Adopted by Phan

Chapter 20

"Jax!?!"

He looked up, his hair falling in his face. Suddenly he leaned forwards and wrapped me in a one armed hug, burying my face in his shoulder.

We were still sitting on the floor, the tiles digging into my back and Jax almost on top of me, Dan and Phil standing above up. The yelling had faded off in another direction and I assumed whoever it was had headed off to somewhere else.

"Oh my god Jay, I thought you died, I thought you were arrested or something, or sent to a home! Why didn't you contact us!" I simply shook my head and pushed it further into his shoulder, trying to get as close as possible. I had really missed him.

I felt him relax and his one arm tightened around my shoulders, pulling me into a sitting position on the tiled floor. I breathed in, smelling a very familiar smell of nature, sweat and for some reason, peppermint. He always smelt like peppermint and we didn't know why.

There was a small noise from above me and looked up to see a very shocked Phil and an apprehensive Dan. I tugged on Jax's hand and he looked up, pulling away when he saw the pair looking at him and glanced at me, nervous.

"It's okay. They're friends." He looked between me and them, still squeezing my hand.

"I was in hospital for a bit and they adopted me." He didn't say anything but instead he wrapped his arm around me in a hug, rocking from side to side. He crouched down so his face was level with mine and looked me right in the eyes, his hand on my shoulder.

"Jay, I need you to stay. Don't come back, please. This will give you a chance at life, something we won't be able to give you. I love you Jay, but please, stay." He gave me and quick kiss on my forehead before turning away, but I grabbed his hand.

"Jax please. It can't end just like this, after 4 years." He sighed.

"I'm sorry Jay, but you deserve another chance at life, even if it takes a while." Letting go of his hand was hard, but I did it, knowing it was best to stay with Dan and Phil if I wanted to have a better life.

He faced me, smiling apologetically and then he turned, running down the length of the mall before he ran out of my sight. I let out a deep sigh and turned back to Dan and Phil, who were standing side by side, silent.

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The ride back was silent, we had caught a cab as soon as they came to their senses and I could feel the air of shock surrounding us. The cab driver had some quiet music playing but I ignored it, my mind always going back to Jax and everyone else.

Dan paid this time and Phil unlocked the door for us, and the first thing I did was head to my room. Sitting on my bed I simply stared out the window, listening to Dan and Phil's footsteps echoing around the house. I wasn't sure how long I sat there, at least half an hour but after that the door opened.

It was Dan, just Dan, and he looked like he had been crying, his eyes ringed red. I looked back down at the bed and then fell backwards, making myself comfortable on my back. Dan flopped down beside me and then wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Is Jax your friend?" I nodded.

"Yeah, he was sort of my parent on the streets, he taught me how to survive. He'd been on the streets since he was about seven after his lost his arm in an accident."

"How did he lose his arm?" Dan looked pretty shocked.

"I don't know, he didn't ever say. He just said he left because his parents caused it." His eyes widened.

"His parents did that! How!"

"Like I said, I don't know. I think he was hit by a car. After it had healed and he was out of hospital he ran away."

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The two left me alone for the rest of the day, probably realizing I wanted to be alone. It was Tuesday and Phil had told me that Dan was doing his live show later on, at nine, so I should stay out of the living room.

I missed dinner, I didn't want to be in company and a little later I heard Dan start his live steam, the living room was just below mine. As I lay on my bed I listened to Dan's conversations below and heard him talking to his fans. It was pretty interesting, but my mind kept drifting back to the streets.

I knew I wouldn't go back, I would have a much better chance here and would be able to do some much more, nit on the run from the law anymore.

About half an hour into Dan's live show I heard Phil join him, and I decided then would be the best chance to try and get outside without running into either of them. I knew if I made a lot of noise the fans would question it so I tried to be quiet.

Tiptoeing down the stairs, I slipped down the hallway and past the living room, into the kitchen and picked up a piece of paper and a pen. I had left my phone in the living room so I couldn't take that, so I decided to leave a note.

'Hey, I've gone out for a walk and I'll be back in half an hour from...'

I looked up at the clock, half past nine.

'nine thirty, so I'll be back at about ten.'

I left it on the kitchen bench, right in the view of anyone if they walked in the room. I went down the hallway further and opened the front door, breathing in the cool night air and signing happily. It was good to be outside again.

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When I got back to the house my face was red and I was feeling pretty good. I had run some of the way and I was out of breath, my hair sticking up a little bit.

I opened the door quietly, just in case Dan was still streaming, but he wasn't. Both of them were sitting on the kitchen bench, hands tangled together and Dan resting his head on Phil's shoulder.

As soon as I walked in the kitchen both of them turned their heads towards me and Dan rushed forwards and wrapped me in hug. Phil joined him and hugged me from the other side.

"Are you okay? You aren't mad at us?" I looked at him, shocked.

"No I'm not mad at you! I just needed to clear my head." I pulled away from them, a small smile playing on my lips.

"I'm fine, I just wanted some time to myself."