Shaken (An Adopted By Lin-Manuel Miranda Story)

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Sitting in Jean's Classic Diner once again, I sat with my hands crossed, half a smirk plastered on my face as Lin did the same while across from me. "I'll never let you pay," I giggled as he sighed, laughing as well. "Ari, you're just entering high school. I'm not letting you pay for a three dollar meal." "That's exactly why I want to pay, Lin. Teenagers are displayed as money-sucking rebels. I don't want to be one of those, no sir. I want to prove to you that I'm old enough and responsible enough to pay for my own things." I crossed my arms in accomplishment as he looked to the side, thinking. "I mean, that's pretty smart. But still, I'm not letting you pay." He sets a twenty on the counter, standing up and walking out of the booth. "Come join, if you want," he looked back temporarily before walking out the door. My mouth dropped open as I ran after him. "'Cmon, Lin!" I laughed and he did too. "It's all for the best, mi tortilla." I closed my eyes for a second confusedly before shrugging it off. "So Lin, why are you in New York?" I asked and he looked at me. "I'm an actor on stage... but I know that you know that," he said, not looking to the side.

He knew?

I started to go into full-fledged panic mode before he laughed, turned around, and stopped me. "Ari, it's fine. I know that you're a nice kid, ok?" He looked at me in the eye before walking forward again. "I know that you know who I am. It was pretty obvious, I'm not going to lie..." he trailed and I turned red. "Oh my gosh, you probably think I'm a stalker, or something. I swear to gosh I'm not, Lin. Cross my heart," I looked at him, anticipated. "I know. I know you're not a bad person, Ari. I know you're not stalking me, I know you're not a crazy fan trying to get my love. Trust me, Ariana." I nodded and sighed softly with relief. "I also know that you're so excited to move in with me that you're already packed," he smirked and I looked at him with wide eyes. "How did you-" "Adam and Daisy. We've been e-mailing," he shrugged and I shook my head, still shocked. "So tell me about you, Ari," he questioned, and I chuckled slightly. "Well, I'm just a kid in New York City trying to figure out her life, you know? I'm just like the next," I hummed and he shook his head. "Everybody has something different, special, unique about them. Maybe you just haven't found out what that is yet."

You see, I already knew what made me special, starting with that huge scar on the left side of my head that was thankfully covered in hair after seven years of growing it out. Maybe he didn't mean physically, though. Maybe he meant emotionally. In that case, I could still start with that scar and the emotional trauma that was stitched to my brain those atrocious years of my life. But it was too early to tell him the story behind that.

I merely smiled at him and looked at the ground again, following my steps. I felt like I'd trusted him... but it was still too early. I sighed and looked up again, breathing in the fresh, New York air. "But anyway, lets start with the basics. Favourite movie?" He asked and I smiled, looking up at him as we stopped at a crosswalk. "The Greatest Showman, one hundred percent. How about you?" I asked and he looked at me. "Today is for me to learn about you, and you alone," he told me and I resisted. "But, Lin..." I started and he interrupted me. "Nope. You can learn about me another time." I laughed slightly and looked at the ground again. "It's such an uplifting movie," I mumbled and he nodded. "It is. Favourite food?" He asked and I crinkled my nose. "Don't have one. Too many delicious things out there," I told him and he agreed. "Favourite... oh my gosh, we're at your school already," he raised his eyebrows as we stopped at the corner, turning to my high school. "Yeah, unfortunately..." I sighed and turned to face him, as we were stopped at a corner. "When will we be meeting again?" I asked, looking into his eyes. "Soon, mi tortilla." He squeezed my shoulder and walked across the sidewalk. "Wait, what're you doing?" I asked, genuinely confused on why he was approaching the school grounds. "We have to change your contact information. You belong to me now."

I was tired when I went to drama class.

But being tired doesn't help you in school, unluckily for me.

So I had to sit through the first two periods of the day, waiting patiently.

That was, until I got the text.