A/N: Here it is! Enjoy! :D

Windcott's Home for Girls

Nina's POV

I was paralyzed, and just stared out the window, watching the countryside zip by as I let the car take me somewhere I didn't want to go.

Windcott's Home for Girls.

Windcott was a funny name. Maybe the founder's last name had been Windcott, or that it was the name of the street, or a nearby river.

I still remember the first time I heard it.

"Nina, I'm afraid I have some bad news." Kate said, leaning across the table to look at me.

"What…what's happened?" I asked, fear flickering in my stomach like a flame.

"The Rosewoods have had a financial crisis, and can no longer take you in," she said sympathetically.

Tears rushed to the corners of my eyes, but they didn't fall, not just yet.

"So…can I see the other families again?" I asked, thankful that I hadn't lost control of my voice.

"I'm so sorry Nina." Kate said, "Once you decided on the Rosewoods, all the other families were matched with other kids."

"So…what…what'll happen to me?" I stuttered, and the tears leaked out of my eyes and down my face. Would I become a street kid? Hungry and lost, unwanted forever?

"There is a Home for Girls a couple hours away that has an extra spot. It's a very nice home, very welcoming. You will be very happy there Nina." She said, trying to make it sound positive, but I knew what she meant. I was going to an orphanage.

"What…what about my boarding school? In…in England?" I whispered, trying to hold to my last, slim hope.

"I just don't think that'll be possible Nina." She said, grasping my hand tightly.

Now the tears came down my face harder than ever, but I didn't feel like an emotional wreck. I was stunned, lady of marble, stone Nina. So I couldn't hear what Kate said, the words bounced off me, I couldn't really take anything in. helped me pack, and I entered Kate's car.

When we arrived at the home, I was greeted by a kindly looking woman. Her hair was blonde but graying, and her eyes were a warm shade of gray.

"Welcome Nina." She said, putting an arm around my shoulder, and leading me into the house.

The tour was a blur of rooms, names, and faces, and finally I was standing in a room, looking down at a bed, my bed. It looked cozy; the blanket was a pretty shade of lavender. But it wasn't my room with Amber at Anubis House.

"Hi."

I spun around, to stare into the face of another girl, who looked about my age. She must be my room-mate, she looked nice enough. Her brown hair was bright, and had caramel streaks in it, while her eyes were a greenish-shade of hazel.

"Hi." I answered back, forcing my lips to smile.

"My name's Kate, you must be Nina." She said, shaking my hand.

"That's me." I answered, trying not to sound disappointed.

"I'm sorry about your Grandmother." She said, and smiled, "Do you want me to help you with your un-packing?"

"That'd be great." I said, smiling back. I didn't want to tell Kate that I wasn't sad about my Gran right now. I was upset because part of me ached to be in my room with Amber, doing homework, or downstairs, watching one of the geek shows that I watched with Fabian every Saturday at 5pm.

Kate helped me unpack, and we were almost done when we were called for dinner. I followed her downstairs, and realized that the home wasn't a maze of corridors and rooms. It was simple. I could get used to it.

I sat in between Kate and a girl with dirty-blonde hair that ended at her shoulder. Her hair was straight, and her eyes were blue.

We passed about a bowl of bread, then salad, and then spaghetti. I served myself some of each, and started to eat. It was okay, but nothing compared to the food at Anubis House. This food didn't taste like home.

Kate introduced me to everyone. There was a Sarah, an Eliza, an Alyssa, a Lindsey, a Savannah, and the girl sitting next to me was named Chloe. That was eight girls.

"So Nina, how was life at your boarding school?" Eliza asked conversationally.

"It was amazing!" I answered happily, and I surprised myself with this sudden burst of energy. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you half the stuff that happened there." I stifled a giggle, and touched my locket. They honestly wouldn't believe me.

"Did you have a cute British Boyfriend?" Lindsey asked, and I turned to look at her.

"Well, I did have one. We broke up, but we're still really close. I still like him, and I know he still likes me too." I answered.

There was a series of "Awwws'!" all around the table.

"That's so sweet!" Sarah said, smiling.

"It sounds like a TV show or something." Eliza said.

"Yeah. A mystery/comedy drama TV show." Alyssa said, and that made everyone laugh.

We talked for the rest of the meal about my life in England, and by the end of the meal, I felt a little happier, but the ache in me hadn't even been dulled.