Adopted by.........Ed Sheeran?!?!

Chapter 16

ALICE 

"Ready? Jump!" Zach commands. I put my hands on his shoulders and as I jumped his hands caught my legs helping to hold me up. I wrap my arms around his neck lightly, my legs around his waist, his hands on my thighs. I laugh as he begins to run. I can hear shadow's collar as she runs to keep up. 

"You better not drop me," I warned him. He stopped suddenly,

"I would never," it got silent for a moment before he adds "besides, you're light as a feather", which resulted in me rolling my eyes.

"you cant see it, but I just rolled my eyes." he laughed. His laugh is so contagious I too began to laugh. "Yeah right" I muttered to myself. This boy I swear. He is the greatest person a girl could ask for to have as a friend. We have been spending a lot of time together. I consider him to be my best friend. He really gets me in a way that no one else does. I can talk to him about anything without him judging me. In today's society everyone is so judgmental; people are hide their true selves and become who they think people want them to be. Especially teenage girls. It's sad,we shouldn't have to be worried about what other people think. The girls keep telling me we should date "you would make such a cute couple!" they said "hes so cute!" they say. But right now all we are is friends. I'm not sure how I like him yet. I know that right now things are amazing and I don't want them to change. I don't want to lose him. All I know right now is that I need him in my life. I don't know what the future will bring. I don't want to think about the future, I just want to focus on the here and now. 

"So," he began. 

"So" I reply. 

"School is going to start again soon," ugh! One subject I hate talking about. "What are you gonna do?" he asked. I sighed. I have talked a lot about this with my dad and right now I'm just not sure if public school is the best thing for me. I don't want to have to deal with the stares and the teasing and the no friends thing. I can feel people staring at me when ever I go somewhere. I really don't want to have to deal with it  during my classes. It's unsettling to say the least. 

"I want to be home schooled," I state.

"Why?" I shake my head, really? He has to ask? We have talked about this how many times now?

"You really need to ask?" he starts to say something but I stop him " I do not want to deal with the bullying and the teasing and not having any friends and all the staring. I mean I wont even have my sister with me anymore either. Or callie. And I just," I shake my head. Zach stops walking. 

"You'll have me" I sigh, I knew that. But there is only so much he can do. 

"Can you be sure that we will be in the same classes? That there will be no bullying?" I ask, not really expecting an answer. He stayed silent. My point being proven. 

"No I cant promise that. But I can promise that I will stand up for you and stop anyone who does try and bully you. I can promise that I will protect and help you to the best of my ability," he sets me down and takes my hands in his. "Just think about it?" he asks. I nod 

"I'll think about it. But I'm not making any promises," I warn him. 

"ok," and that was that and neither of us brought it back up to each other again. 

"Daddy are you here?" I yell as I walk through the front door of the house. I was met with silence. "Come on Shadow," I pull lightly on her collar as I begin to walk through the house. 

"Daddy?!" I yell out again. I pause to listen. All I can hear is shadow's panting from the all the running around we did at the park with Zach today. I was confused. He should be here. He told me to be back at 4 and it's 4, so where is he? I let out a sigh. I should check the music room down in the basement. He wouldn't be able to hear me down there from up here. 

As I get closer to the basement I could hear his voice floating up the staircase. I let out a smile. I loved listening to him sing. I could listen all day and be content. I find his voice very comforting. His singing and normal voice. He is always able to calm me down. As I walk down the stairs I realize I have never heard this song before. He is writing new music! I feel around for the door handle and slowly twist it open. I pray it doesn't squeak as I push it open to walk in. The last thing I wanted to do was interrupt him as he is writing new songs. 

I slowly walk in, as to not bump into anything. I didn't know this room as well as the rest of the house. I was not down here enough for it. I didn't want to knock anything over and I didn't have my cane with me. So after I made it in the door I waited until I heard him stop playing and singing to get his attention. 

"Daddy?" I ask quietly as to not scare him. I heard the rustling of papers and the squeak of a chair. 

"Hi princess. How long have you been standing there?" he asked. I shrug my shoulders. I honestly couldn't tell him. I lost track of time while I was listening to him sing. 

"A while," I state. I pet shadow on her head and rub my fingers on her ear. A tell tale sign that I was anxious. 

"What's the matter hon?" he asked. I let out a sigh as he wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug to help calm me down. I squeeze him back tightly and bury my face in his chest. 

"Zach was talking to me about school again today," I start. He knows where this is going. We too have had this conversation many times. Difference is, daddy doesn't push me on it. He is willing to let me decide if I want to go back to public school or not. He runs a hand through my hair. He takes a breath. 

"Well what did he say?" i shake my head. 

"That he wants me to go to school with him. But I told him I didn't want to. I don't understand why he won't leave me alone about it. I have already told him how I feel about it several times already and he just keeps pushing me and I wish he would stop. He should understand why I don't want to go to public school. After everything I have been through I just thought he would know where I am coming from, you know?" I rant. He continues to sooth me by running his hand through my hair and rubbing my back. Shadow was laying right against my leg trying to make me feel better. To be honest I was upset with zach. He is my best friend but that doesn't mean that we never get mad or upset with the other person. I just want him to not push me on this and get where I am coming from. 

"You are best friends. He is gonna miss spending time with you when school begins again," he stated. I sighed. I knew that and I would miss him too but that doesn't mean he has to keep pushing and pushing about it. I have made up my mind. And we could always see each other after school. 

"I'll miss him too, but I still do not want to go to public school. I still want to be home schooled. I like it a lot better. I can go at my own pace. I can focus more. I don't have to worry about the looks I  can feel people giving me,  the bullying I had to deal with at my last school before I was blind. I can only imagine how it would be now with me not having my sight. People will want to be around Shadow all the time like they always do when I am out with her in public. Not having any friends. I just don't want to deal with it all. And there is no way to know for sure that Zach and I will have the same class either. I have my reasons and I have told him why over and over. Why won't he leave it alone daddy?" I beg him for an answer. 

"I don't know hon. I wish I did. My best guess would be because he will miss you. I know you have been through a lot. I am not going to make you go if you do not want to go. I know you have been through a lot. I do. I understand your reasons. So like I said I won't make you go if you don't want to. I do want you to think about this though. Yes you have been through a lot, but that shouldn't mean you stop living your life. This school is different than your other school. I can not promise anything but if you want to try it out, make some more friends, I think you should go for it. You might actually like it," I look up at him and raise my eyebrows. "I'm not pushing you love. I just want you to think about it. Really think about it. I will support you no matter what you want to do," he promised. I nod my head. I hold him tight again. 

I love talking to him. He never fails to make me feel better. He also gives the best hugs. I will think about what he said. I don't see myself changing my mind, but we shall see. I still have a few weeks to decide. He let go. 

"So what do you say you help me write some new songs?" he asked. I smiled and nodded my head. It was one of my favorite things to do, help him write music. It is very therapeutic.  It was exactly what I needed to get my mind off of things. Best dad ever.