In Color. {l.r.h.}

them

Halli had never been to a zoo or a safari or a barn or even a petting zoo. Her mom was too allergic to every little fragment of the fur and her dad was too embarrassed about his shiny, plump head going bald to leave the house not wearing a baseball cap. Sandra had given him quite enough warnings about getting animal fur on that stupid blue hat that Halli visiting an animal was voted out before she even said a word. She'd never seen wild animals except on Discovery Channel.

But if she had to guess what a zoo sounds like, this was it. She'd almost bet on it.

Luke's fingers clenched Halli's tightly as muffled shouts, loud strumming, cymbals clashing, childish insults, and the blonde boy's mumbled swears filled the evening air. They stood outside some sort of shed that she'd convinced Luke to walk to instead of driving. He caved. And he now jiggled that stupid key that Calum had promised would work in that stupid lock that never worked. He let out a large groan before banging so hard on the door that it made Halli jump. She stood silently behind Luke as a boy with curly brown hair opened the door with a grin.

"Show up when you can, mate," he teased Luke.

"Yeah, yeah, okay Ash. I get it," he groaned, stepping forward slightly and tugging Halli right along with him. She was virtually invisible behind his broad shoulders and tall frame. He scowled at a boy sprawled out on a dirty couch with a video game controller in his hand. "Cal, are you serious? You couldn't have cleaned up a little bit?"

The dark haired boy shrugged. "Mike's the one who left all the food and stuff on the floor." He gestured vaguely over his shoulder to a boy with deep blue hair shoveling pizza into his mouth.

"Who peed in your Cheerios this morning?" he smarted between bites. "Why do you care what it looks like?"

Luke's face felt hot suddenly, and he could tell he was blushing. "No reason, just... Guys it smells."

"You smell," one of them called out.

"Your mom smells."

The voice was quiet and shaky, but clear enough to halt the noise in the shed completely.

Calum raised an eyebrow. "Who the--"

Halli stepped out from her hiding place behind Luke. "Sorry, I saw the opportunity and I took it."

A roar of laughter erupted through the small shack. Luke could feel the weight of the tension lift off his shoulders.

Michael slapped him on the back. "This is not the 'angel' we expected. She's better."

Ashton began dumping empty bottles and paper plates in the trash can. "But actually, please excuse our mess."

Halli scrambled for words and finally blurted out, "Oh that's okay, I'm blind!"

It was quiet for an awkward moment before Ashton croaked out an "oh."

Calum put his arm around her shoulders, guiding her to the couch. "Blind angel, what's your name?"

"Halli." She stared blankly up. "Luke, why are they calling me angel?"

His cheeks flushed and his eyes widened as he fumbled for words. "I... I thought you were one. You just... I don't know, it's stupid." He looked down, scuffing his shoes on the carpet.

Halli failed to control the smile that took ahold of her face. "You talked about me to your friends?" She looked down, giggling softly.

"I think the real question is: Did you?" Michael questioned, plopping himself next to her on the couch. Everyone in the room seemed to lean in for her response.

She blushed. "I don't know, I don't really have... Friends." Her voice grew softer at the end. She cleared her throat. "Unless that guy counts." She broadly gestured in Luke's direction.

Ashton settled himself behind a drum set. "Alright, the question must be asked, Halli angel: Do you like music?"

"It keeps me going."

He smiled at Luke. "She's a good one."