Kari Linton didn't have a mother growing up. She had a father, who was well known in the underground of San Myshuno when it came to a certain business. Kari's father was infamously notorious for being the leader of a gang, so no one fucked with Kari.
Unfortunately, her father got into a mix-up during her first year of high school. He, as well as three other men, had been killed in a shootout. But her dad was smart and made sure Kari would be okay. In anticipation, he had set up a system that would provide housing and security until Kari was able to graduate. He also technically left the deed to a small old industrial shed to Kari. Even if something happened, she would have somewhat of a roof over her head. But there was one issue. This shed was much more than a storage place.
Kari discovered a basement of the shed, which was much bigger than expected. There was a little bit of a problem. This used to be the hideout for the, now freshly killed gang. This was evidence. The police had no idea, and Kari intended on keeping it that way. Kari officially decided to pick up where her father left off when she started her second year of high school. In under a few months, the viscous gang was back in a stable setting. One of the other men that was killed alongside her father had a daughter. She still had her mother, but she kept in close contact with Kari. The girl's name was Amira Spear, who was four years older than Kari. Amira couldn't help but feel bad for Kari, which lead to heart to hearts and a promise to get revenge.
Both Kari and Amira began to work underground in the business in the name of the gang. Amira was able to work with Kari and help get her a place, the apartment building where she and her boyfriend lived had recently had an opening next door. Conveniently, it was also close to the shed. The place wasn't very nice, but it was affordable with the money Kari had left from her father. So by her third year of high school, Kari was managing a drug trade that would be able to set up income to pay for the duplex that she moved into.
Jayden Jett moved to the area around the end of his third year of high school. He often went to the skatepark and hung out there for hours. Kari's duplex was just across the street from the skate park. Jayden and Kari spent that summer together, and it usually ended with him staying at her duplex. His mother worked nights and was always asleep during the day, and he didn't have a dad around. Kari made him feel like he was worth something. He use to think love was bullshit, and he also has rarely found most women attractive. But Kari, Kari was something else. She was beautiful. She was fun.
Jayden tried to not get involved with Kari's gang shit. He honestly thought it was some kind of joke, a club, or something. He was from a small town, they didn't have gangs. But this city sure did. And he learned that pretty quickly. When Jayden officially was told by Kari about the things she was involved in, he felt like he was too deep to back away. He had been a witness to a lot of things, and at this point, he is involved with knowing more than he should. There was no way he would leave Kari alone at night when he knew the troubles she was in. He had to be there, to protect her. So he stayed.
Amira and Kari were always together, which meant Jayden had to be around Amira a lot. Which also means, Amira's boyfriend Khalil. Honestly, the guy was kind of an asshole. He was drinking a lot, and Jayden wasn't even sure if the guy was old enough to buy it. But then again, his girlfriend was a high schooler running a drug trade. Maybe illegal alcohol bought by minors is not the biggest problem here. Jayden was indifferent to him. He was okay, but that is about it.
Khalil and Amira came over one morning, Amira screamed with joy while holding a test. A pregnancy test. Amira was pregnant. Kari and Amira jumped with joy, Amira was only 21 but she has always wanted a baby. Particularly, a baby girl. Nine months later Andie Spear was born.
With the birth of Andie, Amira had decided to slow down a little with the gang shit. At least until she was able to officially marry Khalil. He took her last name, Spear. When Andie was born her hair was a bright red, just like Amira's. She felt her entire world flip upside down, and suddenly it was as if everything she has done was to prepare for this baby girl.
Andie was dressed up, a lot. Amira was always putting her in cute little outfits, spending money that she didn't really have. Khalil was lazy, and stayed home most days. He sometimes worked at the bar but not as much as he should to bring home bread. Amira was basically running this family on drug money and debts. I owe you ones, and lots of favors.
Kari was amused with Andie. She thought all the little outfits were cute, and was starting to grow fond of helping Amira out with her. That's when Kari decided to be a little reckless. If she also had a baby, then they would grow up together. They would be best friends! She could take all kinds of cute pictures. Kari dreamed of having a girl, a baby she could show off to the world the way that Amira showed off Andie.
She stopped caring about if she had condoms or not, it's not like she was sleeping with other people. Only Jayden. So if she was to get pregnant, there is no doubt it would be his. Jayden was concerned, he wouldn't be able to have a baby right now. He was upset with the idea, which lead to some arguing. Kari pleaded with him, but he was insistent on wearing condoms. So Kari agreed.
Good. They were on the same page. Except, they weren't. Jayden thought things would go back to normal, and he started wearing condoms again. But a few weeks later and a very nauseous Kari suggested another story. She would never tell Jayden this, but she had made sure to poke holes in all the condoms they kept around. It was thrilling for her, but Jayden was confused and shocked when Kari told him she was pregnant.
Jayden's world felt like a full stop. He hadn't even graduated high school yet, and his girlfriend was pregnant. This isn't what he wanted. He wanted to graduate high school. He wanted to go to Ubrite and get a degree in Physics. He couldn't support a child at this point in his life, he was practically one himself.
When Jayden's mother found out he was immediately kicked to the curb unwelcome back home. Thankfully he knew he could stay with Kari, but he would have to face the reality that had hit him right in the face. He was going to have to do something to be able to help Kari with this baby. He didn't want to get more involved with Kari's gang. But at this point, it was the easiest and fastest way to a stable income. He made the choice to drop out of high school when Kari did. He would work with her to be able to provide. He wouldn't worry about school, just manufacturing what it is that pays the bills. Kari's money left by her father was running out, fast.
The time had come when Kari and Jayden would get an ultrasound to find out if they were having a boy or a girl. Kari was convinced she was going to have a girl. It felt right. It was what she wanted after all. Jayden was indifferent. The idea of a baby in general wasn't good, so he really didn't care if it was a boy or a girl. At least, that is what he had thought at first. The appointment quickly turned sour as the nurse revealed what she was having. Kari was going to have a baby boy. Her excitement disappeared, and she didn't even try to be excited at the news. She was, to put it simply, shocked. She wanted a girl. Was she really going to have a boy? This wasn't the plan after all.
Jayden and Kari left that appointment with tension. What would usually be a happy announcement of a baby boy, was actually the reason Kari couldn't stop crying. When she was home, she angrily destroyed the baby decor she had already bought. She tore it to shreds, and the way Kari was handling the news made Jayden's stomach feel like a pit. She was so upset that they were having a boy. It almost made Jayden want to be more excited for this baby since Kari clearly wasn't. Almost.
Joel Linton was born two weeks before his due date. He was quite small, much smaller than Andie was when she was born. Kari felt like he was so frail and delicate, and was terrified to even hold him. Jayden took him from the nurse, Kari refusing to hold him. She began mumbling, but he was too focused on the little being that he was holding in his hands. That little dude's entire existence was the only thing he could focus on.
Jayden did not want kids. He doesn't like children, and can't stand to be around them. But this tiny being, only a few moments old was already being rejected by Kari. He felt bad. He tried to be excited. He wanted to be able to love this child, but Joel's arrival lead to Jayden breaking down in tears after holding him. It was all too much for him. How did it all happen so fast?
Kari nor Jayden held Joel much. Kari outright refused most of the time, always having an excuse. Jayden was the main caretaker of this baby so far, thankfully Amira lived next door and was able to help him with the newborn. Without Amira, Jayden would have given up. He had no choice but to be around for this kid, clearly Kari was incapable of acting like an adult and taking care of her child. Instead, she was bitter about the fact that she went through the entire trouble of pregnancy only to give birth to a boy. She went right back to work, leaving Joel with Jayden most of the time. He tried to do side jobs, but it was hard. He was raising this baby all alone it felt. It was overwhelming and scary. Jayden was unsure if he would be able to do this after all.
Kari and Jayden holding Joel next to the skate park.
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