AN: Thanks to every one who has read and enjoyed the story. This chapter and the next will focus alot on the girls. Just a head ups we get some background that will be revisited at another time.

Sorry if the French is wrong. I had to use Google.

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"Sometimes you have to do what you don't love, so that you can do what you love."

-unknown

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Mattea knew school was gonna suck for all of three of them. It is bad enough going from state to state, but when you've been to schools in three different countries plus a short year of homeschooling you get use to it. It wouldn't be Mattea's first time in an American school, but it would be the younger girls first year. Though at least the younger girls only had British accents. It wasn't their first time in the US, but the last time they had been to young for it to impact it. Mattea on the other hand had moved around enough for her accent to be screwed. It didn't help she didn't even have to live somewhere long to pick up on the local speak. Many people complimented her on her unique ability to what she saw as confusing people. Though she hated watching her mother flinch at any hint of an Irish accent that passed her lips.

Mattea knew how bad their mom felt for missing their first day of school so she made work of capturing plenty of pictures. She also spoke to the girl's teachers. Knowing how excited Chloe was she walked her to class first. She knew Elise would be more reluctant and she didn't want Chloe to be late.

A kind older women greeted them. "Hi I'm Ms. David and you are?"

Mattea shook the women's hand, "Mattea Prentiss. Nice to meet you."

Chloe who was jumping with excitement in front of Mattea looked up. "Hi!"

The teacher smiled and spoke to her. "So you must be Chloe Prentiss?"

Chloe nodded. "Well Chloe why don't you put your things in your cubby and then you can go play with the other students."

Chloe gave Mattea a hug before running off. "I think she'll be just fine." The teacher told Mattea.

Elise was a whole different story. She didn't cry but instead clung to Mattea. "Elise I need you to stay here so I can go to school."

"Don't wanna," Elise protested.

Mattea sent the teacher an apologetic look. "Elise you have to."

"Don't wanna," Elise tried again.

"Sweetie the sooner you go the school the quicker the day will be over," Mattea informed her.

Elise just clung harder to Mattea's leg. "We can have spaghetti for dinner."

That caught Elise's attention. "School nice?"

"Yes school is very fun and I'll be back to get you this afternoon," Mattea reassured her.

Elise held up her pinky. "Pinky promise?"

"Pinky Promise," Mattea said linking their pinkies.

After that Elise completely let go and went into the classroom.

Mattea's own morning went off with out a hitch. That is if you count literally running into someone, getting lost twice, and being called in front of the class in French without a hitch.

Mattea's first class of the day was AP History. While in London she had done a double study of sorts which involved her normal school work while also learning American work in her free time. She knew that she planned to go to college in the states so she might as well get a head start. With her wide range of knowledge she easily sailed through a placement test. Looking down at her schedule to get the room number she didn't notice the person in her path.

"Ow," was her first reaction as she hit the ground. Her second reaction was apologizing. "I'm so sorry I wasn't looking."

"It's fine," The dusty haired blonde spoke.

"No it's not," Mattea replied. "I'm normally more aware of my surroundings, but I'm trying to find AP History."

The other senior stood up dusting off her jeans. "Ms. Cooper or Mr. Charleston?"

Mattea glanced back down at her schedule. "Mr. Charleston."

"You're gonna like him," The blonde spoke. "I can show you to the classroom."

Mattea smiled. "Thank you uhm..."

"Caitlin," The she replied.

"Caitlin," Mattea repeated committing the name to memory. "I'm Mattea."

Caitlin was taken back by the way her name sounded in Mattea's accent. "Finally a name I haven't heard before. Do you know how many kids have the name Caitlin at this school? I'll give you a hint; a lot."

"Thanks," Mattea whispered blushing. "It's Italian. My father's name is Matthew and Mattea is the Italian feminine form of it."

"Cool. My mom named me after a goat," Caitlin responded with a grin.

Mattea gave her a questioning look.

"Her family had a goat named Caitlin. My mom loved the goat so much she named me after it," Caitlin explained.

"Oh," Mattea mouthed.

"So what brings you to Virginia?" Caitlin asked.

"My mom got a new job," Mattew replied.

Caitlin nodded. "Cool. I've lived here forever. Barely been out of the state."

"That sounds nice. The longest time I've spent in a place at one time is four years. Though we always seemed to return to London," Mattea told her.

Caitlin picked up on the fact that she shouldn't venture to far on that subject. "So what ya like to do?"

"Dance, Dance, Dance, and Puzzles," Mattea replied with a grin.

Caitlin laughed. "So you like dancing."

"What about you?" Mattea asked.

"Do alot of babysitting my little brothers, but when I have free time I like to go horse back riding," Caitlin told her.

"I have two younger sisters so I can relate to the babysitting," Mattea said just as they reached her class.

"Well this is it," Caitlin spoke gesturing to the door. "I guess I'll see you around."

"Thanks and see you around," Mattea called as Caitlin went to her own class.

After History Mattea had French. She found it pointless seeing she was already fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian, but she needed it for her diploma. Thankfully she found the French room with out incident. Like she told Caitlin she enjoyed puzzles. Really anything that challenged the brain. It wasn't rare for her to carry crosswords or logic riddles around. Since she felt no need to pay attention in French class she pulled out one of her puzzle books to occupy her time.

"Ms. Prentiss since you don't seem to want to pay attention why don't you stand up and tell me what I just taught?" The teacher told her.

Mattea looked up slowly. "Why?"

"Because if you want to pass my class you need to participate," The teacher replied.

Mattea dropped her pencil on the desk and slowly stood up. From her left she heard a a kid whisper "Oh shit".

"Je ne vois pas pourquoi je devrais faire attention quand je suis déjà couramment en Français, espagnol et italien. La seule raison pour laquelle que je suis encore dans cette classe est parce que j'en ai besoin pour obtenir leur diplôme. Aussi, soit dit en passant la leçon que vous enseignaient a eu tort. Je devrais savoir que je vivait en France depuis deux ans." (I do not see why I should pay attention when I am already fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian. The only reason I am even in this class is because I need it to graduate. Also by the way the lesson you were teaching was wrong. I should know I did live in France for two years.)" Mattea fired in few split seconds.

So in all honesty she was kind of bluffing. She had indeed lived in France for two years, but she didn't remember much of it. After that the French teacher left her alone. When trying to find her science class she got lost again.

"I'm gonna start calling you puppy," Caitlin said walking up beside her.

Mattea quickly turned Cailtlin. "What?"

"Every time I see you you're looking around like a lost puppy," Caitlin explained.

"Oh, yeah that. High school should really come with a map."

Caitlin laughed. "Where to next my lady?"

Mattea giggled. "Science with Marshall."

"Great, right where I'm going." Caitlin said leading the way.

It had it's up and downs, but Mattea deemed the school day a success.

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"We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our paths for a reason."

- unknown