Juliet's POV

"Hey Jesse!" I greeted my brother.  We were allowed a 15 minute visit once a month.

"Let's get down to business," Jesse said and gestured to the chair next to him, "Sit."

"Randy is back on the streets.  We've been writing.  He wants me and you to go to Vegas with him.  Apparently he knows some people up there that knows how to rig the slots.  Jay, we could get rich!" He said.

"Yeah, but..." I trailed off.  If I ran off with Jesse that would mean that I would have to leave Alex.  As much as I hate to admit it, I like being part of his family.

"You're overthinking it.  Just leave.  You didn't let him get attached, did you?"  I looked at the ground.

"You're not supposed to let him like you!  What happened to bitchy Jay?"

"I did that for a while," I said, "But he was so nice.  He made me feel accepted, I guess."

"You're going to have to change that.  He's a music person, right?  Smash one of his guitars or something," He said.

"No!  I can't!  Alex would be so sad."

"Since when have you cared about other people's feelings?" Jesse shot back.  Oh my God.  He's right.  I've changed.  Who am I anymore?

"Well," I said slowly, "He has been working on recording some demos.  I guess I could get on the computer and delete them or something."

"Now you're thinking!" Jesse said excitability, "There's no way he can still like you after that.  Make it a clean, easy, break and you'll both move on.  And by that time we'll be in Vegas and none of it will matter anyway."

I nodded slowly.  I wasn't sure about this.  The whole band had been working really hard on those demos.  They would be really angry if they were all deleted.

"So, can we come and pick you up in like two weeks?" Jesse asked me.

"Should you really be saying this out loud?  There's cameras."

"They don't record audio," He said, "Just video.  Watch this."

"GO SUCK A DICK MOTHERFUCKER!" He screamed at the camera.

"Now, if I had said that in any other room I would have been tackled by about 15 staff members and taken down to the remediation room for a counseling session.  So, are you in?"

"I'm in," I said, but I couldn't shake that uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Alex's POV

Jay was really quiet on the way home.  She's never quiet.  This is really weird.

"Uh, is everything okay?" I asked Jay.

"Yeah, everything's fine," She said, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course.  Anything."

"Why did you adopt me?"

"The lady said that I wouldn't want you.  She said that you were a bad kid and you needed to be sent away to become more adoptable.  But as soon as I saw you I knew you weren't a bad kid, you just needed love.  And I wanted to be the one to give you that love."

Jay looked out the window.  I wondered what she was thinking about.  I pulled into the driveway and parked the car.

"Can I have a hug?" I asked her and opened my arms as soon as we were out of my car.  She went into them without a word.

"I love you," I whispered in her ear.  Jay just clung to me tighter.  I don't mind that she didn't say it back.  Love is a hard concept for her.  But whenever she decides to open her heart, I'll be right here.

Juliet's POV

"What the fuck?" I mumbled as the TV went black.  Did the power go out?  What happened?  I turned the TV off and then back on again.  That worked, but it wouldn't let me connect to Netflix.  Dammit.  I looked at the clock.  It was 4:15.  Alex and the rest of the band were interviewing photographers for the tour today.  He had told me not to come downstairs, but I think I can go down and grab some food before the next one arrives.

Can I come down and get some Doritos?  I texted Alex

Yeah, sure.  The last one was supposed to show up at 4, so idk if they're actually coming.

"The Netflix in your room isn't working," I informed Alex as I rummaged around in the pantry for some food.

"Shit.  That makes two fucked up TVs," He said referring to the TV in my room, in which the Netflix had also stopped.

"Did you find any photographers you liked?" I asked him and grabbed (another) box of Pop-Tarts.  I'm addicted to this shit.

"Eh.  Not really," Zack admitted, "The last girl looked pretty cool, but I don't think she's going to show up."

At that exact moment the door swung open and a girl about Alex's age with purple hair burst into the house with a camera around her neck.

"I'm sorry that I'm late," She panted and leaned on the counter to catch her breath, "My dick of a boss kept me overtime, then I had to make a quick stop at the apartment to take a shower so I wouldn't smell like animal shit, and of course I get stuck behind the slowest driver in the whole fucking world on the way here.  Is there still time for an interview?"

"Uh, sure," Alex said, "There's a little time.  You're Danielle, right?"

"Just call me Dani," She said and sat down at one of the chairs, "Thank you so much for doing this.  I really appreciate it.  Who the fuck are you?"  I just then realized that I was still in the room.  After about 4 hours of watching Supernatural and lying on a bed my hair was sticking up in every direction and I was wearing literally the rattiest t shirt and sweatpants in all of existence.  Nice first impression, Jay.

"Um..." I started.

"This is Jay," Alex came to my rescue, "My adoptive daughter and if any information about her gets released to the media without my permission I will make sure that you kiss all of your dreams goodbye."

Dani zipped her lips, "I won't tell anything.  I promise.  Nice to meet you, Jay."

"Hi," I said, "I like your hair."  Along with the purple, Dani's hair also had streaks of blue and pink in it.

"Thanks, kid," She said, "Are you going on tour with the guys, too?"

"I think so.  I mean, I can't sing or anything cool like that, but I like taking pictures."

"Me too.  Wanna be friends?"

"Okay," Alex said, "You're hired.  Welcome to hell."

"Wait," Dani looked confused, "I'm hired?  You aren't going to ask me any questions or anything?"

He shrugged, "Do you really want me to ask you questions?  We've all seen your pictures, which are really awesome, and I think you and Jay will get along.  See you in December."

"Holy shit, thank you.  I want to give you all hugs."

"Go ahead," Alex laughed and Dani gave each of the guys hugs and a high five to me.  I can't wait for tour.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW I FEEL ACCOMPLISHED I UPDATED IN A 24 HOUR TIMESPAN EVERYONE CLAP FOR ASH THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN DON'T GET USED TO IT

This one is a little shorter, but Jesse comes back into the picture.  And Jay is faced with a decision.  Dani will also be making regular appearances in this story.

I've been getting back into old ATL recently.  Circles is pretty awesome and LOOK AT RIAN'S HAIR OH MY GOD IT'S SHAGGY AND FLUFFY AND WONDERFUL.  Sorry.  I got excited.