Hiding

Chapter 4

        I opened my eyes and sat up, worried at first. I almost forgot where I was. I looked around the bedroom that was now mine and saw all the new things Karen had bought me last night at the shopping center. I honestly couldn't believe it was all mine. Aside from the lap top that was already in the bedroom when I arrived, she'd bought me a ton of new clothes. My closet was filled with new t-shirts and dresses while my dresser was filled with jeans, shorts, soccer pants and of course under garments. She bought me 5 pairs of shoes. One pair of heels for special occasions, a pair of converse, a new pair of combat boots to replace the ratty ones I'd had, a pair of sandles, and a pair of vans.  She insisted on buying me an entire wardrobe, and a new phone.  She said that she never got the chance to spoil a daughter, so she was enjoying it.

        I picked up my phone and saw that I had a new text from Calum.

Calum: "Good morning beautiful - I hope you don't mind that I call you that. It's the truth though. Sorry that's probably awkward. Don't tell Michael I called you that. God. I'm an idiot. Lets try this again. Good morning Gracie, the boys and I are coming over soon. Wake up or Ashton will probably draw on your face with a marker.

Me: "Awe you called me beautiful. Haha good morning to you too Handsome. It wasn't awkward at all, honestly it was nice to wake up to that - It's never happened before. I'll keep it our little secret! :) And obviously, I'm awake. For the moment. Dear Gods don't let him draw on me with a marker if I fall back asleep - which I might because I'm still tired.

        Going over everything that had happened to me in the last 24 hours must have put me back to sleep because when I woke up again, it was to Luke, Calum, Michael, and Ashton falling onto my bed around me.

"Get upppppppp!" Michael whined.

"Ugh why?"  I asked, snuggling closer to what I thought was Nala, but was actually Calum's arm. I opened my eyes and let go immediately when I realized it wasn't my penguin. Calum had a huge grin on his face, causing me to blush.

"Because! Today the four of us are going to the court house to change your last name back! Remember?!"

"First of all whose 'the four of us'? I asked.

"Me, you, mum and dad! I wouldn't bring these idiots. They're going to wait here!" Michael said.

"Fineeeeee.'' I said, climbing over Calum, who still hadn't moved, and went to the closet and pulled out one of the new dresses I'd gotten yesterday. I looked around the room waiting to see if they were going to leave, and when nobody even flinched, I walked to the bathroom and shut the door behind me.

        The dress was a mid-thigh length cameo rose mint green sequin buster skater dress that was fitted at the top, and flared out a bit at the waist. I also wore my new sandals. I put a little bit of makeup on, just in case they made me take a new picture for something like an ID or license or for my passport. I took out the curling iron from under the cabinet and curled the ends of my hair to they weren't crazy bedheaded curls. It made my curls look more elegant. After I thought I looked good enough, I went back into my room where the boys were still sitting on my bed, Luke holding my penguin.

"Lucas Hemmings, did I say you could hold her?"" I said playfully. His ears turned red and he put her back up at the head of the bed.

"I. uh. sorry." He stuttered. It was hilarious that he stuttered when he was nervous.

"DAMN LUKE." Calum said. "You just got burned.''

"No Cal, no he didn't. I was playing with him. He can hold Nala all he wants." I said, and Luke snatched her back from the pillows and hugged her.