A/N: I feel so bad for Hallie at times poor thing. Hey - does anyone have new nicknames that aren't Hal/Hals?
Hallie's POV!
I sit on my bed one morning, reading a book I got recently.
I reach a page and my eyes widen. What a dam plot twist. There's a knock on my door and I glance over as it opens.
"Hey Hal," Dad comes in and leans on the edge of my bed. I grin. "Ready for school?"
I wince. I'm starting school today. I forgot. And worse - my first day of High School.
"Hey," Dad sits next to where my legs are under the covers. "What's up?"
"I've never been," I say softly. "Well - I did once. But...it's been years."
I shift myself so I can rest my head on Dad's shoulder. He wraps his arm around me. "I'm scared."
"Hallie," he says softly. "What are you scared of?"
"I was pulled out because I didn't have a last name and kids were teasing me."
"You have a surname now," he assures me. "The adoption was finalised the day we signed you for school."
I lift my head up. "What? I didn't know that!"
"It was a surprise," Dad chuckles. "You're officially Hallie Brock."
I tear up, my hands flying to my mouth. "I..I am?"
Dad hugs me tightly. "I promise Hal, you are. I swear."
I burst into tears. I haven't had a last name since my parents died.
We stay like that for a few minutes.
***
A few hours later, I'm sitting on the floor of a large hall as the teachers read out the names of their students.
"Brock, Hallie!" A female teacher calls. I stand and walk over, grinning at how my last name is in use.
I join my new class and wave to Dad and Uncle Sam. They wave back.
"Hallie, right?" A girl with dark hair and tanned skin asks. "I'm Naomi."
I turn to Naomi and smile. "Yeah, I'm Hallie. Nice to meet you." We shake hands and Naomi laughs.
"Nomi!" A girl who looks a little like Silena Valdez runs over. "I'm in 7A!"
They high five and the girl turns to me. "Sophia Warren."
"Hallie Brock," I reply with a proud grin.
We start talking and before long the teacher says to say goodbye to our parents. I run over to Dad and Uncle Sam, giving them both a hug.
Dad kisses the top of my head. "Have fun, Hallie."
"I think I will," I reply. I look over to Sophia and Naomi.
I definitely will.