Everything Opposite

Chapter Nine

Ryleigh
I stayed silent and felt Rian gently squeeze my hand. "Look, I know you're upset with me and you're right to be so. It wasn't fair to keep this from you but it was so much harder to tell you. I didn't want to tear your whole world completely apart. I've been wanting to tell you though because we're stopped in Columbus for a few days, our family wants to meet you if that's okay with you. They're already so proud of the amazing girl you are. We never stopped searching for you since you came up missing all those years ago. We want to make up for lost time. It's a miracle I found you when I did,"Josh explained.

"Okay,"I said. "Just okay?"Josh questioned and I saw the concern in those brown eyes of his. "I want to meet them and I understand your reasoning. It's a lot to take in. I've survived hell and back in the last fourteen years and I'm just now starting to pick up the pieces of my mess,"I said. "I love you, kiddo,"Josh said and ruffled my hair before pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back before we decided to head home.

We paid the bill then made our way back. Alex and Jack kept joking around as we walked through the rain. It was lighter then when it began, mostly just a mist now. Rian and Josh were in a conversation about drums. Zack was walking with me. "COME HERE, YOU LITTLE BITCH!"I heard a man's voice call out. I froze and a shiver went down my spine. My stomach knotted itself. Something wasn't right.

I caught sight of a way too skinny girl running towards us with a man chasing after her drunkenly. I grabbed Zack's sleeve, pulling him to a stop. He looked a me confused as the girl came closer. Her eyes were wild. In the darkness it was hard to make out her features but I felt like I knew her. Zack and I gently guided her behind us. "I believe you have someone who belongs to me!"the man slurred. "No, you little dick. She is a girl and she doesn't belong to anyone,"I said.

His eyes flamed with anger and I went up, kicking him hard in the balls causing him to fall and howl in pain. Zack picked the small girl up and we took off running. Alex, Jack, Rian, and Josh were already to the venue. We ran inside and pulled the door closed. Zack and I panted as he sat the frightened girl down. Her hair was a tangled wild mess. Her clothes covered in dirt and the shirt riddled with small holes from the overwear. I took in her face. "Logan?"I asked. Her eyes widened.

I pulled her into a tight hug. "It's okay,"I whispered and hugged her tight. We both began to cry as we hugged and all of the bands gathered in the hallway watching us breakdown in confusion. "What happened?"I asked when we calmed down and I pulled away. She started moving her hands. At first I couldn't tell what she was doing until I realized she was signing to me. I signed back in reply.

"My mom died. I was put into foster care. I've moved around a lot. I'm in an abusive home and I went mute a few years ago,"she signed in explanation. Before I could reply, she started signing quickly. "I'm sorry. I need to go. Thanks for the help!"she signed then she was running out the door. I watched after her in confusion.

"What the hell just happened?"Vic said, speaking up for the gathered bands as I turned around to face them. We all went out and sat on the stage so I could explain. "That was my friend Logan Blake. We've been friends since childhood. I grew up in an abusive home and her mother was always really nice to me. Her mom died and one day Logan was just gone. I tried calling and texting her cell when Josh got me a phone but it was disconnected. I just found her and I want to help,"I said. "When did you learn ASL?"Zack asked. "I took a class in 8th grade. It's always fascinated me. It came in handy when Logan went mute,"I explained.

"I have a plan,"Brendon said, standing up and taking my hand. He, Zack Hall, and I went to Panic's dressing room. "I want to adopt her,"Brendon said. "Are you sure, B? A kid is a lot of responsibility, no offense Ryleigh. What about Sarah?"Zack asked. "I'm doing this,"Brendon said. I grabbed his laptop and logged on. I managed to find Logan's file online and called the number of her social worker. I handed Brendon the phone and let him do the talking.

When he hung up, I looked at him curiously. "So?"I asked. "Zack, you're going to get her tomorrow morning at 10 am. After that, they're sending the cops in for her foster dad,"Brendon said. I squealed in excitement and hugged him. He hugged me back before we rejoined the bands. We hung out for awhile before I followed Josh back to the bus. I climbed in my bunk and fell into a dreamless sleep.

***********

I woke up late the next morning. It was after nine and I pondered laying in my bunk all day before I remembered that Zack was getting Logan in an hour. I jumped down and tossed on some ripped skinny jeans, a tank top that was cut under the arms to expose my ribs and showed my bra, and a beanie. I went into the kitchenette and grabbed a piece of toast and a cup of yogurt before leaving a note and leaving the bus. I went backstage and played on my phone as I waited anxiously for Zack to arrive with Logan.

A/N: Hey y'all! I'm sorry if this was bad I wrote this in a short time frame. You've finally met Logan Blake who stars in JacobAlexannderConne book Quiet. You should check it out to get to know Logan and her story better as she's going to appear multiple times in here. I hope you enjoyed and I'll have more up soon. Much love!

B