the only exception

chapter 11

    Phoebe mumbled a thanks in response, putting her headphones on before she walked out of the house, keeping her eyes trained on her phone as she texted her friends group chat to complain about Sam.

    As she got to the end of the driveway, someone tugged her headphones out of her ears. Phoebe jumped a little before looking up to see Hayley and Taylor.

    "Jesus, kid, have a little social awareness maybe?" Taylor suggested in which Phoebe scrunched her face at him in response before breaking out into a grin.

    "What're you guys doing here?" She asked, happily accepting a hug from Hayley.

    "Well," Hayley started, "It's your birthday and first day of school. Thought we might give you a ride. I know you mentioned you'd be walking."

    Phoebe smiled, pulling back, "You didn't have to do that."

    "We wanted to, and even though I already told you today, happy birthday!" The blonde exclaimed lighting squeezing the teens arms in excitement. "Aw, you're even wearing some makeup! All grown up, huh?" Hayley teased, fluffing one of Phoebe's curls.

    "Yeah, yeah, can we get going then?" Phoebe asked, feeling her cheeks turning pink at the attention.

    "First, me and Taylor got you a birthday present." Hayley grinned, walking backwards to the car and pulling Phoebe along.

    "Okay, close your eyes." Taylor told her, moving to the trunk in which Phoebe easily complied, letting Hayley lead her towards the back of the car.

    She could hear the trunk opening and couldn't help but to wear a grin on her face, "You guys didn't have to get me anything, you know." Because, really, she can't remember the last time someone had gotten her a birthday present.

    "We wanted to," Hayley replied, squeezing the girl's shoulder. "Okay, now you can look."

    Phoebe's eyes widened at the guitar with a bow on it being held up by Taylor, "You guys, really, really didn't have to." She repeated, feeling a little guilty that they'd get her something like this.

    "We really, really wanted to," Hayley smiled, "I know playing guitar and well, just music in general really got me through highschool. Same for Taylor. We thought it would be a perfect first day of school slash birthday present."

    Phoebe couldn't help but to tear up at the gift, letting herself lean on Hayley and accept a hug from her. "Thank you guys," she sniffled, pulling away from Hayley and giving Taylor a hug as well.

    "No, don't cry!" Hayley told her, "Your mascara will run."

    "Shit," Phoebe groaned, wiping under her eyes.

    Taylor shook his head, "Potty mouth."

    "It's her birthday, let her live a little." Hayley grinned, playfully swatting at his chest. "Also, we probably should get going unless you wanna be late on your first day."

    "I'm gonna put this back in here, but we can run it by later today or something if you want," Taylor told her, putting the guitar back in the trunk as Phoebe and Hayley went to the passengers side of the car.

    "Oh, wait!" Hayley grinned, pulling out her phone, "Say cheese!"

    Phoebe shook her head, reaching for the car door, "Absolutely not, Taylor unlock the door, please."

    "Taylor, don't," Hayley shook her head quickly, "Come on, Pheebs, just one picture. It's a big day!"

    Phoebe sighed, turning towards the camera and giving a thumbs up and over-exaggerated smile.

    "Perfecto," the blonde grinned, putting her phone away and trying to open the door, "Taylor, unlock the door."

    "God, you girls are bossy today," he mumbled, quickly unlocking the door as they all climbed into the car.

    On the drive to school, Phoebe didn't even have the chance to let her anxiety overtake her as she indulged in a lighthearted conversation with the couple.

    Although she'd never admit it to anyone, for a brief moment she lets herself pretend her life is normal. That she's not a foster kid. That she's just a fourteen year old girl being dropped off at school by her parents.

    She can't help it, with the way Hayley dotes on her like she always imagined a caring mother would. The way Taylor teased her the way she thinks a father would. It feels ridiculous, when she thinks about it too much, so she doesn't. She just plays pretend for a little while.

    It helps her to live in it a little, even if it's just a lie.

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A/N

next chapter- phoebes first day at school!