Chapter 8
*Victoria*
Soon it was getting late and I had to go home. Unfortunately it's a school night and I have to work tomorrow after school. I got home where my mom was waiting up for me.
"So how did it go?" she asked me.
"It went well." I answered. "And it turns out that Aaron has a daughter."
My mom stared at me for a moment in shock before slowly nodding her head. It is a hard pill to swallow.
"A daughter, huh?" she said. "Interesting. I would've never guessed. How old is she?"
"Two and a half."
"So she was born when he was 15 or 16? It's a shame when kids get themselves in a situation like that. It's a huge responsibility."
"Maybe, but he seems to handle it well. He's a really good dad from what I can see. He's different than most teen fathers."
"Will you be meeting the girl's mother as well?"
"Sophie doesn't have a mother. Aaron said that she was dropped on his doorstep when she was just a newborn. He doesn't know where her mother is."
"Well that's unfortunate. He doesn't expect you to be..."
"No, not at all." I cut her off. "All he wants is for me to accept her and I do."
"Good. I'm glad that you like him enough to stay with him after this."
"I really like him. And the fact that he has a daughter only makes me like him more."
"I'm glad. Go on to bed. You have school tomorrow."
*Aaron*
After Victoria left, I went into the kitchen to help my mom clean up the last of the mess.
"I like her." she said. "She seems like a really sweet girl"
"She is. After all, she did accept Sophia. I was terrified that she'd dump me and run off. I really like her so I'd hate to scare her off. I'm really lucky."
"Yeah, you are. There aren't many teenage girls like her out there."
~*~
My alarm went off and I reached over to turn it off. I sat up slowly, feeling more tired than I have in a while. I stayed up late doing homework because I was stupid and didn't do it before the dinner.
I showered and dressed in dark jeans, a red hoodie and a black snapback. I grabbed my duffel bag and went to Sophie's room to check on her. I'm surprised she didn't wake me up this morning.
I poked my head inside her door and saw her sitting on her floor playing with her barbies.
"Hi sweetie." I greeted her, walking inside and sitting beside her. She looked up at me and smiled.
"Hi daddy." she replied.
"You didn't wake me up." I stated.
"Grandma say let you sleep."
"Oh, okay. I'm leaving now. I love you."
"Love you too."
~*~
I arrived at school and was met at the entrance by my friends. Caleb casually draped his arm across my shoulders as we walked down the hall.
"There's a party tonight to celebrate the win yesterday." Caleb said. "You're coming right? I mean, you are our captain."
"This is a waste of time." Connor said. "He always says no."
"Please Aaron?" Brittany gave me puppy dog eyes. "They're not much fun without you."
"I don't know guys, I have homework."
"You've turned into a real nerd this year." Connor said. "If you didn't play sports, or look the way you do I'd think you were a nerd."
"This is coming from the guy who's failing almost all of his classes." I said. "Give me the address and I'll try to make it."
"That's better than nothing." Caleb said, writing down the address and handing it to me.
I finally got away from my friends and went to Victoria's locker. She was getting her things out of her locker. She wore a long sleeved red, mid-thigh length dress. Her hair was up in a bun. I walked up to her and placed a kiss on her cheek. She looked at me and smiled.
"Hi beautiful." I said with a smile.
"Hi handsome." she responded.
"There's a party tonight, do you want to go with me?"
"I have to work today, sorry."
"Are you sure?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close. I met my lips with hers and she immediately kissed me back. I swear no matter how many times I kiss her, I'll never get used to how good she tastes.
"We're in a public hallway." she said, pushing me away.
"People make out in the hallway all the time."
"Maybe, but I don't feel comfortable with it."
"Okay then, I understand. But you're sure you have to work?"
"Yes I'm sure. But don't let me stop you from going. Go have fun."
"But it won't be as fun without you."
"I'm sure you'll make do." she smiled. "Walk me to class?"
"Don't I always?"
*Victoria*
After school, I kissed Aaron goodbye. I'd really like to go to the party with him tonight. I'd love to spend any time with him I can, but I have to work. I'm sure he'll be fine going without me. He has his friends to keep him company.
I arrived at work and changed into my Subway shirt and put my hair unto a ponytail. I slipped on the matching hat and waited for a customer.
"How are things going with Aaron?" Charlie asked me.
"Things are going great. I actually met his family last night."
"And?"
"It went well. His mom likes me, but his daughter seems a little shy which is to be expected."
"Did you just say he has a daughter?"
"Yeah, she's two and is the cutest thing ever. She resembles Aaron a lot."
"And what about her mother?"
"I'm not sure. Her mother dropped her off on his doorstep. He hasn't heard from her since."
"Huh. You're not afraid she's going to show up and want both of them back?"
"I never really thought about it. But if she really wanted them, she wouldn't have left them."
I don't know who Sophia's mom is, or where she is, but I don't think she'll show up again. I mean, how could someone come back after leaving their child on a doorstep? Wouldn't she feel guilty? And why do through the trouble? I'm sure Aaron doesn't want her back. Why would he after she abandoned their daughter?
*Aaron*
I dressed in black jeans, and a grey t-shirt. I made my hair into his usual natural looking messy style then slipped on a burgundy diamond snapback.
I opened the door to my room and found Sophia standing in the hallway hugging a stuffed animal to her chest.
"Hi sweetie." I said, walking over and kneeling down to her level. "Is everything okay?"
"I don't want you to go." she said with a pout.
"I won't be gone long. Just go to sleep and I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."
I took Sophie's small hand in mine and l lead her to her room. I read her a quick bedtime story then tucked her in.
"I love you." I told her, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Love you too." she said, closing her eyes.
I left Sophia's room and rand downstairs and out to my car. I drove to the house of the person Caleb gave me. Soon I pulled in front of the house. Cars were parked along the street and on the grass. People were filing inside the house.
I found a parking space then headed into the house. The music blasted, and people socialized and danced. I moved my way through the people and into the kitchen.
"He actually showed!" I heard Connor say. I looked to see my friends gathered together and talking.
"Hey guys." I said with a smile, walking over to join the group.
"Where's Victoria?" Caleb asked me.
"She had to work tonight." I answered.
"Awe, that sucks. I was looking forward to seeing her. I like her. She's probably the best girl you've dated."
"I'd have to agree on that." I smiled.
~*~
After a few rounds of beer pong, I was feeling a little tipsy so I decided to stop. I still have to drive home and I don't want to arrive home drunk.
"I'm done." I told my friends. "I'd rather not get wasted."
"We finally get him to come to a party, but the partier is still missing." Connor said.
"Sorry I'm not up to your party standards." I said sarcastically.
"Aaron, you made it!" someone said behind me. I turned to see Brittany and Fawn with a couple of their other teammates. "I missed seeing your handsome face at these parties." Brittany said.
"You seemed to have manage." I said.
"Why are you so sassy?"
"Are you here alone?" Fawn asked me.
"No, I'm here with you guys."
"You know what I mean." she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Victoria had to work." I answered so she'd leave me alone.
"Perfect."
Fawn grabbed onto my wrist and lead me away from our friends. She stopped in crowd of moving bodies and turned to wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Fawn, no." I said, trying to pull away.
"Come on." she said, taking my hands and placing them on her waist. "It's just a harmless dance. Friends can dance together."
She smiled up at me and closed the space between us a little more. I sighed. When will she get the hint?
"How are things going with your girlfriend?"
"Why are you asking?"
"I'm just a friend asking about another friend."
"We both know that's not true."
"Why are you so mean to me lately? You and I used to be good friends. Ever since you started dating that... girl, you don't want anything to do with me. It makes me sad."
She looked up at me with a pout. I'm not going to feel sorry for her, not after what's she's done to Victoria.
"We would have had a chance if she hadn't shown up."
"I don't think so."
I've always thought that Fawn is pretty, but I was never attracted to her in the way she wants me to be. I've always seen her as just a friend.
"Think about it, Aaron." she started. "I'm the hottest girl in school and you're the hottest guy in school. We'd be the perfect couple. Everyone is still hoping we'll get together."
"I doubt that."
"No, really. I heard that we're going to be prom king and queen. That means we have to go to prom together. It'd be the right thing to do."
It's never going to stop, is it? Fawn will never stop coming after me, no matter what my reaction is.
"Can you stop?" I asked her. "It's really becoming tiresome, you're attempt to get us together. It's never, ever going to happen. So get that through your head. I offered that we stay friends, but you still want something more. We're not friends, we'll never be friends. I want you to leave me and Victoria alone, or so help me I'll strip away your precious popularity that hold onto so dearly."
"You can't do that." she said with a confident smirk.
"Try me."
The smirk fell from her face as I pulled away. I left her in the crowd of bodies and went to find my friends.
*Victoria*
I reluctantly woke to my alarm. I had to lock up last night, and I had a ton of homework to do. I'm so tired, I wish I could just stay home today.
I showered and dressed in dark jeans, a blue and white striped shirt, and flat brown ankle boots. I applied a thin line of eyeliner and mascara.
I went downstairs and ate a quick breakfast, after I headed to school. Once there, I found Aaron waiting for me by the entrance. He smiled when he saw me.
"Hi beautiful." he greeted me, giving me a kiss.
"Did you have fun last night?"
"Well it wasn't much of a party without you there, but I managed."
"Well you don't seem hung over, so I'm assuming you didn't drink too much."
"You forget I have a little girl at home. What example would I be setting if I walked in drunk off my ass?"
"You're such a great dad." I smiled. "Sophia is lucky to have you."
"And I'm lucky to have you." My smile grew larger. "Do you want to hang out after school?"
"Yeah, of course. Can I come to your place? I'd love to see Sophie again."
"Sure." he smiled. "I love that you like Sophie so much. I've always been afraid that if I started dating, girls would think I wanted them to marry me and become Sophie's mother."
"You told me that's not what you want, and I believe you."
"Good, because Sophie needs to interacted with people other than me or my mom.'
~*~
After school, Victoria followed me home in her car. When we arrived and went inside, we found Sophie playing in the living room. When she saw me, she jumped up to greet me. I picked her up and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Hi sweetie." I said. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." she said with a smile.
"There's someone here to see you."
Victoria came inside and gave Sophie a smile and small wave. Sophie's smile disappeared and she clung to my shirt. I sighed. Sophie isn't used to people. Whenever we have company, she gets shy and doesn't want to leave my side.
"It's okay Sophie." I reassured her.
"Hi cutie." Victoria said to Sophie.
Sophie leaned away and turned her head. I saw a small frown form on Victoria's face. Victoria really likes children so I can understand how troubling it must be that Sophia isn't warming up to her right away.
"How about we get you a snack, Sophie." I suggested. She gave a small nod.
I carried Sophie into the kitchen and gave her a few apple slices and a juice box. Victoria and I went to sit in the living room while we waited for Sophie to finish.
"She doesn't like me much." Victoria said with a small smile, obviously trying to hide her disappointment.
"Sophie's just not used to people. She'll warm up to you soon. She's just shy the first couple of times."
"If you're sure." she sighed.
I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her to me. She rest her head on my shoulder and a placed a kiss on her forehead.
I finally introduce Sophie to the girl of my dreams, and Sophie ends up being shy. What are the odds? But I guess it's my fault for keeping her away from people, afraid they'd find out my secret. I should have allowed her to be more social. I should've put her in daycare and let her interact with kids her age. Victoria is taking a step to get to know the other part of my life, but she can't because Sophie is too shy. I need to fix this.