(ON HOLD) Always, always - Hamilton Fanfic

9

Chapter Nine

Ani POV

We start our morning by going to Starbucks. After we got our drinks, we all sat at a table and learned more about each other.

The girls are super excited to get us clothes. I don't even know where to begin, because there are so many stores.

For three hours, we shop for clothes, accessories, and even a few stuff to decorate our rooms. Lily and I thank them a thousand times.

Today has been a bonding experience between all of us. I came out of my shell a bit. I guess I'm still shocked that all of this is even happening. Still, deep in my mind is the thought of us going to another home. Lin and Vanessa won't keep us forever. This is temporary. But I want to make the most of it.

Renée, Jazzy, Pippa, and I haul all the bags into a taxi and were on our way back home. Wait- I said home- should I? It's not my home, but it's the closest thing I've had for two years.

On the ride home, Lily lays her shoulder on Jazzy and falls asleep. Renée has a conversation with the taxi driver, since she's in the front passenger seat.

"I had fun today", I say to Pippa who is in the seat beside me.

She looks at me happily. "I'm really glad! I had a lot of fun too!"

"We all need to have a sleepover soon! It would be great", Jazzy looks over at us and smiles down at Lily.

"Yes! Ah, that would be so much fun", Pippa responds enthusiastically.

"I would love that", I tell them honestly.

"Maybe even Nessa could come", Pippa adds.

"Yeah, that would be cool. We just met her last night", I tell them and I look at my tired sister.

"She's the best", Pippa says and Jazzy nods.

When we get back to the apartment, the girls help Lily and I carry all the bags in and we set them all down on the carpet in the living room.

Lin chuckles at us. "Looks like someone had fun today", and we all nod back at him. Lily is kind of half-asleep which makes me laugh.

"Lin, we want to have a girl's sleepover sometime", Jazzy tells him. "And Vanessa should come too!"

"Ah, that sounds great! We'll plan it soon", he tells her and she nods back at him.

Pippa looks at her phone, which just vibrated and frowns. "Aw, sorry guys, but I have to go. I promised Steven like a week ago that we would have a date night, and he wants us to get all dressed up, so I have to go get ready."

"Aww, have fun tonight Pip! And thanks for shopping with the girls today", Lin tells her as she gives him a hug. Pippa walks over and engulfs Renée and Jazzy into a group hug.

"Oh, no problem! Today was great", she replies and comes over to give me a hug. I usually flinch at stuff like this, but her hug is so comforting. She gives me a light squeeze before letting me go. "Bye, Ani. I'll see you tomorrow!"

Oh yeah. I forgot that Lin got us tickets for tomorrow's show. Lily and I were super excited when he told us.

"Bye, Pippa. Thanks again", I thank her for now probably the millionth time. She gives Lily a hug and tells her goodbye. I feel sad for a moment after Pippa leaves. It's okay though, I'll see her tomorrow. A few minutes later Renée and Jazzy leave.

"Sebby is taking a nap", Lin tells us as we maneuver our way across the living room over to the couch without stepping on anything. "Oh, and Vanessa is finished with her case so she is on her way home! She wants to go out for dinner tonight."

"That's cool! When she gets home, I wanna show her what we got", Lily plops down on the couch, leaving room for me and Lin.

"She will love that", Lin gives us a genuine smile. "So, um, girls I want to talk to you about something."

I take a deep breath and hold it. Here it goes. This is when he's going to send us back to Mr. Ralph and Mrs. Hallie. My eyes start to tear up, but suddenly my thoughts get interrupted.

"No! No, you are never going back to them", Lin wraps his arm around me. I must have been thinking out loud. "Actually, Vanessa is working on the case. Mr. Ralph and Mrs. Hallie don't deserve your custody", Lin tells us with a tinge of anger in his voice when he talked about Mr. Ralph and Mrs. Hallie.

None of us says anything for a minute. "L-Lin?", Lily says with an anxious look on her face.

"Yes?", He turns to her and focuses on her.

"In order to get us out of that home, they need proof that they hurt us. But what if our bruises and scars aren't enough? What if they need more evidence?", Lily starts to cry, and fear starts to creep its way into my mind. I never thought about that.

There is proof that we are hurt, but what proof do we have that they were the ones that scarred us?

"We don't have proof that they hurt us", I whisper and Lin gives me a hug.

"Don't worry. Vanessa understands how everything works. I promise we will not let you two go back with them. No way", Lin wipes a tear that's falling down my cheek.

"I'm so used to people breaking promises, Lin", I start to sob. Ugh, I'm acting like a baby.

"Shhh, I know, I know", he allows Lily and I to lean up next to him, while he hold us safely in his arms.

"I'm sorry I'm crying", I sigh and rub my eyes. Lily looks at me sadly. She's been crying longer than I have.

"No, no! Don't be sorry. It's okay to cry. You two have been through so much, it's not fair", Lin looks into my eyes. I glance at him then look away, not wanting to stare into his eyes. Whenever I did that to Mr. Ralph and Mrs. Hallie, I would get punched.

"Thank you, Lin", I whisper just barely loud enough for him to hear.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading!!! Comment suggestions, ideas, or thoughts ;)

QOTC: Have you seen Hamilton live??

My answer: NO AND IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT I WILL NEVER SEE IT WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST. The tickets are way too expensive for my fam to afford, but hopefully one day I'll get to see it!

- Makaila ❤