"Claire, get up! Your parents are coming for you soon!" Claire heard Amanda call as her shoulders were shaken lightly.

"I'm up, I'm up" she replied, her hand reaching up to rub her sleepy eyes.

"There's a difference between being up and being awake. Awake is when you are conscious of your surroundings. Up is up, out of bed, on your feet"

"Okay, okay. You win. I'm not up, I'm only awake" Claire replied before sitting up and throwing her feet over the side of her bed. She couldn't help the nervous feeling she felt on the inside of her.

Claire stood up before putting on the dress that lay set out for her. The white fabric spread loosely over her torso and waist until it reached her knees. The loose fabric was then cinched up at her waist with the help of a white ribbon. She clasped her locket around her neck and slid her feet into her usual brown sandals that she had cleaned up last night before going to visit Levi.

Levi...

That's right. She might never get to see him again. This thought made her sad, but she tried her hardest not to let it affect her. She had waited eight years to be adopted and she wouldn't let that fact influence her.

Claire sighed before giving her friends large, long hugs.

"I'm gonna miss you" she said as she squeezed Naomi.

"Me too. Except, with you" she replied awkwardly before pulling back and wiping her black hair away from her eyes.

"Claire, they're here!" Sophia exclaimed as she walked through the bedroom door. Claire nodded before picking up her small bag, which contained all of her belongings, and walking down the stairs.

When she reached the bottom, she was greeted by a young couple, no older than mid-thirties. She could tell that they were James and Elizabeth Durant, the couple who adopted her, by their clothes. Fancy was the first word that came to mind. The resemblance held between the three of them was impeccable. The woman had light brown hair, similar to hers, and gorgeous blue eyes. The man had slightly darker brown curly hair and brown eyes. It was no wonder they had chosen her.

"Oh, darling, you look beautiful!" the woman exclaimed, running to her and kneeling to her height.

"T-thank you" she replied sheepishly, bowing slightly, "You look beautiful as well, ma'am" she replied, looking at her attractive dress. It was down to the floor and contained a light pink tint. Her torso was covered by a layer of fancy lace and the bottom of the dress appeared to be made from silk and had embellishments that made neat designs. Her pierced ears had small diamond studs and around her neck was a simple, yet graceful, pink pendent.

"Please, call me 'Ma-ma'?" she asked, giving her a warm smile. Claire nodded and couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, Ma-ma!"

"It's nice to finally meet you, Claire" the man began, stepping closer. He was wearing a simple black tux with a red button up underneath.

"It's nice to meet you, too" she said, smiling and walking over and giving him a hug. He seemed slightly surprised, but quickly shook it off and returned the embrace.

"We've gotten you something" he said after a moment, before picking up a bag that had been sitting in the corner of the room. He handed it to her in which she timidly took it, thanking him before opening it. Inside was a stuffed bear with a red ribbon. She smiled widely at it.

"Thank you so much, I really like it!" she exclaimed, hugging it close to her.

"Have you said good bye to your friends? We must leave soon" Elizabeth asked, walking closer to them.

"Yes, I have" she replied.

"Well, if that's all, I must say we will bid you adieu" James said aloud to the children and staff that had crowded in the small main room to see Claire's new parents, "Thank you, Mrs. Porter, for everything"

"No, sir, it was my pleasure" she replied, curtsying to the superior.

He nodded before ushering his wife and new daughter out of the building. They led her to a carriage and helped her inside. James handed her bag to a man in a tux whom in return took it to the back and strapped it on with other luggage that was there. James and Elizabeth then entered the carriage and sat facing each other, with Elizabeth sitting next to Claire who was holding her new friend. It wasn't until the carriage took off on it's way back to Sina that the couple began speaking.

"Oh yes, I forgot to mention, Claire, being adopted is a very big change, where we are going is nothing like where you were" Elizabeth started, looking over at the small girl, "But, sometimes change could be a good thing. My point is, if you'd like, and you're able to deny it, but you may change your name"

"I'm sorry, I'd rather not. My name was given to me by someone very special, and I'd like to keep it, if I may" Claire responded, looking down at the bear and playing with the bow.

"Of course you can" James replied, "If you don't mind me asking, who gave you your name?"

"His name is Levi, he is my best friend, he gave it to me when I was first taken to the orphanage. I wouldn't speak to anyone else, you see. When no one else could get me to talk, he took me out and there he told me I should have a name that would make me happy, he told me I should be named Claire for I would be bright"

"That is a very sweet story" Elizabeth replied, smiling gently, "Where is he now?"

"He's at his home, I'm sure. Probably making breakfast for his friends"

"He lives on his own?"

"Well, he has his friends, Isabel and Farlan, their names are, but if you mean without an adult, then yes, he does live on his own"

"Oh, that's sad to hear"

"It's not too sad, Levi has always been mature for his age, so it's almost as if he runs the house like a parent for the others. It's funny, with the scowl that's always spread across his face, you'd think he was older than he is" she replied, giggling lightly.

Elizabeth laughed lightly along with her, "I'd love to meet him sometime"

"Really?!" Claire asked, excitement filling inside of her. Would she really get to see him again?

"Why, yes. You should invite him over for tea this Saturday"

Claire was filled with too much enthusiasm to respond. Today was Tuesday, that meant she'd get to see him in just four short days. Instead of speaking, she leaned over and hugged this new woman in her life who had made her happier than she had ever been in her life within the first twenty minutes of being together. "Thank you so much, Ma-ma" she cried, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Your welcome, darling" she replied, returning the hug.

The ride to Sina took slightly over an hour, which was filled in by mainly small talk as the couple began to learn about their daughter and vice-versa. When the carriage stopped, Claire pulled back the curtain slightly to see a rather large home. It looked amazing from the outside and she couldn't wait to see the interior.

James helped them both out of the carriage before leading them inside.

"I have some things I need to take care of for the business" he said, watching as Claire looked with curiosity and awe at the structure, "Do you want to show her around?" he directed towards Elizabeth. She nodded before taking Claire's hand and asking her to follow her.

Elizabeth showed her around the large house, the kitchen where the chef would cook her whatever she wanted; the dining room where they would eat dinner and lunch; the breakfast room where they would eat breakfast; the hall that lead to the servants quarters where she was not to go unless accompanied by either of her parents; her fathers office where she would find him almost always; the garden where she could play; the bath that had been at least twice as large as her old bedroom; then lastly, her new bedroom.

Her bedroom had high ceilings and marble looking walls. It was enormous in size, probably able to fit all of the orphanage in. The floor was covered in silky wool and felt especially soft against her bare feet. There was a large bed across from the door with a window that went to the ceiling and spread across the majority of the wall, it showed the best side of the garden with the blooming flowers facing her room. A large wardrobe was on one side of the room and on the opposite was a sitting area and toy chest.

Her mother showed her inside the wardrobe which held many gowns, some fancier than the others, and shoes at the bottom. The toy chest was filled with dolls and in a box near the sitting area was an official tea set.

"I know it's all very knew to you, Claire, but your father and I would like you to wear the dresses in the closet. I'm sure you've been told, but at the moment, your father's business is at it's height which means our standards are being held very high. And one more thing. I would like you to avoid the topic of adoption with whomever you meet. We have adopted you, yes, that will never change, but as soon as we signed those papers, you became our daughter, which means you are no longer an orphan. Back on topic, what I mean is, please avoid the subject of your adoption, okay?"

Claire nodded, and smiled lightly "Okay"

Elizabeth left not long after due to business, allowing Claire to wander a bit. After playing in the garden for a little she walked to her fathers office. Leaning out from behind the door, she called to him, "Papa?"

"What is it, dear?" he asked, setting down the papers he had been looking at and up at the timid girl who hid behind the door.

"May I borrow a paper and pen to send a letter to my friend?" she asked quietly, coming out more from the doors protection.

"Of course, you'll also need an envelope and stamp" he replied, standing up and walking over to a shelf and grabbing the materials. He handed them to her before ruffling her hair lightly.

"Thank you!" she called before leaving the office to go to her own bedroom. Once there, she laid the materials down on the small table in the sitting area and got to work.

"Dear Levi,

I'm doing well. My new parents are amazing, I can't wait for you to meet them! Oh! Speaking of, I would like to invite you to come to a tea this Saturday at ten o' clock. Please come, I really want you to meet them. They're exceedingly nice. At first mention of you, they agreed to this meeting! My new bedroom is astonishing! It's at least four times taller than me and could hold a hundred men! The house is as faultless as a dove, not a spec out of place. I believe you'll like it a lot. I can't wait to see you again, but until then, I'll have to wait. I anticipate your company.

With lots of love, Claire Durant"

Claire smiled at the thought of Levi seeing her room. There was no doubt in her mind that he'd be impressed. She folded the note neatly before putting it into the envelope and putting his address on the front. She hoped it make it to him in time. She then placed the stamp on the corner and left her room to find a servant. She came across one as she was walking through the front hall. The girl looked to be in her mid-twenties, her golden blonde hair tied up into a pony tail. She had been carrying a basket that appeared to be holding sheets and linen.

"Excuse me, miss" Claire called, jogging up to her.

"Yes, ma'am?" she asked, turning to face her with a small, gentle smile across her lips.

"I'd like to mail this letter, but I don't know how" she replied, holding up the ivory colored envelope.

She nodded, "I can take it to the office for you ma'am"

"Really? Oh, that would be wonderful" Claire exclaimed, handing the note to the girl, "Thank you very much"

"No, thank you ma'am" she replied, putting the note in a pocket in her apron, "You must be Claire, I've heard much about you. It seems you were a miracle to the masters"

Claire smiled and blushed lightly. The servants words had made her feel warm, cheering her up on the inside.

"My name is Calamity, ma'am, but you can call me whatever you'd like" Calamity told her.

"I like that name. When I was younger, I had a friend named Calamity. She left not long after I met her, though"

"Oh, but sometimes it's the friendships that last the shortest that make the greatest impact" Calamity said with a cheerful smile, "If you don't mind, ma'am, I'll go put these linens away then mail your letter?"

"Okay, thank you, again" Claire replied before leaving the girl to go back to her room and play with her many dolls.

A/N

Here comes the nerve-racking part...How'd I do? I know I ask this every time, but each chapter is different and I like to know. Anyway, don't forget to comment, vote, and add this story. You guys are the best!

QOTD:

If you could spend an entire day with any one of the AOT/SNK characters, with out having to worry about flesh eating Titans, then who would you pick? Where would you go?

My Answer?

See the thing is, I know I want to say Levi, just because he's amazing, But I'm pretty sure it would be an awful first meeting and I would act like an idiot. So I'll probably go with Armin. We'd probably go to a museum and the beach then have a picnic at the park. Oh yeah. That's the good stuff.

Your answer? Leave it in the comments!