façade." Michael watched Rebecca's eyes look into his and reached in for a kiss until he heard a noise coming from his bedroom. "…Shit…" He mumbled under his breath.

"Michael, you need to come in for dinner…" Mrs. Pearson yelled looking just outside the window at the two young kids. She smiled at the site of Michael with a girl and giggled. "I'm sorry you two but y'all need to be downstairs."

Scofield looked up at the woman in front of his very eyes and smiled. "I hope to see you again Rebecca." He said rather quietly just in case there was a 'snoop' in his room.

"You know where to find me…" She said smiling as she lifted her body away from the roof.

----------------------------------- End Of Chapter ----------------------------------------------------

A/N: Okay, this is somewhat of a beginning chapter to establish everything. Like I said before, this is sort of a short story with only five chapters so I hope you guys like it. Well, I'll have chapter two up soon!