Alex lead me to the kitchen were there was a group of people standing around and I quickly realized who most of them are. Rian was digging in the fridge looking for food, as usual. Kara was sitting on a bar stool at the counter.

“Guys, this is Blake. She’s going to live with us.” He stated simply.

“I hope that’s alright with you, Rian.” I said nervously.

“Um, yeah I don’t see why it should matter. Just why are you staying with us?” He chuckled.

“Rian! You don’t just ask her that. It could be something really personal.” Kara said.

“Sorry Blake. You don’t have to tell us.” Rian said.

“Um, I don’t mind actually. Today is my eighteenth birthday. My mom and dad decided it’d be a fantastic day to tell me that I’m adopted. I got pissed off and ran out. Then I ran into Alex, and we had coffee, I told him the story, and I didn’t have a place to stay and he offered me to stay with you guys.”

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry Blake! Happy Birthday by the way.” Kara said jumping off the stool and giving me a hug. I was a bit caught off guard, but returned the gesture.

“Wow that really sucks, I’m sorry.” Rian said

“Thanks guys.” I smiled at everyone. I looked around the room and my eyes landed on Alex. He smiled at me and I returned it. “I think I’m going to go lay down for a little while. Will someone wake me up in about an hour or so?”

“Sure thing.” Alex said.

I made my way back to the bedroom that I would be staying in and crawled into the bed. I quickly slipped into a dream filled sleep. I dreamt that I was back in Ireland and celebrating my birthday with my real parents even though I didn’t really know what they looked like. I smiled in my sleep and rolled over.

When I woke up, I made my way downstairs and heard whispering.

“Okay, okay. Put the balloons in that corner.” A voice that was becoming very familiar said.

“What about the streamers, where do you want me to hang them up?” Kara, I assumed asked,

What where they planning down there? Balloons, streamers, what’s next?

“Yo, Alex. I have the cake. Where do you want it?” A voice I didn’t recognize asked.

“Put it on the island in the kitchen. Is everything almost ready?” Alex asked.

I quickly made my way back to the bedroom when I heard footsteps moving towards the stairs. I jumped back into the bed and covered myself and tried to keep the smile off my face as I pretended to sleep. Alex and everyone else was planning a party for me. I froze when I heard the door open slowly and someone walk in.

“Blake.” Alex whispered softly sitting on the edge of the bed. “Blake, you need to get up.”

I smiled to myself and rolled over to face him. “I need to, huh?” I asked.

Alex chuckled and smiled at me. “Yes, you need to because I have a surprise for you downstairs.”

“A surprise for me, really? I don’t really like surprises, especially after this afternoon.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll like this surprise I promise.” He smiled and pulled the covers off of me.

“Hey.” I whined. “I was comfortable.”

“Come on.” He said standing up and sticking out his hand for me yet again. This time was no different either, butterflies filled my stomach and I smiled.

I sat up and Alex turned to walk out the door still holding out his hand for me. I didn’t take his hand though, I decided to jump on his back.

“Shit, Blake. A little warning would have been nice.” Alex laughed as he adjusted me on his back.

I laughed and rested my head on his shoulder and looked at him. “Sorry, it just seemed like a good idea at the moment.”

He laughed and began walking towards the stairs. I was a bit scared because I wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to walk down them while holding me. To my surprise he made down okay and still carried me into the living room. I looked around and noticed all the birthday decorations and suddenly tears burned my eyes. I just met these people and they were throwing me a party and letting me move in with them.

“Hey, Blake why are you crying?” Kara asked.

Alex turned and lightly dropped me on the couch next to Kara and a petite girl with dark brown hair that had red streaks in it She also had bright blue eyes and a really pretty smile. I smiled lightly at her and she smiled back.

“Hi,” She said sweetly. “I’m Arabella, Jack’s little sister.” She smiled.

“Hi, I’m Blake.” I smiled.

“Oh, I know!”

Kara chuckled lightly next to me. “She’s a bundle of energy. So again I ask, why are you crying?”

The entire room went silent and I instantly became shy. “Um, because I just met you guys and you are throwing me a birthday party and letting move in with you.”

“Blake, you are one of us now.” Kara said, patting my knee.

“Yeah and we do everything for each other.” Rian added.

“Blake, I want to introduce you to some other people.” Alex said standing up from his spot next to Rian.

I nodded and followed Alex into the kitchen where there was a Carvel ice cream cake with “Happy Birthday Blake!” written in purple gel icing. I smiled and looked around the kitchen. I saw the cutest guys sitting on the counter wearing a grey wife beater and he had a nose ring. I instantly recognized him as Zack Merrick. He was talking to a skinny guy wearing a black and white Baltimore Orials hat backwards, and I knew that he was Jack Barakat.

“Yo, Zack, Jack. I want you guys to meet Blake.” Alex said jumping on the counter next to Zack.

“Hey Blake.” Zack said quietly. Jack’s greeting was a bit more energetic. He turned and jumped on me, causing me to stumble backwards. I laughed hysterically as I tried to regain my balance. I knew Jack was a ball of energy and not shy at all, but I wasn’t expecting that. “Hi, Blake!” He yelled. “Happy Birthday.”

I laughed again and Jack jumped back onto the ground and I laughed. “Hey guys, it’s nice to meet you. Thanks for the little party.” I smiled.

“Dude, you’re Irish.” Zack pointed out noticing my slight accent.

“Yeah I am. I was born in Limerick, but raised here in Baltimore. My parents have thick accents and since I’m home schooled, I picked up a slight accent as well.”

“Kinda like Alex here, except he was born in England, but he doesn’t have an accent.” Jack said slapping Alex on the back.

“Yeah, like me.” Alex said looking at me deeply.

I wonder what that was all about. Now this is going to make me wonder for the rest of the day. I looked up to see Kara, Arabella, and Rian walking into the kitchen.

“Time to blow out the candles Blake!” Kara said while lighting the candles on the cake.

Rian cut the lights off and I watched the lights flicker in the light and looked at around at my new family and smiled. As of right now I couldn’t be any happier. Jack started the “Happy Birthday song”. It was rather funny cause he twisted the lyrics around. Alex came up behind me and put his head on my shoulder and sang in my ear softly. I instantly got butterflies. The song was over and everyone started cheering.

I could feel Alex smile. “Come on birthday girl, let’s cut the cake.”

I nodded and took the knife that Jack offered me and cut the cake. As I cut the pieces, Arabella handed them out to everyone. Once everyone had their cake, I cut myself a piece and hopped up on the counter and began talking to everyone. Alex leaned against the counter next to me, close enough that his arm brushed my leg every time he moved. Every time his arm brushed my leg, it sent a chill through my body that caused me to shiver. Arabella noticed once or twice, but I just blamed it on the ice cream cake.

Everyone was having a really good time. We were all laughing and having fun, I felt like apart of their little family. Flyzik, Vinny, and Greico showed up and Kara gave them a piece of cake as well. Alex moved away from me and started talking to Flyzik. A few minutes later he walked back over to me.

“Hey Blake, can I talk to you for a second.” Alex asked quietly.

“I don’t see why not.” I said hopping off the counter, grabbing his hand as usual.

We walked out to the backyard, it was beautiful. There was an inground pool and a hot tub. There was patio furniture and little lights all around. I turned around to look at Alex. I couldn’t help but stare, the lights reflected in his eyes. He was insanely cute.

“So, Alex, what did you want to talk about?” I asked curiously.

“Well, I know you just met us. And you don’t know me that well. But I talked to Flyzik and if you wanted to you could come on tour with us so you wouldn’t have to be home alone. Arabella and Kara come along too. Arabella helps Vinny with the merch. And Kara just hangs out and acts like our mom.” He chuckled. “You could help Arabella and Vinny on some days if you want. Or you could hang out with me, Jack, Rian, Kara, and Zack. Just think about it.” He said.

I thought about it. I really didn’t want to be home alone in a new house. I don’t think I’d mind going on tour with a band. I’d just have to call Brea and Kerrigan first. Just so they can hear that I’m okay, but I still have to tell them that I’m absolutely not going back home. I could start spring semester for community college here.

“I’d love to go.” I said smiling.

Alex instantly smiled. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I just kinda want to call my parents and let them know I’m okay and that I’m not coming home. I found a new home. If that’s okay if I stay with you guys.” I said quietly.

“Babe, I told you can stay here. You can stay for as long as you like.” He said.

“Okay, When is tour anyways, because I kinda still need to go home and pack my clothes and bring them here.” I stated.

“It’s in a week and a half I think. We can go to your house tomorrow and pack your things. And I can tell your parents about tour.”

“Okay. That’s fine with me.”

We stayed outside for a bit. It started getting chilly. I was only wearing Alex’s grey v-neck, Kara’s black skinny jeans and my grey and black vans. Alex must have noticed that I was cold, because he took off his red jacket and gave it to me. I thanked him and put it on, it smelt like axe.

He grabbed my hand, “Come one, let’s get away from everyone. We can go to my room and watch a movie.”

“Okay, sounds fine to me.” I said. We ended up watching The Hangover. I had never seen it before so Alex made me watch it. I’m glad he did because it was a very funny movie and I loved hearing Alex laugh. During the movie, I stopped to think. I felt like i was on top of the world. Even though I had taken a nap earlier, I ended up falling asleep on his bed with Alex . Like i said, I couldn't be any happier. And tomorrow, I would be facing my parents with Alex Gaskarth.

Notes

thank you for the comments guys! (:

keep em coming!