They say that family isn't always blood, it's the people in your life who accept you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.

This message reigns true, our family started as the five of us against the world but upon going to a new school, we had some new additions and this is our story:

The Montez children were in their room the night before their first day at their new school. Starting with Chad, the oldest of the family at 17 starting junior year at East High. Next was his sister Gabriella, she was 15 soon to be 16 and also starting junior year, she was the oldest girl of their family. Then there was Lachlan, he was 13 going into freshman year. Finally there was Jasmine and Imogen, the twin girls who were five starting kindergarten.

They lived with their mother who had a severe drinking problem and could not keep a relationship. Their father had left recently, after Jasmine and Imogen were born, unable to handle his wife's drinking. Due to the absence of their father, Chad, Gabriella and Lachlan had to transfer over to East High and Jasmine and Imogen had to start at the East kindergarten.

"Ok guys I think we should get some sleep." Chad said looking at his siblings. He watched as Gabriella walked over to the twins.

"Jas, Imi, lay down girls, Chad, Locky and I are just going to talk for a few minutes then we can all get some sleep so we can take you to kindy tomorrow."

"Ok Ella." The girls said, laying down on the bed they shared with their big sister.

She kissed both girls on the forehead and tucked them in before sitting on Chad and Locky's bed (their mother would only allow two beds for all five children). "So are you ready for tomorrow Locky?"

"I guess, it's gotta be better than our old school right?"

Chad ruffled his hair. "Should be Bud. That's one more thing we have to talk about, we can't let anyone know about our home situation."

Lachlan nodded. "I know, I wouldn't really want them to know anyway."

"As long as we're all on the same page. Now I think we should head off to bed, we gotta be up early to drop the girls off and so we don't want to get caught by mom."

Gabriella nodded. "Definitely well good night boys, I love you guys."

"Love you too G." Both boys responded.

She went and laid down in her bed with Jasmine and Imogen, who curled up either side of her.

Gabriella woke early the next morning and packed all the bags. She snuck out to the kitchen and grabbed some breakfast bars and lunch food before going back into the room. After packing the lunch into their bags, she woke the boys up to get ready then sat down beside Jasmine and Imogen. "Jas, Imi, wake up girls."

Jasmine rubbed her eyes. "Tired."

"I know Angel but how about you eat this while I dress you, then you can sleep on the way to school?" She nodded and took the cereal bar while Gabriella dressed her. She turned to Imogen and repeated the process with the tired girl. "Alright, Chad would you take Jas while I take Imi, they're really tired."

"No worries Gabs." He said picking up his bag then picking up the young girl.

Gabriella grabbed her bag and lifted Imogen into her arms as they snuck out and began the walk to school. They arrived to the kindergarten at 8:00 and went in to drop the girls off. The teacher greeted them. "This must be Jasmine and Imogen Montez. Well hello I'm Miss Emma and I'm going to be their teacher. Now could I get your parents contact information since it doesn't seem to be on record."

Chad spoke up, "actually, we're acting as their guardians at the moment so you can just call Gabriella or I, we'll be at East High."

"Ok then, can I have your names?"

"Chad and Gabriella Montez."

"Ok then, come on girls, let's introduce you to some friends."

Jasmine being the more confident twin went to stand with the teacher, while Imogen tightened her grip on Gabriella as the teen went to put her down. She smiled sadly at the younger twin who had the same shyness as the teen did herself. "Imi look at me."

The little girl looked at her timidly. "I'm scared."

Gabriella stroked her cheek. "I know you are Baby Girl but you'll have Jassy with you and I know you're going to have a lot of fun and make some new friends. So can you be a big girl for me and go with Miss Emma?" Imogen nodded. "Good girl Im, have fun today and we'll be back this afternoon, we love you Baby Girl."

"Love you." Imogen hugged her and walked over to her sister. Jasmine grabbed Imogen's hand and smiled.

"We love you girls and we'll be back this afternoon." The two girls nodded before following their teacher.

The three siblings then walked to the freshman lockers, stopping in front of Lachlan's locker. "Alright Locky, we'll meet you here after school, if you need us, we'll be in the junior area, come to G or I if you need anything."

"Yeah I know."

"Alright well enjoy your first day Bud."

"Thank Chad, have a good day, you too Gabi." Lachlan hi-fived his brother and hugged his sister before going to homeroom.

Gabriella and Chad walked to their lockers which were conveniently next to each other. Chad looked at his sister. "You nervous?"

"I'm always nervous."

"I know Gabs, just try to bring yourself out of your shell a bit more, you're pretty shy sis."

"Yeah I know."

"Well try to have a good day, don't worry about Locky or the girls, they'll call if they need us."

"I'll try, you have a good day too."

"Meet you here at the end of the day since we'll have most of our subjects separate then we can get Locky, Jas and Imi. I love you little sis"

"I love you too Superstar."

He playfully glared at the nickname and started tickling her. "What did I tell you about calling me that?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She laughed out and he stopped tickling her.

"You know I'm kidding G, you're the only one who can call me that but in private though please."

"Yeah I know."

"Good, now get to class Gabriella Anne."

"You too Chad Daniel."

"I'll meet you in homeroom Gabs, I have to talk to the coach about starting basketball." He said and kissed her cheek before leaving.

Gabriella walked into homeroom and spoke to the teacher - Mrs Darbus - who directed her to a seat at the back of the room, only to be approached by a girl. "Who are you?"

"I'm Gabriella -"

"What are you doing dating that guy?"

"I'm not -"

"You're new here and I can already tell what kind of person you are, you shouldn't be dating anyone... Andrew." She called over a boy. "In our grade, girls like me have boyfriends, girls like you, don't."

"He's not -"

"Enough, get this through your head, you're new so you don't get a say -"

"What is going on here?" She was cut off by a boy with piercing blue eyes.

"Nothing Troy, I was just -"

"That's bull Sophie and you know it, I told you not to mess with other students." The girl backed down and Troy turned to Gabriella. "Sorry about that, just ignore Sophie, she's an idiot. I'm Troy." He said extending his hand.

She giggled and bit her lip, shaking his hand. "Thank you for what you did. It's nice to meet you, I'm Gabriella."

"Well it's nice to meet you too Gabriella, I'll see you around." He said before he walked back to his seat at the front of the room.

The bell rung and everyone took their seats for homeroom, Gabriella looked around the room, confused when she couldn't see her brother. A few minutes later, he walked in while Mrs Darbus was giving her speech. "Why are we late Mr _?"

"Chad Montez, I'm sorry I'm late Mrs Darbus, I had to talk to Coach Bolton about joining the team."

"Very well Mr Montez, I'll give you a pass this time because you're new but don't make this a habit."

He nodded respectfully and took his seat at the front of the room, behind Troy.