New Beginnings (Anthem Lights)

Slow Friendships

Alan's P.O.V

As the week progressed, we got a routine going. Mikayla was the first of the girls to wake up with AJ quickly following.

Brycie and I would made the girls breakfast, then Presley and Rowe would wake up. Everything from there was kind of random.

"I was thinking, what if we went to the studio today? Mikayla has only met the guys that once," I asked, Brycie while we waited for the girls to wake up. "I don't see why not," she said, as Mikayla walked in. "Morning," she said. I smiled at her. Ever since we went to the zoo, she's been talking a little more.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come to the studio with me today," I said. "What's the studio?" she asked. "It's where me and the guys record all our music," I explained. "Oh, that's right. You're in a band," she said. I nodded. "If you're sure it's ok," she said. "Of course!" I said, smiling.

Once we got to the studio, AJ and Presley were talking to Mikayla non-stop about all the crazy stuff their 'uncles' have done.

I opened the door and we walked in. Joey and Caleb were messing with the basketball hoop, while Chad watched the actual basketball game on the TV. "Oh, hey guys," Chad said, waving from the couch.

AJ and Presley raced to the couch and jumped on 'Uncle Chad'.  Mikayla lingered behind me, shyly. "Did Brycie not come?" Fallon asked. She and Kelsey were sitting at the table, looking at their phone and talking. "No, she stayed home with Rowe," I said, moving to steal the ball from Caleb.

Mikayla's P.O.V

Alan sneakily snuck up on Caleb and stole the ball. I watched as AJ and Presley jumped on Chad and the other three played basketball.

"Mikayla! Hi! How've you been?" Kelsey asked, coming over to give me a hug. I awkwardly hugged her and quietly said, "Good." She grabbed my hand and gently pulled me over to the table where she and Fallon had been talking. 

I sat with them for a little, listening to them talk. I started opening up a little when they asked questions about what it was like at the orphanage home. Of course they didn't word it like that, but I knew it's what they meant.

After a while, I was pulled into the game of basketball and Chad soon joined in after a while of begging from the other guys and Fallon and Kelsey.

"Kaylie, throw it!" Joey said. My smile fell at the nickname, and I began remembering Phoebe and my other roommates, Peyton and Raven. They had come up with the nickname for me and I remembered all our good and not so good moments.

I remembered when I first met Peyton and Raven, then I met Phoebe. We were known as the 'quartet' at the home.

I was pulled back into reality when Caleb said, "Hey, you ok?" Chad was waving his hand in front of my face and I blinked. "Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine," I said. 

Joey looked almost worried and Alan did look worried. "Hey, Mikayla, could you come here for a second?" Joey asked. Alan's face quickly changed from worried to 'overprotectiveness'. I tried to suppress my giggles as Joey's eyes widened at Alan and side stepped behind the curtain with me following.

"Did you zone out like that because I called you Kaylie?" he asked in a very low whisper. I flinched at the name. "I'm sorry, I didn't-," he started but I cut him off saying, "It's fine. It's just the exact same nickname my old friends used to call me. I would actually like it if you guys called me Kaylie," I said. He let out a sigh of relief. "Ok good. I thought I said something wrong," he said.

When we walked out, Alan was giving us looks, but we continued the game.

"Kaylie, I'm open!" Chad said. "You're not on my team," I said. He laughed and said, "It was worth a shot."

"How about we go to an actual basketball court? There's a park down the street that has one," Caleb said.

Chad and Joey agreed and I looked at Alan, awaiting his approval. "I don't know, Kaylie. It's getting late and we need to get AJ and Presley back to your mom," he said. When he said the words, 'your mom', my smile fell again and I began zoning out once again. 

I had a mom. I had parents. How did I know they weren't going to take me back though? I was getting attached, but a part of me didn't care. It almost seemed like a little voice in my head was saying, "Give them a chance. Open up a little. Trust me, they're good people."

Great, now I'm hearing voices.

"Kaylie," Alan said. I blinked again and looked around. I was on the floor. Alan was leaning over me on his knees. "What happened?" I asked. Chad helped me up. "You blacked out. Are you ok?" Alan asked. Worry was written all over his face. "I'm fine," I said, smiling. 

He seemed to relax a bit. "I have to take your sisters home, but if you want to go to the court with the guys, I can drop you off there then pick you up later," he said.

"Really?" I asked in shock. He chuckled softly and said, "Yeah." I smiled and hugged him. He tensed at first, then relaxed and hugged me back. I then realized that was the first time I had hugged him.  

"Bye Kaywee!" Presley said. I laughed and said, "Bye, Presley." I climbed out of the van. "Bye Kaylie! See you in a little bit!" AJ shouted. I waved, then Alan said, "I'll pick you up in about an hour ok?" I nodded.  He drove off and I ran to the court where the guys already were.

Kelsey and Fallon were apparently cheerleaders.

"Ok, so what're the teams?" I asked. "You and Chad; me and Caleb," Joey said. I nodded and it began.

The game went on for what seemed like hours. In the end, Caleb had a fat lip and Joey had twisted his ankle. Apparently, it was normal for this group to get hurt whenever they played basketball though so I guess they were used to it.  

"Hey, Squirt. Alan just texted me and said their car isn't working so I'm taking you home," Chad said. "Ok," I said.

I said bye to Joey, Caleb, and Kelsey, then got into Fallon and Chad's car.

We stopped and got some food from Chick-fil-a then went to the house.

When we pulled into the driveway, Chad and Fallon got out with me and we went to the door.

I knocked on the door and Alan opened it. "There you guys are. I was starting to get worried," he said, a playful smile on his face.

"We had to stop and get food," Chad said.

The three of us came in. "Go get your pajamas on, Kaylie. Your sisters are already asleep," Brycie said. I nodded and went up the stairs.

Today was so much fun. These are the sweetest people I have ever met.

I pulled my auburn hair into ponytail, but didn't pull it all the way through, making it a sort of bun thing and let my side bangs flow down.

I pulled on my purple pajama shirt and white Capri pants.

I went back downstairs and saw that Chad and Fallon were talking to Alan and Brycie.

"Hey, Kaylie. We have to get going. I have to get him to bed otherwise he'll get grouchy," Fallon said playfully. "Hey!" Chad said, but he was smiling.

I hugged them both bye, then they left.

I ended up falling asleep on the couch and being brought up to my room by Alan.

Little did I know, a lot more than my old nickname being used again was going to happen.