Lions ~~~ An Adopted by Skillet Fic (COMPLETE)

Vapor

When we got to the store I couldn't help but look around with my jaw hanging by my feet. Phones covered the walls, and the store smelled like fabric softener, a smell I had come to hate. Once I realized the smell blanketing the air, my nose found itself wrinkling up. Korey gave me an odd look, but I ignored it and walked over to the phones.

"Go ahead and pick whichever one you want Aria," Korey said. Alex came in with Jen and they sat on one of the benches by the checkout. I nodded and looked around, my eyes finally landing on an iPhone 7. 

I walked over to it, seeing that it had a sleek yellow back with a shiny screen. Yellow is my favorite color. I pointed it out to Korey and she nodded. 

We must have spent another hour in the store before finally being able to leave with the new phone. All I could do was look at it in awe; I had nothing but my iPod before now. Alex seemed to see my confusion and caught up with me as we were walking back to the car.

"Do you want me to help you get it set up when we get to the car?" She spoke in a low whisper as if she thought she would hurt me by asking.

I looked up at her, "Actually, yeah. I've only ever had my iPod, and I feel like this is way different." I began to laugh a little, which led to Alex giggling as well. We finally climbed into the car and Alex sat next to me, taking my phone when I handed it over. Alex turned it on and walked me through getting things like my wallpaper and contacts set up. She transferred a lot from her phone, including our family and the rest of Skillet. 

Then I heard the worst words I could possibly hear, "Aria, what do you want to do for school? I know you're technically a senior, but you have to finish the year out." Korey was looking at me through the rearview mirror. 

"I... Could we do online?" I asked, looking at her. I really didn't want to go to public school, there was too much opportunity for something bad to happen, like someone coming in to shoot up the place or the school burning down or-

"Of course! That's kind of what Alex and Xavier do since we're on the road so much!" Korey smiled at me, and I found myself smiling back. It felt... nice. She didn't ask why she didn't care. It was almost freeing in a way. Most adults want to know why you want one thing and not the other. But she didn't, and that's why I liked her. 

"Cool," I looked back at Alex to see she was fiddling with a couple more things on my phone. I pulled my iPod and headphones out, beginning to play my music. She handed my phone and I began to look for games to play.

"Aria, what are you going to want for dinner?" Korey asked, looking back at me again. Her face held what looked like a little bit of anger, but I wrote it off as being tired (I found out later that she was, in fact, tired). 

"I'm okay with whatever," I said, looking between the other girls in the car.

"Would barbecue be okay?" Korey asked. I nodded, just wanting the questioning to be over.

"Four Rivers!" Alex said, pumping her fist. I giggled, feeling relief flood my muscles. I could feel my back begin to rest against the seat more as I continued to talk to the other girls.

"So, we have a photoshoot for our album Victorious at some point in the next couple of weeks, you said you'd be okay with doing our outfits?" Korey asked as we pulled into a restaurant.

I nodded, "I just need you to tell me what kind of look you're going for, and I'll help you guys shop for stuff." I was excited to be working with fashion again, I hadn't been able to since I took the class in middle school.

"Alright. I'm going to call John real quick and have him bring Xavier up," Korey pulled out her phone as Jen turned towards me and Alex.

"You like photography right?" Jen asked.

I nodded again, it felt like I was doing that a lot, "Yes ma'am."

"Cool. I think I know what I'm getting you for your adoption-slash-birthday gift," Jen grinned at me, and I smiled right back.

"What kind of music do you like though?" Alex asked, grabbing my attention.

"Pop mostly, I haven't really listened to anything else because the orphanage said it would rot my brains out," I explained, my face heating up.

Alex giggled, "You'll be listening to a lot more rock now."

I smiled, "I figured I would be."

Korey hung up the phone, "John and Xavier will be here in about ten minutes, then we'll all go in together."

I bobbed my head, "Okie dokie."

Korey smiled at me as Alex nodded with me, talking to Jen about something related to school. I scrolled on my phone, going and downloading a few more apps I had wanted for a while, including Tumblr, Snapchat and Instagram.

We continued to chat for a little bit until the boys rolled up, covered in what seemed to be paint splatters. We all got out and Jen jokingly said "You guys painted without me?"

John laughed, "Yeah, Xavier had a model car he wanted to finish up while you girls were out for the day." He ruffled Xavier's hair. Xavier laughed, and I found myself shrinking behind Alex. She turned to look at me but I gently shook my head, pleading with her not to ask. She nodded, and the family went into the restaurant.