"But mama, I wanna bring Nelly!" Sue complained as Lily brushed her sister's golden blond curls. Sue was never cooperative when the family was going somewhere. This time it was about how her mother didn't want her to take her bunny doll with her.

"I told you dear, you might leave it there. I don't want to risk it." Lily's mother stroked Sue's hair. "Besides, Nelly will get to see our new home tomorrow when we move in."

"But I might get lost without Nelly with me! Daddy said it was a big palace, I might get lost!" Sue whined.

"Don't worry!" Her mother said soothingly. "Lily will be with you so you won't get lost."

"Mom, I don't wanna have to watch her the whole time!" Lily said in protest. Her mother always tried to get her to watch Sue when they went somewhere. She never once ever asked Zack or Vincent to do it

"Lily dear, just please do this, you'll just have to make sure she doesn't wander."

Lily sighed, it was useless to argue. "Ok…"

"Great now come on; we've got to leave in just a sec." Her mother called out as she went out to the car.

The drive was pretty short, only about twenty minutes. Lily was silent as she stared out the window. I wonder what Coraline's like. I can already tell she doesn't like getting teased or messed with, maybe she'll be a bit friendlier than she was today…

Then as she thought, her eyes met a very big house that was a pale fading pink. The car window almost collided with a sign that said 'The Pink Palace' on it. Lily started to feel a bit nervous about her new home, she was about to find out what Coraline Jones was really like.

Coraline sat on the couch staring at the TV as some talk show about celebrities finished running. She didn't want these people to move in, but there was no stopping it. Coraline liked the Pink Palace the way it was, Mr. B and his mice upstairs, Ms. Spink and Ms. Forcible downstairs and Wybie down the road. This was her place, in the middle of the palace. And she didn't want to share it with some snobby new girl.

"Coraline, they're here, could you answer the door when they come up please." Her father called out from his study.

"Fine, Dad." She got up and walked into the hallway. And then, that dreaded knock came.

Okay, here we go. Coraline thought to herself and she turned the knob.

"Hello!" a chorus of obviously over cheery voices came from the doorway.

"Hey, come in." Coraline said curtly.

"Oh, goodness! What a lovely house!" The mother of the buzzing family exclaimed. "I like it here already!"

"It certainly is nice!" The father purred in agreement. "And I guess you're the nice girl we're been told we're going to be neighbors with? I'm afraid I didn't catch your name…"

"Coraline."

"Caroline? Oh, my grandmother was named that, she would-"

"Coraline, not Caroline, Coraline." Coraline tried to explain her name in the friendliest voice she could get to come out. "It's okay; a lot of people get it confused." She forced herself to smile at them. God, I've got the goober family moving in…

"Well that's a very…unique name." Then the mother of the Walker bunch turned to her own children. "This is Zach and Vincent, there my boys." She said nodding at the two boys standing in beside her. One was in high school (judging by his height) and the other looked about eight or nine.

"Hello," Zach said only to be interrupted by his younger brother.

"Why's your hair blue? That's not natural…" Oh I can tell I'm not gonna like you especially.

"Vince! Don't be rude, I told you about this!" Zach pushed him a little in embarrassment.

"And," Their mother cut in again. "These are my daughters, Lily and Sue."

From behind their mother, two girls came into view. One was little, only about five or so with golden blond curls. The other was Coraline's age; she was wearing a very simple yellow sun dress with her dark hair pulled back.

"Hey…" Lily said softly while nervously meeting Coraline's eyes.

"Hi hi's! Is she the princess of the palace? She doesn't look like it." The little girl broke away from her sister and run up to Coraline. "I've never seen a princess with blue hair, Lily."

"Sue, I told you not to run around." Lily hissed at her sister in obvious annoyance as she pulled her back beside her.

"Well hey, everybody! Welcome!" Charlie walked in from the kitchen. "How's everybody?"

"Good, and hey, thanks a bunch for having us over tonight." Lily's father said as he forcibly shook Charlie's hand.

"Your home is just lovely! It really feels like a palace!" Lily's mother praised yet again.

Good god, let's just get this over with. Coraline thought miserably.

Everyone went into the living room next. All the adults sat around and chatted about thing after thing, the boys kept looking around the grounds from the window, and Coraline was seated next to Lily and the ever jumpy Sue.

"Have you lived here long? I didn't know you could just live in a palace." Sue asked with her little eyes glowing.

"Uh…I've lived her about a year…I guess you can live anywhere if you really want to." Coraline explained softly. Being an only child, she wasn't used to talking to little kids.

"Hey everyone," Mel walked in. "Dinner's all ready now. Shall we go to the dining room?"

"That would be very lovely Mrs. Jones." Lily's dad said sweetly.

Dinner itself was fine (most considering that Coraline's mom at made it). Coraline tried to keep conversation brief and really didn't try to make much conversation herself. These people were like those families in magazines.

Well, the new neighbors are going to be wonderful… Coraline thought sarcastically.

Lily didn't think that Coraline liked her that much from the way she acted towards her. Well, maybe she's just shy…or she doesn't like me...

"We had a wonderful evening," Her mother said as they all got their coats. "This is going to be a great place to live! It sure is bigger than our hotel rooms."

"Are you guys all crammed together?" Coraline's dad asked.

"Yeah, but we'll manage for one more night." Her dad insisted.

"Well, ya know we have plenty of room here." Charlie pointed up at the ceiling. "Someone could sleep here for tonight if ya want."

Both Lily and Coraline's heads popped up at once.

"Oh, we simply couldn't! We wouldn't want to burden you…" Lily's mother said.

"It's no trouble…someone can stay here, really." Charlie insisted again.

"Dad…" Coraline said with obvious anger being held in.

"Oh, well…if you really think that it would be okay…" Lily's mother turned to her children.

No, this can't happen. This girl will probably get totally sick of me and beat me up or something if I stay here! Lily thought as she held her breath.

"Lily, how about you sleepover with Coraline. You two can use this time to get to know each other!"