For You // Adopted by 5sos

eight

I could hear the strumming of a guitar coming from upstairs along with a beautiful voice singing the melody.

"Who is that?" I asked Calum over the sound of the TV.

"Luke," Calum responded. "When he's not out goofing around he's playing his guitar."

"He's really good," I complimented him. "You guys are so talented and I'm so not. It's not fair," I teased.

Calum muted the TV and folded his legs up on the couch. "You are talented."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"No."

"Yes," Calum rebutted. "Your drawings are literally perfect."

"No they aren't," I sheepishly smiled.

"Yes they a –"

"Alanna, can we talk?" Luke interrupted, now standing in front of the TV.

I hadn't even noticed the music stopped, too busy arguing with Calum. Nonetheless I nodded and stood up, allowing him to lead me out to the backyard. He walked and sat down by the pool, dangling his fee over the edge into the water.

I sat down beside him and did the same, staring up at the palm trees reaching over our heads.

"What I said was really dumb, and I'm sorry," Luke began. "I wasn't completely sober – which isn't even an excuse – but I didn't mean it. You aren't for publicity, we really want you here.

"It's okay," I played with my fingers.

"No it's not," Luke sighed, running a hand over his face and through his hair. "I'm an idiot; I pick fights with Ashton, and I do things I shouldn't, and I even say horrible things that I never mean. I'm really sorry."

"No, it's okay," I persisted.

"But Ashton told me about your parents. I understand how you feel. Not in the same way, but I understand in this weird way," Luke rambled.

I was confused on what he meant, and I was thinking hard about it, when I realized what he had said.

"Ashton told you?"

"Yeah," Luke swayed his foot in the water.

"I told Ashton not to tell."

"He only told me," Luke suddenly said. "And he only did it so I'd understand you better –"

"I don't care. I asked him not to tell you guys and he said he wouldn't," I stood up and stubbornly crossed my arms, walking up the patio towards the glass sliding doors.

Ashton appeared at the doors, nearly running right into me. "Guys I finished making dinner."

I huffed and slid past him, walking into the kitchen and collapsing in the chair next to Michael. Calum turned from the sink as he finished fixing the counter, and sat down in his usual seat next to where Ashton sits.

"You okay?" Michael asked as we waited for the two other boys to join.

I nodded without saying a word. I wasn't exactly hurt; but just annoyed and frustrated that he had done that to me.

Ashton came and sat down next to Calum and Luke sat at the end seat. There was an awkward silence as we passed the food around.

"You barely have anything on your plate," Ashton observed, eyeing my strangely.

"I'm not really hungry," I mumbled, pushing the baby carrots around with a fork.

Luke was frowning at me, but I ignored it and stared down at the plate.