ChloeGlancing back at Aiden, who was sleeping soundly in his seat, I wondered how we would manage taking care of him while attending school. Hayden was right. We were just kids ourselves, and now we were responsible for another child. Hayden paced outside, conversing with the person on the other end of the call. Though he spoke calmly, the slight clenching of his fist revealed his underlying tension. Finally, he ended the call, walked to his side of the car, and got in. Silently, he pulled out of the parking lot and drove down the street, occasionally glancing at me when he felt my gaze upon him."Are you okay?" I asked, concerned. He sighed, shaking his head. I decided not to press him further, turning to face him and leaning against the door, taking photos of him without his knowledge. At a red light, he glanced over, his expression blank. I laughed."The apartment is all set up," he informed me, and I realized that we were heading there instead of to the college.I nodded, marveli

ChloeI sat on the floor of the apartment, surrounded by papers and pictures, as tears streamed down my face. The sound of my sobs reverberated through the room, and as the sun set, its gentle glow filled the space.Aiden, seated across from me, cried out in his own anguish. His little voice cracked, and I knew he needed comfort just as much as I did. Summoning all my strength, I crawled across the floor, unable to stand, and reached out to pick him up. I brought him close to me, holding him tightly against my tear-soaked chest. Slowly, his cries subsided, and he nestled his head against my neck. Gazing out through the large window, I looked at the city sprawled before me. "Why do you look at me like that?" I asked, lifting my gaze from my cup. He shrugged, momentarily averting his eyes."You're beautiful," he said, sliding his hands into his pockets and leaning against the doorway. "Even if you don't realize it.""You're just being nice," I replied, playfully pointing my pinky fing