Chapter 1:

Mama, hurry up! We're going to be late!" Sofia yelled from the bottom of the stairs checking her watch for the 5th time in as many seconds.

"Hold on," she heard her mother call from the bathroom upstairs. Sofia rolled her eyes. She wondered how her mother was ever on time for things at work without her there to nag her. "Sorry, sorry, sorry," Callie said quickly as she ran down the stairs two at a time. "Are we going to be late?"

"Depends how fast you drive," Sofia joked, handing her mum a thermos of coffee as they walked out the door. "I did get you up a little bit earlier than needed because I knew you would run late."

"What would I do without you," Callie smiled as they got into the car. "Are you sure you don't want me to come in for your first day? I don't have to walk you to class but I can at least sit in on the meeting with the principal. I don't have any surgeries today."

Sofia shook her head and smiled at her mum. This wasn't her first time starting at a new school in the middle of the year. Having a highly sought-after orthopedic surgeon for a mum meant hospitals were constantly offering Callie research grants and head of department positions, so they had moved from town to town. Their longest stint in one place had been in Seattle when Sofia was first born. They had made their first move just after her 6th birthday.

"I'll be fine. It's not like I haven't had to do these before. It's the same at every school and who knows how long we will be here for anyway." Sofia watched as her mother's eyebrows creased at her words. Sofia didn't mind moving but she knew her mother had wanted things to be stable for them.

"I'm sorry. I know we've moved a lot lately but the plan is to stay here until college. No matter what I'm offered we're staying here. I signed a three-year contract with this hospital to get my research off the ground," Callie smiled as she focused on the traffic. Knowing that her mum hadn't been doing as much surgery lately, Sofia knew that this time she was serious about staying in one place. Research was hard to take from hospital to hospital so it made sense that they would be here for a while. "Besides, it was insanely hard to get you into this school mid-year and it has one of the best pre-college programs in the country. We are staying."

Unable to contain her smile, Sofia took a sip of her smoothie. "Will you be home for dinner tonight?" She knew how often her mother got called in for emergencies and didn't make it home for dinner. "I was thinking of cooking Spaghetti Bolognese, I've been craving since Abuelo called and bragged about the restaurant they went to without us."

"Of course I'll be home for dinner," Callie chuckled, "I want to hear all about your first day." She watched as her mother glanced over to her when she didn't get a response. "I promise. I told you, no surgeries today, only research and meeting everyone. This isn't going to be like the last place." Sofia knew her mother felt guilty about how little time they had spent together in recent years. Especially because Callie had missed so many moments of Sofia's schooling life so far.

"I know, I know. You took this contract because it was more money for research so less surgeries which means more time with me. You know it's okay though. I've survived so far and I still love you." She watched her mother hold back tears as Sofia squeezed her hand. "I promised dad I would love you no matter what. I'm holding good to that."

"I'm so proud of you. I don't think I tell you enough how proud of you I am." Sofia just smiled. She knew how proud she made everyone. Her grandparents were always telling her and showering her with gifts. Even though her mum didn't always say it, Callie had always shown it when she smiled at Sofia a certain way. Whenever she got the smile, she just knew how proud her mum was.

"Okay okay, calm down before you start crying," Sofia joked. "Have you heard from..."

"No," Callie said sternly, cutting her off.

"Have you tried..."

"No." This time it came with a warning tone.

"Okay, I won't ask again,' Sofia said softly.

"I'm sorry, I just really don't want to waste any more time on, on. You're my main priority. Okay?"

"Okay," Sofia nodded, "but you know it's okay to date again. I want you to be happy."

"Oh look, we're here," Callie smiled as she pulled over to the side of the road. "Have a great first day mija."

"Yeah, yeah, deflect again. We will talk about this though," Sofia smiled as she grabbed her back pack. "Love you ma, have a great first day."

"Love you too. Text me when you get home."

"I will," Sofia smiled as she closed the door to the car. "Bye," she called out as her mother drove away. Once Callie was out of view, Sofia dropped her smile and sighed. "Here we go again," she sighed as she walked into the large brick admin building of her new school.

"Dr Robbins is just finishing up a phone call and then she will be able to see you." Sofia looked up and smiled at the young receptionist handing her a clipboard of paperwork. Sofia doesn't even ask what these are for. She has done this enough to know that she has to fill out her personal details, subject choices and emergency contacts for her enrollment to be complete.

"Do I just give these to you when I'm done?"

"Sure thing sugar. Otherwise if you finish them with Dr Robbins, just leave them there."

Before Sofia could say thanks, the door to the office swung open and she heard her name being called.

"Hi Sofia, I'm Dr Arizona Robbins. Nice to meet you," the blonde smiled.

"Hi, nice to meet you too Dr Robbins," Sofia smiled back as she followed the woman into her office.

"I've been reading through your file. You've been to quite a few schools. Are you a military brat? My dad was in the marines, I know all about changing schools."

Sofia laughed, "no, my mum is a surgeon and she's pretty good. We move a lot for her work. I'm excited to be here though. We're hoping this will be my last school before college."

"You don't sound so sure," the blonde questioned.

"Things change," Sofia shrugged.

"That they do," Arizona smiled. "You have quite the resume though. Your grades are excellent, even with the constant changes of schools."

"I want to get into a good college so I work hard. I want to be a surgeon as well."

Arizona smiled at Sofia and nodded. "It's a great career choice. I was a surgeon before I started working in schools. Is your mum coming to this meeting or?"

"No," Sofia shook her head, "it's her first day at her new hospital and I've done this enough times that I don't need her anymore."

"Well okay then. Before I take to your first class, we'll get your ID photo taken and sort out your timetable and locker."

"Okay, so this is the main building, it has the gym, cafeteria, admin and teacher offices lining here," Arizona pointed out as they walked down the corridors. "Junior classes are mostly in J and K block but AP classes are over in G block across the quad. Science labs are all in B block just in case we have any mishaps," the blonde principal joked. "Most of our teachers are pretty good at allowing time to move in between classes but make sure you're quick. Especially for the biomed science class, the teacher is a dragon."

"Don't you take that class," Sofia questioned.

All she got in response was a quick wink from the blonde. "And this is where I leave you. Any questions feel free to come and see me. Enjoy your first day Sofia."

"Thanks Dr Robbins," Sofia smiled as she watched the blonde leave. "Better get this over and done with," she whispered to herself as she walked into her first class.