ADOPTED BY PHAN

CHAPTER TEN

And that's exactly what Iris did, too. She missed Skye with all her heart. It didn't make sense. It's like she's falling in love with her personality - body parts don't matter.

Aside from her confusing emotions, Dan has agreed to enroll Iris in Junior High School. It's odd - as most kids seemingly hate school - Iris can't wait for tomorrow. Monday; her first day.

As you've probably figured out by now then, today is Sunday. Dan and Phil are gone to work. Iris is home with Louise, and little Darcy; her best friend.

"I-wiss," Darcy says - meaning to say her name - waddling up to Iris.

"Yes Darcy?" Iris replies sweetly, bending down so they're eye-level.

It takes quite awhile for her to build the sentence, but she finally says; "Do you wanna build a snowman?"

"It doesn't have to be a snowman!" Louise shouts, running up behind Darcy and grabbing her from behind. She picks her up and spins her around, then balances the weight of her daughter on her hip. Iris gets a genuine laugh out of the sight.

She has really begun to enjoy their company. I mean, Louise has become like a second mother to Iris. She could never replace her mom; but Iris gets that same secure and cosy feeling her mother used to give off.

"You know what, I'm gonna call in and request that song." Louise says, putting Darcy down and pulling out her phone. "If I don't get in I'm gonna tweet it out." Louise whispers, putting the phone up to her ear. Her face falls in mock offense as the phone line beeps busy. However, instead of going to Twitter, she brightens up and calls another number.

"What are you doing?" Iris asks.

"Calling Dan. He'll answer."

Suddenly, Iris is very intrigued. She picks up the closest laptop to her - Phil's - and opens the browser to the Radio One website. Darcy sits next to Iris, both of them watching Dan and Phil on the screen.

Dan looks like he's in a panic. "One moment guys, I need to take this." He says, gesturing to his iPhone. He leaves the room, causing Iris to look over at Louise for answers.

Louise puts the line on speakerphone; "Hello? Louise? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Dan. Everything's fine. I just wanted to request a song." Louise says innocently.

"Are you fucking kidding me." Dan sounds outraged, but keeps his voice calm. "Louise, I thought you were calling because my daughter died or something."

"Sorry!" Louise replies, "I just wanna hear Let It Go from Frozen"

"You need to let it go, Louise." Suddenly the line goes dead, indicating Dan has hung up.

The girls laugh as Louise sassily plops herself down onto the couch.

"Well excuse me." Louise drags the vowels, sarcastically seeming unimpressed. Her face lights up and she looks at Iris and Darcy with hopeful eyes. "Do you wanna build a snowman?"

* * *

Dan and Phil come home to quite the surprise. Their kitchen is a mess, full of flour-men. That's right, the girls made snow men out of water and flour.

"Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me." Dan says under his breath. "H-hi. Louise." He says with a fake smile.

"Oh Dan, you missed all the fun!" She says with a big smile, knowing he must be ticked.

"Yeah I did . . ." He replies without emotion.

"Come on, Bear. It's late; let's go to bed." Phil cuts in, dragging Dan to their bedroom. "Goodnight guys! Or . . ." - he lowers his voice - "Ladies."

"Am I that old?" Louise jokes, placing her hands on her hips.

"Yeah mommy!" Darcy exclaims. "You old!"

The whole house erupts with laughter.

* * *

Iris awakens to the sound of her alarm clock going off. She groans and turns over, reaching out her arm to press the snooze button.

"Oh no you don't!" Dan shouts, grabbing her arm. Iris hisses in pain as his fingers tighten around her scars. She's now fully alert, her head shooting up and staring wide-eyed at her father. Dan simply let's go and walks away, seeming emotionally hurt.

Fuck. Iris thinks; I guess Daddy kept the secret. If Dad had known, he wouldn't have reacted that way.

"Iris!" Phil shouts. "Don't make me throw a bucket of water at you!"

"You wouldn't." Iris mumbles in reply.

"I wouldn't say that! You don't know what he's capable of!" Dan shouts.

Ignoring his boyfriend, Phil walks into Iris' room and strikes up the conversation; "Are you excited for your first day of school?"

"Today's the day?" Iris replies with a question, sounding quite excited.

"It really is!" Phil reassures.

And suddenly she's in action. Like how Anna from Frozen reacted on the morning of coronation day. She picked her clothes out the day before; a Disney sweater with Princess Ariel and Prince Eric on it, black skinny jeans, red converse high-tops, and a red beanie to match. She curls her dark hair and applies red lip-stick to match her outfit. One last look in the mirror, and she's good to go!

"Ready?" Phil asks.

"Ready."

Dan and Phil make sure to get lots of pictures. Their daughter may not be five, but it's still her first day of school. Everyone's excited. Especially Iris.

"Can we go now?" She begs.

"Okay, just one more picture!" Dan says. "Family photo!"

He sets the camera on a timer, and everyone gets into place. ten seconds later they have the perfect picture to hang in the lounge area.

"I love it!" Phil exclaims. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Iris jumps up and down, full of excitement.

Little does she know that school is not all it's cracked up to be.

Next chapter will be Iris' first day of school! Anything particular you'd like to have happen? Let me know! PS: I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the story (-: I love reading/seeing new comments!