Phoebe woke up feeling more rested than she had in a while, and for the first time in what felt like forever, it felt easy to get out of bed and get ready for the day. She could faintly hear Taylor and Hayley moving around in the kitchen, the sound of pans and plates and their soft voices ringing throughout the house.
She smiled to herself and quickly got up to follow them down, scratching Alf's head as she passed him.
"Morning, sleepy head." Hayley grinned, flipping a pancake on the stove, "Feel free to get something to drink, breakfast will be ready as soon as this pancake is done."
"Morning," Phoebe mumbled, a content smile on her face as she moved around Hayley and Taylor to get herself some orange juice before sitting at the island.
"Did you have any nightmares?" Taylor asked, his voice full of amusement as he remembered back to how scared she was of the movie last night.
"Not last night, no." Phoebe deadpanned, "But I think I'm looking at one right now."
Taylor sighed, "Well, I guess it's a good thing you avoided mirrors last night."
Phoebe scrunched her nose at him as Hayley laughed, "You two are ridiculous."
"She started it, saying I look like a nightmare," Taylor shook his head dramatically, "You still think I'm cute, right Hayles?"
"Let's eat." Hayley grinned, flipping off the stove before putting the dishes in the sink, "I'm starving."
"You're the boss," Taylor nodded, grabbing the stack of pancakes from her to take to the dining table. They sat down and each grabbed some pancakes as Alf sat beside Hayley, resting his begging head in her lap.
They fell into an easy conversation as they ate, Phoebe catching them up on everything that's happened at school while she was grounded. They talked about music for a while, and then shifted to Phoebe's friends, in which she revealed she and Jay were going to stay friends and Hayden was showing more interest in taking her out.
Phoebe didn't miss the way Hayley's face bunched up briefly, or the way Taylor made a quick disgusted face, but they quickly moved on from the subject.
"So," Hayley started once she was done eating, "you know how I told you there was going to be a meeting soon to decide whether you could live with us or not?"
Phoebe nodded slowly, her cheeks stuffed with food.
"Well, I got the email this morning that they're wanting to do it Thursday." Hayley told her, a bright smile on her face.
"Like this Thursday?" Phoebe asked, eyes wide. "That's so soon."
Hayley's smile faltered a little at the panicked look on the teens face, Taylor quickly asking, "Is that okay?"
"Yes, definitely." Phoebe nodded, quickly smiling back to reassure the couple, "I just didn't realize it would happen so fast."
"Yeah, I mean, we filled out all the paperwork, got background checks, and had a home study." Hayley shrugged, "This is the last step."
"That's crazy," Phoebe smiled bashfully, looking down at her food, "And this is like- You guys really want to?"
"Of course we do," Hayley smiled, "We want you to be a part of the family. I mean, it already feels like you are, really. Plus, I think it'd be nice for Alf to have a sister." Hayley grinned, scratching the dog's head who perked up at his name.
"You're not too bad to have around," Taylor shrugged, a small smile on his face.
"Well, if you guys are sure," Phoebe smiled, her happiness hard to contain.
Taylor and Hayley nodded at the same time, "We are."
The couple grinned at each other for a moment before Hayley turned back to face her, "Is there anything you wanna ask before the interview?"
Phoebe furrowed her brow, "Like what?"
"I don't know," Hayley laughed, "I just wanna make sure you're really sure about this. If you don't want to, it's okay. We'll still always be here for you whether you decide to live with us or not."
"I'm sure," Phoebe nodded quickly. "I want to be with you guys."
Taylor smiled once again while Hayley's grin widened, "Good." She hummed before looking down at her phone to see the time, "But for now you gotta get your stuff together, I told Lydia you'd be back before noon so you could have plenty of time to get ready for school tomorrow."
Phoebe frowned dramatically, "That sucks."
"Sorry, kid," Taylor gave her a sympathetic smile, standing up to gather up all the dishes.
"I wish I could just stay here now," Phoebe sighed, standing from the table as Hayley followed.
"I know, me too." Hayley agreed, walking up behind her to put her hands over the teen's shoulder and give her a hug, "But hopefully you will be soon and once you're placed with us, it won't be something we have to worry about anymore."
"Yeah," Phoebe replied softly, smiling at the affection.
Hayley gave her a quick kiss on the back of her head before letting go and sending her up to get her bag.
When Phoebe returned, Zac was there too, sitting at the island while Hayley and Taylor did dishes.
"Hey, kid, sorry to crash the party," Zac grinned.
Phoebe shook her head, smiling as she gave him a quick fist bump, "All good."
"I was just passing by and thought I'd stop in to say hello," Zac informed her easily.
Hayley turned around as she dried off a plate, "One thing you should know if you live with us is Zac is over all the time."
"That's fine," Phoebe shrugged, "I think if I can put up with Taylor, I can put up with him, too."
"Oh, come on, kid!" Zac laughed, "Taylor told me you said I'm your favorite." He grinned, raising his eyebrows.
"Alf's my favorite," Phoebe hummed, glancing over at the dog who sat patiently by Hayley's feet.
Zac shook his head, narrowing his eyes, "What if I teach you how to play drums?"
"You can't bribe her, Zac!" Hayley laughed, making her way over to stand by Phoebe.
Taylor nodded his head in agreement, "Plus, that wouldn't mean anything since we're already teaching her guitar."
"Okay, what if I get you your own drum kit?" Zac tried, making Phoebe bust out laughing at his desperateness.
"We got her a guitar." Taylor shrugged, a cocky smile on his face.
"Damnit," Zac laughed, leaning back in his chair, "I'll think of something, just you wait."
"First off, watch your language around the kid," Hayley grinned. "Second, stop trying to steal my child from me before I even get her myself." She laughed a little, briefly setting her hand on Phoebe's head as she walked away to put her shoes on.
Phoebe felt her heart flip at Hayley calling her her kid. She couldn't contain the goofy grin on her face as she followed Hayley to put her own shoes on, Taylor and Zac still bickering in the kitchen over who gets to be the favorite.
"You know," Phoebe smiled, voice low so the boys wouldn't hear, "You're definitely my favorite."
Hayley looked over, a knowing on her face as she sent the teen a quick wink, "I know."
YOU ARE READING
the only exception
Fanfictiongrowing up in foster care offered phoebe too many horror stories and proof that not only was the world a bad place, but people were bad, too. but what happens when she meets hayley williams? phoebe told herself she would never trust again, never get...
