For You // Adopted by 5sos

seven

- Ashton -

The kitchen was dead silent the second Alanna left. We all stood completely still, unsure of what to do next.

Calum turned, nervously scratching his hands and arms. "You guys need to stop fighting. It's just as bad as what Luke is doing."

"It's Luke's fault for always arguing with me–" I huffed.

"Maybe we should all go to our rooms and calm down," Calum spoke up.

"I'll clean up the kitchen. You guys go cool down," Michael stood. When I hesitated he signaled for us to go upstairs.

Calum, Luke and I all headed upstairs, and I swear it took everything in me to not throw Luke down the stairs. I watched as Calum and Luke went to their separate rooms, but instead of going to mine I went to Alanna's .

I gently knocked, letting out a sigh  upon hearing a small sniffle.

"Can I come in?" I used a gentle tone, and knocked a few more times.

"No," she hiccuped.

"Alanna let me in," I used a bit of a more assertive voice, but was careful not to possibly upset her.

I heard shuffling, before the click of the door unlocking. When I opened the door she was standing up and walking over to her bed. She collapsed and hung her head in defeat.

"I'm sorry," I closed the door behind me and took a seat beside her. "Luke's an idiot. He didn't mean it."

"No, it's okay," Alanna wiped her cheek with her sleeve. "I should have known."

"You aren't for publicity. We really want you here. You're family now," I looked over at her.

"Can I tell you something?"

I nodded.

"My parents promised they'd come back for me in a year or two. They said they just needed to get back on their feet. It's been twelve years and I'm still waiting..." she hesitated. "Don't tell anyone, please."

"I'm really sorry," my voice cracked. "I promise I'll never do that to you."

She mustered up a small smile, before she broke down and started to cry again, breaking my heart into a million pieces.

"I know how you feel," I said. "My dad... He left my family when I was younger. He said he'd be back, but I haven't talked to him since."

"I blamed it on myself and spent years beating myself up over it," I continued. "It really hurt me."

"You understand," Alanna sighed, almost as if in relief.

I nodded, and was taken by surprise when Alanna hugged me. She squeezed me tight and cried into my shoulder, as if I'd disappear if she didn't hold on tight enough.

__________

Two days later

- Alanna -

"Are you nervous?" Calum asked me as we waited for Ashton to unlock the car.

"Kind of," I lied – I was so nervous.

"It'll be okay. Ash will be there," Calum smiled.

"Yeah," I agreed, and climbed into the car behind Michael. Ashton climbed in after me and closed the door behind us.

The car ride was awfully awkward. I hadn't really talked to Luke since that night and he hadn't talked to me either. Everyone plugged in earbuds to escape the tension, and I thanked Ashton for sharing his with me.

He gave me a sheepish smile when he started to play Sounds Good Feels Good, his own album. I rolled my eyes and even giggled a bit. We had listened to about half of the album when we reached our destination – the therapists office.

My palms were sweating and I was even shaking a little. I had no idea why. Only Ashton, Dave and I got out the car. The other boys were going grocery shopping or something while we were here.

The waiting room was comforting and the lady at the front desk was even comforting with how she spoke to us. She seemed like a really kind person and talked slowly and quietly.

"Doctor Bennet will meet with you shortly," she told us.

The three of us sat down and waited a few minutes. Finally a door leading to a hallway opened and an older man poked his head out.

"Alanna Irwin?"he looked up from a paper, his eyes landing on me.

I mustered up a smile and stood with Ashton, walking with him to the door. The hallway was a blank white color, strongly contrasting to the warm reds and browns of the waiting room. We passed two doors before following him into a room, where he cracked the door behind us.

There was a beige loveseat and a single chair. Ashton and I picked the loveseat and sat side by side. Dr. Bennet picked up a clipboard and sat down. He almost had an odd vibe to him, but he really seemed like a nice person.

He greeted us and went on asking some questions and getting to know me, asking Ashton to fill in a bit too. He scribbled things down and checked things off, then would look back up me with those dark piercing eyes. The session went on for an hour, but felt quick despite how awkward it was for me.

We stood and he led us out to the front of the building, where the car was waiting for us. Ashton and him talked for about a minute before we bid goodbye.

"Bye Alanna," he smiled and gave my arm a firm squeeze. "I'll see you next week?"

I nodded and managed to smile back at him. Ashton and I climbed back into the car, where the boys were waiting.

"How was it?" Michael asked as we buckled ourselves in.

I shrugged, not really in the mood to talk to anyone anymore.

__________

double update because it's been awhile!

the scene with ashton and elle at the beginning made me hemmotional ngl ahah

byee! see you soon friends <3