Adopted By Larzaylea

chapter sixteen

Vanessa's point of view

"What's that?" Calum asked as he braided my hair. "What's the envelope on your desk?"

"It's an invitation to my best friends Quinceañera." I said and he nodded. "Luke said I can't go but I'm probably going to sneak out. I don't care at this point." I told him.

"No, don't do that." He said and hummed. "When is it?"

"Fourteenth."

"We're off that day, I don't know what he has, but the band is off. Thirteenth is an interview, fifteenth a scheduled live stream. That's all." He told me. "I don't see why he can't take you."

"I know. I guess being 'lead singer' means you have more stuff to do." I said and rolled my eyes. "I-I honestly didn't Luke could be such a rude person."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Like, when I didn't know you guys, I didn't think Luke could be so... so rude. I didn't think he could be such a dick. I thought he was nice, laid back, and didn't lie all the time." I said and sighed. "I guess you can never judge a person without knowing them personally."

"No comment." Calum said and I chuckled. "I can take you if you'd like? If Luke and Arz can't, I will. She'll only be fifteen once." He told me and I nodded.

"I know, I still have to buy her gift." I said and he said we could go now. "I don't know, I'm not dressed. Also, what if Luke comes home and sees we're gone and gets mad?"

"What's he going to do?" He asked and I shrugged. "Go on, get dressed now." He said and I nodded.

"Your braid is shit." I said as I looked at it in the mirror. "What is that?" I asked as I attempted to take it out.

"I tried!" He said and I rolled my eyes as I went to my closet, complaining about him tangling my hair.

-

"What does she want for her birthday?" He asked as we walked around the mall. I fixed my hat and then crossed my arms under ny chest.

"Band shirts." I said and he nodded. "Knowing her, Andy Black, Bring Me The Horizon, The Misfits, or Twenty One Pilots." I said and he nodded as we walked into the direction of Hot Topic.

He fixed his sunglasses and then put his hands in his pockets. "Do you think people could tell I'm... well me?"

"Somewhat." I said and he nodded as he fixed his beanie. My phone rang and I looked at it, seeing Luke's name flashing across the screen. "Luke's calling me."

"Just leave him, call him back later." He told me and I nodded, declining the call and putting my phone in my back pocket. "Come on, let's buy the shirts and then go get something to eat.

I nodded and we went into the store. We walked around and I grabbed a few shirts that she'd like, along with a few accessories with crosses on them. I put them on the counter and Calum pulled his wallet out.

"No wait, I want a new shirt too." Calum said and went to the Green day area he grabbed a shirt and then plucked another shirt out of some other area.

He put them on the counter and the lady rang them up. "No wait," he tossed a few necklaces on the counter too and then pulled his wallet out. "Spending all my money." He said and handed the cashier the money.

"Best way to spend your money." She said and I agreed. Calum laughed and the lady handed him the bag. "Have a nice day."

"You too." I said and smiled before we left the store. "What was with the last minute stuff?"