"We need never be ashamed of our tears."

- Charles Dickens

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"Come on Mia, you can't stay out here forever! It's getting dark outside!" Rylan keeps insisting I go inside but I feel way more comfortable sitting out here on the porch step, where I don't have to meet a bunch of new people.

I don't understand why I'm so nervous about going inside, I've done this a thousand times. But for some reason, this time just feels different.

I saw from the corner of my eye as Rylan scooted closer to me on the wooden steps we were sitting on, which made me uncomfortable. I awkwardly cleared my throat and pulled his jacket, that I was still wearing, tighter around my body.

Personal space bud, look it up.

"Mia, just tell me what's on your mind." He sighs out.

Even if I did know why I didn't want to go in that house, I still wouldn't have told him.

"Please, just let me help you." He practically pleaded with me.

I glance over at him not convinced he actually cared about what I had to say, he was probably just tired of dealing with me. But the look of genuine concern on his face somehow changed my mind.

Was I really going to do this? Was I really going to open up to Rylan?

I guess I should have a little faith in him. He did save me from becoming roadkill at the airport.

"What if they don't like me?" I whispered, looking down at the concrete, avoiding eye contact with him

"That's it! We are going in. Stand up, Mia." Rylan reached down and grabbing my hands forcing me to stand up.

Which I didn't appreciate.

"I can stand up by myself," I grumbled, ripping my hands from his.

Rylan just threw his hands up in the air in mock surrender.

I turned to stare at the door. I hate being the new kid at a foster home, everyone is always so curious about you, wanting to know your whole life in one day. I'm just not ready for all of that.

"Hey, look at me." Rylan softly demanded.

I slowly looked up at him.

"You don't have anything to worry about here, everyone's going to love you, Mia." His warms eyes almost convinced that what he said was true.

"And If you're not comfortable with going inside yet then okay, we won't. Whenever you're ready Mia, even if we have to sit out here all night, so be it." Rylan continued.

I quickly swallowed and looked away from him. Why is he being so nice? What does he want from me?

"No, just give me a minute," I told him.

"I think she's coming in Ma!" spoke a voice behind the curtain of the window by the porch.

"Shhhh she going to hear you, dummy!" Another voice whispered.

"Wyatt, Camila! Stop spying on the poor girl." Rylan shouted, laughing at them.

"I think I'm ready." I decided.

I just want to get this over with.

"After you madam, lead the way." Rylan bowed.

"You're so weird," I noted out loud.

"You'll learn to love it." He winked playfully at me.

He started laughing we he saw me roll my eyes at his obvious flirting.

I took a deep breath and opened the front door. I barely made it a foot inside when I was embraced. The sudden action shocked me making my whole body tense up. But when I realized the person wasn't trying to hurt me but was actually hugging me, my body relaxed slightly. I'm not much of a hugger or even a toucher for that matter.

The overly excited girl finally pulled away but kept me in an arms distance from her. She had long dirty blonde hair that went way past her shoulders and bright sky blue eyes. She was very pretty.

"I'm Kina," She said, beaming at me.

"Mia," I replied back, smiling lightly so she didn't think I was being rude. She was very friendly, almost too friendly if you'd ask me.

I looked around the room, everywhere I looked there were already a pair of eyes already on me, which didn't help my anxiousness at all. The once spacious room didn't feel as big anymore. You know that one scene in Indiana Jones where they are trapped in the room filled with spikes and then suddenly the walls are to coming in on them? Well, that's how I feel right about now.

Okay, maybe that was a little overdramatic but, the point still remains.

Everyone staring at me was starting to make feel self-conscious, so I decided to focus on my surroundings instead. To my left is was I presume to be the living room, it was quite pretty really. There was a massive, brown wrap around couch, with uncomfortable looking decorative pillows placed accordingly around it. There was also a huge maroon-colored rug, that covered over the dark wooden floor, and a glass coffee table on top of it. They even had a large widescreen t.v. hung on the wall, right in front of the couch.

I was shocked when I saw framed pictures of Rose's foster kids scattered on the walls and on top of the fireplace.

The only time I ever saw foster parents put pictures up of the kids is when they are going to adopt them or to trick social workers into believing they give a rat ass about us.

I then decided to look above me to see a large, expensive-looking chandelier hanging from the ceiling when you first directly walk into the house, I would hate to see the price tag on that thing. I then brought my eyes back down and accidentally made eye contact with Kina, who was still standing in front of me. I ignored it and looked behind her to see a large staircase leading upstairs, it was nothing special, just a staircase. There was also a hallway behind her leading to god knows where.

The only other place I could look now was to my right, which was the kitchen. I couldn't see what was in it because of all the people, that I have yet to notice their existence, were standing in my way. I did see stainless refrigerator though, you know the really fancy one, with the side by side freezer and fridge and even has it's own water and ice dispenser?

As I was looking around the house I couldn't shake the feeling of a burning gaze on me and it was starting to make me uncomfortable, I scanned through the small group of people, now finally noticing their existence, trying to find the culprit of the highly intense stare. Everyone around me was looking at me with friendly smiles washed across their faces and curious looks in their eyes, so where was this feeling coming from?

I gazed across the kitchen one more time, still searching for answers when my eyes landed on the person in the back of the room sending death glares towards me

The boy nearly took my breath away. He had dark brown, almost black hair that was perfectly placed on his head. His dark brown eyes gave him a dangerous aura. He was wearing a black leather jacket that basically screamed trouble. When he saw I caught him glaring at me he looked away with a dirty look on his face. I already knew his type, and I already knew that I needed to stay as far away from him as possible. My rebel days were long gone, I'm more focused on getting my life back together, and so far it's not going exactly according to plan.

"I'm Wyatt, and you're adorable." I tore my eyes away from the gorgeous, yet rude boy. And turned my attention to the bubbly blonde boy in front of me. He strangely looked similar to Kina with the blonde hair and blue eyes.

"No flirting, unless it's with me." Grumbled another boy from behind Wyatt.

"Oh hush, let me have some fun." Wyatt laughed patting the boy on his stomach playfully. He just rolled his eyes and turned to me.

"I'm Phoenix, Wyatt's boyfriend." He told me, grabbing his boyfriend's hand. Phoenix had boyish features, with shaggy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. But I remember from the file that he was the oldest at nineteen, which was strange because usually, foster kids leave the system when they turn eighteen.

"That's my little sister, Indy." Phoenix pointed to a girl seated on the couch, I also remember reading in the file that Indy was the youngest at sixteen.

"Hi." She said, waving at me.

My head was already spinning from the information and new faces, and from the boy in the kitchen.

"That's Angelo and his twin sister Camila." Phoenix pointed to the siblings, I'm pretty sure they were Cuban or some kind of Hispanic descent.

"It's nice to meet you," Angelo said, while Camila walked up to me and gave me a hug.

I squirmed awkwardly in her arms, I just love hugging total strangers. I looked over to Rylan and silently prayed for him to get her off of me. But of course, he just stood there and watched, smirking to himself proudly.

"We are going to be great friends, I can tell." She told me.

I forced a smile at her, just to show I wasn't being rude. Being nice is exhausting.

"And the jackass in the kitchen is Axel," Rylan told me. "But he's a hardass." He explained.

I glanced back over the boy in the kitchen, His deep stare made me antsy, I felt like a young child being scrutinized for doing something wrong and not have a damn clue what in the hell I did.

"I'm leaving. " Axel said, exiting the kitchen and running up the stairs. His voice was smooth and hard, emotionless even.

I furrowed my brows. What the hell is his problem?

"Don't worry about him," Rylan reassured me, probably noticing my confusion.

"Don't worry, I'm not," I stated.

"Camila why don't you take Mia up to her room," Rose suggested.

I watched as Rose spoke, her voice was sweet and soft yet strong and assertive, which matched her personality perfectly.

"Sure thing Ma." She agreed.

She calls Rose mother too? She allows her foster kids to call her mom? I looked over at Rose to see her reaction and but she just smiles lovingly at Camila.

How strange.

"Follow me," Camila told me.

I obeyed and followed behind her as we went up to the second and then passed the second floor and up to the third.

Lord Jesus this is a lot of stairs.

"Sorry your room is so far away from everyone else, all the other rooms on the lower levels are filled." She told me.

"I'll make do with whatever I get," I replied.

"Just in case you're curious, Rose, Rylan, and Wyatt's bedrooms are all on the first floor. My brother and I rooms are on the second floor, along with Phoenix, Kina, and Indy's. But Phoenix is usually downstairs in Wyatt's room and Kina and Indy share a room."

Honestly, I didn't mind being away from everyone.

"On the bright side Axel and you are the only ones on this floor so you'll have a lot of privacy, plus the rooms are big." She continued on.

Wait, what?

"Axel's room is up here too?" I asked her, making sure I heard her right.

"Yup." She said again, nodding her head.

Great.

"I don't think he likes me too much," I mumbled.

"Don't take it personal Mia, Axel doesn't like anyone." She smiled sadly at me.

And I thought I was bad.

"I'll keep that in mind," I told her.

"Your room is the white door on the right, Kina, Indy and I put some clothes in the closet for you," Camila told me, pointing at the door.

"Thank you," I said, suddenly feeling exhausted.

"If you need anything I'll be downstairs," Camila said walking down the steps.

Finally, time to myself.

I let out a deep breath and opened the door to my new room and gasped, it was beautiful. The first thing that caught my attention was the huge bay window. The window was directly the in center of the room and underneath it was a bench with three light purple cushions and matching pillows on the side of it. On either side of the window, it had bookcases built into the wall, already filled with books.

I then looked to the right of the room and saw the huge bed, I've never had a bed this big before. The cover on the bed matched the cushions on the bench, the lilac color went well with the white walls and dark wooden floors. In the corner of the room was a desk with a computer and a radio sitting on it.

To the left of the room was a white dresser with a tv sitting on top of it and off to the side was two sliding closet doors.

I walked to one of the bookcases and ran my fingers across the books. Whoever the owner of these books is had really good taste in writers. Authors from J.K Rowling to Stephen King and even John Green.

I decided to add my journal to the bookcase, I took out the picture of my mother and sat it on the table by the bed. I don't want to leave my book out and chance anyone seeing it or worse, reading it.

I stared down at the picture. My mother's light brown hair was laying effortlessly over her shoulders, and her eyes held so much happiness in them. It doesn't feel like it's been 10 years.

"I miss you so much," I whispered to myself.

"Mia?" someone called out, knocking on the door.

Who the hell is it now? I don't really want to be bothered.

"Come in." I sighed out.

What does it take for a girl to get a few hours to herself?

I watched as the door swung open to reveal an already smiling Rylan.

"Hey, Ry." My mouth said involuntarily.

"Ry?" He questioned, smiling at me.

"I don't know." I shrugged. "It suits you," I added trying to cover it up.

"Well, I need a nickname for you." He decided.

"My names already short though," I grunted.

I hate nicknames.

"You're right Cupcake." Rylan agreed.

"Definitely not." I shook my head.

"Lovebug?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Not even." I slightly cracked a smile at his goofiness.

"You have a crazy beautiful smile, you should show it more often," Rylan said, looking at me intensely.

I immediately straightened out my lips and looked away from him

"Honeybuns? Sweet thang? Dove?" He listed out, acting as if nothing happened.

I stood up from my bed and walked over to him.

"My name is Mia," I told him.

"Fine, but I'll find the right name eventually." He huffed.

"If you insist," I replied, shaking my head, not wanting to argue with him.

"Dinner is ready, I came up here to get you." He informed me.

"Oh, okay." It was strange not being the one that was cooking dinner.

"Oh here." I took off Rylan's jacket that I was still wearing and handed it back to him.

"I don't think I need this anymore, thank you for letting me use it."

"It's no problem Mia, but don't you still need it for dinner?" He asked.

"Camila said the girls put clothes in the closest for me, plus I don't want to hog your jacket," I told him.

"Mia stop being ridiculous, put my jacket back on. You're not hogging it, I want you to wear it." He insisted, putting the jacket back on me.

"Okay, okay." I put my hands up like I was surrendering, there was no point in arguing over a jacket.

"Being a little pushy don't you think Summers?" Axel's voice cuts it. I looked over at him only to see he was already staring at me. He was leaning against the doorframe to my room, with his arms crossed in front of him.

"Can it, Deacon," Rylan muttered.

I quickly moved my eyes away from Axel's vehement stare and looked at the ground. His stare felt like he was looking directly inside me. Like I was one in the hot seat and Axel was the one ridiculing me.

"Mia." My name glided out of his mouth so effortlessly.

I slowly lifted my head from the ground to meet Axel's gaze.

"Yes," I mumbled.

"You don't have to wear the jacket if you don't want too." He told me, his dark eyes were so alluring, I could get lost in them.

I looked between Rylan and Axel with wide eyes. Rylan was busy glaring at Axel but his attention was solely focused on me.

"I-it's okay, I can wear the jacket." Thinking it would be the best option and stop whatever the hell that was happening right now.

"Whatever. Be his little play toy." Axel berated me and walked away.

I don't understand what I did wrong. I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping the jacket on. I stepped back, flinching when I saw a hand coming towards me, thinking it was coming down to smack me.

"Mia," Rylan whispered, a hurt expression washing onto his face.

"Sorry," I whispered, tears coming to my eyes. I usually had better control of my emotions than this. But I couldn't stop the tears from escaping, I wasn't fully sure why I was even crying.

Stop crying, you fucking crybaby.

Do you want everyone thinking you're weak?

Rylan is probably disgusted by you.

Stop fucking crying.

I scowled myself mentally, but the tears wouldn't stop coming.

I felt Rylan's arms wrap around my waist pulling me into his chest. The simple contact made me feel that much more helpless and made me cry harder.

You're pathetic.

Look at you.

Stop fucking crying.

"I can't!" I shouted, "I can't stop crying." I sobbed, grabbing Rylan's shirt in a fist.

"Shh Mia, It's okay." He cooed. "Let it all out, you're safe now." He whispered removing a strand of hair out of my face.

As fast as the tears came, they left. I felt the familiar numbness creep into my body, like a full mental shutdown.

I quickly wiped my eyes, and let go of Rylan.

"Mia?" He called.

"Huh?" I said emotionless.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Is anyone really okay?

"Yeah I'm good, it happens sometimes. Sorry, you had to witness it." I faked a smile so he wouldn't worry.

"I'm here for you Mia," Rylan said lifting my chin up to make me look him in the eyes.

I swallowed hard when I saw the look of concern in his eyes. Way to go, Mia, go ahead and have a full mental break down in front of the first person to show you kindness. He probably thinks you're crazy now.

"Let's go eat dinner, yeah?" I said, trying to avoid what he said to me.

"Yeah sure." He nodded.

"Let's go," I told him.