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"Be quiet, please? At least until she signs the paper...You need this - I need this" My lawyer, Ms. Goodman, glared at me for a moment before her phone buzzed and she went to check her email.

"I don't know her" I huffed under my breath.

The car seat was extremely uncomfortable and I drew my knees to my chest to try and give my back a little stretch, but before I could enjoy it I felt acrylic talons grab my ankle and yank it off the seat.

"She's your grandmother, Allie - she's family. The only family whose willing to take you for the matter." Goodman said, setting her Blackberry on the torn leather seat of the taxi "And remember your manners - you weren't raised in a barn."

Ms. Goodman was a bitter woman who'd been by my side since my mom, dad, and brother died 4 years ago. She handled my finances and organized who I lived with, all the while reminding me how irresponsible my parents were for not having a will.

I had been living with my dads mother, Grandma Annie, until she died of a stoke 2 months ago. I'd been staying at a hotel while Goodman searched for someone to take me in, to take in the troubled girl who lost her family in a fire at age 13 and then went to live with the delusional grandma who made her kill dogs that didn't exist. I didn't have a rap sheet, and had done especially well in school but everyone assumed with my baggage I had to be super messed up.

Aunt Angie and Uncle Kevin couldn't take me in because a new baby was on the way. Aunt Abbey coulden't take me because she would be traveling soon and putting me under that stress after my loss wasn't humane. The list went on and on, all relatives having some excuse to why they coulden't take me in. It hurt, having to read the excuses my family have listed off at every guardianship meeting - there were 10 in the last two weeks - and had hardened me to relatives in the short time. I had begun to fall into hopelessness, resigning myself to a group home or maybe a foster family.

That was until Ruby Blake called, and said she was willing to take me in. She was my moms mother, and my only memory of her was my mom always saying Ruby would have no part in our lives as long as she was alive. Mom would never elaborate, just that she would never go back to Oklahoma and she prayed that we woulden't either. Moms wish can't wouldn't come true. Most of her wishes hadn't in the last four years since her death.

"Mom always said she didn't want us coming here, I agree with her. Mother knows best, ever heard it? Can't I stay in Salem? I have friends there. A support system better than anything Oklahoma could ever give me." I begged, turning to face her in the seat as we turned into a traditional suburban neighborhood.

It was the kind of place women gossiped on the street and men barbecued, maybe talking about football. The homes were manicured in that upper middle class way, the lawn meticulously mowed and a fresh coat of paint. It was an idyllic neighborhood - set back against lush trees growing out of red dirt.

"You're 17, only a few months till you turn 18. Then you get everything you've been whining about for 4 years," Ms.Goodman said "and you're off my hands."

I saw the driver flash her a look in the rear view mirror, as if to question her position as a guardian. It made me smirk.

"I want to set up a small studio and paint all day." I said to myself and she rolled her eyes. "Whatever you want. It's your money."

The taxi came to a stop and Ms. Goodman payed the driver before climbing out and scrunching her nose up as a little girl rode her bike past, chased by more girls on scooters.

"The suburbs.. somebodys dream but not mine." Ms. Goodman grumbled, snapping for me to get out.

I rolled my eyes and crawled out of the car, shielding my eyes from the son. The group of boys across the street started rough housing and laughing to try and get my attention, but they didn't get more than a glance - I was too busy looking at the homes to give them any attention.

The driver climbed out and wiped his hands off on his shirt over his bloated gut, winking at Ms.Goodman while he pulled the trunk open and began unloading my bags. He reached in and grabbed my duffle bag, yanking it out and dropping on the curb.

Ms.Goodman thanked the driver who drove off fast, leaving Ms.Goodman stumbling in her $800 dollar heels "Is this her house?" I asked, pointing to the grand white house, complete with a white picket fence and blue shutters. A garden was in full bloom, and the grass was a dark green. I'd pictured Oklahoma to be dry and dusty - but I was shocked by the vivid landscape. Green plains and tall oaks were everywhere - beneath them, the traditional red dirt.

"Yes, it's very... old looking" Ms.Goodman said, taking a few of my bags in her hands as I did the same. Together, still ignoring the looks from the boys across the street, we made our way to the front porch.

Ringing the doorbell, I expected a ancient looking woman with white hair and a pink sweater draped around her scrawny shoulders to answer. Instead, a blonde woman answered, in a loose white shirt and paint covered over-alls. Her eyes where the same blue as mine, probably something I had inherited from her.

"You must be Allie!" She said with a smile brighter than the sun, pulling me into a hug just like the kind my mom used to give me. "You can call me Ruby, because I do not look like a Nana" She laughed, holding me at arms length. She smelt like paint thinner and roses, and I smiled back.

"So pretty" She mused, giving me another smile that matched her personality perfectly

"May we come in? This Oklahoma heat is doing unfortunate things to my hair" Ms.Goodman spat, making Rubys gaze turn to Ms.Goodman, her smile dissipating. "Yes you sure can, would y'all like to come in for tea?" She said, moving to the side and letting us enter her house.

As soon as we got in, the classic house turned artistically modern. "Is that Librå?" I asked, pointing to a big painting full of color and shapes "Yes! You sure have a eye for art, don't ya'?" She asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulder "Yes, she plans on going to art school" Ms.Goodman said wiping her hands on her dress "I can do many things with an art degree." I reminded her her, setting my long board on the ground and my duffle bag next to it.

"I went to art school." Ruby chimed in, brushing a black lock of hair away from my face.

"Tea! Lets go to the kitchen" Ruby clapped her hands in remembrance , taking my hand and spinning me around before pulling me into a modern white marble kitchen, complete with bay windows and blue drapes

"Earl gray please" Ms.Goodman asked, sitting on a bar stool. "Yes ma'am" Ruby said as she started the kettle. "So, you live alone?" Ms.Goodman asked, pulling a black folder out of her leather purse, uncapping a expensive looking pen. "Yes, except for my cat, Missy" Ruby laughed and I looked for the cat, only seeing scattered cat toys.

"How about you go down to the corner store and get yourself a soda and a snack?" Ruby asked, handing me a $10 bill out of her overall pocket "We can get all the information reviewed" Ms.Goodman said and I nodded.

"Where's the store?" I asked, rolling my lips together "All the way down the road darlin', its a cute little mom and pop store" Ruby said, patting my hand as I turned. Turning, I waved and walked into the entryway, grabbing my sweater and walking out.

Kids darted across the road, throwing balls and chasing each other. Teenage girls laughed obnoxiously, cracking their gum and trying to get boys attention. This really was the suburbs. Walking for a few more minutes, I came to a little corner store that looked like a Ma and Pop kinda store.

I really liked the large front porch and hanging plants in front, and admired them. The door chimed as it closed behind meand I walked over to the fridge and looked over it, biting my lip as I chose. "I'm sorry for bothering you, but you dropped this" A voice behind my said. I turned and looked at a boy who seemed my age, but his dimples and green eyes gave him away as 1 or 2 years younger. Looking at the black ink pen in his tan hand I sucked my teeth. "I didn't drop a pen, but thanks" I turned away and grabbed a coke from the fridge and smiled weakly at the boy, walking over to the wall piled high with candy.

"Sorry, my brother and his friends wanted me to get your name. Some lame pick up line eh'?" The boy blushed and pointed over to the corner where a group of giant boys stood, laughing quietly. "Why do they want my name?" I asked, grabbing a packet of chips and turning to face the boy "They think you're hot. I think your beautiful." He blushed and followed me over to the checkout counter where a older looking guy sat, working on the newspaper crossword puzzle with a pen.

"I'm Allie, but lets keep that between you and me." I winked, taking the change off the counter and shoving it in the back pocket of my shorts. "I'm Andrew" He smiled and I nodded at him, turning and walking to the door after grabbing the white paper bag filled with my snacks. "Next time, don't send a boy to hit on a girl for you" I said over my shoulder at the boys, before turning my attention to Andrew "Bye Andrew, hope to see you around soon" I said flirtatiously, my eyes flicking back to the boys.

The tallest boy caught my gaze, he was probably 6'7", and his eyes where a dark green that looked greener than anything i'd ever seen in nature. His hair was dark brown and curled slightly, making his eyes pop against his tan, olive toned skin. You could tell he was muscular from the way his white t-shit hugged his body and the way he stood. He was gorgeous beyond belief. So beautiful I coulden't look away no matter how hard I tried to break my gaze. Did I mention how breath takingly gorgeous he was? What ever you're imagining, add 10,000%. Our eyes met and a clenching in my stomach made me shift from one foot to the other. He must have sensed this and gave me a smile so devilishly beautiful I almost melted onto the floor in a clump of pleasure and high waisted shorts.

Turning back around, I pushed through the door and dropped my long board onto the ground, riding over the cracked asphalt as I road.

Jumping off my board, I put it on the front porch and sat on the steps, twisting my Izze open and tearing open my Rolos and popping one in my mouth. Letting the chocolate melt, I sipped my Izze and let myself think of the past for the first time in 2 years.

"Allie! Allie, the dogs are back!" Grandma Annie cried from the kitchen "I'll be right there!" I yelled, letting my tears fall silently as I popped the cap off her meds and took two of the pills, cutting them up and smashing them into her mashed potato's. "Allie! They've got me!" She screamed, and I heard a lamp fall and smash against the ground.

"I'm coming!" I yelled through gritted teeth. Picking up the tray, I ran into the living room where grandma Annie was cowering in the corner, beating the air with a cane. "Grandma" I said, setting the tray on the table and walking over, yanking the cane out of her hands.

"Allie!" She screamed, covering her face with her bony fingers. "I killed them, their dead" I assured her, holding her hands and whispering soothing words. "Maggie? You look so young, whats wrong with your hair?" She asked, touching my hair tenderly. "Grandma Annie, it's me, Allie" I said and she gave me a frightened look that belonged to a animal, not a 80 year old woman. "Who's Allie?".

"Allie, are you done?" Ruby asked and I turned, smiling at her "Yes. Has Ms.Goodman left?" I asked, standing up and popping another Rolo in my mouth. "Yes, and i'm glad. We didn't need all that negative energy in the house" Ruby smiled, and led me into the house. "Where are my bags?" I asked, setting my board in the hallway.

"Up the stairs to the right. First door." Ruby winked and walked into a room, turning on a radio and singing along. Walking to the door, I looked into the room to see her painting and dancing just like mom used to do. Walking up the stairs, I turned to the right and noticed a picture of mom when she was my age.

Her blonde hair was curly and to her shoulders, framing her pale innocent face. She was smiling and hugging Ruby like there was no tomorrow. Grabbing the first door handle on the right, I pulled it open and covered my mouth as I entered.

The floor was a hard cherry wood that was shiny and polished to perfection. In the center of the room sat a queen sized bed with white sheets and a navy blue duvet. Above the bed was a wine colored canvas with "Allie" Painted in navy blue. Above the bed was a chandelier made of seashells. The light bounced off them and reflected light all across the darking room as the sun went down.

A huge white desk sat to the side of the room, with two book cases on either side of it. The book cases where filled with art books and classics that made me want to sit in the giant plush beanbag chair in the corner and read all of them.

On the desk was a MAC desktop and a few other things. A dresser was off to the side and closet sat to the left of the dresser. A isle was in the other corner and I could see paint brushes, paints, charcoal, and a lot of other art supplies in a case to the side of the isle.

Walking to the isle, I opened the sketch pad and grabbed a pencil and began sketching the face printed in my mind that even in this short time I remembered every detail about.