Foster Daughter {Adopted By Calum Hood}

Rodeo Drive

   "Emily!" I look up to see Ashton hopping out of his car and over to me. He helps me stand up from my place on the ground before engulfing next into a hug.

   "Don't ever do that again!" He scolds, his voice muffled as he squished me against him protectively.

   I grab my skateboard without saying anything and get in his car. He soon follows, getting into the drivers seat.

"How did you even get to Rodeo Drive? It's like an hour's skate." Again, I don't answer. I stare out the window. Once we get closer to Calum's house, he speaks up again.

"Will you at least tell me what happened?" Another awkward silence.

   "Emil—"

   "I don't think Calum wants me anymore." I whisper. Ashton's eyebrows scrunch together as he looks over at me. His eyes quickly soften when he sees my misty eyes and sad expression. He looks back to the road as he turns onto Calum's street.

   "Why would you think that?"

   "I heard him talking to Marissa. He said I'm not his, and I know it's true, but it still hurt." I say quietly, taking a deep breath and choking back the tears.

I watch as we pull into the driveway. We both get out. Ashton's hand lands on my shoulder, leading me to the door. Before we can even open the door, Calum already has.

He opens his mouth to speak, but I shrug off Ashton's hand and stomp pass both of them and upstairs.

"Dude, you practically broke the poor girls heart!" Ashton says loudly. I close my bedroom door, but still hear muffled shouts. I lock the door and sink to the floor, head in my hands, drowning it all out

Five minutes later, there's a knock at my door. I quietly sniffle and lift my head up. I stay silent, wiping my tears away.

"Emily?" The door knob jiggles, but doesn't turn because of the lock. I place my head against the door, debating whether or not to let him in.

"Em, please just let me explain." I sigh and stand up, unlocking the door. I don't open it, just sit on my bed and wait for him to realize it's unlocked.

"Em, it's not what you think." He breathes out, trying the doorknob again. He walks in slowly, seeing my red, tear stained cheeks. His eyes sadden as he sits next to me.

"Then what? What is it?" My voice cracks. "You said I'm not yours. That hurt Calum."

"You stormed away before you heard the rest. Also, eves-dropping isn't good, but that's a conversation for later. I said that you're not technically mine, but I have a responsibility to treat you like it until you actually are."

"Wait, so you don't...want to get rid of me?" I ask hesitantly.

"Of course not, bug. In fact, I really hope that I can adopt you one day." He reveals.

"Really?" I get excited for a second, before I think about Marissa. There's no way I'm going to be adopted with her around.

"What's wrong?" He asks, noticing my shift in mood.

"I don't think Marissa likes me." I whisper.

"Why do you say that?" His eyebrows furrow together.

There's no way I'm telling him that she called me a pig.

We may not get along, but I'm not a monster. He's happy with her and there's not way I was going to ruin that.

"I don't know, it just seemed like she was trying to convince you to get rid of me."

   "That's crazy. I'm sure she loves you. Now, come on it's time for dinner."

   "Oh, I-I'm not very hungry." I lie.

   "Oh. Okay." He nods and walks out.