Too Young (Travlyn Fic)

Katelyn

"I can't believe I missed so much," I say rocking Abby. It's nap time, but she just refuses to fall asleep. Not that that is anything new. Despite my best efforts she continues to wail.
"Yeah, well we missed a lot too," Lucinda says. She yawns. Like my entire pregnancy, I added silently. "I'm glad you had someone like Donna by your side though."
I notice Aphmau looks a little bitter. She wanted to be there I realize. She's jealous.
I feel guilty. Guilty, but then again not. Guilty I ran away. Not guilty for meeting Donna.
"Yeah," Travis says. He turns to Donna. "Thank you."
Donna still looks a tad betrayed, but she seems to have gotten over it quickly.
"It was no issue. Katie is quite a delightful person."
Aphmau snickers. I stifle a smile. Most people back home wouldn't say that. Back home I was defensive and aggressive and not at all delightful unless I wanted to be.
"What?" Donna says. I don't think she like Aphmau. Actually, I am sure she doesn't like her. Which is odd, because Donna likes me.
"Sorry, it's just... you know what, it's nothing." Donna purses her lips.
"Did I miss any— oh hush, Abby!"
"Here let me," Donna and Aphmau say at the same time. Aphmau eyes flash.
"It's alright I can do it," Aphmau says.
"Oh, hun, I don't doubt you can it's just babies this young are very hard to take care of."
Oh Donna, you shouldn't say anything else. You shouldn't say anything. Aphmau gets so worked up when someone doubts her parenting just because she's young.
"I know. Trust me. I have a perfectly healthy three year old who I didn't drop once," Aphmau says icily. I bite my lip.
"Here, Aph. You haven't really gotten to bond with Abby yet, you do it," I say trying to avoid conflict. Wow, I really have changed. I use to charge right into conflict.
"Katie..."
I turn to Donna.
"I trust Aphmau with my life, Donna. And Alina is perfectly healthy."
Please don't say anything Donna. Donna, to my relief, just nods.
I pass Alina to Aphmau, who takes her gently.
"Oh how I miss when Lina was this small."
A realization dawns on me. Three year old.
"I missed Lina's birthday this year."
Aphmau looks up at me alarm in her eyes. Travis takes my hand.
"It's okay. You can just wish her happy birthday twice this year," Lucinda suggests. Guilt returns. I forgot about Alina's birthday. It was back in April.
"Yeah," Aphmau agrees. I'm glad she's not mad. She rocks Abby softly, singing a quiet lullaby to her.
"So your daughter is three?"
Aphmau nods.
"Alina is the sweetest thing," Travis says.
"Does she still call you Uncle Trav?"
Travis nods.
"You'll love her Donna, you'll have to meet her."
"That brings me to another question." Donna looks at me straight in the eye.
"Are you moving back to Phoniex Drop."
I'd been avoiding thinking about this. I don't know. I don't know.
Abby's crying dies down.
"No."
"What?" Lucinda says, shock evident in her voice. I close my eyes and bite my lip. I always do that when I'm nervous.
"I like it here. I have a career."
"Your singing at a cafe," Aphmau says.
"And your doing what?"
Aphmau looks down at her lap.
"Writing a book," she murmurs. "And fast food. Aaron has the company to manage so I'll probably do that too."
Aaron. Derek. Derek is dead. I forgot about that. How could I forget about.
"Wouldn't Melissa???"
"Inherit it? Yeah, but she doesn't want too. She's trying to break into the fashion industry."
"Your changing the subject," Donna says.
"I don't want to go back to Phoniex Drop. It just... I feel like I belong here."
"You belong back with us, back with your dad and Kacey."
Dad. Kacey. I open my eyes.
"I'll go back and visit them, but I want to stay here in O'kasis."
"Travis, back me up!" Lucinda splutters.
Travis looks alarmed. Come on, Trav. Tell them I'm fine here. Tell them.
He takes a deep breath.
"I think Katie has the right to choose." He looks me in the eye and gives my hand a squeeze. "I'll stick with her no matter what."
"Aph!" Lucinda begs.
"I want to be close to you, Kat." Aphmau continues to rock Abby.
"You could move out here!"
Before she can say another word, Donna's phone begins to ring.
"It's for you," she says handing it to me. I never did get another phone. I don't know why. I just didn't prioritize it. I have a house phone, just not a cell.
"Hello?"
"Where are you, Katie? Your shift started fifteen minutes ago."
My shift? My shift. At the cafe.
"My Irene, I'm so sorry. Jason, I'll be there in ten okay? A lots going on."
"It's fine. Just come as soon as you can, okay?"
"Okay! Thanks, Jase," I say, relief flooding in.
"No problem. See you Kates."
Click. I hand Donna her phone back.
"Anyone want to come to the Cafe with me?"

Lucinda stayed behind. Something about not sleeping for twenty four hours. The rest of us piled into Donna's minivan and drove to the cafe.
When we approach the doors of the cafe, Jason is standing there.
"Katie, looking good," he says.
"Thanks, Jase. How mad is the boss?"
"Meh? He knows you just had a kid."
Travis's grip on my hand tightens. It's almost like he's jealous. Jealous? Of Jason?
Jason is like my big brother. I've told him the truth about my age. He's the only one I've told. There could never be anything romantic between us. Never.
Jason's gaze falls on Travis and I's intertwined hands.
"Oh, Jason this is Aphmau and Travis."
"Pleased to meet you." His voice sounds tight.
"You too," Aph says. Trav stays silent. The tension is high right now.
"Um, anyways, I have a job to do. Jason, why don't you seat Trav and Aph?"
"Yeah, sure."
We walk into the cafe which smells like freshly baked banana bread and coffee.
"Ah, Katie Lynne everyone!" Percy, my boss, booms. I wave as I make my wave to the stage. My feet echo as I walk into the familiar wood platform. I look up the karaoke on the speaker iPod, trying to find a song. As I scroll through the tunes, one catches my eye. I click the button and go stand by the microphone. I click the button for the music to start.
"You and I till the end, don't need to pretend, again and again, we'll stick together."
I lock eyes with Travis. I won't ever leave you, I hope my eyes say. I won't.
"Everything is alright, with you by my side, we won't say goodbye, we'll stick together."

*****
I love that song and I think it is definitely fitting for this chapter.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and make sure you stay tuned for the next one!
-AJKBookworm