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Chapter One

Kyle leans against the grey lockers with an easy smile and his books tucked under his left arm. Nothing appears to have changed despite what almost happened a few days ago. Thankfully, I had work placement on Thursday and my Friday classes are different from Kyle's, but I can't avoid my best friend forever, and I don't want anything to change between us.

"Hey, Ava baby." He cheekily winks.

"Hi, Kyle." I smile.

I can't shake the awkward feeling and I don't know how to act around him.

"Are you okay, Ava? Do you want to head out of lunch and chat?"

"I have lunch, plus I have some homework to catch up on."

"Are you sure some fried chicken or a burger couldn't tempt you?" He chuckles.

The prospect of food is always tempting but I shake my head. I haven't figured out what to say about the other night and I need more time.

"Nah, I'll be fine."

"Absolutely sure? You look upset and food always makes you happy." He smiles.

"Work placement is just long and exhausting, even if it's one day." I sigh.

Kyle inches closer which gets my heart racing. His intense gaze makes me squirm, but as I move back, he cups my cheeks and squeezes them.

"Smile, kid." He flicks my nose with the end of his finger.

I swat his hand away as pain shoots through my nose.

"What was that for?"

"I wanted you to smile, but," he grits his teeth. "You don't look sad anymore."

"I should flick your nose back so you can feel how much it hurt."

"Oh, Ava." He cheekily rolls his eyes.

"If you're not going to apologise, then I'll be going to do that homework."

"I'm sorry, Ava."

"Okay, you're forgiven."

"Before you go, I have something to tell you."

Panic sets in.

"I should really go."

"Blake is asking around for you. I heard him asking somebody on my way here."

"For me?" I gasp.

"Be careful, okay?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm just going to do my homework and eat lunch. I need a minute to myself."

"Okay, I'll see you later."

Kyle raises his arms for a hug and it takes me a minute to step into his warm embrace. He squeezes me a little tighter than normal, then wanders off. I grab my lunch from the locker and head for the serenity of the oval. There's an empty picnic bench, so I score a whole table to myself.

Before Logan's accident, I was afraid to be alone. When the news broke of Logan's passing, I couldn't take a step without someone telling me how amazing he was or how tragic his death was. Now I enjoy being alone.

I open the container and take a bite of my sandwich, by the third bite, my mind is focused on Blake and why he'd be asking for me. We're not in the same friend group but we share a couple of classes together.

Once I finish eating, I fold my arms and rest my head on them. I enjoy the sun radiating on my back. With this crook weather, it's nice to soak up some sun before it goes.

The sound of grass crunching from someone's approaching footsteps has me sighing. There goes my beautiful silence.

"How's the chicken?" I call out. "Is it everything your heart desires?"

"Can't say it has."

I gasp at the sight of Blake. His sharp cheekbones and unruly dark brown hair make him appear tired and frazzled.

"I'm sorry for scaring you," he apologises. "I'm Blake."

He takes a seat from across me and tugs on a smile. I want to melt into a puddle, but I remind myself to steadily breathe.

"I'm –"

"Ava, I know." He nods.

"Oh."

"You're doing that baby class, right?"

"Sure, I guess you can call it that," I say, letting out a small laugh. "Do you need a recommendation or something?"

"Actually." He awkwardly scratches the back of his head. "I need help with my daughter, London. Tori was doing everything and now she's gone and I don't know what to do. My mum says to spend time with her and bond, but she's always crying and I don't know what she wants."

"Tori is gone?" I gasp.

"She left on Wednesday and I haven't heard from her since."

Blake runs his fingers through his hair, which makes it poke up in all different directions.

"I guess it got too much for her."

"Well, what about your parents?" I offer.

"She tries but both of my parents work. I'm not good at this parenting thing."

"I don't think anyone is good at this parenting thing, but it takes some time to adjust."

"Can you help me?"

"I don't know how to help you." I frown.

"It's okay." His gaze drops to the table and my stomach twists. I don't know much about babies, but perhaps more than him.

"But I can try and help you with London."

"Really?" His brown eyes light up. "Can you come after school today?"

"Alright." I nod. "I guess I could."

I have no idea what I've gotten myself into, but I can't sit here and say no, especially when he looks like that.

"Thanks, let's meet out the front."

"Okay." I nod.

Blake leaves while I'm left grappling at our meeting. What if I'm no help and I completely embarrass myself in front of him?

Kyle returns with his bucket of KFC which smells delicious. He nudges the bucket towards me and I take a piece of fried chicken.

"What's wrong with you?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Blake was just here." I sigh.

"Ava!" His voice turns serious, which makes my palms sweat.

"He asked for help with his daughter and I couldn't say no."

"Do you think this is a good idea considering your massive crush on him? Tori will come back and you'll end up hurt."

"I'm only doing this because he looked desperate and I couldn't say no."

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"It's not the best idea, but what else could I say?"

"How about the guidance counselor which could find him actual help?"

"I'm not going to get hurt."

Kyle shakes his head and takes a bite out of his piece of chicken.

* * * * *

Blake is waiting near my locker when I leave my last class with Kyle.

"Just message me if you need a lift home, okay?" he whispers.

"Thanks, Kyle, but I'll be fine."

He shoots me a smile before veering off to his own locker.

"Hey, Blake."

"Still on for tonight? It's okay if you've changed your mind."

"We're still on, I just need to grab some things from my locker." He moves to the side and I grab my backpack and stuff it with the books I need for the weekend. Once I sling the bag over my shoulder, I follow Blake to the car park.

He leads us to the back where his large four-wheel-drive is parked.

"So Kyle is your best friend?" Blake raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, we've been best friends for years."

"Okay, good to know." He nods.

Blake unlocks the car and I climb into the front. There's a baby capsule fitted in the backseat along with a pile of baby essentials.

"I'm sorry about the mess! It's just easier to keep a set of everything you could possibly need for a baby in the car."

"It's a good idea." I smile.

On the drive to Blake's house, I gaze out the window and remind myself to breathe. Our silence does nothing to help my churning stomach. I've had a crush on Blake for two years and now I'm helping him with his baby. What am I doing? This is madness.

Blake swings into the driveway and cuts the ignition.

"This is my parent's house, I'm living in the granny flat out the back of the house."

"Ah, that's cool."

"It terrifies me being alone with London, but less pressure if she cries at night since it won't disturb my father."

"That's good."

Blake takes the keys from the ignition and we get out of the car. I follow Blake to the side of his house. As we get closer, there's a hidden gate that opens to a curved stone pathway.

The stones crunch under our shoes as we arrive at a smaller building resembling the house. He opens the front door and there's crying.

"Blake, are you home?"

"Yes, and I've got company," he says.

We follow the short hallway which opens to a joined lounge room and kitchen. His mother is standing in the lounge room nestling a bundle of pink blankets to her chest.

"Hello, I'm Angela, Blake's mother." She grins. "And this is London."

"This is Ava from school, we've got a project together," he explains.

"It's nice to meet you." She smiles.

"Thanks for looking after her today." Blake awkwardly stands beside her mother and peers down at London. She passes London over and he cuddles her to his chest.

"No worries! She's due for a bottle soon and probably another sleep."

"Okay, thanks."

"Good luck to the both of you, hopefully, you get your project done." Angela smiles.

Angela kisses London's forehead before leaving us alone.

"Do you mind holding London while I make a bottle?"

"Sure." I nod.

He carefully passes me the bundle and damn, she's adorable! Her eyes are a stunning light blue and some soft wisps of brown hair peek from under the blanket. I wander to the kitchen and stand beside the bench.

Blake fills a bottle with water and scoops the formula into it. He puts the lid on and shakes the bottle. The formula gets stuck in the teat which makes him frown.

"If you use warm water, the formula will dissolve and it won't get stuck."

"Ah." He chuckles.

He places the bottle in the warmer, then crosses his arms and leans against the kitchen bench.

"You could even get a thermos bottle and store hot water in, then at night, add the warm water and the powder and you're ready to go."

"Wow." His eyes light up. "This is a game-changer for night feeds."

"You're welcome!" I smile.

Once the bottle is warmed, he checks the temperature on his wrist.

"Do you want to give her the bottle?"

"Sure." I nod.

London guzzles the bottle and when she's finished, I burp her. She wiggles in my arms, so I hand her back to Blake. She yawns and Blake sighs with relief.

"Nappy change and bedtime for you."

I follow Blake up a narrow staircase tucked towards the side of the lounge room. On the second floor is a bedroom with an attached bathroom. There's a bed pressed against the far wall with nightstands on either side. On the left wall is London's cot and on the opposite side, a set of drawers.

He grabs a nappy and wipes from the drawers, then places her on the bed.

"You do know to wipe from top to bottom?"

"Yes," he says, but not very confidently.

Blake changes her nappy and places her into a sleeping bag. He puts her in the cot and places his hand on her chest.

"She goes to sleep quicker," he whispers.

"Ah, that's handy," I reply.

I creep downstairs and hang out in the lounge room. A few minutes later, Blake wanders down the stairs and stretches his arms above his head.

"She's asleep." He sighs.

"Do you want some help cleaning?"

Blake looks around and sheepishly nods.

"I knew having a baby would be hard, but I didn't imagine it would be this hard."

"Where should I start, I could do the dishes or pick up the laundry?"

"Wherever you like." He chuckles.

Blake goes into the kitchen to clear the bench while I tackle packing away baby stuff and picking up the laundry. Once that's done, I plonk on the chair and Blake soon follows.

"I don't think you need my help, you're doing an amazing job, but I am here if you need me, especially if you just need the company."

"I'd appreciate some company. Now Tori's gone, I don't have anyone. My friends thought London was cool for the first week but now I don't have Tori, they don't want to hang around a crying baby."

"I don't mind the crying and I think babies are cute."

Blake smiles.

"You don't have to hang out with me, especially since you don't really know me."

"Perhaps we can be friends now." I grin.

"I would like that."

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