Ashton's POV

I sighed and leaned my head on the backboard of the couch. Today was full and exhausting, but in the very best way. The fact that the public knew of Rae excited me. I've already checked some of the mass media websites just to see what they've written about her. So far all I can see is the few photos I've allowed of Rae to be released to the press and a short summary of my announcement at the festival.

This tour is sure to be an interesting one. It starts in four days. I'm excited. I thought about hiring a nanny or caregiver to take care of Rae, but with the amount of security we have it really isn't needed. Our security guards usually do their job pretty well. She'll be fine.

Rain is also leaving as soon as we set off for tour. I really like her. She's a great kid. I sometimes wish that I could adopt her as my own, but I don't have time right now for the shitstorm that is the adoption process. It took over a year for me just to adopt Rae. Besides, Rain already has a family that is interested. She'll be much happier with a family that has more time for her than we do.

"Ashton?"

I looked up and saw the girl that I was just thinking about. Rain was shyly leaning against the entryway to the living room.

"Hey." I smiled, "What are you doing up?" I patted the sofa cushion next to me "Come sit."

"I want to ask you something." Rain looked me in the eyes for a second and then looked away, "It's about adoption."

"You'll get adopted after we go on tour, I promise. Remember the gay couple at the fair today?" I opened a new tab on my computer and went to my email, "Your caseworker just emailed me about them. They own a horse ranch. Pretty cool, right? It's also a buisness and they have guest houses and staff and cool stuff like that."

"That's nice." Rain said slowly.

"One of them is half Algonquin, so you can learn more about your heritage too." I excitedly clicked through some pictures that the caseworker had sent me, "And the other has a brother with bipolar disorder. They will know how to handle your mood swings and manic episodes and things like that. Here you can learn new things and socialize with people but also have time to yourself too. Doesn't that sound awesome?"

She shrugged, "I guess."

"What's wrong? Aren't you excited to get adopted and out of the foster system?" Rain didn't seem nearly as enthusiastic about this as I was, which is kind of ironic because she's the one who is mainly effected by it.

"Look, Ashton." Rain looked up at the ceiling, trying to find the right words to express what she was feeling. "That's nice and all, but I was kind of hoping that you would adopt me."

"Oh, sweetheart." I said softly. How do I let her down like this? It's obvious that it took a lot of courage for her to do this.

"It's fine." She interjected and turned away so that her long black hair sheilded most her face, "Youre in a famous band, it was stupid of me to even think that you would love me enough to adopted me. I'll go now."

Rain ran up the stairs and up to her room, letting the door slam loudly. I put my hands to my head and exhaled a long stream of air. I feel so awful for rejecting her like that. She's been rejected her whole life, I just made it even more prominent in her brain that nobody wants her.

I went upstairs to check on her. Rain has a history with self harm, I don't want her hurting herself over this.

"Rain?" I softly said and knocked on her door.

No answer.

"Rain?" I said a little louder, "I want to explain some things to you. Can you please open the door?"

There was a crash from the other side of the door. I turned the handle, expecting it to open the door. Instead the door stayed shut. I stared in disbelief. She must have locked it.

More crashing was heard from the other side of the door. I jiggled the dooor handle faster.

"What is going on?" I frantically knocked on the door, "Rain, answer me!"

"What are you doing?" A tired but concerned looking Luke stood in the hallway across from the door.

"It's a long story." I pulled on the handle, "Rain locked herself in her room and I heard a crash and I want to make sure she isn't hurting herself." I slammed my shoulder against the door. God, all I want is for her to be okay.

"Let me try." Luke said and I stepped aside.

He tried the same things as I did, jiggling the handle and throwing his weight his on the door. My mind was racing, what is she doing in there? What if she killed herself? If the press finds out about this we're all fucked. Rae will be taken from me too. I screwed up, I screwed up really badly.

By this time the rest of the house was awake. I quickly filled them in on the situation. Rae leaned against Michael, her face full of concern. Michael pulled her close and mumbled quiet things. I'm glad that they bonded so quickly. It's good that I have someone that can comfort her when I can't.

"Rain can I please come in?" Luke tried calling once again, "It's only going to be me. No Ashton, no Michael or Calum, no Rae. Just me. Please, Rain?"

The door cracked open a little bit. Luke instantly slipped inside, I started after him. Calum grabbed my arm and shook his head.

"Let them be alone, mate." He said quietly.

"I'll stay outside the door and wait." I told them, "You guys should go downstairs or to your rooms or something."

"Let's go to my room!" Michael piped up with fake enthusiasm, "Rae, do you want to learn how to play Ace Attorney?"

Rae looked me, tears threatening to spill over. "Is Rain going to be okay?"

I pulled her into a hug, "Rain is going to be fine. If you can survive falling off a bridge, she can make it through whatever happened in there." I kissed the side of her face, "Go with Michael and Calum to play a game. I'll come get you when she's better, okay? I love you."

Rae clung to me tighter before letting go, "I love you too."

"Okay, they're gone." I announced to Luke as soon the door to Michael's room was securely shut.

"Alright." Luke opened Rain's door wide enough for him for him to poke his head out, "Could you clean up all the broken glass in there while I get her cleaned up?"

"Of course." I said "Is she okay?"

"She's alright," Luke assured me, "There's just a few cuts we need to bandage up. Ready to go, Rain?"

I heard a whisper of an answer come from behind him.

"Okay," Luke fully opened the door and started out of the room with Rain following after him, "You'd better start cleaning."

She broke the mirror. Shards of glass littered the floor, glittering uncannily in the light of the lamp on the dresser. I grabbed the small trash can and started picking up the larger pieces. They made a small clunk as they hit the metal bottom of the can.

"Fuck!" I swore as I accidentally cut my finger on a sharp end. The cut wasn't deep since I had just touched it for a quick second. If I had dragged it across my skin that would be a different story.

I grabbed a washcloth that was lying on the floor and used it as a glove so I wouldn't hurt mysel again. One of the large pieces I noticed had a strange reddish brown tint to it. The puzzle pieces came together in my mind. I quickly dropped the piece in the trash before I could think about it too much.

"We're back." Luke reappeared in the doorway with Rain. "Did you get the glass picked up?"

"Most of it." I explained, "We should probably vacuum in the morning though."

Luke nodded, "Then I think we should do the talking in my room."

I followed Luke to his room. He guestured to his bed, Rain and I sat on opposite sides. She was wearing one of Luke's sweatshirts. I could tell that something had happened on her arms. A sick feeling settled in my stomach.

"You guys need to talk. Alone." Luke simply told us, "I will be waiting outside this door. I can't hear the conversation inside, but if one of you tries to back out I will be here to put you right back in."

And with that, Luke walked out of the room and left me alone with Rain.

"I'm sorry." I said, "I should have found a better way to let you down. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine." Rain wiped her eyes, "I was the one that freaked out."

"Look," I scooted a little closer to her, "You're a really great kid and if I could just take you into my family with no hassle or paperwork involved, I would. But we have tour in less than a week and so much other stuff going on. I would be worried about you stressing yourself out over that. I'm sorry kid, but we don't have time for that."

Another tear fell down Rain's cheek, she quickly brushed it away. "It's fine. I just attached myself to people too quickly." Her voice cracked, "I thought that you guys actually loved me."

Then the actual tears came. I held Rain tight against my chest. She needs to be loved, really loved. She deserves a family that can be there for her 24/7. A family that knows her mental illness and that can stop her from hurting herself. A family that won't ever be too busy or won't ever leave her.

We are not that family.

But there is a family waiting for her that is all that and more.

"Rain? Ash?" Rae slowly opened the door and walked over to us. She sat on my other side.

"Hi Rae." Rain wiped the last of her tears from her eyes and opened her arms, "Hug me."

The two girls embraced.

"You're my sister." Rain let go and looked her in the eye, "Rae, you're like a sister to me."

"You're like my sister too." Rae said, "And I'm going to miss you."

I went over and gave each of them a hug from behind. They really were as close as sisters now. Both of them had different obstacles to overcome. Sometimes one was better when the other was having trouble. But they still helped eachother through it.

That's true family to me

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here's the chapter i wrote yesterday!!!

so many feels omg

also guys this book is gonna be ending soon i think :(