the only exception

chapter 51

Phoebe hummed softly, playing the only song she fully knew on guitar. Taylor had been trying to teach her more and more, but lately things had seemed too much. Either they were busy because of the holidays or Phoebe wasn't feeling up to doing anything but lounging around.

    She knew she was worrying Hayley and Taylor- and she felt bad about it- but she also couldn't be bothered to change her actions. It was getting to the point where even her friends were texting a few times a day, none the wiser on what was going on.

    "Hey, whatcha playing?" Hayley grinned, two mugs in her hand as she entered the room, Alf following closely behind.

    "26. It's still the only song I know," Phoebe sighed, defeat clear on her face.

    "That's okay. You haven't been playing very long." Hayley sat the mugs down before taking a seat. "You know T's been wanting to teach you more, just gotta ask."

    "I know." Phoebe mumbled, looking back down at the instrument, plucking away at a few strings.

    The two sat in silence for a moment before Hayley cleared her throat, "So, Mrs. Murphy called."

    The words had Phoebe perking up hesitantly, eyes narrowed though no words left her mouth.

    "Erin would like to see you again, this time with your birth father."

    The teens hands stilled on the strings, "Can you just tell them we're busy? Keep telling them that until they go away?"

    "I don't think that's how it works, honey. I don't have much say in this situation." Hayley smiled sadly.

    "Well I don't wanna go."

    "Phoebe-"

    "No. They aren't my parents. Why can't you just tell them to go away?"

    Hayley sighed, her words quiet, "You know why I can't."

    And Phoebe did know.

    She knew that Hayley and Taylor weren't her parents, not legally anyway. They couldn't do anything to stop this from happening. And for the first time- Phoebe realized she really could get taken away from their care.

    For all she knows, Mrs. Murphy could show up tomorrow and tell her to pack her bags. She could be out of this house tomorrow. Next week. Maybe even next month. She doesn't know when it's happening, but she does know that there's nothing anyone could do to stop it.

    None of this was real- and she was pretty sure it would all be coming to an end soon.

    "Pheebs, did you hear me?" Hayley asked, finally snapping the girl out of her thoughts.

    Phoebe just shook her head, hoping Hayley didn't pick up on the shift in her mood. Though, with how she's been acting the past few days- she thinks she's safe.

    The teen didn't bother to ask what Hayley had said, instead deciding she needed to get out of the house, "Can I go to Haydens? Or Emily's?"

    Hayley frowned, "Maybe tomorrow, the roads are really bad out right now because of the snow."

    "I'll walk." Phoebe decided. She needed to go anywhere but here.

    The singer shook her head, "You're not gonna walk, it's freezing out there."

    Phoebe rolled her eyes, setting the guitar on its stand as she stood up, heading for the door, "I think I can handle a little cold."

    "Can't it just wait till tomorrow?" Hayley asked, following behind.

    "No, it can't."

    "Phoebe-"

    "I just really wanna go, okay?" She snapped, shoulders tensing.

    Hayley froze, obviously deciding what her next move should be, "Are you okay?"

    "Oh my god! Am I not allowed to see my friends? Does something constantly have to be wrong with me? Can I not be a normal teenager?" Phoebe's voice got louder with each word, her chest heaving as she tensed up.

    "Okay, wow." Hayley mumbled, "First off, we don't talk to each other like that in this house, okay? Second, I was just worried because you're acting a little off, I'm just worried about you."

    "Then stop worrying about me!" Phoebe shouted. She knew Hayley was just trying to help, and despite the kinder voice in her mind, she couldn't help but to see red.

    "Is everything alright?" Taylors voice broke through the momentary silence as he emerged from the stairs, taking slow and hesitant steps.

    "You're not gonna sit here and yell, okay? You are allowed to be upset, but you're not gonna raise your voice just because you can't go see your friends one time." Hayley replied calmly, clearly trying to stay level headed.

    "You can't tell me what I can and can't do. I can go see them if I want, it's a free country." Phoebe spat back, crossing her arms.

    "I don't think this has anything to do with the country," Taylor mumbled, looking between the two girls with weary eyes.

    "Actually, you can't go see them." Hayley responded, voice harder, "I have tried to be lenient and patient with you, but you aren't gonna sit here and yell at me because you're upset. All that does is make everyone feel worse. You're either gonna go to your room to cool off or you can go to the music room or living room, hell, I don't care where you go, but you're not leaving this house in this weather."

    "But-"

    "No. No buts, Phoebe. That's final."

    "Why should I even listen to you?"

    Hayley shook her head, eyebrows raised, "Is that a serious questi-"

    "It's not like you're really my mom."

    The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself, but even through the instant regret and the now blank look on Hayley's face, she still couldn't stop.

    "And Taylor isn't really my dad, and Alf isn't really my dog, and this isn't really my house! It's all fake bullshit and what's the point of it anyway? I mean shit, what's the point of any of this! I don't even wanna do it anymore."

    At this point the teens eyes were brimmed with tears, face flushed in anger and despair as Hayley and Taylor stared back at her. She could barely see their faces through the tears, but she thinks she prefers it that way anyway.

    "I just hate life." She finally finished on, words quieter now. After a beat of silence she made her way towards the stairs, eyes trained on the floor.

    "Phoebe, wait a minute-" Taylors voice broke through, his words a little unsteady.

    "No. Hayley told me to go to my room."

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a/n

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