A/N: This is a modern AU set in California. This is my first fanfic. Hope you enjoy. :) Please comment and review

At an early age I learned that attitude and first impressions were the keys to anything. The more one misbehaves the more rules and restrictions will be placed to prevent such behavior but if everyone assumes that one does not misbehave, the less people will suspect. People assume and judge. I learned to use this to my advantage.

I boarded the plane and closed the window so that I wouldn't see the airport's glass windows. Behind them was my father and I knew he was walking away. He always walked away. He never waited long enough to see me off. A flight attendant walked up to my row, "Please open the window. You can close it again after takeoff." she said. I opened the window and closed my eyes. I couldn't help it. I looked out the window hoping that maybe this time he stayed to see me off. I was wrong. I was always wrong. Why did I hope? Why did I keep thinking that maybe, just maybe, he would change. He was never going to be the father I wanted but when I wasn't around him I created this ideal father in my head. But every time I went home the ideal father would be quickly replaced by reality. I watched as he walked away. I rested my head against the window and closed my eyes hoping that the tears would stay inside.

I woke up to the sound of the pilot's voice, "We have just landed at LAX. The local time is 9:32 P.M.. The weather is a bit chilly at 50 degrees…" I ignored the voice and looked around me. I closed my eyes and waited for everyone else to get off. I hated waiting in in the aisle, getting pushed and shoved by eager passengers waiting to deplane. By the time I stood up there was only one family left on the plane.

I went through immigration, customs, then to the luggage claim. By the time I was out Dr. Jaeger was waiting for me. I was just a little girl when I last saw him. I had changed so much in appearance and character of the years. He wouldn't recognize me. First impressions. I had to appear happy and excited. During my stay I had to show him that I was capable, dependable, and responsible. I flashed a smile across my face and waved my hand. "Dr. Jaeger?" I called. He turned around recognizing the red scarf I said I would wear at the airport. "Mikasa?" he asked, "Why, you've grown so tall! I can barely recognize you. Let me help you with that." he said reaching for my bag. I only had one carry on bag and a small backpack. We walked to the car, making small talk along the way.

He asked me about my flight, how I was doing, how my father was, and whether or not I was excited. My flight was peaceful, I was alright, my father was alright (I didn't really know. Healthwise, he was alright. Whether he was okay emotionally, I didn't really know.), I told him I was excited.

We came to a light blue minivan. Kalura, Dr. Jaeger's wife was patiently awaiting our return. She hugged me tightly. "The boys wanted to welcome you when you arrived but I'm afraid they've fallen asleep." I looked at my cousin's calm and peaceful face. His dark brown hair gently scattered across his face. Eren was six year younger than me. He had a lot to learn about this world. Beside him was his best friend, Armin. I had heard of Armin. Eren had written me a long serious letter a couple of years back. He said that his best friend's birthday was coming up and that his friend was a stamp collector. Eren knew that I collected stamps. He asked me for a part of my collection. At that time, I had stopped collecting stamps. My mother and I collected stamps together. After she died I stopped. I still had my album of stamps somewhere. I mailed him the whole album. A few weeks later I received a thank you letter from a very happy Armin.

By the time we got to the Jaeger's house, it was almost midnight. Armin slept in Eren's room and I had the guest room all to myself. I said, "Good night." to Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger, washed up, changed my clothes, and got ready for bed. I had jet lag. My body thought it was still morning so I unpacked the little I had with me. I would be staying with the Jaegers for quite a while. I still had a month before the start of school. I was going to be with them for a whole school year. The Jeager's home was in a convenient location. It was walking distance from the new school I was going to in the fall.

My father, neglectful as he was, had a way of bending to my requests. He never second guessed my intentions for wanting to go to the U.S. I told him there was a good creative arts school in California. I told him I wanted to go. He said yes. I looked at his face, surprised at how quickly he agreed, then I realized that he was relieved. He didn't want me. He wanted me out of his hair and I had just given him a way out. He bought me a ticket to the U.S. I left two weeks later. Dr. Jaeger was my uncle on my mother's side so my father arranged for me to stay with the Jaegers.

Everything in my room was in order. All my things were put away. Finding nothing more to do, I opened my notebook. I had no interest in the arts. I did not want to go to a school for the arts. I wanted to go to California to finish something that started with my mother's death. I went to the closet and took the newspaper clippings, maps, notes, and pictures, out of the notebook and pined each one of them to the back of the closet. I put my mother's red scarf neatly inside the closet. I went back to bed but I didn't fall asleep quickly. The world is a cruel place. I am going to fight to live in it.

A/N: Please tell me what you think. I will be without wifi for a week so please be patient. I will try to update this next week.

Till then,

Cup-Noodles