"Is this home? Is this what I must learn to believe in?"

-Beauty and the Beast, Home

3 MONTHS LATER...

Being put in a foster home was a surprisingly long process. Meg didn't know exactly what was involved, all she knew was it took three months for her foster parents to take her to their home.

Her foster parents were George and Mary Darling. They had adopted three kids (Wendy, John and Michael) and were now trying things out as foster parents. Mary couldn't get pregnant, but wanted a house full of kids. And there house was big enough. It was a two story white house in a neighborhood where all the houses look the same. They had just pulled into the driveway and Meg was looking up at it through her window. It looked like an ordinary suburban house, but slightly bigger.

George was the first one out of the car. Mary gave Meg a smile through the rear view mirror before getting out as well. Meg opened her door and stepped out. George and Mary were now standing on the front porch, waiting for her. They almost looked like a photograph.

Meg gripped her suitcase handle and made her way towards them. Mary took her hand and led her inside. The inside of the house matched the outside; clean, neat and beautiful. The walls were decorated with framed photographs and drawings that were obviously done by a kid. Meg got a quick tour of the house, before they took her upstairs to her room.

The room was simple; white walls, beige carpet, wooden desk, full-length mirror, wooded nightstand and a queen-sized bed with white bedding. Across the room was a window; there was a tree just outside it, but she could still see the house next door.

"We weren't sure what you liked, so we kept it plain," Mary explained. "But, feel free to decorate it anyway you want."

"Thank you," Meg said. "It's nice."

Mary nodded. "There's a basket in the closet for your dirty laundry. We have a schedule for the washing machine, but we left it open for you for today."

Meg glanced over at her. A schedule for the washing machine? "Thank you."

"We should go over the ground rules," George said. "No boys in your room at any time. Curfew is nine o'clock on school nights and midnight on the weekends. If you're going to be late, you must call to let us know. We have a car available for you on the weekends, but if you use more than a half a tank, you must put fuel in it. No smoking, drinking or drugs ever. We have no tolerance for any of those and if you're caught even once we will send you back to the orphanage. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

"There's also a dress code, Megara," Mary added. "No cleavage, no midriff baring tops and no short skirts or shorts."

"Got it."

George nodded in approval. "Very well." He turned to Mary. "I'm going to back to work."

Mary kissed him. "Have a good day, dear."

Shortly after George left the doorbell rang. While Mary went to answer it, Meg dumped her laundry into the basket. When she went downstairs she saw Mary talking to a girl with blonde hair. She looked about the same age as Meg. When the girl saw Meg, her face lit up.

"Is that Meg?" she asked Mary.

Mary nodded and stepped away from the door so the girl could come inside. The girl immediately hugged Meg, causing her to stumble a bit and almost drop the basket.

"It's so great to finally meet you!" the girl gushed. "I'm Charlotte La Bouff. I live next door." She pointed in the direction of her house and Meg realized it was her house that she could see from her room.

"It's nice to meet you, too," Meg said.

"Mrs. Darling, can I take her to get new clothes for school?" Charlotte asked. "Or did you want to do that?"

Meg glanced down at her clothes in the basket. She didn't see anything wrong with what she had.

Mary checked the time on her watch. "No, go ahead, Charlotte. Wendy and the boys will be home soon anyway. Just have her home in time for dinner."

Charlotte let out a squeal of excitement and before Meg could protest, she was dragging her outside. Mary took her basket and Meg followed Charlotte next door to a pink convertible. Before Meg knew it, they were on their way to the mall.

OOOOO

A couple hours later the girls were making their way to the food court for smoothies with bags full of clothes. Meg learned that Charlotte's father was very wealthy and spoiled Charlotte. Charlotte paid for all of Meg's new clothes and told her she didn't have to pay her back; she would just owe her a favor later. Charlotte seemed like a sweet girl, so Meg wasn't too worried about the favor she would have to perform.

"Hey, girl!" Charlotte greeted the girl behind the smoothie counter.

The girl looked up and smiled at Charlotte. She had big blue eyes and bright red hair pulled back in a ponytail. "Hi, Lottie. What brings you here?"

Charlotte smiled and rolled her eyes. "Like I need an excuse to go to the mall. Although, I'm actually taking my new friend, here, shopping for school clothes. She's the Darling's new foster kid."

The redhead stuck out her hand to Meg. "Hello! I'm Ariel."

Meg shook her hand, which was slightly sticky from making smoothies. "Meg."

"Are you going to be attending Corona High?" Ariel asked.

"Yeah. I'm gonna be a senior."

Ariel smiled again. "We're seniors, too."

Charlotte linked her arm through Meg's. "Look at that, Meg; school hasn't even started yet and you already made new friends."

Meg was grateful that she wouldn't be starting a new school not knowing anyone, but she still couldn't help missing Eugene and wishing he was there, too.