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5

I had no idea what Tyler, Josh and Jenna wanted to talk about, but I had a feeling it was important as they sat me down in the living room, seated beside Jenna.

"Aria," Josh began. "Any idea as to what we're talking about?"

"No." I said.

"Alright," Josh scratched his neck. "I guess we should just dive into it?"

Josh looked around to Tyler and Jenna for approval. Tyler gave him a nod and he continued.

"You aren't going back to your dad's house. You aren't ever going to see him again. But the problem with that is that leaves you as a minor without any parent or guardian. That being said, do you have any idea of what you want to do?"

I stopped and thought for a moment. "I don't want to leave you." I said quietly, in almost barely a whisper. It was really only quiet enough for Jenna to hear, but Josh and Tyler must have superhuman hearing.

"We could always sign some paperwork which makes you one of our responsibilities. That pretty much just means that one of us will be your adoptive parent, or legal guardian." Jenna explained.

"If you're up to it, I'm up to it," Josh began. "I'll take you on. I can tell you're an amazing person, and hanging around me will be fun."

"No," Tyler smirked. "Hanging around Josh would corrupt you. I can't have both of you beating me at Mario Kart can I?"

I chuckled.

"What do you think?"

"I like the sounds of that." I smiled.

"In that case, we should probably tell you something else that's a pretty big deal. Tyler and I are in a band. We're touring worldwide at the moment."

My eyes widened. "Have you been to Tasmania?"

"Tasmania?"

"It's a place in Australia!"

"We haven't, but I'm pretty sure we're playing a show there aren't we?" Josh looked to Tyler.

"Not entirely sure, maybe." Tyler replied.

"You'd be able to take me with you?"

"Of course."

"That's so cool! What's your band name? I bet it's something really awesome — like The Dragons or something."

"The Dragons?"

"Yeah!"

"Dammit Josh — she's who I needed when I was picking out the name!" Tyler smiled.

Josh chuckled. "We're twenty one pilots. Pretty sick if you ask me."

"Is there a meaning behind the name?"

"I could tell you, but it'd probably take me until Christmas to finish the story." said Tyler.

"By Christmas he means 5 minutes at the most. Tyler over exaggerates everything." Jenna smirked playfully.

"Do not!"

"He also has the tendency to act like a four year old child."

"And Jenna likes to think she's my mother."

"I'm your wife."

"Whatever."
Laughter filled the room and the conversation continued.

"Aria, I'm in the room next to yours, if you need anything, I'm right there. Don't be worried about waking me up, I promise I won't get mad or anything." Josh poked his head in through the door just as I was getting ready for bed.

"Okay."

"You seemed to be quite happy when we were talking about the adoption stuff." Josh smiled, walking over to the bed, sitting on the end of it.

"I wouldn't say adoption."

"You're right. You seemed to really open up there though."

"I guess I finally felt —" I paused, unsure of what to say.

"Felt what?"

"Cared for? I'm not really sure. I felt the safest I've felt in years."

Josh smiled. "I'm glad." He stopped for a moment, before talking again. "Do you want to finish off your school year?"

"Oh."

"Is that a no?"

"It's just — I haven't been since I was 11 or something like that."

"Ah. Well — If you were to go back in September, how do you think you'd go?"

"I was in the advanced classes when I went last, so I think I'd do okay in that part of the concept."

"Alright. Listen, we'll talk about this next time it comes up, you don't need to stress yourself out about it. Remember what I said before. I'm just next door."

I nodded.

"Night Aria."

"Night Josh."