A sharply dressed woman met the three of them in the parking lot. She was younger looking then Ms. Smith but still as sharply dressed, she had a huge smile on her face and looked really friendly. The two women exchanged a brief hug.

“It’s so good to see you again,” the woman announced cheerfully. “And these are our newest residents?” she asked, turning an appraising glance on the two siblings.

“That’s right. I have their paperwork in my briefcase if you want to look over it first. I’ll be sending an e-file copy as soon as I get back to the office, in either case.”

The woman laughed and shook her head. “Of course not. I’m sure everything is already in order, dear.”

“Well, proper introductions are in order,” Ms. Smith replied and turned to the pair. “Casey and Angel Owens, this is Headmistress Bethany Anderson.”

Angel rose her hand like she was in class and waited for one of the adults to call on her. She looked like she had a question to ask them.

Bethany and Ms. Smith exchanged a glance and a mutual smile before the former asked. “Yes, dear?”

“Um you said we were treated like we were regular children? What if we meet a friend in town and we wanted to do a sleep over on the weekends or something?”

“Well, that’s entirely up to your friend’s parents. Most people here in Alpine Springs know about Sunshine so there shouldn’t be a problem, though,” she answered, as though asking permission from her wasn’t even a question. “Oh and you have to make sure your dorm guardian knows about the sleepover as well.”

“Like a prefect?” Casey asked nervously. She remembered the thuggish brutes of prefects back in their Wii game, “Bully”, and wasn’t thrilled with the idea.

Bethany shook her head. “More... like a parent actually. They are there to help you when you need it and take care of all the things that a parent would for their children. You two will meet your Dorm Guardian soon enough. You might even have one of them as a teacher; you never know. So are you two ready to see your room?”

“Our room?” the pair asked in unison and turned to look at each other, Angel excited, Casey somewhat nervous, but hopeful.

“Normally we don’t pair siblings together, but we made an exception for you two. You also made the list and get to be in the new dorms that just opened.” Bethany grinned. “Boys dorms are on the right side over there,” Bethany pointed, “And girls dorms are this way.” and she started to lead the two towards the girls dorms.

As the pair followed Bethany, Casey quietly reached out to squeeze Angel’s hand. She grinned broadly and gave her sister’s hand a squeeze back, giggling under her breath.

The four of them walked down the pathway headed to a four story building that looked freshly built. “This is what we affectionately call Pink House. It’s the newest wing to the girls’ dorms. We also have a new dorm section built for the boys called Blue House, but girls are not allowed in the boys dorms and visa versa.”

The main floor of the building gave the girls pause as they stared in awe at the rather large open space filled with couches, chairs, tables, big screen T.V.s. It decorated in a rather girly fashion with an elevator at the far end and a staircase leading up. “This is the common room, there is also a food court complete with a student-run Starbucks at the far end.”

“Oh my God,” both gasped in unison. “I think I wanna stay here permanently,” Angel giggled. Casey just quietly stared like a kid in a candy store.

Bethany giggled, “All the dorms are setup like this. The only difference between your dorms and the older ones is faster internet, but we are working on that too.”

“So is our room just a bedroom or do we get our own bathroom too?” Angel asked, since Casey was too busy drooling over the girly decor to think to ask about that possibly important little detail.

“Each shared bedroom has two full bathrooms. Each room has two beds, two desks, two vanities, two dressers, plus your own closets, and plenty of room for expansion.”

“Oh... Our stuff was trashed in the wreck,” Angel frowned. “Can we get a ride back to town later?”

“Don’t worry girls. The state and federal government gives us funding for kids like you. I made sure to have some of your new housemates pick up some clothing for you both, and we have laptops plus your school phones already in your room for you.” Bethany answered with a broad smile.

Angel, unable to contain her excitement any longer, left Casey’s side to throw her arms around Bethany. “I really don’t know how to thank you. Even our parents wouldn’t let us get a phone, let alone a laptop - or two.”

Just at that moment Ms. Smith’s phone rang and she looked down at it, “Oh thats my boss, hold on he must be calling me with information about the girls’ grandmother.” she answered the phone and walked off a bit so they couldn't hear her talk.

Both Angel and Casey shared the same “Oh crap” look as Angel returned to her sister’s side, giving her a reassuring hug. “We can convince her to let us stay. She’s not as bad as Dad was.”

Casey tried to nod, but didn’t say anything, just hugging her sister back.

Ms. Smith a moment later came back the the others with a frown on her face, “Lisa McMillian is your grandmother's name right?”

Angel nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

“Well, according to the records she’s not your biological grandparent.” She frowned a bit more, “My boss says we can't find any living blood relatives which means you are going to be a ward of the state until you graduate or you’re adopted, girls.”

“Not our biological grandmother... That’s not possible,” Angel answered reflexively, but Casey squeezed her hand to get her attention. The pair whispered quietly among themselves for a couple of seconds before turning to Ms. Smith again to let her continue.

“Until you graduate, turn 18 or are adopted, Sunshine is your new home. We will do our best to continue to look for a blood relative to help you, but don’t get your hopes up girls. I’m sorry.”

Casey brightened considerably at being referred to collectively with her sister as ‘girls’ for the umpteenth time that day. “Oh, that’s okay ma’am. I think we’ll be able to adjust to living here.” She tried quite hard not to grin, but Angel saw right through it and giggled quietly.

Ms. Smith nodded, turning to Bethany. “Their parents left them some money in their will, and the sale of the estate will give them some extra money to spend as well, and the state will give them a check like the rest.”

“Of course,” Bethany answered. “We should discuss budget and a possible college trust with the girls once they’ve gotten comfortably settled in.”

“Do you guys want Mrs. McGreagor, Bethany? We can arrange that.” Ms. Smith smiled.

“If she’s available, I’d prefer to work with her, yes.” She turned to the girls again, “ Well let’s continue this tour to your room, ladies.” She led them to the elevator where she swiped a card and the door opened. Inside, she swiped her card again and pressed the 3rd floor button.

“When you get settled I’ll have one of the students take you to the main office to get your student ID’s which will give you access to everything. It also acts as a bank card in town and at the student ran concessions.”

Casey finally worked up the courage to ask, “So um, you said the dorms are segregated. What happens to girls caught in the boys’ dorm or vice versa? Not... that I plan on setting foot in the boys’ dorm if I can help it,” she added quite honestly. Angel giggled.

“Yeah, me either,” she chimed in to support her sister.

“Punishments are handled differently for each student on a case by case basis, though most students understand that being here is preferable to normal foster care. We are a private school first, and an asset to the state foster care program second.”

Bethany smiled as she led them down a hallway, “Ok, room number 302 is yours.” She slid her card in the door and the door opened for her. “Each room is key locked to your student ID, and Dorm Guardians have a master key just incase.”

Opening the door revealed a large room with two beds on either wall, two desks with metallic pink laptops and android phones sitting on them. There were also two dressers, and mirrored vanities, as well as four doors in the room besides the one leading out. The room was painted a rather soft pastel pink and the curtains contrasted it nicely in a dark reddish pink.

Bethany stepped inside, motioning with one hand as she spoke. The girls, and Casey in particular, were only half-listening as they stared wide-eyed into the doorway. “All homework is done via the local school network and turned in to the teacher that way as well.

“The Android phone has an additional app to help you get to your classes with room numbers and a localized GPS-style map. There are a few numbers pre programmed into your phone, one is each others, the other is your Dorm Guardians and the last one is the main office.”

Angel slowly walked inside first, looking around the room, poking her head in the doors to figure out which were the bathrooms. Casey just lingered by the doorway, almost afraid to look in the closets. “Holy crap,” Angel squealed, throwing the door wide. Casey! You gotta see this!”

Casey slowly approached her sister, peeking over her shoulder to find a fully stocked, spacious bathroom with shower/tub combo and a plethora of expensive hair care products. “Oh my God, this bathroom is bigger than my bedroom back home,” she whispered just loud enough for Angel to hear.

Bethany smiled as she texted something on her phone. “Well Ms. Smith and I will leave you two girls to get acquainted with your new dorm. When you’re ready knock on the door across the hallway, and Jolien will take you two to the main office.”

“Thank you Ms. Anderson,” Angel called over her shoulder as the two older women left.

“Yeah, thank you!” Casey added. Angel giggled, turning to her sister as soon as the door closed..

“You. Closet. Now.” She grinned broadly. “TRUST me. You’ll like what you find.”

Casey nervously looked at her sister, “Which one is mine?”

“Take your pick,” Angel answered, grinning even more broadly.

“Well you can pick first ok?”

Angel giggled again and started for the near closet, paused, and grinned back at Casey, heading for the far closet - the one she hadn’t opened yet, and pulled it open to reveal a modest walk-in closet positively stuffed with school uniforms, dresses, skirts, blouses, tank tops, jeans, slacks, and of course, shoes of every style from casual to ultra-formal, though none more than about a 1  ½” heel, and most flats.

“Okay, now will you open yours?” she almost whined.

Casey nodded and opened the closet that was now hers her eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights. “Oh my God! Angel I think they made a mistake!”

Angel laughed. “You did say everything was in order with your paperwork, and you’re in the girls’ dorm. I think they got it right.”

Casey was mesmerised by a pink ruffled skirt and a pink tank top hanging close to the front of the closet. She slowly looked down, and her eyes widened as she spotted a pair of pink mary janes close by. “How did they know our favorite color?”

Angel, without even looking at her sister, let alone seeing the outfit she was eyeing, began to lay out the exact same outfit on her bed. “Or our size? This stuff looks like it’ll be a perfect fit.”

Casey not looking at her sister pulled the outfit out of the closet and turned around, “Do you think this will look cute on me?”

Angel looked up, blinked, and started laughing as she held hers up. “It better!”

They both started giggling, “I think I want to take a shower before I put these on, and go meet our neighbor.” Casey commented..

“Good idea. We were kind of in a car accident this morning,” Angel answered more somberly. “Don’t forget your panties,” she added, emphasizing the last word in a sing-song tone to get Casey’s attention.

“Oh My God, panties! I almost forgot!” Casey blushed. “What color should I wear?” Not asking her sister what dresser she wanted this time, she went for the one closest to her closet and started digging through drawers..

“You’re not planning on flashing them are you?” Angel teased, giggling as she quickly added, “Just teasing. It’s up to you, but y’know I’m slightly OCD about coordinating. Pink bra, pink panties with a pink skirt, that sort of thing.”

Casey nodded her agreement, but paused and turned to her sister, “But you don’t have boobs yet. You don’t need a bra!” she said, sticking her tongue out.

Angel walked over to Casey’s dresser and, on a hunch, pulled the top drawer open. Sure enough, training bras in several colors awaited. She grinned. “Apparently you do.”

Casey blushed. “But i’m not really a girl Angel, what if they find out?”

Angel grabbed Casey’s hand and pulled her into a hug. “Casey, I’ve known all our lives that you should have been my twin sister. How long have you been letting me dress you up when nobody’s looking?”

Casey sighed, “Since we were little. I’m sorry Angel. I’m just nervous. This is all new. I mean how am I supposed to tell people that I’m a girl when you start getting your boobs and I don't?”

“I hadn’t thought about that,” Angel answered, chewing her bottom lip thoughtfully. “Well, hey, Ms. Smith did say this is a progressive, forward-thinking school, and it’s not like you have to shower with other girls or whatever. Maybe we can talk to Ms. Anderson?”

The two girls nodded, the decision made, and then went to take their showers. Casey finished first, and as she was getting dressed, someone knocked, causing her to squeal and jump. “Be right with you!” she called, then knocked on her sister’s bathroom door. “Hey, someone’s at the door!”

“Be right out!” Angel yelled back over the sound of running water, though she didn’t turn the water off either. Casey sighed and walked to the door, cautiously opening it.

“Hello ma'am, my sister is in the shower otherwise i'd let you in I guess.” Casey blushed.

A woman in her early to mid 20’s with dark red hair in a neat ponytail smiled from the other side of the door as she answered in a cheerful tone, “Oh, that’s alright. I just wanted to stop by and see how you girls are settling in - Angel is it?”

Casey blushed, “No, I’m Casey. My sister is Angel.”

The girl smiled sheepishly. “Oh! I’m so sorry Casey, I have something for you.” She continued to smile as she pulled out an orange pill bottle with a lid on it. “Here you go. Take two a day.”

“Uhh, okay...” Casey answered, staring at the orange bottle before accepting it. “What is it?”

“They’ll help you fit in around here,” the woman answered. “Bethany’ll explain everything.” She paused. “Oh! I’m sorry Casey! I haven’t introduced myself! I’m Stephanie. I’m your new dorm guardian.” She stuck out her hand with a broad grin.

Casey continued to stare suspiciously at the orange bottle for a moment or two before looking up at Stephanie again, giving her a sheepish smile as she took the offered hand. “Nice to meet you,” she answered shyly. “And, um... what do you mean ‘fit in here’?”

Before she could get an answer though, Stephanie had continued on her rounds.