Chapter 1

Claire’s POV

Four Years Ago( Claire 13 years old)

“Mom, Dad, I made the team,” I said excitedly as I walked inside the house.

I had been worried about making the dance team. My parents told me that I had nothing to worry about.  

“That is great, Honey. Let's go celebrate; how about we get some out to get pizza and ice cream” My mom asked.

“Yes,” my little sister Jennifer and I said simultaneously.

 We got into my dad's car and went to the pizza place. After we ate our pizza, we went to a neighborhood ice cream shop that we always go to. I got two scoops of chocolate ice cream on an ice cream cone with sprinkles. My sister chose orange sherbert in a cup-like she always does. We sat at a table and ate happily.

 I talked happily about making the dance team while my parents listened with smiles on their faces. Then, suddenly, my father's face turned to one of worry. 

“Dad, what's wrong?” I asked 

“Nothing, sweetheart. I think it's time to go home,” My father said, and we all went to the car and went home. 

“Come in,” I said as my mom knocked on my door,”

“Hey Honey, your father and I have to go somewhere tomorrow and won’t be back until after school, so I want you and your sister to go to Mrs. Jones's house until we get back. I told her you two would be coming over,” My mom said

Mrs. Jones was our neighbor that lived across the street. Jennifer and I always went over there when my parents were gone. 

“Okay, mom,” I replied

The Next Day

“Hello, Mrs. Jones,” I said when she opened the door.

“Hi, come on in,” she said, and Jennifer and I walked inside

A few minutes later, I saw a police car parked in my driveway 

“Mrs. Jones, there is a policeman in our driveway,” I said, and she looked out the window and saw the policeman about to knock on my door.

She went outside to see what they wanted. I watched from the window as Mrs. Jones approached the policeman and asked him a question. She began crying as he told her something, making me wonder what was happening. 

Mrs. Jones and the Policeman walked across the street and into the house. 

“Claire, Jennifer, something has happened,” Mrs. Jones said with tears.

“What going on,” I asked.

“I am sorry, Claire, but your parents were killed in an animal attack,” the policeman said, and my sister and I began to cry.

Present Day (Claire 17 years old)

“Claire, this is the fourteenth time this year that you have been kicked out of a foster home,” my social worker, Nancy, said as we drove back to the orphanage. 

“What can I say? They didn’t like me much,” I replied

“You and I both know they kicked you out because you set the trash cane on fire. You could have burnt the house down,” 

“I didn’t know it would get that bad,’

“I know why you did it. The same reason Jennifer does things to be sent back. The both of you don’t want to be separated, but these are nice homes we are sending you to. Sometimes people need to be separated for a while to live better lives,” Nancy said, causing me to roll my eyes.

How could Jennifer and I being separated bring anything good? We were family, and I would be damned if I let anyone separate us.

“Claire,” Jennifer screamed as I walked inside, giving me a big hug. Her short blond hair hangs to her shoulder, and her blue eyes shine happily at my return. She was taller than my 5ft 3 self standing at 5 ft 5. We looked a lot alike besides my eyes being green and my long blond hair falling to my waist.

“Hey Jen, how was everything when I was gone,” I asked.

“It was fine; you weren’t gone but a day anyway. That’s a new record,” She said

“Someone is here that wants to talk to you, Claire, and Jennifer,” one of the nuns at the orphanage said, and we walked to her office.

 

A couple was in there sitting beside each other, holding hands. They were whispering to one another. When we walked in, they both stood and smiled at us. They both looked to be in their forties. The man had blue eyes and a few greys in his blond hair, but besides that, he looked fit for his age with the muscles I could see through his polo shirt. He was very tall, about 6ft 4. The woman had long blond hair with brown eyes. She was thin and tall like a model.

“Hello, my name is Tonya Knight, and this is my husband, Sean Knight. Sean and I grew up with your father, and when we found out about his passing, we looked for the two of you but could never find you until now,” the woman said, and I was shocked.

“ I am Claire, and this is my little sister Jennifer. Dad never told us anything about where he grew up,” I said honestly.

“We had actually met you before when you were a baby. Your father was like family to us, a brother to me,” Mr. Knight said, and I smiled. 

“We are here because we have a question for the two of you. We were wondering if both of you would like to come live with us. We were actually on our way to talk to you at the foster home you were in, Claire, but then we were told you were on your way back here for setting their trashcan on fire,” Mr knight said, and my body tensed.

“Um yeah, there is a reasonable explanation for why I,” I began, but Mr. Knight cut me off.

“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. I am sure you had a good reason for doing that. So what do you say? You two would be able to live for as long as you like and would like and never have to worry about being separated,” Mr. Knight asked. 

I looked over at my sister, waiting for me to respond. I thought about it, and it seemed like a good idea. They seemed like good people and couldn’t be that bad if my dad was cool with them.

“Yeah, we would be happy to move in with you,” I said