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'So Denise, could you tell us something about yourself?' Vanessa asked during dinner.

'What should I say?' Denise asked.

'Anything,' Lin answered, 'What you like to do, who your friends are, what you like to eat, anything.'

'Well,' Denise said, 'I've got lots of friends in school. My favourite colour is pink. I like chocolate and pancakes. I don't really have hobbies, at previous foster homes they wouldn't let me do anything outside of school.'

'But there múst be something you like!' Lin exclaimed, 'Haven't you learned anything at school, which you like to do?'

'Well,' Denise said, 'I really like soccer... But honestly, you don't have to sign me up for classes or anything!'

'V, sign Denise up for soccer classes,' Lin said.

'I'm on my way,' Vanessa answered.

'Hey!' Denise shouted, 'Don't I have a say in that?'

'Nope,' Lin answered.

'You'd better get used to it,' Vanessa added, 'Lin always gets his way, whether you want it or not. And beside, I think you'll love the soccer classes.'

'Okay,' Denise sighed.

'So, do you want to know something about us?' Vanessa asked.

'Nah,' Denise said, pricking inher pasta. Vanessa and Lin shared a worried look.

'But- we're your parents now, wouldn't you want to know something about us?'

Denise jumped up, a raging fire in her eyes: 'You're nót my parents! I'd call you my fosterers, nothing more!'

Vanessa and Lin were shocked by this sudden outburst of- what was it? Anger? When Denise saw their eyes she sat down and said: 'Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.'

'No,' Vanessa said, laying a hand on Denise's shoulder: 'You had the full right to say what you said. You're right. We're not your parents.'

But for now, let's pretend that we are, Denise thought. To her surprise, those words didn't come, and it stayed silent for a while.

'Anyway,' Denise said, 'I would love to hear something about you guys.'

'Well,' Lin said, 'Vanessa here is a lawyer-'

'Attorney!' Vanessa interrupted him.

'Which, to normal humans is the same thing,' Lin said, and he turned to Denise again: 'Before that, she was a biologist, and she loves math. So, if you need any help with your Math or Biology homework, ask her. Not me. I suck at Math.'

'But he,' Vanessa interrupted him, 'used to be an English teacher, so you know when you can ask him for help. Also he's not thát bad at Math. He just thinks that. And, to warn you, he's the biggest Broadway nerd you've ever met. He's also obsessed with Twitter.'

'That's both true,' Lin said, 'I am now playing in the off-Broadway show Hamilton. Tomorrow is our last performance, before it transfers to Broadway.'

'Do you want to come see it?' Vanessa asked, 'I have tickets to go see it together, tomorrow.'

Denise shook her head, as fear filled her eyes: 'No! No, I don't want to see it. I don't want to see a musical. Not even your musical. I don't want to.' she rambled.

'Hey!' Vanessa interrupted her, 'It's okay. You don't have to see it if you don't want to.'

'I don't?' Denise asked, surprised.

'Well,' Lin started, but Vanessa sent him a warning glare. Lin shrugged: 'Okay then.'

When Denise was lying in bed, Lin came to check on her.

'Are you okay?' he asked.

'This bed is amazing!' Denise laughed.

'Well, I'm glad you like it!' Lin answered, 'Are you excited for tomorrow?'

'Hm, what's tomorrow?' Denise asked, half asleep.

'You are going shopping!'

'Oh yeah...' Denise mumbled. But then she sat up, suddenly awake. 'Lin!' she said, 'Lin, I don't have any money!'

'You're fourteen!' Lin answered, 'I'll pay for your clothes, of course.'

'Really?' Denise asked, amazed.

'Of course,' Lin said, 'Go sleep now.'