Hell Above

“Haley?” My mom called from the kitchen. I excused myself and got up. She was leaning against the counter while Tony sat on one of the bar stools.
“Yeah mom?” I asked.
“You’re going on tour with them?” She asked. I nodded slowly. “Good. You deserve a break.” She added. I immediately hugged her and thanked her. She laughed and rolled her eyes.
“C’mon Haley, let’s go get food.” Tony motioned for me to follow him to get the boys. I smiled and nodded, following him into the living room.
“Food?” Jaime looked up at us.
“Where too?” Mike asked.
“Anywhere is fine by me.” I stated, grabbing my bag. We walked out to a van and piled in. I ended up between Mike and Jaime. They both thought it’d be fun to poke at my sides. Funny thing is; I’m not ticklish. They gave up and began attempting to converse with me about a million and one things. I wasn’t there mentally to listen though. The events of last night still played in my mind; between the screaming, shattering glass and then my dad leaving. Where the hell had my mom gone last night? I sighed inwardly and shook my head.
“Really, Haley?” Mike seemed shocked. SHIT, what did he ask.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t really paying much attention.” I smiled sheepishly.
“I asked if you played any instruments.” Mike repeated.
“Oh! I play bass.” I smiled slightly. My thoughts were overwhelming today.
“You okay?” Jaime caught me off guard.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine!” I faked a smile, like I learned to do at school. I had too to avoid the mental hospitals. Jaime didn’t seem too convinced but brushed it off.
“We’re here!” Tony beamed. I glanced out the window to see Bronx Pizza. I smiled and we began exiting. Once inside we sat down while Tony went to order. Him and I were both vegetarians and the band had adapted to the type of pizza he liked. I was now sitting next to Vic.
“So, Tony never really told us much about you. Just that he had a sister.” Vic stated awkwardly.
“Way to be awkward Vic.” Mike laughed. I just smiled. As if sensing the awkwardness, Tony returned with pizza.
“Food!” Jaime exclaimed. We all laughed and grabbed a piece. Then it dawned on me. Do I bring my adoption papers?
“Tony, should I bring my papers?” I blurted out without thinking.
“Papers?” Jaime raised an eyebrow.
“Maybe, talk to mom about it.” Tony said casually.
“What papers?” Vic looked at me.
“Tony didn’t tell you?” I giggled. Everyone, except Tony looked at me weird.
“No he didn’t say much.” Mike looked at Tony.
“I’m adopted.” I shrugged.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell us Tony?” Jaime asked, slightly pissed.
“Because it’s not my business to tell.” He replied calmly.
“You’re family though.” Vic stated.
“Yes we are. But as I said, it’s her decision to tell you guys. If she wouldn’t have told you, why the hell would I tell you? Maybe there’s a reason she wouldn’t tell you guys.” Tony explained.
“Still, a warning would be nice.” Mike muttered.
“Wait, if he would have told you, would you have treated me differently?” I raised my eyebrow at them, slightly offended.
“No.” Jaime stated.
“Then why the hell does it matter?” I retorted.
“It doesn’t.” Vic stated, taking another bite of his pizza.
“Good.” Tony sighed. I looked down at my half eaten slice of pizza and sighed
“Listen, I’m actually not all that hungry. I think I’m gonna walk home.” I smiled.
“No, you’re not walking. It’s too far away.” Tony pleaded.
“Turtle, I’m happy that you care, but I just need to be alone right now.” I reasoned.
“I’ll call you a cab then.” He wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Tony, I’ll take the fucking bus.” I stated. He looked taken back but nodded. I grabbed my things and walked out of the restaurant.

Jaime’s P.O.V

She was adopted? Huh, I mean she doesn’t look too much like the Perry’s but she still fit in so well with them. Tony treated her like his little sister. Wait, what the hell? She is his little sister. I shook my head. Tony seemed really upset after she left.
“Tony, we’re sorry for being assholes about it.” Vic said softly.
“It’s whatever. I just hope she’s okay.” He stated. What did he mean by that?
“What do you mean?” I decided to be brave and figure out the answer.
“She…” He put his head in his hands and took a deep breath “She’s been through hell. She came from an abusive home, she was…molested by her biological older brother. When she was living with us, it took her months to even talk to me. Then we became inseparable. Then my parents started arguing. To the point where she became the same person she was when we first took her in. She constantly stayed up in her room, only came out for food and school. I hated seeing her like this. My parents started throwing things at each other one night. The night we planned on going on tour. I left her when she needed me most.” Tony muttered the last line. We were all silent.
“Wow…” Vic said softly.
“That’s why she walked away. Not because of the adoption part. But because you guys were raising your voices. She hates it. My dad walked out last night. He tried to convince her to go. She said no.” Tony shook his head. “Let’s go back to my place.” He added, grabbing the keys and began walking to the car. No wonder she lied about being okay today. We all sat in silence on the way back to Tony’s house. It wasn’t an awkward silence, but more of an empty silence. The ride was shorter than we had all hoped. We pulled into the driveway and slowly got out of the car. Tony’s mom stood outside to greet us.
“Why was she upset?” She looked at Tony.
“I’m still trying to figure that out.” He furrowed his brows. She sighed and opened the door, ushering us inside. Haley was nowhere to be seen downstairs.
“I’m going to the store. Haley’s in her room. Please keep it down and try and get her to come out.” Tony’s mom practically pleaded. We all nodded in agreement and collapsed on the couch. She waved and left.
“Who wants to try first?” Tony asked.
“I’ll give it a shot.” I volunteered.
“Alright, third door on the right upstairs.” He motioned towards the staircase. I nodded and walked up there. Third door on the right…one…two…aha! Three.
“Haley?” I knocked. I heard a shuffling sound and then the door unlocking. She opened it and looked at me, slightly shocked.
“What?” Her voice cracked slightly. Her eyes were red and puffy. She had tears still pouring down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, more concerned than I was before.
“Like it matters.” She rolled her eyes and went to close the door. I put my hand out to stop it.
“Stop, it does in fact matter, I don’t like to see anyone cry. Especially family.” I stated.
“I’m not family.” She muttered.
“Any sister of Tony’s is a sister of mine.” I declared. She looked at me wide eyed.
“Really?” She hiccupped. God that was cute. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Yes really.” I smiled softly.
“I just hate fighting.” She mumbled. I nodded, understanding. I tried to avoid arguments at all costs. Especially with the band.
“Want to talk about it?” I asked. She nodded and stepped to the side, allowing me to enter her room. It looked like it came out of a rock concert. Posters of bands ranging from Blink-182 to Panic! At the Disco, covered her grey painted walls. She had a canopy over her desk, and those glow in the dark stars pasted all over her ceiling.
“It’s not what you expected, is it?” She giggled.
“Well, you are Tony’s sister.” I laughed, she grinned and motioned for me to sit down on her bed.
“So what do you want to know?” She asked, leaning back against her bed frame. God she was beautiful.
“Anything you want to tell me.” I said, crossing my legs and facing her.
“Well, you already know I was adopted. I came from a fucked up family. My dad left last night. I surprisingly didn’t step on broken glass either.” She shrugged.
“Broken glass?” I raised an eyebrow.
“It was either a beer bottle or a wine bottle. Maybe even a vase. They hate each other.” She looked over at her desk which had a textbook on it. “They weren’t always like that. We used to have movie nights, game nights, and Tony and I used to build forts together. But it all changed once high school rolled around. Tony was busy with you guys, mom and dad started to resent each other and I got caught in between.” She added. Her voice dropped. I looked at her reassuringly to continue. She patted the spot next to her. I hesitantly moved and sat next to her.
“I came home to screaming and objects being thrown. I got hit with a hair dryer once. It reminded me of why I got put into foster care…” She began crying softly. Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug. She froze for a second but then hugged me back.
“If you don’t want to continue talking about it, that’s fine.” I suggested. She nodded into my chest and then pulled away, wiping her eyes.
“Why don’t we go downstairs before Tony throws a fit?” She giggled. I smiled and nodded.

Notes

More back story on Haley, and a little Jaime P.O.V