Chapter 23
[A.N- Warning - Do not read the following chapter if you don't get or like mature (or depending on Jasper, immature) jokes. And swearing.]
The next few days went by smoothly, even though Scarlett was bit unsettled by my kind approach to her. She looked like she was going to fall off her chair when I offered her a hug once.
That was why I wasn't prepared for the random events that I was going to be greeted with when I arrived for practice.
"That's what she said!" I recognized Jasper's amused voice screaming these words and a crash followed immediately after.
"Shut up already!" Scarlett sounded irritated.
When I walked in and stood in the doorway, raising an eyebrow, they turned around and looked a little embarassed.
"Jasper has a new catchphrase." Liam explained, a little unecessarily.
"That's interesting." I noted.
"That's what she said."
"Let's just practice." Zach interrupted before I started throwing things myself.
We climbed up to the stage and Liam told me to stand up front. I did as he told for the first few songs but then started to feel a little self conscious.
"Can we switch positions?" I asked him.
"That's what she said." Jasper cackled.
Liam agreed and I started walking towards him. But before I reached, my foot got stuck in a grate on the floor. I staggered and started to hop on one leg.
"I'm stuck!" I exclaimed.
"That's what-" The rest of the sentence was cut off because Liam had throw himself at Jasper and was hanging on his shoulders. It looked like he was trying to pull his head off.
"There's. A. Limit. To. Making. Those. Jokes." He looked like he was just kidding but also a little angry.
"Get the fuck off." Jasper sounded like he was having difficulty breathing.
"Not until you stop the jokes. And swearing."
"No swearing?!" I tried not to laugh at his horrified expression.
"Depends. I don't mind a few words that aren't too offensive."
"Fuck you."
Liam tightened his grip and Jasper fought to keep his balance.
At that exact moment, a woman walked in. She looked worried by the fact that a fully grown boy was sitting on top of another one. There was an awkward silence. Liam let go and slid down slowly.
"Mom?" Liam finally spoke, and stepped forward.
She took that as a cue to rush forward and throw her arms around him. He returned it after a moment of hesitation.
I observed the similarities that were suddenly visible. The color of their hair. The kind smile. The familiar gait.
"What are you doing here?" He pulled away and looked her in the eye.
"I needed to talk to you."
"About?"
"In pivate." She added, then shot us an apologetic look.
"Anything you say to me, you can say it front of them." He insisted.
I felt a strange sort of pride at this. It felt like he had accepted that we were his family as well. He looked at me, then started to speak again.
