"Matthew, come now!" I heard my Papa call for me. I smiled at the sound of it. It was always soothing. Always soft.

"Coming Papa!" I called back, placing my bag on my bag. We were moving. I always found the term 'moving' sad. It wasn't fair. I loved France, and everything in it. I had a few close friends that I would now have to leave, but I don't think they're all that sad. They aren't even here to say goodbye, even though they live next door. At least I have my sisters with me. And Papa.

"Matthew, do you need help?" I looked up to see my eldest sister, Lucille, ask. I shook my head.

"No thanks Lucy!" I smiled. "I'm a big boy, I can be strong!" I insisted. Lucille smiled, before walking away. I could see my other sister, Michelle, packing some of her stuff in the car. We were moving to America. Papa had met a nice man who lived there, and now we're moving there. I don't know why they can't move here... But I guess the house isn't all that big for something like that to happen. I've heard from Papa that the nice man he had met had a son, who, as Papa has said, is going to be my new brother. I've never had a brother before. I wonder what's it like? Will he think I'm wimpy? I've always been teased because of my long hair and my strange little strands of hair that make a small curl... I hope I'm not picked on in America.

"Michy?" I said to my sister, she looked down at me, her smile placed on her face like always.

"Yeah little bro?" She asked.

"Do you think I'm gonna be picked on in America? I'm very shy... And some of the kids here say I'm too girly... And..." I couldn't go on. Not because I was too emotional, but because the list was too long.

"Nah. I don't think so. After all, you're gonna have a brother soon! I'm gonna have another brother! I'm so excited! But, still, we'll make sure you aren't picked on in America. I wish we could have done more here, but, you know." Michelle said sadly. I knew. She and Lucille had a reputation of being to nice and quiet, so, even their threats didn't work because no one would believe them. I believed them. Lucille and Michelle could be really scary when they're angry! It's terrifying! I've lived with them for ten years, I've seen their worst.

"Papa, we're going to be late for the flight." Lucille pointed out. Papa stared back at the clock, before growing scared.

"Merde, Merde, Matthew, Michelle, come along! Allons-y!" Michelle and I scrambled into the car. Then I realized I didn't have my polar bear.

"Papa! I don't have Kuma-" Lucille handed me my bear from the front seat. She winked at me, I thanked her, before cuddling the gift my Mama had given me before the fire. I loved my bear. I've had him since I was five. Sometimes I forget his name, but I do know it starts with Kuma, so I just stick with Kuma. Lucille has mentioned that his name is 'Kumaijiro' but I forget so often... Except for right now. I looked out the window, seeing all the pretty lights. We didn't live in a large city, like Paris, but we did live in the city of Brest. In size it was a little bigger in Paris, but it just wasn't all that known. Even though it was pretty large.

"Papa, you haven't told us anything about the man we're gonna be living with. You haven't even said his name!" Michelle said, probably trying to start a conversation. She never was a fan of silence.

"Well, Michy, if you would like to know, the man whom we are going to be living with is named Arthur Kirkland. He has a son named Alfred. He's an Englishman, meaning he came from England." Papa explained. Lucille and Michelle seemed interested in Mr. Arthur. I myself was only interested in the son. Alfred. "Arthur and I met when I was in England... Dealing with my issues, three years ago. As you know I've told you I went out with him." I nodded. He always did go out with people, like, he went out with me and my sisters sometimes when he wasn't busy. "That's when Arthur offered the opportunity for me and my children, you three, to live with him in America. To start anew. I thought it would be a good choice." Papa explained, as he stared at the road. I smiled. It was sorta sweet.

"Papa. We asked about him, not why we're going to America." Michelle smiled, wanting the conversation to continue. Papa chuckled.

"Ohonhonhon, yes, you did, didn't you? Oh well, Arthur is a bit of a grumpy grump, however, he does have a kind heart. But, he cannot cook." Papa explained. I looked at him from the backseat. If Arthur had a son... does that mean...

"Papa? Does Mr. Arthur have a wife? I mean, if he has a son." I asked. Lucille looked at me, in shock. I wonder why. Papa frowned.

"Non. He doesn't. And, Matthew, I would like you not to ask about what happened to her, alright?" Papa asked, taking his eyes off the road.

"Oui Papa." I promised. I didn't know why he didn't want me to ask, but it must be a big secret. Like how Michelle and Lucille didn't want me to talk about Mama, and what happened. They said that it would make other people sad, so I had to keep it a secret. Unless if someone really wanted to know. Even then, I would have to explain it carefully. Even though I was only ten, I didn't know a lot. Well, I knew a lot of words, thanks to Lucille, but I didn't know much of the world. I would sometimes say the wrong thing by accident, and then everyone would get mad at me, even though I didn't know why. That's why I tend to be quiet. I mainly just talk to Kuma about everything. Whenever I talked to him, I felt like Mama was listening, and she was petting my hair, like she used to. She would kiss away my tears when I was sad, or hurt, and she would hold me in her arms, telling me about the angels that watch over us, and how they love us. I always thought she was an angel.

"Now, Arthur is a bit of a butt sometimes, in terms of speech. He does like to have fun though. And he will always put family first." Papa smiled. "I know he put me on that list as well." I looked out the window again. Papa and my sisters were talking about this Mr. Arthur. I wasn't interested at all about the Englishman. I only wanted to know about Alfred.

"Papa?" I asked, after silence had fallen again. Papa inclined his head for me to speak. "What's Alfred like?" I tried to raise my voice, that way I knew Papa heard me.

"I'm not sure... I have never met the boy." Papa admitted. I frowned, clutching onto Kuma. That was helpful. "The only thing I do know about him is that he's very excitable. Too excitable at times." Papa chuckled. I smiled too. Alfred must sound like, what's it called... A handful? Maybe. Never the less, I was super excited to meet him! I stared at Michelle, who was humming a very familiar tune. She named the little tune something like "Vacation" or something like that... I always found it a little calming. It came from her heart. Lucille found it a little annoying, mainly because Michelle hummed with every minute she had. I found it calming. Whenever I was scared I would find myself humming it, or if I wanted a small little lullaby to help me sleep.

"Michy?" I said quietly, Michelle looked at me, and stopped humming. She nodded. "What if Alfred's mean?" I asked, feeling a little guilty for asking. Michelle thought for a moment, before Lucille got her answer in.

"Then we'll teach him a lesson. We'll make sure he's not mean to you, or to anyone. Okay, sweetie?" Lucille promised. I smiled and nodded. "Besides, Papa wouldn't stand for that to happen. Right Papa?"

"Oui! Besides, he's a nice boy, from what I hear." Papa said. I nodded once more, a little happy. I looked back at Kuma before feeling my eyelids shut... After all, sleeping was like time traveling. In one pitch of a dream, you're in the future.

I felt myself be shaken awake by Michelle, and my eyes opened. The light blasted into them, but at least I woke up quickly. Were we at the airport? Why do the seats feel different?

"Man, you really were tried weren't you Mattie?" Michelle asked, I stared at her confused. "You slept through the whooole airport experience and on the plane. Luckily, Lucille took care of everything for you. You better thank her!" I was shocked. How could I have slept for that long? I had been hoping to see the sky... But, that doesn't explain why the seats are so weird.

"Why aren't we in Papa's car?" I asked hazily, before I heard a laugh.

"Matthew? You're awake!" Papa smiled at me from the passenger seat. Why was Papa in passenger seat? Then I saw who was driving. It was a blonde man, like Papa, but he had short hair, and...

"Eyebrows." I whispered under my breath in shock. Michelle heard me and laughed.

"Oh, he's awake? Sorry I can't look at you chap, but pleased to meet you." He had a British accent, just like Papa said he would have. I kept my mouth shut. Now that the moment to meet Mr. Arthur, I couldn't talk... I felt nervous.

"Matthew?" I heard my Papa ask, I looked at him, scared. He smiled at me and nodded.

"B-Bonjour... I mean, h-hello sir..." My voice reached it's highest peak. Lucille smiled at me for trying to be loud. I was normally very quiet, mainly because I barely talked, so my voice wasn't used to actually being loud. Luckily, Mr. Arthur seemed to know what I was saying.

"I have to say, Francis, you have some really behaved children. Sorry, it's just, I'm so used to Alfred. He's a bit of a brat sometimes, but I'm sure he means well... Sometimes." I could see Mr. Arthur's eyebrows moved as he talked. It was sorta intriguing.

"Thank you, mon ami. That means a lot... However, as you know, about my old problems, Lucille here did most of the raising." Papa pointed to Lucille. Arthur nodded, smiling.

"I wish Alfred would of had a sister, or brother, like you. Maybe then he would've turned out to be a little respectful." I saw Mr. Arthur grimaced.

"Um... E-Excuse me?" I started my voice barely being heard. Mr. Arthur didn't notice. Luckily, my sisters did.

"Arthur. Mattie's trying to get your attention." Michelle bounced. Why didn't she call him Mr. Arthur?

"Oh. Sorry, what is it lad?" He asked.

"I-I-Is Alfred going to be home?" I felt as though I stuttered every word. Mr. Arthur nodded.

"It is a weekend after all. And, don't worry, I've already enrolled you three into the public schools here. Matthew, you'll be with Alfred at Westvalley Grade School. Michelle you'll be at Westvalley Middle School, and Lucille will be attending Westvalley High School." Mr. Arthur said.

"Wow. Those all sound like creative names." Michelle commented, slight sarcasm showing. Mr. Arthur laughed.

"That's exactly what I said when I moved here. Don't worry, they're all good schools." Mr. Arthur settled down my worries. I know he was probably directing it towards everyone, but I felt the most secure about his promise... Well it's not a real promise, but I'm going to count that it is. I stared out the window, we were no longer in the main city part, I think we were in the suburbs now.

"Closer to the new home..." I thought to myself. I was still nervous though. I've always been a nervous kid. Another reason I was picked on. I was picked on for a lot of things. I'm going to stop talking about all the things I was picked on for. After all, I'm not gonna be picked on anymore! I hope. That's when the car stopped. I froze up. We were there. We had to be. I saw Mr. Arthur open the door. I braced myself for the house. I had no idea what to expect, I really hoped it was purple... And dripped in maple syrup! Okay, maybe the second one wasn't all that realistic, but a ten year old can dream! Papa left the car, then my sisters, and finally it was my turn. I gripped onto Kuma, not sure what to expect. I slowly got out of the car, and was amazed.

"It's so big!" I exclaimed. It was an actual house. Not the little house we had lived in, crammed between two other large houses, it was a real house. I looked up at Lucille who was smiling largely. Michelle was practically bouncing up and down with happiness. Papa even seemed to have small tears in his eyes.

"Arthur... You never said it was so large..." Papa smiled. Mr. Arthur turned red, before turning around.

"I-I wanted to surprise you. That's all. Besides it's not that big." Mr. Arthur said, I didn't believe him one bit. The house was a light blue, sadly not purple, but it seemed like it was two stories. There were a lot of windows, and the lawn was amazing. The fact that Mr. Arthur's house had a lawn I found amazing. In France, we only had a sidewalk. I saw the door open, and out popped a small blonde haired boy.

"Dad!" The boy yelled, running towards Mr. Arthur. Mr. Arthur smiled, and picked the boy up.

"Ah! Hello there Al." Mr. Arthur said. I saw a girl run out of the house, following after boy.

"Oh! Mr. Kirkland!" The girl had a strange accent... Slavic? "I didn't know you would be home soon!" The girl smiled a bit nervously.

"It's alright Iryuna, here, let's get inside and I can pay you for babysitting. Alright?" Mr. Arthur smiled, the girl, I think is Iryuna, nodded. That's when Iryuna looked at me.

"Hallo! I'm Iryuna, what's your name?" Her smile was really pretty.

"M-Matthew..." I stuttered every word, Iryuna looked at me confused.

"I'm sorry sweetie, can you speak up?" Lucille came for my rescue.

"He said his name is Matthew. I'm Lucille. This is my sister, Michelle. It's a pleasure to meet you." Lucille shook Iryuna's hand. Iryuna smiled back at her.

"I'm happy to meet you! You're going into the highschool right? If you like I can show you around!" Iryuna smiled again. Lucille nodded.

"That would be nice." I was clutching Kuma in my arms, when I felt someone poke my shoulder.

"Are you Matthew?" The boy from Mr. Arthur's arms asked me. I nodded. "Cool! I'm Alfred! It's awesome to meet you!" Alfred... This was Alfred?

"Y-You're my new brother...?" I asked, quietly. Alfred looked at me confused.

"Woah. You're really quiet." He pointed out. "Hey! Dad! Is this my new brother you've told me about?" I looked at him annoyed, that's just what I asked to him. Mr. Arthur nodded.

"Yes, it is Alfred. Can you show them to their rooms? I need to talk to Francis and pay Iryuna." Mr. Arthur said, heading inside. My sisters and I looked at another. Our own rooms?

"I can't wait till you see our room Mattie! I'm kinda jealous of the girls though, they each get their own room, I'm so excited to share my room with someone!" Alfred talked really fast. Did he say that he and I were going to share a room? I mean... I guess that's okay. I looked back at Lucille and Michelle, they had seemed to understand what he was saying. They were getting their own separate rooms. Alfred led us into the house, and I was even amazed at the furniture. Everything looked so... Clean. New. It didn't look like anything was picked up off the street. Alfred walked up the stairs, I knew it had two stories, and to the left, he told us that's where Mr. Arthur and Papa were going to sleep. I nodded. Then, he showed us to the right. There was a washroom and four rooms. Three bedrooms, one Study for Mr. Arthur. The two medium sized rooms were for Lucille and Michelle, then a larger room was for Alfred and I. Michelle and Lucille rushed into their new rooms, while I was timidly standing in front of Alfred's room. Our room.

"Yo' Mattie! Come on!" Alfred grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the room. I flinched as he pulled. The room was pretty. There were two sides, literally. One part of the room had blue wallpaper, the other with purple. The blue wallpaper side had airplanes, lots of toys, and a few children's books. The purple side had a large amount of books, some bean bags, and a nice little desk area.

"Merde..." I whispered, hoping Papa or my sisters didn't hear me. I wasn't allowed to cuss. Alfred smiled at me.

"You have the purple side! The bean bags were my idea, so you're welcome!" Alfred laughed, jumping onto his bed. I looked around the room. The two bookshelves were full of books I've never read before. The desk was clean and new... The bed. The bed was new. The blankets were soft and nice, not a single bug lied inside them. I couldn't help it. I started to cry.

"Whoa! Are you okay? Dad! Mattie's crying!" Alfred yelled. I heard footsteps come up the stairs, before they entered the door, along with my sisters. They too also had tears in their eyes.

"Matthew? Is everything alright?" Mr. Arthur asked. Papa smiled at me. Before I ran up to Mr. Arthur and hugged his leg.

"Merci! Merci! Merci!" I thanked him over and over, smiling through my tears. I knew he heard me because I was being louder than I usually am. He patted my head. "Merci Mr. Arthur!" I cried again, before he finally leaned down.

"Matthew, you don't have to call me Mr. Arthur..." He said calmly. I looked at him confused.

"T-Then what do I call you?" I asked, he wiped away my tears.

"How about... Dad."