A New Hope

Chapter 8: The Parents

"Uh, what are you guys doing here? Five years! Not even a tweet," Brendon said, trying to stay calm.

His dad just simply shrugged. "I would have, but I figured you were too busy drinking and doing drugs."

Woah, that was harsh. "Uh, sir, if I may interject..." I started before getting cut off once again.

"Young lady, I don't know who you are, but this conversation is strictly between Mr. Urie and I, so I suggest you go make dinner or make yourself useful," he said.

I was shocked. THIS is what Brendon grew up with? "Oh dear. Boyd, shouldn't you at least ask who she is?" Mrs. Urie asked. At least SHE had some common sense.

Brendon and I looked at each other. He took a deep breath. "Chloe, come on over here," he said.

I smiled awkwardly, trying to cover my anger over the fact that Mr. Urie had basically just called me a maid, and walked over to Brendon. "Guys, this is Chloe. I adopted her about a week ago," he said, putting his arm around my shoulders.

Both of his parents looked shocked, but in different ways. His mom looked happy and his dad was, well, the polar opposite. "Brendon, that's amazing! We're so happy for you," Mrs. Urie said excitedly, while her husband just mumbled, "speak for yourself Grace."

I couldn't help but smile. At least one of his parents liked me. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have school tomorrow, so I'm gonna go hop in the shower," I said, grabbing my phone and heading upstairs to my room to grab some clothes.

"Don't slip!" I heard Brendon call up sarcastically.

"Smart alec!" I called. I usually would've said "ass" not "alec", but Brendon's dad already didn't like me, and I wasn't gonna make it any worse for myself.

I hit play on my music and heard 'This is Gospel' start. I was very slow at taking showers, so I got through 'This is Gospel', 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies', and 'Ballad of Mona Lisa' before I actually had on my P.J.s and my hair brushed. Before I left the bathroom, I plugged my earbuds in. As I did, Panic!'s cover of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' came on, and honestly, it was my new favorite song. "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality," I sang as I walked back downstairs.

When I got halfway downstairs, I heard yelling. "A kid? A kid?! Brendon, what were you thinking?!" Mr. Urie yelled.

"I was getting lonely, and another dog wasn't gonna cut it! Plus, my two best friends are dads, so I think I know where to get advice! I know what I'm doing!" Brendon shot back.

"Are you sure about that?! What about college?!"

"If she wants to go, she can go! I'm a millionaire, I'm pretty sure I can pay for it!"

There was a pause, just long enough for me to get a text from Alex: Can I come over? I need to talk to you.

I quickly responded: Yes please! Right away!

Alex: Ok, I'm on my way.

Me: Please hurry!

              ~Time Skip~

He got here in about five minutes. The yelling inside had gotten too much to handle, so I snuck out the back door (A.N. hahahaha) and around the house. I was laying in the front yard, trying to cover up the yelling with music, when Alex pulled into our driveway. "Who's in there yelling?" he asked, pulling my earbud out and sitting next to me on the grass.

"Brendon and his dad," I said quietly.

"His dad? I thought he hadn't talked to his parents in years," Alex said.

"He hadn't. They just showed up today. Anyway, let's go to my room. We can grab some pizza on the way," I said, forcing to get myself off the grass.

Alex got up too, and we walked up to the door. As I opened the door, the yelling stopped. "Uh, Alex and I will be up in my room," I said, grabbing the half-eaten pizza on my way up to my room.

"Hi Brendon," Alex said quietly before following me up the stairs.

When we were both in my room, I sat the pizza on my desk and leaned my back against my door to close it. I slid down the door until I was sitting on the floor in front of the door. I let out a sigh as the yelling downstairs continued. Alex sat next to me. "Well, I was gonna tell you about my problems, but it looks like you win," he said.

I laughed. "Yeah, it's pretty bad. And I caused it all," I said quietly.

As much as I tried to hold them in, the tears stared coming, "Hey, it's ok. It's not your fault. If Brendon's dad doesn't like you, then oh well. He's missing out on getting to know an amazing young lady," Alex said, pulling me into a hug, "I know what will cheer you up. Let's go."

Before I knew what he meant, Alex picked me up off the floor. He walked me over to my bed and set me down in the middle of it. Then he walked over to my desk and grabbed the pizza, my computer, and a movie. When he tossed the movie on the bed, I picked it up and read the title: Captain America: The First Avenger, " You know me so well," I said as Alex sat next to me.

"I try. Plus, I like the movie too," he says with a smile.

All of a sudden, I heard the front door slam. A second later , as I was putting the movie in, I heard footsteps on the stairs. There was a knock. "Come on in," I said.

Brendon came in and sat next to me on the edge of the bed. "I'm so sorry. I caused all this. I never should've opened that door," I said.

"It's not your fault. My dad is just... like that. Has been since I was born. If anything it's my fault for adopting you," he said.

"But that wasn't a mistake. I've had more fun in the five days I've been here than I have in a long time," I said.

"Really?" he asked.

I nodded. "Really."

Then I heard a sniffle behind us. We both turned around to a crying Alex. I raised my eyebrow in question. "What?! That was a vary heart-warming moment!" Alex said in defense.

Brendon laughed and got up. "You two have fun. Save me some pizza!" he called as he walked out of my room.

"But it's so good!" I called back sarcastically.

I heard Brendon laugh as he walked back downstairs. Now that I delt with that mess, we could watch the movie.