A Do Or Die Situation (Sequel to To Offset The Shakes) // Andy Hurley/Trohley

So, This Is Life? (Libbie's POV)

Guys, I am SO sorry I've really been slacking on this story. I started my new job about three weeks ago, and I've been working almost everyday from 2-11pm. It's really taken its toll on me, but I'm really trying to get back in the groove of writing. I'm so sorry :(

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Reality began setting in as I realized school was due to start up again in just a few weeks. I was the young mother of a baby who was just a week and a half old, the girlfriend to a friend turned lover, the daughter of rock stars, and the laughing stock of my school. What could possibly go wrong in my upcoming junior year?

I was seriously considering dropping out of school at this point, but I knew I couldn't do that. I had a family to support, and I would accomplish that by staying in school so I could get a good, well-paying job. I knew that Joe and Andy would fully understand if I made that decision, but I don't know if I could support myself if I did that. I would be letting myself down, above everyone else.

Though I'm overjoyed about my son, I also used my pregnancy as a lesson, not only for me but also for others. In my English class last school year, my teacher assigned us a summer project, which was a presentation about something we personally learned, or wanted others to learn. I intended to use my pregnancy for that, for a learning lesson to myself, but mainly to others.

That's why I wanted my friends and family to write down things they heard about me, full-on rumors that were spread about me. They were all incredibly worried that I wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of what they wrote, and I'll be the first to admit it was hard reading everything for the first time, but I've now come to terms with what people said. I can't change what they said or what they think, but I can rise above them and be the bigger person and prove that age is but a number, and although it's not ideal to be a mother as young as sixteen, anyone can be a mom.

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"How are you doing, babe?" Gage asked, walking into my room with Max in his arms.

"Ugh," I groaned. "Putting this project into words is harder than I thought," I admitted. "No matter what I write, it doesn't sound perfect enough for a presentation."

"Hey, look at me," Gage said. "It doesn't have to be perfect. Nothing is perfect. All that matters is you make the point you set out to make - although young, you're still a great mother."

"I-I know, but people are going to be judging me even worse than they were last year and over the summer. They probably think my poor baby is brainwashed by now," I chuckled.

"I assure you are baby is just fine," Gage laughed, and as if on cue, Max made a little noise in his arms.

I picked Max up from Gage's arms and held him in mine. I looked down at him and realized that Gage was right. My baby was perfect, my life seemed perfect for once. Although it was tough, everything seemed to fall into place. I wasn't worried about school or people in this very moment. All I was worried about was providing for my son, giving him all he ever needs and wants.

"I can just tell that you were meant to be a mom, hun," Andy's voice spread throughout the room. "I just can't get enough of you three!" he laughed as he leaned against the door frame. "Anyway, I just came to tell you both that Joe and I are heading to the studio to meet Pete and Patrick. We probably won't be back until late, okay?"

"And NO funny business!" Joe popped in behind Andy. "I don't want to come home to learn you're having another one of my grandchildren.

"Dad!!!" I laughed.

The two of them said goodbye, then left. I sighed as I chuckled, looking down at Max again, stroking his cheek. I told Gage I should probably get back to working on my presentation, since it was due in just three weeks. He offered to take Max back into the living room, but I declined. He kissed my forehead, then left.

I spun back around in my chair, facing my laptop that had since gone into sleep mode. I wiggled the mouse and stared at the few slides I had created on google slides. They were filled with stereotypes against young mothers, against the babies born to them, and short stories of other young mothers I had been able to meet over social media.

I sighed once more, glancing down at Max in my arms again. Then, and idea struck me. Why not use my son as inspiration for my project? I had been having a hard time focusing and being able to write from my heart, but having my son in my arms seemed to make me forget all that. I set Max down in his little bounce chair beside my desk, then began typing slide after slide, glancing down at Max every once in a while for more inspiration.

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"I finished!" I shouted as I ran into the living room at nearly eleven at night.

"You finished...?" Gage looked confused.

"My report! I finished my report!" I smiled, waving the pages of printed slides in front of him.

"Babe, I'm so proud of you!!!" he stood up and hugged me tightly. "Now all you have to get through is presenting it."

"One thing at a time!" I hit his shoulder, laughing.

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I actually like this chapter! Good comeback?? Please vote💙