Paper Moon

chapter 36

Guys, it's my day of birth!! Also technically Halos if she was real. I'm 14 tho! Sorry just wanted to share that :) (Edited)

---------------
Halos pov
I woke up to the sound of a phone ringing. My phone to be exact. I groaned and rubbed my eyes. I wish I could sleep forever. I grabbed my phone from my back pocket- I was sleeping on my stomach- and answered it.

"Hello?" I wasn't sure who was on the phone I just answered it because I was half asleep. "Hey, did I wake you up? I'm sorry I can call back-" yes but it's fine, "no, I was just, watching tv... anyways what's up?" I interuppted him, at least I know it's a guy, I'm not sure which guy though. "You know you're such a bad liar," he chuckled. "I was calling to talk to you, but if you'd like, you can call me later and you can go back to sleep."

I chuckled, "it kinda sound like you're trying to get rid of me." He was quick to answer after that, "no no no, it's just I get cranky when people wake me up so I get it if you'd want to go to sleep." I laughed a bit, "it's fine, I'm used to being woken up, Jack would always jump on my bed and scream at me to wake up. I'm actually glad you called, I need to get my mind off things." He laughed, "I'm glad I can be of assistance."

I pulled the phone from my ear and looked at the caller ID, Lucas. "So, what are you doing?" He asked. "Well, I'm laying in," I opened the curtain to check whose bunk I was in, "my Dads bunk. What about you? What is Lucas doing?" He laughed, "wierd way to phrase it but, I'm playing Call Of Duty on my Xbox, and eating cheerios."

I snorted, "cheerios?" He was quick to respond. "Yes cheerios, what do you not like them?" I laughed, "they're okay, I prefer Cinnamon Toast Crunch." He sighed, "of course you do, Next your gonna say you prefer Tea over Coffee." I sat up in the bunk before I answered, "actually I do... not, I like coffee more than tea, but I'd rather have hot chocolate with marshmallows." He laughed, "what if there's no marshmallows?" I shrugged even though he couldn't see me, "then I guess I'll have to buy myself marshmallows huh?"

I climbed out of the bunk. "Hey, I'll call you back okay? My mom wants me to clean the kitchen, you know hows moms are. Have fun with your Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Marshmellowless hot chocolate. Bye Halo." A frown appeared on my face, "bye Lucas." He hung up after that. I wish I knew what is was like to have a mom make you clean the kitchen. At least I have Alex.

It was nice to have a distraction for a little while. I climbed out of Dads bunk and walked to the kitchen, placing my phone in my back pocket on the way.  I took a seat at the table. Rian was no longer here, in fact I don't think any members of All Time Low were in the top half of the bus. I sighed, what do I do? I want to distract myself so I don't start crying again. Shouldn't I be over it by now? The dream just keeps replaying in my mind and I hate it. I just want to forget.

I placed my head in my hands, proping myself up on the table. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I'll be fine. In a few days, hopefully I'll forget and I won't be in this situation ever again. I don't like to think about her, or how my life would be if my biological father was never laid off. I groaned, I'm still thinking about it. I took a deep breath. I'll be fine, I hope.

There was the small noise of a chair moving but I didn't bother to look up. "Hey kiddo, are you okay?" It was Austin. I nodded, "just peachy," I mumbled opening my eyes to look at him. "Are you sure? You look a little sad." I didn't say anything, I just kinda shifted in my seat. "Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked. I shrugged, "I miss my mom" I mumbled, tears brimming my eyes, I blinked them back though.

"Oh, I understand Halo." That surprised me. "You do?" I asked. "Yeah, my mom died when I was 17, and it wasn't long enough. I can't imagine how hard it is for you, it hurt a lot when I lost my mom. I got 17 years with her though, your only 14, that's not a very long time. When my mom died, my dad and I used to watch Disney movies all the time. They made me feel better, would you like to go watch movies for a bit? Get your mind off things?" He asked.

I nodded, I need a distraction. I got up and followed Austin to our back room. "Want to watch The Little Mermaid or Snow white?" I luaghed a bit. "What's funny?" He asked, a confused look on his face. "Nothing, just a big guy with a shit-ton of tattoos that screams for a living is watching Disney movies with a short 14 year old girl. It's a little funny, and it doesn't really matter, I haven't seen either of them." I chuckled a bit.

"Um excuse me?" Austin's jaw dropped. "You've never seen The Little Mermaid or Snow White?" He asked shocked. I shook my head, "nope, I know the story behind them but I've never seen the movies." I say sitting on the couch as Austin put in Snow White. "Lady we need to marathon this shit! I'll get the food and blankets, you get comfy." I nodded and he went to do as he said.

------
After watching Sleeping Beauty, which I had also never seen until now, Austin and I started to talk.

"Thank you Austin, I really need this." He smiled. "Of course. I know how you feel, it's not the best feeling." I cuddled more into Austin's side.

"Do you think she's happy?" I asked looking up at him. He nodded, "I'm sure both of our moms are smiling down at us right now. And I'm sure your mom is so proud of you. She's happy with how much you've grown, and how even though you didn't have the perfect childhood that you deserved, you still came out a strong, beautiful, girl who's not afraid to take on the world." Austin stretched his arms before wrapping them back around me.

"Yeah you have your ups and downs, but who doesn't? She's happy with the fact that everyday you put a smile on, and instead of excepting all of the negativity, you find a way to make the best out of everything." I smiled at Austin.

"Yeah you have your bad days, but everyone does. But not everyone brings theirselfs back to the top the next few days or weeks when they've hit the bottom. You always try to keep your head up and I admire that about you, I'm pretty sure everyone does. You are an amazing person who cares about everyone else before yourself, and I know shes one of the proudest moms ever." Tears filled my eyes.

"She loves you, and everyone is proud of how you are. Remember that okay?" I nodded as tears fell down my face. I needed this.

"Thanks Austin. I'm glad you're in my life." I said and he wiped my tears. "Thanks Halo, I don't know what I would be done if you weren't in mine. Now, lets watch more Disney movies, I have a shit-ton that I haven't seen in a while." I smiled and we continued to watch Disney movies.

This is what I needed. I know I'm going to be okay. Yeah it's been hard, and I'm sure I might get a bit sad every now and then for the next few days but I'll be fine. I'll get through this. Thanks Austin, I know you can't hear me but I'm thinking it anyways, thank you.