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11

Josh's POV

"Dad." I said sternly, getting annoyed.

"Mm?"

"You knew exactly what you were doing then. She's just a kid. Did anyone tell you why she's with me now?" I asked angrily. The way my own dad was acting wasn't out of the ordinary, he was just very intimidating. He held himself highly, sometimes believing he was better than everyone else, or held more power. That had infuriated me to no end from the time I was a teenager to even now.

"All I heard was that you were adopting some kid." Dad replied.

"She's not some kid! And I didn't adopt her, I attained legal guardianship, for your information."

"Don't have attitude with me Joshua."

That sentence I had heard way too many times. Another thing that angered me.

"Dad, I'm not ten anymore. You don't understand what you just did. She just came from an abusive father, who I literally had to push off of her to make sure she was safe. Could you imagine yourself in her situation? I don't want to go into detail, but she's terrified. You remember Tyler right?"

"Of course."

"She's terrified of him. Absolutely petrified. And he's been gentle with her since the start. You're going to make her permanently scared of you if you keep it up. You aren't a teddy bear dad, you scare even me. I can't imagine what's going through Aria's head."

"I never meant for that—"

"You still should've stopped when she literally cowered behind me."

Suddenly, we were interrupted by Abbi.

"She okay?" I asked.

"I honestly have no idea. Did you both forget to take your medication? Because the poor thing —" Abbi had a pitiful look on her face. At first I thought she was trying to bring humour to the situation when she asked about the medication, but I soon realised she was being completely serious.

"She's not on any medication." I replied.

Abbi tilted her head. "Is that her choice?"

"She's never been given the option. Why do you think I was so quick to get her under my care? I know what it's like. I know that she's at the point where nothing can fix it. I know because I was in that position too."

"You know there's a line between getting by alone and needing help."

"Exactly."

Silence fell between my sister and I for a moment, before Abbi spoke up.

"She thinks highly of you. I've been doing her hair and she's telling me about all the things you've done for her so far."

I smiled. "I'll come meet you in there in a minute."

Abbi nodded and left, and I turned back to Dad.

"I'm sorry Josh, I really am."

"Dad — Don't worry about it. Just — I don't know how she's going to react to seeing you again at dinner. Don't stare her down or anything, just be — gentle. She'll warm up to you with time, you've just got to give it to her."

My dad nodded and ran his fingers through his almost non existent grey hair.

"She reminds me of you." Dad said abruptly.

"Aria?"

He nodded. "Shy. But friendly. How old is she?"

"Thirteen, soon to be fourteen."

"As a father, take this word of advice. Keep an eye on her. You started going through that rough patch around this time, and there wasn't as much trauma in your life than they're has been in hers. Don't get mad at her if she talks to you. Keep an open relationship — the minute you close that door, even if it's for a minute, that's when things start happening."

I nodded, taking in what he had said as my dad clapped me on the back. "I've missed you son."

"I've missed you too Dad."

As I went to quickly say hello to Jordan, I was caught by Ashley.

"How're Tyler and Jenna?" She asked, walking beside me.

"Happily married. Already bickering like an old couple." I answered.

"I'd presume most of their arguments are over Mario Kart." Ashley chuckled. "Where are you going next on tour?"

"Uh, I know we're going to Europe, but Tyler's the one that know all that stuff. I kinda just go along with it. Oh, we're going to a different continent in three hours? Okay, let me pack."

Ashley shook her head with a light laugh. "You're something else."

"So I've been told."

As we approached it, I knocked on Jordan's door and waited for a response. When it opened, Jordan's face lit up.

"Josh! Brother dearest! It's been ages!" He exclaimed, giving me a hug.

"Ah Jordan, how are you?" I asked.

"I'm good? You?"

"I'm good too."

Jordan looked over my shoulder to see if anyone else was there. I turned back to see that Ashley had slipped away.

"Where's the girl Abbi was telling me about?"

"She's with Abbi at the moment. Poor thing is terrified of Dad."

"I heard you getting mad at him just before."

"He decided to have a stare down with her. He apologised though, so it's alright."

"Can I say hi?"

"Sure. Don't be upset if she doesn't reply verbally, she's not much of a talker."

Jordan nodded and followed me to Abbi's room. I went in first, only to find Aria sleeping softly in the bed.

I looked to Abbi. "When..."

"I came to talk to you and then when I came back, she was sleeping." She whispered.

"I mean, today was pretty exhausting, I don't really blame her for falling asleep." I replied.

"Do you want me to stay in here?" I asked.

"No that's okay, I have some stuff I have to do on the computer so I'll just stay in here with her."

And as I walked out, I looked at Aria.

She was peaceful, quiet. At ease. It left me with a smile to see that she felt somewhat comfortable. And although I was never going to call myself Aria's father, or call Aria my daughter, I could only hope I could be a good role model to the girl who had already taught me so much.