Too Young (Travlyn Fic)

Aphmau

As I struggle to manage both an over energetic toddler and a heartbroken friend who spent the night on my couch, the faint noice of my cellphone ringing hits my ears.

Maybe it's Katelyn? I want it to be Katelyn. I know not to get my hopes up. Since we left her house after Kacey obviously lied to us, I've been anxiously keeping my ringer on at all time. With each buzz my heart both rises and falls. Every call might be her. Of course she did block my number....

"Aaron, can you get my phone? I just got Lina in her seat," I say, passing her a spoon full of chocolate ice cream. She giggles, with a smile that's brighter then the sun. I shake my head. This totally goes against my morals.

For the record I didn't cave. Travis needed ice cream when he woke up today and Alina would throw a hissy fit if she didn't get any. It would be fair.

Nope, what am I saying. I totally caved. Dealing with a screaming toddler was not high on my wish list right now. Actually it wasn't on any list at all.

"Course, babe." He stood up from beside Travis, giving Travis what he thinks is a comforting pat on the shoulder. I grit my teeth as I seen Travis slowly stir his melting ice cream, with a blank look on his face. What the actual heck was so wrong that Katelyn couldn't at least call to explain? Would it hurt to pick up the phone? More importantly why would she hurt Travis? She cared for him, or at least I thought she did.

I'm distracted from my thoughts as my very impatient two year old decided to grab her bowl from my hand and fling ice cream at me. A small shriek escapes my mouth as a cold, dark chocolate lump hits me like a carefully launched canon. The world really isn't trying to make this any easier for me.

"Mama!" Alina shouts, laughing hysterically. Right. This is so funny. "Mama, I made a mess." Travis springs out of his chair.

"I'll get you a rag."

"Thanks, Travis." I sigh as I look down at the chocolate now dripping down my sweater.

"I made a mess, Uncle Trav!" To add to mess which is my life the spoon gets flung across the room.

"Mija, really?" I close my eyes for a second, trying to remain calm. Aaron shakes his head at us as he picks up the still blaring phone. His back stiffens. Somethings wrong.

"Aaron, what's wrong?" Trav asks voicing my thoughts out loud. Reaching across the counter he passes me an orange dish towel. "Here, Aph."

"It's Katelyn."

Travis almost falls over. I grab his hands, hoping to steady him.

"Easy there." Lina looks from me to Aaron, confusion lingering in her features.

"Katie?" he breathes. "She's calling now?"

"Answer it!" I don't know whether I should scream with joy or punch a wall. Maybe both. I frantically wipe at the ice cream on my shirt with the cloth. Unfortunately, all I'm doing is rubbing the sticky mess into my shirt. I'm not really paying attention. My mind is fully focused on Katie. I've been so worried about her. I'm not going to forgive her right away, but still!

Aaron presses answer and we all hold our breathes. The room is quieter then it's ever been. Lina's not even talking.

"Mama?" So much for that.

"Hush, Lina," I say, scooping her up, hoping to keep her quiet.

"Mama!"

"I said hush!" Guilt immediately washes over me. Alina begins to cry. "I'm sorry, Mija. Mama's just stressed." No answer, just more tears. I sigh again and begin to rock her, singing quietly. "My little angel, don't you cry. Mama promises it will be alright."

Lina rests her head against my shoulder.
I slide onto one of the barstools, sharing anxious looks with Travis as Aaron speaks quietly. It's not Katie, I can tell.

With every word, Aaron looks more and more concerned. What is it? What's wrong. Travis looks even more worried. in fact he's trembling. I haven't seen Travis like this in a long time.

I take his hand and give it a tight squeeze. I'm not just singing to Alina who seems to have calmed down, but to Travis and myself. Aaron isn't saying much and most of what he does say isn't audible. All we can hear is 'uhuh' and an occasional 'no'. His foot drums against the kitchen floor. Travis squeezes my hand back, practically cutting the circulation off. Lina looks from me to him.

"Mama, can I go see, Uncle Trav?" I nod. Alina slides off my lap, disappearing from sight momentarily, before reappearing on Travis's lap.

"It otay, Uncle Trav," she says wrapping her tiny, little arms around him. I smile at her, momentarily forgetting. The moment is ruined when I hear Aaron say,

"Of course, Eric. Yes, I'll ask them. Did you check with Lucinda? What about Garroth and them? Okay. Yeah, I'll call if I hear anything. We'll be over soon. No problem."

Eric? Wait, that's Katelyn's dad. Why are we going over there? Here what? I'm riddled with questions.

Aaron hangs up and the second he puts the phone down, Travis asks the questions that are on the top of my tongue.

"What's wrong? Is Katelyn okay?"

Aaron doesn't meet our eyes. My heart races. Travis bolts up, squeezing Lina tight. Too tight.

"Uncle Trav!" she whines, squirming wildly. Travis adjusts his grip.

"Aaron?" I take a step forward. "What's going on?" He can't hear me though, because my voice is being drowned out by Travis.

"Aaron, what is it!" Still no answer. "Aaron!" There is a creaking noise. I flinch. It's my mom. My mom's at front door, arms full of groceries. Alina squirms out of Travis's arms and bolts to her.

"It's too loud, Grama!"

"What is going on?"

"Katelyn's gone," Aaron blurts. Travis looks like he's about to faint.

"What?" The words are barely louder then a whisper.

"What do you mean gone?"

"I mean just that. Katelyn's gone."