A/N: I HAVE CHANGED A LOT OF EVENTS FROM LIFE UNEXPECTED. WHAT HAPPENED TO LUX IN THAT SHOW IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HAPPENED HERE. AND ALL DRASTIC OCCURANCES THAT OCCUR IN THIS FIC SERVE A PURPOSE.

On another note, I appreciate some of my readers for trying to defend me when it comes to plagiarism, but if you have any concerns, I would prefer you contact me rather than making rude comments to other writers. It's very hurtful to the other writer and it makes me look bad too in a way. It's not uncommon for two writers to have similar ideas and personally, I could understand reading so many fics that you don't even realize when you're copying someone because so many different ideas are embedded into your mind. I've dealt more serious issues of plagiarism, to the point where a certain writer took my story practically "word-for-word" and reposted it. If I can get passed that, I can get passed a few common ideas being lifted from me. BUT that doesn't mean, I'm giving everyone permission to plagiarize me lol. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT. But if you've read my fic and realize that things are a little similar, it'd be nice to throw my penname in there somewhere so that I DON'T GET ACCUSED OF PLAGIARIZING YOU and letting me know. The writer that received reviews regarding plagiarizing this story has personally contacted me and we were able to resolve the issue on a peaceful level. I fully support her story and would appreciate if you guys cut her some slack. She didn't mean to do it and mistakes happen. She switched it up, which was something that she didn't have to do.

Just yesterday, I started a new fic with Dramatic-ADD-Having-ass-Writer (Love her name btw) and we got accused of plagiarizing too… Please let me know where the fic is where Stef had a bio daughter that was kidnapped at 5 years old by a strange woman, and when she was finally found, she was 15 and pregnant? Seriously, I want to know. Because I would prefer to read this story that's so similar rather than write it. I admit that I haven't read all of the fics in this archive, so if one is out there, leave a review or pm me letting me know. The only one I could think of that is remotely similar is this one, and I don't think I can get accused of plagiarizing myself? And that fic is going to be completely different than this one and we made sure of it. The fic is called "Finding Crystal" in case you're interested.

Hafjhajkfjkajajfkhnjagheuifhauihfauihjskhauilhf… CLEAR YOUR MIND SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE READING IF YOU READ THAT LONG A/N :P

Lux's POV

As soon as Fern pulls up in front of Trey and Valerie's house, I feel this cold and eerie feeling go up my spine at the sight of it.

It wasn't how I left it at all. The baby pink colored house was now all white. There were no red and black spray-painted designs covering all of the sides of the house anymore.

The front window that Bug smashed in was repaired and the plants weren't overgrowing around the fence that surrounded it either. It looked completely redone.

"Are you coming?" Fern asks with a smile and I turn around to see that she was already out of the car.

"Um… yeah," I answer as I grab my bag from the floor and open the passenger-side door.

Karma truly was a bitch in every way, I realize.

I asked to get taken out of Stef and Mike's temporary custody just to get thrown in with Trey and Valerie. And part of me can't help but think that I deserve this.

No amount of repainting or lawn mowing could change how I felt about those two people in that house. I want to turn back around and lock myself inside of Fern's car but I knew that wasn't a viable option.

So instead, I take a deep breath and follow Fern up the walkway and the steps, wanting so badly to just hide myself behind her. At this point, running away with Tasha sounded like and brilliant idea but that would only get us both thrown in jail most likely.

Jail… or this house? I weigh the differences in my mind as Fern raises her fist to knock on the door.

If Tasha and I run away we wouldn't have to run for very long. I could try to get emancipated again and we could hope that would work.

But if it doesn't, we would already be at the courthouse and could get locked up on the spot, right?

And even if it does work, could we still go to jail for running away when we weren't viewed as adults even thought we technically were?

"Relax Lux," she tries to coo. "Things are going to be just fine. Two years was a long time ago…"

I don't respond, aside from a hesitant nod, which I'm not even sure what I meant by. This woman is clueless. This was the exact opposite of fine.

"You have my number?"

That's what got me into this whole mess…

"Yes," I answer instead.

"And if you need anything, don't be afraid to call me or ask the Gilberts."

And with that last thought the door swings open, and I can see Valerie staring at both of us but mostly me. "Lux, hi," she finally greets with a genuine smile and I'm honestly confused about how I should react.

Why am I confused?

I wanted to hate her, sure. For not believing me…for choosing her husband over someone she called her own 'daughter'… for making me believe that she really cared about me and then throwing me away like I was absolutely nothing.

I remember everything… And still, I keep repeating the reasons why I should keep my distance. I had been doing so ever since that day at the hospital. I reiterated them again in my mind on the drive over here. So why was her sudden presence making me want to forget everything?

After a long pause, I finally respond with a simple, "Hi."

"Come in, come in," Valerie says as she opens the door wider so that Fern and I could enter. "Hello Fern? You're Lux's new social worker, right?" She holds out her hand for Fern to shake and Fern does the same.

"Yes. We spoke on the phone," she nods. "But I actually have a meeting with another one of my cases that I have to get to. I already informed you that this was and emergency placement, and I don't mean to be unprofessional but… Are you two going to be alright if I–"

"Yes, of course. I completely understand," Valerie offers. "It's not like we don't know Lux already…" she jokes.

"Yes… and thank you for this again. You have no idea how relieved I was to hear that you and your husband were able to take her in under the circumstances."

"Oh absolutely. We love Lux very much," Valerie answers and I can't help but feel that it was a lie and only she didn't even know it.

"I'm glad. And Lux are you okay with this?" Fern questions.

"Yeah. I'm fine," I give her a small smile.

"Okay great." Fern looks over to Valerie again, "And you know where the building is for her session tomorrow?"

"Uh, yes. At 6pm. Tuesdays and…"

"Thursdays," Fern confirms. "Yes. If for whatever reason you can't make it or you have any problems, here's my card," Fern pulls out a business card from the pocket of her brown blazer. "My extension is written on the back."

"Okay. Thank you, Fern."

"No, thank you. I'll see you tomorrow, Lux. Okay," she says as she pats my shoulder.

"Uhuh. Bye," I tell her, suddenly feeling the awkwardness as I watch her walk away and leave Valerie and I alone.

It wasn't that I was scared of her. I wasn't even sure that I was scared of Trey anymore. The two years that I was basically on my own definitely took a toll on me and changed my attitude. A LOT. But I didn't want to be alone with her because I didn't think I could handle getting her back and then losing her. Losing her the first time really wrecked me. Why would I risk it happening again? That one reason why I tried to hate Stef so much.

Everything was so much easier when I just had Bug and Tash.

"Come on in," Valerie offers and I take a breath and do just that. "I was actually almost done with dinner. You came just in time… Wait have you already eaten?" she asks in a worried tone. "I made your favorite. Artichoke and spinach lasagna. You still like that, right?" She closes the door behind me and points me over to the kitchen.

"Sure," I answer with an honest smile this time. I hate myself immediately afterwards though. It couldn't really be that easy to gain my trust back, so why am I giving in?

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Thank heavens. I wanted to make your first day back perfect," she continues as I watch her pull the glass pan out of the oven and place it on the stove. I'm honestly just waiting for her to bring up what I did to her house at any second…She doesn't. "Lux, I wanted to make you something that you were familiar with. I want you to feel as comfortable here as possible. Fern told me that you've had a few placements since you left, so I just thought…" she pauses for a while and just stares at the pan. And right afterwards she turns around and walks over to the fridge, "You still like extra cheese right?"

"Um, yeah," I answer as I look around the kitchen. It was so weird to me how familiar it was but I couldn't quite figure out what was different.

Valerie notices and practically reads my mind. "We painted it yellow. It was beige before."

I nod, "It's nice." But in all honestly it looked horrific though I couldn't tell her that. I felt like I was in a giant bottle of mustard.

"Have a seat," she says as she points towards the table. "We just have to wait a little for the food to cool. Can I get you something a drink? Iced tea or regular tea…Maybe coffee?"

"Oh iced tea's sounds good."

"But I bet an ice-cold beer sounds even better," I hear a voice come from behind me and I don't have to look to know whose it is.

"Trey," Valerie mumbles.

"What? Lux, you're what 16 now? I'm pretty sure she can handle a beer with dinner," he chuckles. "Right, Lux?"

I cough nervously before I could answer, mainly because I'm not sure how to. "Um, I'm okay with iced tea. Really."

"Smart girl," Valerie praises. "And she's 14, Trey not 16. Her birthday just past."

"14, 16, same difference," Trey mutters as he opens the fridge and grabs a beer.

And I can't help but be surprised that Valerie still remembers my birthday, or my age for that matter…

"How was your birthday this year, Lux? I've been meaning to ask you. Did you do anything exciting?" she asks.

If you call having my biological parents showing up at the courthouse, blackmailing me, and ruining my lifelong plans exciting, then yeah, I want to say but instead I shrug my shoulders. "Not really."

"No? Your foster parents didn't celebrate it?" she asks in a depressed voice.

"Um—" I start awkwardly.

"No, I meant your biological parents. I'm sorry. I forgot," she says in an apologetic tone.

"No, it's okay," I assure her. "I forget sometimes too."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you," Trey starts. "How'd that happen? Did you go looking for them or someth—"

"Honey," Valerie shakes her head no.

"What? I can't ask a simple question."

"She just got here, Trey. Can we at least have dinner first before we start interrogating the poor thing?" she smiles.

"Alright. Lux, we'll talk later… And then maybe we can figure out how exactly we're going to celebrate your belated birthday. Because obviously, these parents of yours seem pretty useless if you ask me."

"Trey," Valerie shuts her eyes in embarassment.

"I'm just joking, Val. Can't you take a joke? …Lux, you know that I'm joking right?"

I nod and give him a simple, "yeah." The last thing I wanted was to be in the room with him and listen to him attempt to make things good between us. They never were. "Hey, is it okay if I go to the bathroom for a sec?" I ask.

"Sure. You know where it is," Valerie smiles.

"Uhm," I answer as I already begin practically running toward that direction. The second I close the door behind me, turn on the light and lock the door, I'm finally able to breathe out a huge sigh of relief. I don't think I can handle this, is my first thought.

Everything about that man repulses me and he can just act as if nothing ever happened? As if he was doing me a favor by bringing up my birthday? The last thing I ever wanted was to accept anything from him or from anyone for that matter. I hated depending on people, which was just another reason why I pushed Stef and Mike away…

Well mainly just Stef… Part of me had this uncontrollable rage toward her even before I met her. It was something that probably made no logical sense at all but I needed that rage.

Holding onto it was the only thing that got me through a lot of my past. Letting it go would just cause me to fall apart and I knew it.

Immediately I turn on the sink and make sure only to turn the hot water knob to the left. I burn my fingertips and immediately extract them from the running water.

I forgot the hot water here was always scorching.

I turn the cold water knob just a little so that I wouldn't burn my hands off. I wanted to feel pain but not that much.

And when the water becomes just a little bit bearable I place my hands back under the faucet and lean my body against the sink. I blink my tears back and take in another breath.

This won't be that bad, right? Trey waited almost two years before he did what he did the first time. He wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything as soon as I get back. I shake my thoughts away. Maybe he wouldn't try anything at all.

Maybe this time would be different.

Even if I was lying to myself, it was better than admitting the truth. That I was just as sick as he was for coming back for more. How pathetic was I to deal with this all over again?

I stop my train of thoughts at the sound of something vibrating in my bag. I glance at it in confusion and immediately remove my reddened hands from under the sink and dry them with the hand towel. As soon as they're dry enough, I bend down to grab my bag from the floor and open it, only to find a bright screen that's lit up.

What the hell? I wonder. I positively remember leaving Stef's cellphone on the table before I left. How would it have gotten in my bag? I wonder.

But then Stef's awkward hug makes sense to me, the second I read the text message: Please keep this phone on you at all times. You don't have to call me or even respond to me at all. But if you do want to, just know that I'm a button away. Be safe. —Stef.

I reread the message about five times before I hit the textbox to reply. I'm sorry is what I type almost instinctively. But rather than send it, I hit the backspace 9 times and just stare at the screen.

I could almost see the word "PATHETIC" written all over it. And it just makes me want to smash it to pieces and watch them as they all flush down the toilet. But before I get to break it, I receive another text message.

Up for some real taking control? I promised that next time would be more fun :) —Eric.

Any control seemed like a good idea at this moment I rationalize. Where should we meet? I quickly reply before I'd get a chance to take it back…

To be continued.