the only exception

 Phoebe stared at herself in the mirror, lightly applying some blush as music rang through in her ears. She'd been listening more and more to Paramore, and was at the point of knowing every song and being able to hum along contently.

She knew they'd have to be leaving soon, and was only reminded of how quickly the meeting was approaching by Hayley entering the room, mouth moving- although Phoebe couldn't hear through her headphones.

Phoebe watched through the mirror as she leaned against the door and continued talking, raising her eyebrows slightly and nodding. She knew it was rude, but didn't wanna hear another reminder of what was to come.

After a few more seconds of this, Hayley frowned before approaching, her lips still moving.

The teen sighed, removing the headphones from her ears and watching as Hayley tried to suppress a smile.

"Did you hear anything I said?" She asked, a small glint in her eye as Phoebe turned back to the mirror.

"No, sorry."

"It's okay," Hayley shrugged, her eyes sad, but still turned up in a small smile. "I was just seeing how you were doing? Are you almost ready?"

"I'm okay, wondering how much trouble I'd be in for running away." Phoebe hummed, watching as Hayley's face dropped. "Surely you'd cut me some slack with what's going on, yeah?"

Hayley seemed to pick up it was a joke and shook her head, shoulders relaxing, "Absolutely not, plus then I'd have to explain to Mrs. Murphy why you're gone too."

"Sucks." Phoebe sighed, lightly applying some lip gloss.

"Sorry, buddy. I don't make the rules."

"Yeah, you do. We both know Dad isn't the one running the show."

Hayley grinned, "Be downstairs in five minutes, okay?"

Phoebe hummed once again, noncommittally twirling a piece of hair between her fingers.

Hayley watched her for a moment, melancholy settling over her as she leaned down and kissed the top of Phoebe's head, "You look very pretty." She told the teen easily, turning back to the door and starting to walk out, "Your shoes are downstairs by the back door, by the way."

Phoebe nodded, waiting before Hayley reached the door before turning, "Hey, mom?"

Hayley hummed, stopping to turn back.

"Could you braid my hair?" She asked, watching as Hayley glanced at her phone, undoubtedly checking the time. "It's okay if there isn't enough time."

"There's time." Hayley smiled, making her way behind the teen and beginning to part her hair silently.

Phoebe watched her in the mirror, instantly noting Hayley seemed to have more of an idea what she was doing compared to Thanksgiving.

Once Hayley was halfway done with the first braid, Phoebe broke the silence, "Can we have pizza for dinner?"

"Yeah, sure." Hayley agreed easily, her words quiet.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, both growing more anxious and sadder by the second.

Once again, Phoebe was the one to break the silence. "What if she doesn't like me?"

"She'd be stupid not to like you." Hayley stated, brows furrowed.

"What if she does like me?" Phoebe asked then, Hayley's hands stilling for a moment before resuming.

"Then she likes you. I'm not sure what you mean." Hayley mumbled, though Phoebe could tell by the look on her face that she did.

"You're gonna be there, right? And Taylor?"

Hayley tied off the braid and started on the other side, "I don't know, bud. I think it's just gonna be you, Mrs. Murphy, and Erin."

"You didn't ask?" Phoebe froze, eyes darting up.

"You didn't ask either." Hayley frowned, "But I really don't think this is a thing me and T can join in on."

"Well, that's stupid."

"I know, I'm sorry." Hayley sighed, offering a sad smile as they fell back into another silence.

"All done," Hayley announced quietly after a moment, admiring her handiwork.

Phoebe examined herself in the mirror, "You're getting better at that."

"Thanks," The singer grinned happily, "Now go get your shoes on, I gotta go get Taylor and let Alf in."

Phoebe nodded, watching her leave before slouching once again.

The drive to the cafe was quiet, the only sound being one of Hayleys playlists humming through the speakers.

"Do you want me to walk you in?" Hayley asked after they'd sat silently in the parking lot for a minute.

"Please," Phoebe sighed in relief, eyes wide and clearly fearful.

"Okay, we better head in." Hayley replied quietly, instantly opening her door.

"It's gonna be okay, kid." Taylor assured from the driver's seat, "Me and Hayles are gonna be out here waiting for you, okay?"

Phoebe nodded, mustering up her best closed lip smile for him before exiting the car to join the singer.

"I see them." Hayley stated quietly as they opened the door, "You have your mothers hair."

Phoebe furrowed her brows, turning her attention to the corner of the cafe where Mrs. Murphy was sitting with someone Phoebe didn't recognize, yet regretfully knew was Erin.

"Murphy," Hayley greeted easily, plastering a smile on her face as she said a quick hello to Erin, "Me and T will be waiting in the car, okay?"

"You sure you can't stay?" Phoebe asked quietly, trying to duck behind Hayley to hide herself from the two women sitting.

"You'll be okay, buddy. Just try to relax, yeah?" Hayley spoke quietly, eyes encouraging.

Phoebe felt her chest seize up, quickly turning to Mrs. Murphy, "Can she stay?"

"Well, Phoebe, I don't know. This is about you and Erin getting to-"

"It's fine with me, if it's fine with you." A sweet voice said, and for the first time, Phoebe allowed her eyes to settle onto her birth mother.

Without a word, Phoebe grabbed Hayleys hand and made her sit down, instantly taking the seat beside her.