The next morning I woke up to see Aricka's face right in front of mine, causing me to scream and fall off the side of the bed. Standing up, I glared at her as she rolled around on the floor laugh. "It's not funny!" I said stomping my foot. "Yes it is!" She said, laughing. I couldn't help myself, a smile broke out on my face as I laughed with her. "Why'd you wake me? It's okay 8:00." I said, looking at my alarm clock. Aricka stood up and walked over to me. "Because, Miss. Adeline said to get you up. She said that someone is coming to adopt you. She said you needed to pack and have breakfast." I nodded and began to walk downstairs to the kitchen, Aricka following closely behind me. The whole way down she would tickle my sides, making me squeal loudly, then giggle.

Finally we got to the kitchen, there were other children there, everyone was eating already. We walked to our table, and began to eat. By the time we were done, the other kids had left, leaving us to clean up. I walked over to the CD player in the corner and put in the Disney I pushed the skip button until I got to Almost There from The Princess and the Frog. As soon as Tiana began to sing, I smiled and sang along.

Mama, I don't have time for dancing

That's just gonna have to wait a while

Ain't got time for messing around

And it's not my style

This old town can slow you down

People taking the easy way

But I know exactly where I'm going

And getting closer, closer, everyday

And I'm almost there, I'm almost there

People down here think I'm crazy but I don't care

Trials and tribulations have had my share

There ain't nothing gonna stop me now cause I'm almost there

I remember Daddy told me, fairy tales can come true

You gotta make 'em happen, it all depends on you

So I work real hard each and everyday

Now things for sure are going my way

Just doing what I do

Look out boys I'm coming through

And I'm almost there, I'm almost there

People gonna come here from everywhere

And I'm almost there, I'm almost there

There's been trials and tribulations

You know I've had my share

But I've climbed the mountain, I've crossed the river

And I'm almost there, I'm almost there, I'm almost there!

Throughout the song I was dancing along, I could hear Aricka laughing as I danced horribly. By the end of the song I was standing on a table, my arms out wide as I held the last note. When the song came to an end, Aricka was clapping. But she wasn't the only one. There was a much lower toned clap. Spinning around I saw the same man from yesterday. Next to him was Miss Adeline, she was smiling at me. I don't preform in front of anyone except Aricka, and seeing the man and Miss. Adeline really scared me. "H-hello. Um...I-i'm s-sorry I hop-pe I-I didn't disturb y-you." I stuttered, mentally cursing my awkwardness. "No! You didn't disturb me, that was beautiful!" The man said, smiling at me. Something about this man made me feel relaxed so I smiled back, and jumped off the table. I walked up to Miss Adeline. "I was told I was getting adopted. Where are they?" I asked. Behind me Aricka giggle, as did the man. Confused I looked at them both. "Wha...?" I asked confused. Aricka walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "That man, there is adopting you." She said looking at the man. I looked up at him in awe, when it hit me. "I-I'll be leaving you, A-ariel!" I exclaimed, turning around and holding her tight. "It'll be okay. You'll see me again, I promise." She said, hugging me back.

Sighing, I pulled away, looking at the man. "I-I'm R-Rae" I said, stuttering. "I'm Thomas." The ma-Thomas said. I smiled at him. "I s-still need to pack." I said. He nodded and stepped out of the doorway. I nodded my thanks and sprinted up the stairs towards my room. As I packed, Aricka came in a knelt next to me helping me pack my clothes and other things. "I need to change." I said. I grabbed my outfit and running to the bathroom.

(A/N: The glasses are real, she wears glasses)

Once dressed I walked back out and saw Aricka stand there with my suitcase in hand. I smiled at her, and went to grab it. I placed it on the floor and wrapped my arms around her. "I'm gonna miss you." I said. "I'm gonna miss you too." She said, as I let a tear roll down my face. She pulled away and wiped the tear away. "Don't cry, you're gonna have so much fun. And don't worry I'll see you again." She said, as she bent down to grab my suitcase. I quickly slapped her hand away and replaced it with mine. "Mine" I said, a small playful growl in my voice. She laughed, shaking her head and walking out, and I followed closely behind.

By the door of the orphanage stood Thomas, I walked over to him, a meek smile on my face. He reached down and grabbed my suitcase from me, I opened my mouth to stop him, but closed it, knowing it won't do anything. I turned around and saw Aricka watching from afar. I rushed over before remembering something, turned back, silently asking Thomas for my suitcase, confused he handed it to me, I quickly placed it on the ground and opened it. Reaching in I pulled out my snow leopard, I stood back up and rushed to Aricka, I held it out to her. "I-If you see me again it's up to you whether you give it back or not. If you don't see me again. I want you to have this." I said, smiling brightly. She took it from me, shocked, the leopard was the one thing that survived the fire, so it meant a lot. I smiled at her, and began to walk away. Then I felt arms wrap around me, I smiled and hugged back.

I pulled away, waving at Aricka, and headed towards Thomas. He stood there with my suitcase in hand. He led me out to the car where he put my suitcase in the back of the car and I sat in front next to the drivers seat. He got in, and started the car. The entire way to Thomas' house was silent. Time to put the past behind me and start a new life.

A/N: BOOM! Two chapters in one day! I'm on a roll! Anyway, it's late, I hope to have a chapter up tomorrow! Adios mis amigos!