Alive and Breathing (Adopted By Alex Gaskarth)

Chapter Thirteen

Morgan
I tried to avoid the guys as I made my way to my bunk to grab my makeup bag and go into the bathroom to fix my makeup. The damage had been done. My face was blotchy. I was finishing up trying to fix it when a knock on the front door of the bus caught my attention. A light knock on the bathroom door followed. "Morgan, Andy is here. He told us what happened. Jakob is outside. Can we talk? Are you okay?"Zack asked.

I wrapped my arms around Zack's waist and let out a sob. "I'll take that as a no,"Zack said, sliding into the tiny bathroom and closing the door. He sat on the floor, pulling me down with him. I sat in his lap as he let me cry. "Why now Zack? Why did he decide to come back now?"I cried. "I dunno, sometimes things just happen. Maybe you should hear him out?"Zack suggested. I just sat in Zack's lap while I tried to calm down and control my breathing. I knew without a doubt I'd need to do a treatment after all this. Crying doesn't help the build up of mucus.

After a bit, Zack rubbed my shoulder and we stood up. "I'm gonna be fine. I don't wanna speak to Jakob right now though,"I said. "That's okay, Morgs, you don't have to,"Zack said. I nodded and we walked out of the bathroom. Alex came up to me immediately wrapping me in a tight hug. I just let myself lean into the embrace. When he let go, I walked over to the couch and sat down on Andy's lap. He was stroking my hair as I fell asleep in his arms.

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A few hours later, I woke up to the guys yelling. Peeking my eyes open I see tons of smoke coming from the microwave. "JACK! What the actual FUCK did you manage to burn this time?"I yelled out jokingly. Andy looked over at me giving me a smile. "Why do you ALWAYS assume it was me?"Jack whined.

"When have you not done something dangerous?"I asked to which Alex chuckled as he continued trying to fan the smoke away. Jack crossed his arms and pouted. It smelled so bad. I discovered then that Jack had been trying to make popcorn. I say trying because there was absolutely no fucking way that was going to be edible. Andy looked down at me. "Are you okay?"he mouthed. I nodded and shrugged at the same time which caused him to frown. I was okay but I also wasn't sure I was really okay or for how long I would be okay before I broke down again.

"Where's Sara?"I asked. "In the back sleeping,"Alex said. Andy got pulled into a discussion with the guys and I wandered off to find Sara. I found her curled up on the back couch asleep with her headphones in. I gently covered her with a blanket in an attempt to not disturb her. With that I wandered back out to the front. I realized then that the sun was beginning to set which meant we would have to head to the stage soon for the evening shows. I found a cup of easy Mac in the cabinet and poured some bottled water in it before opening the microwave door. The strong scent of burnt popcorn lingered. I popped a couple of my meds and sat to eat when it was done.

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Sara
My life had become a crazy fan fiction I still didn't totally understand. I'd been adopted by a famous band. A band I adored and now was living life just like the rockstars. But I didn't feel like a rockstar. In total honesty I felt anything but. I had grown up being told I'd never amount to much of anything. Those voices continued to haunt me now.

What if they were just pretending to love me? Take a chance on the sad, pathetic orphan girl. What a good story that would make for the tabloids. Becoming a charity case. No one has ever loved me before and I question now whether they truly care or if this is just a move to get good publicity for the band. I heard Morgan ask the guys where I was.

She seemed so kind and genuine. I'd never had a friend before. I'd been invisible for most of my life. She too had been adopted. Today though her brother appeared. I heard footsteps approach and quickly leveled my breathing and closed my eyes. I'd become good at fake sleeping. Years and years in an abusive home it became my easiest trick to be left alone.

I heard her sigh and then she did something no one had ever done before. She gently laid a blanket over me and walked back out. Once I was sure I was alone again I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I'd never seen much of my future. For awhile I saw myself aging out and getting a place of my own. Now I was the daughter of a guitarist. The only problem is like once before I can no longer picture my future. It had been this way before and I was placed on heavy anti depressants. I'd only been a kid but how else would a child cope with seeing both of their parents dead? Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had died too. I lost a piece of me that day that I don't think I'll ever find again. I continued to sit there until Morgan came to grab me.

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Morgan
I was beyond nervous. I sat backstage with Sara and Lisa at my side. Alex was on his way. Andy believed in me. If only I had that same faith. I don't sing for people. I just took deep breaths and continued to watch their set. Alex came running with the other guys on his trail. Jack almost knocked Alex over as Alex stopped very suddenly in the middle of his path. He shot me a look. I saw his cheeks flush as Lisa turned to look at him and I saw them exchange a glance. This ought to be good. I simply smiled innocently as Alex came closer.

A/N: hey y'all! Holy shit it's been ages. My life has been busy and hard. I haven't seemed to catch a break. It's been months. For those still here I am ever so grateful. Here's a late Christmas present and early New Years present. I hope you all are doing well and I hope to write more and have chapters more frequently. Much love!

B