Paper Moon

chapter 31

(Edited)
I woke up to someone shaking my shoulder gentally- meaning it's not Jack. I opened my eyes and turned to face the person. "Josh? Why are you waking me up?" As I realized what was happening I jolted up. "Um, Jack sent me, Are you okay?" I nodded and rubbed my eyes. "Okay, well, I'll be downstairs if you need me." Josh left and I silently cursed Jack.

I got out of my bunk and grabbed clothes for a shower. I should probably feed Soph first though. "Soph come on, I'm gonna feed you." She hopped out of my bunk and followed me to the kitchen. I grabbed her food down from the top shelf.

As I was feeding her a loud voice from next to my ear said "how'd you like being woken up by Josh?" Cuasing me to jump. "Oh my- Jack! Don't scare me like that. And really? That was childish Jack." He laughed a bit. "But I bet you enjoyed it." I rolled my eyes. "No, who likes being waken up? Anyways, I'm gonna take a shower so.. yeah."

I placed Sophie's food bowl down and went to grab my clothes again. As I was passing through the bunk I heard a phone ringing. "Someone's phone is ringing!" I yelled. "It's probably mine, can you and answer it Halo!" Dad yelled. "Okay!"

I looked in his bunk and found his phone. I picked it up and held it to my ear. "Hello?" There was a small silence before a women answered. "Alexander Gaskarth?" She asked. "May I ask who's calling?" Dad walked in and mouthed 'who is it?' And I shrugged.

"Yes, my name is Stacy, I'm calling about Haley Gaskarth. Previously known as Haley Addams. I'm calling from the orphanage." My face went pale and my anxiety made my heart race. "Okay, j-just a moment." I handed the phone over to Alex.

"Who is it?" He asked, not yet answering the phone. "Um, a chick named Stacy, f-from the orphanage," I said havinga hard time believing what I was saying. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. She could just be calling about something other than me having family that wants me.

"Yes this is Alex Gaskarth." I watched all his face expressions so I could try and see if everything was okay. "Well we're on tour right now, but we're gonna pass Baltimore soon. We could stop by then, is that okay?" Why do we need to stop by? I don't wanna go back. "Great, thanks. I'll call you when we're gonna come in. Okay, thanks, Bye." He hung up and placed his phone in his back pocket.

"What happened?" He must have noticed the worried expression on my face because he was quick to reasure me. "Halo it's okay, they just found something that belongs to you in the orphanage. They found a box that had some stuff in it and an envelope with your name on it. They just wanted us to go pick it up. Don't worry." He ruffled my hair and sent me a smile.

"Okay, I'm gonna take a shower though." I made my way to the shower without being interrupted. And I took the much needed shower.

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I was drying my hair with a towel when there was a knock on the bathroom door. "Yes?" I hung the towel over the shower's curtain rod so it could dry. I opened the door to be met with dad. "Halo I just came to check on you," he sent me a smile. "I'm good, let's go to the backroom" I grabbed a rubber band from on top of the sink before closing the door and following dad.

I was surprised to see that the back lounge was empty. As dad took a seat I took a second to put my hair in a messy bun. I took a seat next to dad. "So how've you been? Really, I want to know." I shrugged, "I'm doing better, that's a good thing right?" I smiled. "That's great, how's your arms?" I put both of my arms up so he could see them.

He unbandaged one arm, then the next. "I don't think you need these anymore, I'm glad your doing better." I gave him a hug, which he quickly returned. He placed a kiss on my forehead before he asked the question I knew he would eventually. "Do you really like Josh?" I face-palmd. "I- I mean it's okay and all, but, do you?" He asked scratching the back of his neck. I could tell he felt a bit awkward about the whole situation.

"Not like that I don't, all I said was I though he was more attractive than Jack, Austin, Brendon, Matt, and Chris. And to be fair I only said it because they wouldn't have took 'I don't like any of you like that' as an answer. Josh isn't ugly though, none of you guys are, really. I don't like any of you like that, I'm more into guys my age." I explained.

"Makes sense, but why did you say Josh?" I shrugged. "I was listening to No One Does It Better so his name popped into my head. He also wasn't in the room so I just said his name." Dad nodded. "Okay, just clearing things up because I know how much of an idiot they can be." I nodded.

"Alex!! I need you!!" I heard Jack yell. "I'll be back Halo, I'm gonna go see what Jack wants." He stood up and walked out yelling "Jack this better good!" I giggled a bit. A few seconds later Matt came into the room. I quickly covered my arms by placing them around my waist. Luckily he was too busy trying to catch his breath.

"Halo you need to see this! Quickly come downstairs!" I made a face of confusion, then shrugged. "Okay just let me grab my sweater-" "there's no time!" Matt rushed me, and I wasn't able to get a sweater so I was stuck walking with my arms covered.

"Quick, just go in there." I was about to question it when Brendon came running out holding something. "Whats-" "no time!" Matt interrupted me. He shoved me into the back room before closing the door and locking it.

I quickly turned and and hit the door. "What the hell? Let me out!" I crossed my arms as I heard snickering. Rolling my eyes I said "Really guys, why'd you lock me in here? And without my phone too, savages!" I sighed, dang it.

"Yeah! And I want my shirt back!" I jumped, startled I turned around to face Josh, who was shirtless. I quickly turned to face the door. My face had flushed red. "Really guys? What are you three? Let me out!" There was more laughing. "Halo you seemed stressed lately, this is your present!" Brendon whispered. It was barley audiable and I had to place my ear against the door.

I groaned, "where's my dad?" "He currently is making toast, with Jack, using a hanger and blowtorch. You guys have about three to five hours, depending on how long we can distract your dad. Have fun, be safe, and most importantly, use protection!" Brendon said. I still had to have my ear against the door and it was really hard to hear what he was saying.

"What are they saying?" For a second I had forgotten Josh was in the room with me. "Pretty much that we were stuck in here for three to five hours" I sighed. This sucks ass.