Disclaimer: I own nothing other than a few original characters!

A/N: They are NOT blood-related. They never will be.

Reunited

Moving somewhere knew is always hard—especially when you have to start your entire life over again.

I've always been my own provider. I can't remember the last time I was able to rely on someone else to put food on the table for my siblings, mother, and me.

I was basically called to court because of ONE, idiotic little ticket. I went like, what?—Eight miles over the speed limit? For crying out loud, I was rushing to my sister Lynn's soccer game! She didn't even want me to be there; I was just being the supportive person I am, and I get this punishment in return. What has the world become?

Anyway, so I show up at court, ready to pay the fine, and before I know it, they are pulling out my file (I didn't know they had files for people, not to mention they had one especially for me), and they decide that I didn't have a stable enough living situation.

Social Services sent my alcoholic mother to rehab, and sent me to…to my—my dad. I can't even say that without having to choke down my spit. They said that they could only get in touch with my father. His family was willing to take my siblings and me in and support us. With the job that he apparently had, my brothers and sisters could have a way better life.

Now let me tell you what's wrong with the situation:

First, I HAVE NEVER MET MY DAD BEFORE.

Second, IT'S THREE STATES AWAY IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

And third, I HAVE TO MOVE!

Don't get me wrong; I could definitely get some major improvements with the way I was living, but I didn't need to move THREE FREAKING STATES away from all my family and friends. Well, mostly friends considering my relatives live all across the country, and I never see them.

I was the oldest in the family, obviously, so I had four younger siblings.

Derek was the oldest of them, coming at fourteen years of age; Lynn and Chase came in second, twins at thirteen; and finally, Lilly, the most adorable four-year-old you will ever meet.

My mom was never really normal. She hated traditions, rules, and all that kind of stuff. That's why Derek and I share the same dad, and Lynn and Chase have another dad (which they've met) in upstate New York, and Lilly has her own biological father somewhere in Atlanta. She's never even been married before.

The only time I have ever met any of the dads in my family was that one snowy winter in Atlanta, and it was Lilly's dad. I was there with my mom to discuss alimony. All our fathers sent in money, and we had plenty for food and clothes, but that was about it. No video games, no cell phones (except for me since I took care of the family), no computers, and no allowances.

So back to moving…

We were currently stuffed into my Mini-Cooper, driving to my dad's house. I called him a few times, just to talk to him and to get to know him a little. He told me he had a surprise for me and my siblings. He tried to convince me that it was great in California. With the way he was praising the beautiful sun, he sounded like he was trying to sell insurance to me. I still doubted his advertisement even as he attempted to tell me about the abundant supply of boys. Yeah, he said that. It only reminded me of one of the very limited pros of moving to Los Angeles: my best friend Troy, who I only communicate with through text and email.

We knew each other from school. We went to the same daycare, then preschool, and then from Kindergarten all the way to seventh grade. We were really close and we told each mostly everything from crushes, to enemies, to teachers that we despised. His dad got a job transfer, so they moved. He didn't say too much, only leaving a note with one of my close friends to give me. It just had his email and that's how we still talked. He didn't know me that well anymore, so every time I asked him for advice, it was sort of anonymous because I had no idea what he looked like after four years, and he had no clue what I'd become. And when he didn't answer my email or text back for a day or two, I'd get worried. It was natural.

We arrived at the house with the U-Haul tailing us. It was a good 16-hour drive (I accidentally took a detour), so everyone was basically passed out.

I honked the horn, and all except Lilly jumped. Lilly was still sleeping, like her fairytale world would never end. They slowly opened their eyes to the blinding sun.

"We're here," I said with a sigh. "Let's get this over with."

I started getting out of the car toward the back door, to carry Lilly.

The five of us stood in front of the towering mansion. It was HUGE. The stucco sides were all yellowish, giving off an American household feel. The walk up to the front door had me breathless already, but then we had to climb about 20 steps until we reached the actual entrance. I was still carrying Lilly in my arms. It was harder than usual since she was all limp and unconscious.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked Derek as I noticed is sudden stiffness. I've never seen him nervous. He was usually always laidback, keeping his cool.

He nodded as a reassurance and softened slightly from being tense.

Lynn gently pressed the doorbell. I could tell she was as nervous as I was to see Derek's and my father whom we'd be living with for the next, oh I would say, year and a half? Until our mom was fully recovered, at least.

A middle-aged woman opened the door with my dad at her side. She looked oddly familiar…sort of like a PTA mom. Or maybe a model. I wasn't sure, but it seemed like I knew her.

"You must be Gabriella!" She greeted me with a full-on hug. "I'm so happy to meet you!"

Who was this lady, and why was she hugging me?

"And who's this?" She pinched Lilly's left cheek. She was wide awake now. Lilly squirmed and hid her face in my shoulder.

"Her name is Lilly," I answered.

My dad whispered something in her ear that made her suddenly realize something. I took in my father's features, making the first imprint of his face in my mind.

He had a scruffy beard. His hair was dark along with his even toned skin. He looked like an Asian and Caucasian mix. His skin complexion made me realize he probably had a lot of ethnicities within his blood. That's most likely why Derek and I don't look too alike with the twins or Lilly.

"Oh, I am so sorry! Come in, come in. I didn't mean to keep you waiting there. This is your new home now. You're welcome anywhere. You guys can go ahead and run upstairs to choose which rooms you'd like."

Everyone treaded into the house. Derek walked slowly with me, embracing the fact that we were going to be living with our biological father.

My father just stood there, smiling at Derek and me.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked, the first time I'd ever heard his voice without a phone.

Derek took Lilly from my arms. "Sure."

The twins raced up the stairs to pick their bedrooms since they were stoked to finally not have to share a room just because they shared the same birthdate. The familiar lady walked off also, leaving us to follow our father.

The first thing that caught my eye was the gigantic living room. The ceiling-to-floor window had black and white striped drapes that fell to the floor. It was all black and white with the occasional red pillow and red polka dots over the curtains. The whole color scheme was pulled together by the center vase on the glass coffee table that contained fresh white and red roses. The couches were fine leather, and they faced a 60" plasma screen TV. The TV was surrounded by expensive equipment like stereos and surround sound systems.

I turned to my left and saw the amazing dining room that had dark mahogany table set. Behind it lay a big, glass chinaware shelf.

I kept walking, being completely blown away by each and every magazine-perfect room until I reached the kitchen.

This kitchen was full of high-tech appliances. There was stainless steel everywhere I turned my head. I took one look at the advanced toaster, and felt as if I had re-flunked my Calculus test.

I snuck a glance at my brother, and he had the same expression that was probably on my face.

"So what do you think of the house?" Our dad asked from behind me.

"It's absolutely breath-taking. They look like they've been taken out of those home décor magazines."

"No, the magazines actually take it from the house. Lucy designed every room."

"That's pretty cool, Dad. Is it okay if I call you that?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. I mean, we're just getting to know each other so if you feel more comfortable calling me Eric, that's fine, too."

"Oh, okay." I glanced at the high ceiling and back at his face. "So who's Lucy?"

He sighed. "You know how I said I had a surprise?"

"Yeah,"

"Well, she's my… girlfriend. We've been dating for seven years now, and she and her family has been living with me for awhile now."

Right then, Lucy appeared from the doorframe and went towards Eric—I decided I was going call him that until this situation felt more home-y.

"Have you by any chance walked through Nordstrom?" she asked us.

"Of course," Derek answered.

"I'm Lucille Bolton, but call me Lucy."

"Are you the Lucille Bolton? The wedding dress designer?" I was seriously considering one of her classics for my wedding back when I was 12.

"That would be me… I also do interior designing, and formal dress designing."

"WHAT? You are like, officially, the coolest person I've ever met in my entire life!" I exclaimed.

I was being serious. I practically worshipped this woman already. Fashion designing was my passion. I kept telling my mother that there was a reason as to why I kept cutting my Barbies' clothes when I was three.

As I got to obsessing over fashion and designing, Eric and Derek (I realized that their names rhymed) both dispersed. Lucille Bolton was like the instant male-repellant.

"Where's the rest of your family?" I asked, quickly getting off topic after hearing her last name was Bolton. Maybe I'd see Troy sooner than I thought.

"Troy's coming back from basketball practice in just a few minutes, and Ben is probably still at work."

My jaw dropped open.

"Troy Bolton is your son?"

She didn't answer because of the slamming of a door in the three-car garage.

"Looks like Troy's back. Feel free to do whatever you want. I have to go finish up a few sketches of spring jackets. Nice talking to you." She smiled and went away. I honestly couldn't tell you where she went because of the largeness of the house.

"I'M HOME!" I heard a deep voice call.

The door—which I assumed would be the garage door—slammed shut, and in came a shirtless guy with the body of a god. (No, not Buddha…)

His eyes were the bluest of all blue eyes I had ever come across in my 16 years of life. I instantly recognized them, even though they'd become a distant memory. His hair was much darker than I remembered, and his teeth were perfectly white.

He was rather sweaty at the moment, but he still looked like the most gorgeous man to enter the world. To me, at least.

He stared back as I drooled dumbly at his beauty. Did I seriously know him?

"Whoa, I knew that new kids were moving in with us, but… Gabriella? Is that you?"

This is like a filler chapter. The next chapters won't be as long because shorter chapters mean more updates faster. :)