Paper Moon

chapter 29

(Edited)
Alex's pov

I was laying awake in my bunk starring at the ceiling. I seriously have a problem. I stay up late and wake up at around noon. It been a bit different since I've had Halo though. I tend to wake up earlier now.

I don't mind though, it's never boring with her around. She's always happy and bubbly. Except for that one time, that was the hardest thing to go though. I still remember it like it was yesterday, although I wish I didn't.

"Where is she?! I looked everywhere! I can't find her! What do I do? Jack what do I do?" I gripped Jack tight by the shoulders. I was freaking out. "Alex, you need to calm down-" "Calm down? JACK! SHE. IS. MISSING! Oh god I'm a horrible father! What do I do?" As I panicked more breathing started to get harder.

I can't breathe. "Jack, I cant-" I cut myself off trying to get air into my lungs. Tears raced down my face as horrible thoughts filled mind. "Alex let's go sit down. You need to calm down." Jack helped me to the back of the bus and sat me down. "Alex, breathe. When we get Halo back-" "what if we never get her back?! Jack I can't handle that!" My hands made their way to my hair but were viciously pulled down by Jack.

"Alex! Calm down. Listen to me, listen to your best friend okay? First, take a deep breath. In and out, okay? Good. Calm down. When we get her back, and we're gonna get her back, she's going to need you. Be strong for her. You can't do that when you're panicking. So just breathe. Take a second with me to breathe." I thought about what Jack said and did some breathing exercises with him.

We all met at the bus after about an hour and a half of searching. We were all brainstorming on what could have happened when there was a knock on the door. 

I shook my head to rid myself of the memory. That was horrible. I hadn't had an anxiety attack in a while then she went missing and it was like the pressure of everything was on me.

I started to think of happier moments with Halo. Like how the first word she said to us was "Hi." That was the first sign she started to trust us. Before that she flinched a lot and would distance herself. She also barley ate. Now she's a healthy weight and a chatterbox. That's not a bad thing though. She's always has something interesting to talk about.

For a few weeks after the incident she wasn't really herself. She had gone back to barley talking and eating. It's hard to see her like that I'm not gonna lie. She stayed in her bunk a lot and slept all day for some days. But after a while she managed to pull herself out of her funk.

All this thinking about Halo made me want to be near her. I pulled myself out of my bunk and went to check on her. I pulled the curtain to her bunk back a bit and looked in. She wasn't there and neither was Sophie. IS she missing!?!! Alex calm down, she's probably asleep in someone else's bunk. She's probably fine. But what if she's not?!

"Dad? Are you okay?" I turned to look at Halo. She reached up and pulled my hands down. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me. "I *yawn* missed you too. But if you couldn't tell I'm sleepy so if your gonna stay in my bunk with me get in now." I took a few more seconds before crawling into her bunk.

She cuddled up to me and Sophie cuddled up at our feet. "Goodnight dad." I kissed the top of her head, "Goodnight Halo." With the comfort of knowing she was safe I quickly fell asleep.

------

I woke up and checked the time. 3:25, and damn I need to use the bathroom. I sleepily pulled myself out of my bunk and made my way to the bathroom. "Hey Soph, come with me Yeah?" I whispered. She lifted up her head before slowly pulling herself out of my bunk. We both walked to the bathroom and she sat outside waiting for me.

When I finished drying my hands I opened the door to find Soph asleep. I lightly tapped her with my foot and whispered her name. "Soph, let's go to bed" I continued to whisper. She stood up and we made our way to my bunk.

When we got there, Alex was in front of my bunk with his hands in his hair. "Dad? Are you okay?" He turned to look at me. I reached up and gentally pulled his hands down. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him. He held onto me like if he were to let me go I would disappear forever.

"I *yawn* missed you too. But if you couldn't tell I'm sleepy so if you're gonna stay in my bunk with me get in now." Dad held on a little longer before letting go and climbing  into my bunk. I got in and cuddled up to him. Sophie followed and curled up to out feet. "Goodnight Dad." I felt him plant a kiss on my head before whispering "Goodnight Halo." I soon fell asleep after that.

I walked into the back lounge where Alex, Jack, Rian, and Zack where sitting. "Hey... guys?" My happy attitude slowly died away when I noticed the way the guys were. There shoulders were slumped and they looked the complete opposite of happy.

"Guys? What's wrong?" Alex looked up at me and sent me a small smile but it was anything but happy. "Halo, baby girl come here for a second." I slowly made my way to Alex and took a seat next to him. "What's going on?" I looked around at all their glum expressions.

Alex signed before speaking. "Halo the orphanage called. Your grandparents want you to live with them. You need to be there by tommorow afternoon." Tears filled my eyes. No this can't happen. I'm happy! I'm actually happy!

"They- that can't do that right? Your not gonna let them take me right?" I asked shaking a bit. "Halo, I'm sorry but they all ready have full custody of you because they're immediate family. I tried. I really did but-" "no! Don't leave me please don't leave me!"

I sat up quickly. I took a second to gather my breath before I got out of my bunk. I guess Alex had left my bunk sometime this morning. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. 2:16, dang I slept a long time.

I took a deep breath before looking for someone in the band all time low. I carefully and slowly walked to the back lounge. Alex, Jack, Rian, and Zack were sat on the couches in the back lounge.