“You’re just saying what?”
“Nothing.”
Before this turns into a bigger argument, I leave and head toward Paige’s car.
After driving around for about an hour and not knowing what to do, we stop at our old stomping grounds—Sonic. It’s been ages since I’ve been here.
We take a seat at the table outside, and we each order a blue coconut cream slush. I look around and hardly anyone is out yet.
“Do you still come here?”
“Sometimes. Not as much as we used to. It hasn’t been the same since you stopped coming with me.”
I sigh. “Things have changed a lot.” I remember being here the first night I snuck out to be with Kai.
I seeKai from the corner of my eye. He’s talking to a group of girls. My heart pangs with jealousy. Why should I be jealous? There is nothing to be jealous about. Right as I’m about to turn my back on him, I notice he is staring right at me. Ugh, I don’t want him to know I saw him.
I rememberhow shy I was when I saw him here for the first time. Things have changed so much. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday, but it’s coming up on a year. It didn’t take much convincing for me to fall for him. Now, we’re living together with a baby. Some probably think I’m living a dream come true. Seventeen and living with my boyfriend. I have so much freedom and can do anything I want. It’s great.
No. My life is far from that.
I was sixteen and wanted to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and this is where it got me.
Kai: U need 2 get home.
Me: Why?
Kai: She won’t stop crying
Me: I’ve only been gone for a few hours. U seriously can’t calm her down?
Kai: Come home.
I sighand drop my head into my hands.
“What’s up?” Paige asks.
“Kai can’t calm Amari down. He wants me to go home.”
“Are you serious?”
Our server skates out to us and sets our drinks down. “Thank you,” Paige says. “We’re going to take these to go.”
Way to ruin what could have been a good night, Kai.
Paige pulls upto my apartment, puts the car inpark, and shuts it off.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Going in with you.”
“You don’t have to. I don’t want to ruin your Saturday night.”
She opens her door. “You’re not ruining my night. I planned to hang out with you tonight, so what if we have to do it with that cute baby of yours?”
Both my cheeks rise. Paige is so selfless. She’s a teenager who should be out with her friends. But instead, she’s stayingwith me at my tiny apartment with my daughter on a Saturday night.
Once we’re inside, I shut the front door behind me, gazing around the living room, confused as to why it’s so quiet. Kai said she wouldn’t stop crying. Kai comes around the corner from the hallway in jeans, a black T-shirt, and white vans.
