Lisa & Aiden

Part I

"Shit. Shit. Shit." Aiden paced back and forth, running his hands through his hair. "Shit." They had the classroom to themselves. Everyone else was out at lunch.

Lisa just sat there, her head pressed against the desk, praying he would sit down. She felt like she was going to vomit, and his frantic movements were not helping matters. She breathed in and out, spinning the fidget ring on her finger.

"Shit."

"Okay. So ... so I am ... really fucking scared right now. So I need you to say something other than shit. Preferably not swearing."

"Leese, are you sure?"

"I am pretty sure, yeah. I had to do the bloody test twice. That was £11.98 at Boots. I had to tell my dad that I needed the money for a new textbook."

"£11.98? Jeez. Why didn't you go to that Crew place? They do them for free."

"So not the point." Lisa hissed, slamming the tests down on the table between them. Both of them had a plus in the small window.

"But we were so careful. I used a condom and everything."

"Well, they're not always effective, are they. They said that in PSHE."

"Shit... sorry." Aiden came to a stop next to her. "Are you ... alright?"

"No. I'm not."

"Ooh, come here, babes." He wrapped his arms around Lisa, holding her close.

"I don't know what to do."

"Have you told anyone?"

"Only Yas and Robin. And Kim. And my brother walked in on me doing that," she motions to one of the tests, "because the bathroom lock was broken. And now, you know too."

Aiden opened his mouth, thought for a moment and closed it again.

"So yeah. Surprise. You're going to be a father."

"Shit. I mean ... okay. This is a lot to process, Leese."

"Again, why do you think I'm shitting bricks?!"

"... Are we going to need a book of baby names?"

"We?" Lisa asked.

"Well, I assume that is why you are telling me. You want me to be involved in ... whatever you decide to do next. Or have I misread this entire situation?"

"Would it be so wrong if I ... kept it? I mean, I graduate in a few months and then I can get a job and my parents will ... fuck it. They will murder you and then me."

"They wouldn't murder us ... would they?"

"Honestly don't know. They still don't know I am even dating anyone yet. Never mind about dating ... you."

"Why? What's wrong with me?" Aiden asked, affronted. "Am I not good enough for the likes of you?"

"That's ... not what I meant."

"Then what? Are you ashamed to be with me, is that it?!"

"For fuck sake! I can only deal with one fucking thing at this moment in time! I love you, alright? I love you, and I choose to be with you. But Dad told me he wanted me to focus on my education. So, he doesn't know. I mean ... Have you told your mum we are dating?"

"Erm... I actually did." He said sheepishly, averting his eyes. "She said you were a nice lass. And said if you made me happy, she would be happy. She also told me to wear a condom if you and I were to ..."

"Well, shit. Did you at least keep the packet to prove you used one?" Lisa laughed, a nervous, shaky laugh. It was either laugh or cry, and she had cried enough these past 12 hours.

"It's not funny," Aiden began, but in a moment he was laughing too. They clung to one another, laughing into the void.

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Part II - Six months later

"Ooh, how about Ella?" Robin asked as he plodded through the book of names, sticking Post-It notes onto the pages that interested him. It was a slow process. He was doing it one name at a time.

"After Enchanted or Vaday?" Kimberly did not look up from Instagram.

"Vaday, of course." Robin continued to read, opening up a packet of rainbow belts and passing them around to the assembled party with his free hand. Powdered sherbet dropped onto his trousers. "Damn. These are new on."

"We're sure it's even a girl?" Yasmin asked, stuffing the stringy sweets into her mouth.

"Yes, it's a girl," Lisa replied, rubbing her stomach, "or at least that is what the scan said. They're fairly accurate."

Aidan sat beside them, though he wasn't paying any attention. He was too busy feeding a robot baby simulator, cradling its head and softly cooing. "There we go. There we go. Just a bit more, yeah?"

"Thank goodness Mrs O'Neill had one left over, it was either that or a bag of flour."

"Why does Mrs O'Neill have these?"

"It's for this exact scenario. A student goes and gets themselves knocked up." Chloe Grange sniffed, peering superciliously down her nose at the group of friends.

"Buzz off, Chloe." Kimberly swatted at her with a lazy hand.

"What? I am only stating facts. Must make your parents so proud, Lisa. Oh, wait, they disowned you. Guess they saw you to be a proper disappointment."

"Okay, that's quite enough from you, you Regina George knockoff. Take a long hike, and while you are there, step on Lego." Robin was on his feet, stepping between Lisa and Chloe.

"What's the matter Lisa, need your pet fag to defend your honour?"

"Wow. How original, calling me a fag. Take a bow. Honey, keep using all the slurs you like, but I ain't ashamed of my sexuality. Nor of my friends. Maybe you should try being a decent human being, then you might have people to sit with at lunchtime, instead of bothering us."

"Well... well... just light somewhere you flaming femme-boy." Chloe turned on her heels and stormed off.

"Wow, femmboy. ... Am I femme?"

"A little bit, yeah."

"Sweet." Robin shrugged, adjusting his pink, white and blue butterfly clips.

"You didn't have to do that," Lisa said.

"I know. But honestly, I had a bone to pick with her anyway about that thing she said about Kyle Evans."

"Wait, what did she say about Kyle?"

"Usual biphobic shit. That he is bisexual for attention, blah blah blah."

"Shit. How's Kyle?"

"See for yourself." Robin pointed over to a large Year 13 with sandy blond hair, who was balancing a metal spoon on his nose to the applause of his friends. He is striking. He catches Robin's eye and waves before returning to his game.

"Seems fine to me."

"Yeah. He sure is." Kimberly mutters under her breath. She has finally extracted herself from her phone long enough to engage in the conversation.

"Oh my God. Ask him out already." Yasmin's voice is muffled, chomping through another handful of the belts.

"I will, I will. Don't rush me. I'm playing it cool."

"For who? For Kyle? Kyle doesn't like games ... when it comes to people, at least. He likes people to be honest with him. If you want to ask him out? Ask him out. But maybe don't take too long. I hear Jamie Todd is on the scene."

"Ugh. How can I compete with Jamie Todd? I swear he is an angel."

"He's not. I mean, he's a great guy, but definitely no angel." Robin smiles mischievously.

"Do I even want to ask?"

"I don't kiss and tell."

"Bollocks."

"Robs, you are way too nice about your exes."

"What can I say? We broke up on good terms."

"Yeah, Kim. Not everyone throws vodka over their ex at a party and storms off."

"That was only once."

"One time too many, babes..." Yasmin reaches for a third handful. Robin bats it away.

"Oi. I've only had one."

"Fine. I'll ask him out after Music. But you have to chum me, Robs."

"Will do. Actually, this is good because I've been meaning to ask Kyle about his sea monkeys. I heard from Ewan that they are getting quite big."

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Part III - Two months later

"I got one!" Robin shouted excitedly, rushing into the canteen at full pelt. He skidded to a stop at the table, where Lisa and Aiden were already seated, surrounded by Yasmin, Kimberly and Kyle. Kyle and Kimberly were holding hands, looking at each other with the most besotted looks that Robin had ever seen.

"You didn't?!" Lisa's mouth hung open.

"I did!"

"Oh my God, mate, that's amazing!" Aiden jumped up, lifting Robin in the air and spinning him around.

Several heads turned to watch them.

"How much do we owe you? I am ... a bit short at the moment. But when I get paid, I will pay you back. I swear." 

Aiden blushed. No matter how hard he worked, it would never be enough to fully support them. Not at the rate he was currently earning. 

Lisa had been working too, up until a month ago. Then she was let go. Not her fault. The shop closed down. It's going to be a Paperchase. So in the meantime, she was looking for a new job. Although Aiden's mum said she didn't have to, encouraging her to instead focus on her own mental health and wellbeing. 

It had been a tumultuous few months for the two of them. What with Lisa's parents ... well, they were no longer in the picture. Aiden's family had been wonderful, taking Lisa in and treating her like their own, but it still broke her.

"Well, you owe me a grand total of zero pounds and zero pence. It's a present." Robin smiled, turning the phone around to show them. "Say hello to your brand new pram." It was shiny and new with a navy blue canvas. "I hope the navy is alright. They were out of black and Mum said, better that than red."

"It's ... Oh my God, it's perfect. Thank you, Robin! And please thank your mum for us too."

"Oh, no probs babes." Robin smiled, hugging both Lisa and Aiden in turn. "Mind if I squeeze in, Yas?"

Yasmin scoots over, moving her family-size bag of rainbow belts off the chair. He helps himself to one.

"So. I was thinking about Sunday. If you guys aim to come over to mine for 4:00, we can do the fun stuff. You know the gifts, etc. Is that too early?"

"You don't have to go to all this trouble." Lisa begins.

"Oh, go on. We want to celebrate you both." Yas grabs Lisa, giving her hand a squeeze.

"Yeah. I've never been to a baby shower before. Should be a right banger." Kyle beamed. "Yoh, Jamie? Baby shower at Rob's place, Sunday? You coming?!"

Jamie Todd, who was sitting on the table behind them, looked up from his cottage pie.

"Oh, aye? You okay with that, Robs?"

"Sure, babes. Of course, you can."

"Noice. It's a date then."

"Ha. You wish. Well, you might as well join us if you are coming."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Don't mention it, Jamie. Of course, you can join us." Yas gave Robin a knowing smile as Jamie plonked himself into the seat beside them.

"So! I've even got Nosecco. It's shit, but it's alcohol-free." Robin said, fitting a new pin badge to his school blazer. It reads "Uncle in Chief." It sits proudly in between "Trans Ally" and "Sounds Gay, I'm In."

"I don't say this enough. But you are the best friends we can ask for. And," Aiden looked to Lisa, who nodded with approval, "We wanted to tell you first that we have settled on a name."

"Yes. In about a month or so, Robyn Kimberly Yasmin Forrest will be joining our little family."

"Ooh! Bless your hearts. Come here."

Yas, Kimberly and Robin pull the couple into a large hug.

"Come on. Let's get a photo."

"Oh yes! Let's get a photo!"

"Shall I do the honours?" Jamie said, motioning for Lisa to give him her phone.

"Thank you, Jamie!"

"So is it just the immediate family?" Kyle joked, moving to stand beside Jamie. But Kim caught him by the arm.

"Well, that means you, too."

"Yes, Kyle, you too. Now get in!"

They scuttle around, arranging themselves carefully so that they can all fit in the frame.

"Right. Everyone say "Baby" on the count of three. One. Two. Three."

"BABY!"

Jamie takes about a dozen. Some are portraits. Others landscape.

As the friends playfully tease each other about how they look in the photo, Aiden and Lisa smile proudly at one another, sitting in the centre of the small throng, grateful for this wonderful band of misfits that they called their family.

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Part IV - Three Months Later

"Who's a little cutie? Yes, you are, yes you are." Aiden tickled Robyn's toes, giggling as she wiggled around on the foam mattress. "Lisa, can you get the overnight bag out of the spare room?"

"I'll do it," Robin said.

"Thanks, Robin. Now, are you sure you don't mind looking after her?"

"Not at all. Now you go and have a great night out. We will be fine."

"Well, we're just a call away." Aiden smiled nervously.

"I know. I know. But you needn't worry... Ooh, look at you both, like a vision." Lisa, dressed in a red and white polka dot dress, entered the room and gave them a twirl.

"Wow... Leese, you look... wow."

"Thanks. You too."

Since coming out of the hospital a few months ago, every night has been spent taking care of Robyn. It was not easy, and she had made so many mistakes. They both had. But thanks to their friends and family, mainly Aiden's parents, who had the most experience in raising kids, they had somehow muddled through.

It was a stressful time. But they were coping relatively well.

The group had suggested that the couple have a night out at the cinema, and although they were hesitant at first, they could not help but appreciate the opportunity for a night that was just the two of them. It had been far too long.

"What time are the others coming around?" Lisa asked, double-checking that she had everything.

"Half seven. So it's just me and mum until then." 

"Okay. Well, we'll be off. Bye-bye, sweetheart. We'll see you soon." Aiden blew Robyn a kiss.

"Say bye-bye to Momma and Dadda."

Robyn cooed in response, waving a tiny hand.

 

Aiden wrapped his sweatshirt around Lisa's shoulders as they walked across the cinema car park, arm in arm.

"This has been really nice." Aiden mused, smiling to himself.

"Yeah, it has."

"I love you, Lisa."

"I love you too, Aiden."