Girlfriend: Sophomore year (REMASTERD)

9

Chapter Title: "Breaking the News"

Kehlani

"YOU'RE WHAT!?" my aunt's voice exploded through the kitchen, loud enough to shake the fridge.

I flinched, tears already burning the back of my eyes. I knew this moment was coming. My body was changing, and there was no hiding it for much longer. She was gonna find out, so I figured I should tell her first—before someone else did.

"I... I didn't mean for this to happen," I whispered, barely holding myself together. "It was just one time. Me and Jah... we didn't use protection."

She stared at me, pacing, processing. Her mouth opened like she wanted to yell again, but then her face softened.

"Kehlani... this is a human growing inside you. You're still in high school. You got dreams, baby. What were you two thinking?" Her voice cracked, and just like that, my tears spilled over.

"I know," I sobbed. "I know it was stupid. But I didn't do this on purpose. I swear I didn't."

She pulled me into a hug, tight and warm. That safe kind of hug only someone who raised you can give.

"Okay," she whispered. "Okay, baby. We're gonna figure this out. I'm not mad—I'm just scared for you."

"Auntie, what am I supposed to do? I'm having Jah's baby... and I'm back with Robyn. I feel like I'm ruining everything."

She pulled back, wiping her own tears now. "First of all, I'm proud you're back with Robyn. She's solid. You need love around you. But don't worry about what people think, Lani. Worry about that little life inside of you. Make sure they feel safe. Make sure they feel loved. That's all that matters."

We cried together for what felt like an hour—healing, hurting, but still holding on.

Just then, the front door opened.

"Oh hey, Mama," Robyn called, walking in with Jah right behind her. The second she saw my aunt, her smile turned nervous.

Jah's whole energy shifted—shoulders low, eyes on the floor.

"Hey, Mama," he muttered. "I just wanna say I'm sorry. For not being more careful with Kehlani."

My aunt sighed but nodded. "What's done is done. Now we focus on what matters—this baby. No more drama, no more mistakes. Just support."

"Right," Jah said. "Uhh... Keh, can we talk for a minute? Alone?"

I looked at Robyn, who gave me a little nod, and followed Jah to the back room.

We sat in silence.

He didn't look at me at first, just rubbed his palms together like he was trying to warm up the courage to say what was on his mind.

"I know you're with Robyn," he finally said. "But I think we should get back together. For the baby's sake."

"What?" My voice cracked.

"Just hear me out," he rushed. "I'm not saying I don't respect you and Robyn, I do. I just think... the baby should grow up with their mom and dad together. I don't want them confused about why they got two moms and one dad."

I stood up, heart racing. "What's wrong with that, Jahseh? Seriously. You think that's some broken family? Cause to me, it sounds like a child who's surrounded by love."

He reached for my hand and gently pulled me back down beside him. "I'm sorry, Keh. I ain't mean it like that. I'm just scared. I don't know what being a dad's supposed to look like. I just... I want to do it right."

I softened. "I'm scared too, Jah. But we got each other. And Robyn. And Auntie. And Hayley. We got a whole village ready to protect this baby."

He smiled, just a little. And for the first time, I saw him for what he really was—just a boy, trying to be more.

I wrapped my arms around him.

We weren't perfect. But this baby? They'd be loved beyond
measure.

Chapter Title: "The Weight of the World"

Robyn

The house felt heavy today, the air thick with unspoken words. I had to step outside for a bit. Just needed space to breathe, space to think. Kehlani's news hit me hard, and I knew it wasn't just her that was struggling—Jah was too.

But damn, I couldn't stop thinking about how we were all going to figure this out.

I found Hayley sitting on the porch, staring out at nothing. She was always the calm one, the one who seemed to have all the answers when no one else did. But today, even she seemed off.

I walked up to her, sat down next to her, and just stared. For a moment, neither of us said a word.

"You okay?" I asked quietly.

She didn't look at me, but her lips twitched, like she was holding something back. "You sure you're okay, Robyn? I've never seen you like this. You're usually so strong."

I felt the weight of it all press on my chest. "I'm trying. But damn, it's a lot, you know? Kehlani's pregnant with Jah's baby. And I'm back with her. I love her so much. But I can't help but feel like I'm losing a part of myself in all of this."

Hayley finally looked at me. Her expression softened. "You're not losing yourself. You're just navigating a new part of your life. You love Kehlani, right? That's all that matters."

"Yeah, but it's more complicated now. It's not just about us anymore. It's about this baby, and what's best for them. What if I'm not enough? What if Kehlani feels like she has to go back to Jah for the baby's sake? What if I lose her again?"

I looked down at my hands, twisting the bracelet on my wrist, trying to calm my shaking fingers. Hayley reached out and took my hand.

"Robyn, you're overthinking this. You have every right to be scared, but you can't let fear dictate your next steps. Kehlani's going to need you more than ever now. And you need her just as much. You guys have always been a team. Nothing's gonna change that, not even a baby."

I swallowed hard. "But Jah... he's already talking like we need to be together for the baby. Like we're not enough if we're not a 'traditional' family."

Hayley raised an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

I laughed, bitterly. "Exactly. What's it even mean? Two moms, one dad? We're not traditional. We're us. But Jah's scared, Hayley. And I don't know what to do with that."

Hayley gave me a serious look, her eyes piercing through me like she could read every thought I was having. "Do you love Kehlani?"

"Of course I do."

"Then you'll figure it out. Just remember, this isn't about proving something to anyone else. It's about what you and Kehlani need. It's about how you want to raise this baby, together. No one else can dictate that."

I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words sink in. She was right. I had to focus on what was in front of me, not on what everyone else thought.

But that didn't make it easier. This whole situation was a mess, and the pressure was overwhelming.

I let out a deep breath, looking up at the sky. "I just want us all to be okay."

Hayley squeezed my hand. "You're going to be okay. You just have to trust yourself. And trust Kehlani."

I stood up, pulling her with me. "You're right. Thanks, Hayley. I needed this."

She smiled, giving me a side hug. "Anytime. Now go talk to Kehlani. She needs you."

I nodded, turning back to the house. As I walked inside, I could hear Kehlani laughing with Jah in the kitchen, the sound of their voices bringing me some peace. No matter how complicated this situation got, at least I knew we had each other.

And that was all I needed to hold on to.