AN: My wisdom teeth surgery is finally out of the way and I am in recovery! Writing this helped keep me distracted xD thank you again for the reviews and likes and follows so far and I hope you enjoy this one. I always worry it sounds boring xD

Chapter Five

7:00am

From the moment Aubrey found out she could make that ten year old smile, life began changing even more. She was filled with a lot more confidence than she had before, easing her worries about hopefully being a good mother. This, in turn, left the little girl with so much love and attention that she didn't know what to do with herself. For example…

"Good morning, my darling, my sunshine, it's true…that I wanted to sing good morning to you!"

"Oh god…"

Once again, Harlyn's alarm clock was none other than the (very beautiful) singing voice of her golden haired guardian, who just recently found pleasure in waking her up this way. The girl herself found it pleasurable, too, finding that motherly warmth to feel good first thing in the morning. Would she ever admit that though? No, of course not, but she still loved it.

"Harlyyyy! Wake up!"

This was another new little thing that the girl found oddly wonderful. Aubrey had given her the nickname Harly. Now, she knew it was a little silly to get excited over a nickname, but no one had ever given her one before. It made her feel kind of…special.

"Come on, Harlybear, it's time for school!"

"Murr…"

Aubrey couldn't help but giggle at the girl's reaction, the woman now crawling on top of the bed and pulling the covers down to see the sleepy child's face.

"Boo!"

"Ugh…"

"Good morning precious."

"No."

"Are you excited about your first day of school?"

"Do I look it?"

"Oh come on goober, it's going to be great!"

"If you call meeting a bunch of strange people and then finding yourself stuck with them in a building for eight hours great, then there is seriously something wrong with you."

Aubrey snickered at the smart remark, but didn't lay off.

"Don't look at it like that silly. You have to think positive! Come on, you don't want to be late."

"My body is broken. I can't."

"It's broken?"

"Yes."

"Really now…"

With a smirk on her face, she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Harlyn's cheek.

"Did that fix it?"

…

"Ugh! Ew!"

Harlyn shot right up and wiped her cheek.

"Did you really?"

"Yay! It worked! My kisses fixed you!"

"They did not!"

"They did! You're not broken anymore! Do you want another one?"

"What? No!"

"You sure? I don't mind…"

"Out…"

"But-"

"Out!"

Aubrey was trying so hard not to laugh, but she couldn't help herself. The reactions were just too funny.

"All right, all right. I'll see you downstairs then."

"I hate you right now."

"And I adore you, too, darling." She replied with a wink. "See you in a few!"

"And with one final smile, she got up from the bed and left the room.

"What…the hell…was that…."

Once she was alone again, she flopped back onto the bed and let out a sigh. As she did, Bella, who now slept with the child, crawled over and sat by her face, meowing and leaning in to gently rub her cheek.

"Oh not you, too. I get enough from her already. Be gone, cat. How many times have I told you I don't want you in here?"

She had told the cat this many times, but, like everyone else around her she tried pushing away, she didn't listen. Instead, Bella simply yawned and snuggled up next to her.

"Holy jeeze…why can I never get a moment of peace?"

This early morning loving thing was starting to become a habit and she wasn't entirely sure how to handle it.

"If she's not singing me awake she's kissing me awake or hugging me or whatever…I can't handle this…but then…"

She placed her hand on the cheek Aubrey kissed.

"At the same time, I like it….I like this feeling. It feels…good."

It was so different living in the Posen household compared to the other places she had been in. She actually felt like she mattered here. She may have kept telling herself she didn't, but somewhere deep in her she knew she knew she was. No adult had ever gone out of the way to do the little things Aubrey did, and to the ten year old who was trying to hate it all, she couldn't help but feel touched.

"But I can't feel this way…I shouldn't be. I'm supposed to hate it here…"

But did she? Could she truly and honestly say she hated being where she was?

"Ugh…I can't think about this right now…"

And she couldn't. After all, it was her first day of school and she had other things to worry about. However, even after pushing the whole event from her mind, the feeling that had come with it remained. No matter how much she denied it and no matter how much she claimed she hated it, the kiss left by Aubrey not only left a warmth on her cheek, but it also left a warmth on her heart.

8:00am

After her loving little wake up call, Harlyn had gotten ready and left the house around 7:50am. By the time she had gotten downstairs, she had pushed most of the fluffy warm feelings aside. She didn't want to go to school feeling them. So…naturally…Aubrey made sure to fill her with a little more right before she took off.

"She's going to be the death of me, I know it…"

This thought ran through her mind as she looked down at the newly given blue lunch bag she had received that morning. It was that very object, along with the extra loving that had come with it, that had her feeling all warm again. She tried to get rid of it, but couldn't. It was now becoming more and more common for Aubrey to leave a warmth that she, in the end, just could not forget.

"Can I go now?"

Harlyn, who was just about to walk out of the door, found herself trapped in the arms of Aubrey…again.

"You have a serious hugging problem. It's an addiction, and a bad one. You know that have special programs for addicts like you, right?"

"They do, and I've been to them all, but failed." She replied, kissing the girl's head before pulling away. "Therefore, you are simply just stuck with my hugs."

"Joy. I'm leaving."

"All right you, have a good day, ok?"

"Sure."

"Be safe!"

"I'll try."

"And-oh, wait!"

Just as she was about to hit the door, Aubrey called her back, the girl sighing and rolling her eyes.

"Now what?"

Walking over, the woman handed her a small, blue bag, a confused look growing on Harlyn's face as she took it.

"What the hell is this?"

"It's your lunch!"

"Wait…my lunch?"

"Mhm! I made it for you this morning!"

Harlyn looked back down at the item, holding it as if it were something fragile.

"She made this for…me?"

She couldn't remember the last time someone made her lunch like this. Past homes just had her get lunch at school.

"I know you like ham and cheese, so I put that in there, and I put a few snacks in there, too. In the future though, if you ever find something you don't like, let me know and I will make sure to put something else in there."

Harlyn looked up again, a confused look still on her face.

"You mean…you're going to do this again?"

"Of course! You'll always have something for school."

Harlyn could do nothing but stare at the other, Aubrey staring back with a warm smile. While this may have been a simple gesture to most people, it actually meant a lot more to her, even if she didn't want to admit it. Despite her well known stubbornness though, she couldn't get mad or snappy…not this time. For once, she didn't have the heart to.

"Um…th-thank you…"

"You're welcome, boo. Have a good day!"

"Harlyn?"

Snapping from her thoughts, Harlyn turned to find Beca standing right behind her. Instantly, the girl stood up from the stone step she had been sitting on to face her.

"Why are you waiting outside, you goob? You could have come in."

Harlyn simply shrugged her shoulders, looking away. With her and Piper going to the same school, they had made plans to walk together. She pretended that she was going to hate the whole ordeal, but really, she was thankful for it. She didn't want to go to this new place alone.

"Well next time come in silly." Beca told her, poking her in the forehead as she passed by. "We don't bite…not hard anyways."

"Hi Harlyn!"

Harlyn turned again to find Riley and Chloe filing out of the door now, the little one racing out with excitement.

"Look at you!" Chloe said to the brunette. "All set for school! You excited?"

"Thrilled."

"You sound it." Beca replied back, the woman now opening the passenger side of her black car and throwing her tote bag inside. Chloe went over to the grey car beside hers and opened the backseat door, leaning to help Riley get settled.

"You guys are going to have a great day." Chloe said encouragingly. "You'll see. Piper?"

"Coming!"

The eleven year old came running out, slowing when she got near Harlyn.

"Hey you, ready?"

"I guess…"

"I'm off faces. I have to get to a meeting with another music producer today." Beca said, walking back over to hug both Riley and Piper. Harlyn, like normal, tried back away when she said this, but, as usual, she failed.

"When are you going to learn you can't run from me?" Beca asked, squeezing her tight."

"And when are you going to learn I don't like hugs?" she asked back, pushing away.

"Oh I learned that already. I just don't listen. Have a good day punks and be safe. Learn something, and don't do anything I would do."

"I'll try my best, mom." Piper replied back. "But remember, everyone says I am just like you."

Beca snickered and winked.

"So true. Don't ever change…and you have a good day, too, babe."

She said this last part to Chloe, kissing her wife on the lips as she did.

"You, too, love! Drive carefully."

"All right." Piper said. "We're off now. See you later."

"Bye, guys!" Chloe called back with a smile. "Love you!"

"Love you, too!"

With the good bye's done, the two middle schoolers went on their way, Harlyn turning back for only a moment to get a second glance.

"Your family is just as bad as Aubrey with the whole affection thing, you know that?"

"I do."

"What did she mean she had a meeting with another music producer today?"

"Oh, my mom is a music producer herself, and a pretty well-known one, too."

"What? Seriously?"

"Mhm."

"Damn, that's actually kind of cool."

"Oh wow, you actually called my mom cool."

"Oh shut it. I said her job is cool."

"And she's not?"

"No way! She doesn't know when to leave me alone."

"Oh you love her hugs." Piper teased. "And you know it."

"I do not!"

"Mhm." Piper replied, disbelieving this fact. "Whatever you say, Harlyn."

"I don't like them…" she said lowly. "Whatever…anyways, what about Chloe? What does she do?"

"She actually teaches music at a high school not far from here."

"Really? Jeeze…Beca produces music, Chloe teaches high school music, and Aubrey teaches college music. Is music all you guys think about?"

"Well, it's a big part of our lives. I even want to become a music teacher when I get older, too."

"You do?"

"Yep. I know I'd love it. What about you? Any dreams?"

"I don't know. Neve really thought about it."

"Nothing at all?"

"Not really. I mean…career wise I have no clue, but…"

"But what?"

"Well, this is gonna sound lame, but I don't really care about what I want to do when I grow up right now, but just…whatever it is, I just want to be happy."

Piper smiled warmly, and as she did, she reached over and linked arms with Harlyn.

"You will be."

"Um…is there a reason you're touching me?"

"Oh shush. You love it."

"You sound just like Beca…"

"And proud of it."

"Weirdo."

"Nerd."

Harlyn actually had to fight to keep her smile to herself. While she had more trouble accepting adults, it actually came easy with Piper. The fact that she wasn't an adult and simply a kid her own age made a huge difference. For once, it was nice to have a friend.

"And what makes you so sure I'll be happy in the future?"

"Easy. You'll have Aubrey."

Harlyn scoffed loudly at this, in complete disbelief.

"What? I so will not. Dude, I'm not going to be here that long."

"Sure you will. She makes you happy, and you make her happy, too."

"I do not."

"Yes you do."

"Please, no I don't."

"Harlyn…"

Piper came to a stop, Harlyn halting as well as their arms were still linked together. Looking up at the taller one, the two locked gazes, a slightly worried yet serious one on Piper's face.

"You make her happy, end of story. One day, you'll believe me. And she makes you happy, too. You can deny it all you want but I see it."

Harlyn looked away, saying nothing. She knew the girl was right, but like always, she would never admit it.

"And when I say that you'll be happy in the future because of Aubrey, I mean it. I really think you will."

Now Harlyn looked back, their eyes locked once more. What Piper was saying was implying a lot and implying something she just couldn't bring herself to believe yet.

"Foster kids don't stay in one place too long."

"They do if they find family."

"She is not my family."

"Yes she is. You'll see."

"And if you're wrong?"

"I'm not."

Silence fell between them again, Harlyn eyeing the other with uncertainty.

"You seem very confident about this."

"I am."

"Did I mention your weird?"

"You did."

"Well I am saying it again. You're weird."

"I know, but so are you."

A small smile then appeared on Harlyn's face at this. Of course, she regretted it right after because as soon as she let it slip, Piper's smile got all big and wide.

"Aha!" she teased. "I got you to smile!"

"Oh god…"

"I did it!"

"Shut up."

"I knew it could be done!"

"You're starting to sound like Aubrey…"

"Smile again?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pleaaaaase?"

This kept up the entire journey, stopping only when they reached the school. She had final gotten her moment of silence when they entered the Crocker Middle School building, though honestly, in the end, she had wished for the talking to come back for now she was left to her own thoughts, and those thoughts fell right back to Piper's words.

"You make her happy, end of story. One day you'll believe me."

Did she really? With all the trouble she caused, did she really bring Aubrey happiness? And could Aubrey really bring happiness to her in the future, too?

Lunch

Although secretly nervous about the first day, she found that at least knowing Piper helped a lot. She wasn't sitting alone or facing new people alone. Piper sat right beside her. Their lockers were even right next to each other. She was definitely glad they were in the same class. And, with her transition being easier than usual, her morning actually went great. She loved the classes and loved to learn, Harlyn being an avid learner from a young age. To her, focusing on learning was a great distraction from the people she didn't wish to face, and right now, with so many new ones, she happily welcomed any distraction at this point.

"Eat with me?"

Lunch time had finally come, and Harlyn was actually a little excited to see what she got.

"Yeah…sure…"

The two found an empty table and sat down, the rumble of the other kids and teachers talking filling their ears and surrounding them. Once she was comfortable, she opened the bag to view the goods, smiling a little when she saw it. There was the sandwich, mini-Oreos, a few sliced apples…everything looked so good! The most surprising part of it all was the little note that fell out when she opened it.

"Good luck on your first day of school, beautiful! I will be thinking about you and hope you enjoy it. Love, Aubrey."

"Aww…" Piper said as she peeked at it. "That's so sweet. My mom's left me one, too."

Harly could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she tucked it away. Not only was lunch made for her, but she was left with sweet words, too. That woman still had a way of inflicting warmth upon her even if she wasn't in her presence.

"It's…whatever."

Piper just snickered and rolled her eyes, the girl digging into her own lunch now.

"My parents say hi to you, too, by the way."

"What?"

Piper showed her the note she had been given.

"Have a good day, love! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home. Love, Mama and Mom. P.s. Tell Harlyn we are thinking of her, too!"

Harlyn had to look away to keep her growing warmth at bay.

"They…they thought of me, too?"

"Duh, you're family to them as well."

"I am not…your parents are crazy. Anyways…who is who?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mom and Mama. Beca is…"

"She's mom."

"And Chloe is mama." Harlyn then finished. "Who had who? Did like, Beca have you and Chloe Riley?"

Piper actually snickered a little out of amusement when she heard this.

"That's funny. I actually get that a lot because of my looks. Mama actually had both me and Riley."

"Chloe did? Really? But you look a lot like Beca."

"I know, it's weird, but I'm not complaining.

"That is weird…"

"Why, look who it is."

Both girls looked up to see a sandy haired boy join their table, plopping himself right beside Piper. Harlyn thought it was a friend of hers, but the annoyed look the brunette gave at his presence told her otherwise.

"Get out of here, Jake.

"Aww, you didn't miss me?" he replied snarkly. "But I missed you so much."

"I said go away. Don't you have better things to do?"

"Better than teasing you? What's better than that?"

Piper simply rolled her eyes.

"Just ignore him, Harlyn. He thinks that just because his dad is the vice principal that he owns the place."

"I don't think, I know. And Harlyn, is it? I was wondering who you were."

"Well now you know." She replied coolly, not liking him at all.

"I've seen you coming in and out of the place on Melbrooke Drive, the one where that Posen chick lives, right?"

Harlyn looked up from her lunch, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"How do you know?"

"He lives in the same complex we do…unfortunately." Piper answered. "His house is two streets over from us."

"That's right. I run the neighborhood, too."

"Sure you do." Harlyn said back.

"You'll see in time. So tell me Harlyn, you living there now?"

"Duh."

"What is she your mom or something?"

"No."

"Aunt? Sister?"

"Nope."

"Then what is she to you?"

"Nothing. I just live there."

"You can't just live in a house and not be related to whoever lives there, too. I'm not that stupid."

"Uh, you can if you're a foster kid, so clearly, you are that stupid."

Harlyn could tell the boy looked insulted at her remark, but instead of countering back, he simply smirked.

"Foster kid?"

"Did I stutter?"

"You mean you have no parents?"

"Nope."

"Really?"

"Do I need to spell it out for you?"

Jake snickered in return, shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" Harlyn asked.

"Um, you." He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You're what…ten, eleven?"

"Ten."

"And you still have no family?"

Now Harlyn was starting to become a little uncomfortable.

"What's it to you?"

"Nothing. I just find it amusing that you act so touch, but you're nothing but some unloved nerd living with a complete stranger."

"She is not unloved!" Piper snapped. "Aubrey loves her and so do a lot of other people!"

"Oh please, no she's not. She has no family."

"Aubrey is her family! And my family is her family, too!"

"That's bull. Did your parents adopt her? Did this Aubrey person adopt her? No, therefore she has not family. She is ten years old and completely unwanted."

He then turned his gaze back to Harlyn, the girl unsure of what to say.

"So you're an unwanted kid, huh? And here I thought Piper was the loser. You must really suck if no one has wanted you at this point."

At this, Piper stood up, her fists clenched.

"I swear if you don't shut up now, I'm going to make you shut up."

Jake only pretended to be scared, only snickering at the comment.

"Whatever. I have better things to do anyways. See you freaks around. And Harlyn?"

The brunette shot him a dark look.

"If you haven't found anyone to adopt you at this point, then you really are unwanted. No one wants a kid like you."

And with that, he took off.

"Good gosh…he seriously pisses me off." Piper said, sitting back down. "Just because he had everything handed to him he thinks….ugh, I am so glad this is his last year here…Harlyn?"

Piper, who now eyed the younger girl with worry, got back up to sit next to her.

"Harlyn, are you all right?"

The girl had a dark and angered look on her face, her eyes cast to the ground.

"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know anything. He is just a bully and a liar. Really, you're not unwanted. I mean it when I say that Aubrey was excited and happy to take you in and-"

"I have to use the bathroom."

Worry struck Piper even more.

"Harlyn…" she said softly. "I-"

"No…I…I have to go. Just leave me alone."

And without a second thought, she picked up her bag and tore off in a run. Once she found the bathroom, she ran to the nearest stall and locked herself in.

"You're what…ten? Eleven? And you still have no family?"

"You mean you are what, eleven years old and have no family? Ha!"

Harlyn clenched at her chest, the warm feelings now gone and the old feelings of hurt and anger rising again.

"And here I thought Piper was the loser. You must really suck if no one has wanted you at this point."

Was that true? If no one had wanted her by now, was she really unwanted? It was actually a thought process that had crossed her mind before, but even in the short weeks with Aubrey, the warmth sprouted more than it had ever with anyone else. Even if she was against it and even if she fought it, a bit of hope even surfaced, and the more she spent time with her, the bigger that feeling got.

"But it was stupid for you to let it. See what happens when you let the warmth get to you? Piper says that I won't be going anywhere, but who could that be true? Why would she want to keep around a kid like me? There are better ones out there."

Questions and doubt filled the young child's mind as her thoughts raced, her own words as well as Jake's words echoing inside of her mind.

"If you haven't found anyone to adopt you at this point, then you are really unwanted. No one wants a kid like you."

He was right. It was true. No one had ever wanted her. What Aubrey…and even Chloe and Beca was doing had to be a fluke. No adult would want to warm up a kid that fast. It was impossible.

"It is impossible…" she said quietly to herself. "It is…they're all lying. It's fake warmth…it's not real. I am unwanted. I am just another orphan. They don't really care about me…and Aubrey..."

"Aubrey loves her!"

"No she doesn't…Aubrey doesn't love me…"

She clenched her fists tightly.

"But…if she doesn't then…then…"

She slid to the floor and hid her face.

"Why does part of me believe that maybe…just maybe…she really does?"