In My Shoes | The Music Freaks AU | A Jailey Fanfiction

Chapter 2- My Safe Haven

♡Hailey♡

My parents called me and my stepbrother, Zander, downstairs a few minutes ago. They said they wanted to talk to us, and of course, we both immediately started freaking out.

When your parents sit you down and tell you they "want to talk to you" you'd better brace yourself. I swear they're is no feeling as terrifying as knowing that your parents are mad at you. Then you have to rack your brain and try to figure out what it is that you did wrong.

Me and Zander both began quietly drilling each other, trying to not take too long walking down the stairs. Zander almost tripped walking backward, and I blamed him for his clumsiness. 

"What did you do this time Hailey?" he hissed as he regained his stability.

"It's not my fault you have the grace of a suffocating chicken" I deadpan

"Seriously, did you hook up with some guy?" Zander whispered violently.

"Zander, you know my dating life is nonexistent." I respond back, rolling my eyes, and brushing past him.

"You've been so distant lately so I wouldn't know" he throws back, flipping around, and following.

We're silent for the rest of the five-second journey it takes to walk downstairs, and into the kitchen.

I can usually tell if my parents are upset if they've told Bethany to go upstairs, or if they're giving me the "I'm disappointed in you" look. Luckily for me, they're both smiling. I can feel a bit of my anxiety melt away as I walk over, and take a seat at the table.

Zander also seems less tense, and he sits down in the seat next to mine. It's silent for a few seconds, and I listen to the clock as its gentle tick echoes around the house. Something I've realized is that you never realize how loud something is until everything is silent. Especially that stupid clock my dad bought at a garage sale a few years ago.

My dad clears his throat and opens his mouth to say something.

"How are readjusting so far?" My dad asks warmly, switching glances between me and Zander.

Zander has never been fond of my dad, so he mutters something under his breath, and crosses his arms under the table. I want to punch him in the arm, but there's no point, so I sigh and turn to my dad.

"Fine. The house is nice and the people are okay."

"That's good to hear," Shannon says calmly, as her lips pill into a smile. 

I've always loved Shannon. I've always considered her my mom. She cared about me more than my real mom ever did. She stuck around when times were tough, and she always made sure I was happy. There's usually this barrier between stepparents and the kids, but that never existed for me and her. She was just always my mom, and I was always her daughter, and we would always love each other.

"How about you Zander?" she asks, turning to him. 

I congratulate her on being able to raise Zander the way she did. He's always been so cold and although he's sassy and kind, he seems to hide that from people. No clue why, but I have a feeling it has something to do with his dad.

"It kinda sucks. It's okay, but I'd rather be back in Rosemedow." He responds, not tearing his eyes from his lap. 

Shannon is used to his disagreeable quips, and she just smiles at him.

"Things will get better Zander, especially when you start school. You'll make friends, and soon you could be glad we moved."

I jolt out of my thoughts and stare at her. Oh no. Oh hell no. This is not happening.