E a r l y morning [open]

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He woke up to the sound of his irritating alarm. He had sworn to change the tone one hundred days before this one, but as soon as his hand hit the off button the thoughts left his mind. It wasn't important. It woke him up, and so it fulfilled it's role so he had little to complain about. It was early for Theo to be getting up on a Saturday, but he was determined to be focussed and he knew if he hadn't of set his alarm, he'd have stayed in bed for most of the morning. He pulled the sheets off him and sat up, allowing his blue eyes to adjust to the morning light. It was almost nice waking up on a weekend without a hangover, but it wasn't something he planned on getting used to. He stood up, making his way straight to the bathroom, turning on the shower while he observed himself in the mirror. He yawned as he turned around, pulled off his boxer shorts; dumping them in the linen basket, and climbed in the shower. The heat of the water woke him up, and by the time he was dressed; he was almost raring to go.

To keep in with the healthy streak, Theo decided he would walk to the gym; or at least jog lightly, so he arrived a little later than anticipated, since he'd initially wanted to take the car. He dumped his stuff in a locker and made his way straight to the running machine. He didn't care for running too much, but he needed to do it to keep fit, and he knew if he didn't run, he wouldn't be able to put on muscle mass, which really; was his his goal. After fifteen hard minutes on the treadmill he made his way over to the rowing machine. His head had began to gather beads of sweat and he was beginning to feel like this early morning session was a bad idea. Nevertheless he plodded on, completing a few more machines and the weights.

He made his way back to the changing room, and showered quickly before changing into his electric blue swimming shorts. He arrived at the pool sharpish, and having no idea of the time, he could tell he'd been in the gym longer than he mean't to, as the swimming pool was beginning to get busy. He stood at the deep end, gazing around; there were a lot of hot girls in sight, but no one that he could safely say he knew; but he was short sighted. He sat on the edge before lowering himself into the cool water, and began to swim. The feel of the water sliding over his tight heavy muscles was soothing and he only hoped it wouldn't make it worse later today.

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

Theo yawned when he finished his last length. His muscles were aching and he was almost positive that this exercise would prove ludicris later on if he was unable to do anything. He sighed and held onto the edge, trying to find the physical energy to pull himself out of the pool. His eyes darted around the side, wondering why it was busy this time of morning. But then it began to make sense as a group of pregnant women emerged from the changing rooms making their way toward the shallow end of the pool. He rolled his eyes slightly before deciding now was time to leave. With what seemed to take all of his energy, he helped himself out of the pool, sitting still for a moment or two as the feeling began to creep back to his jelly legs. As he began to walk passed the pool and toward the changing rooms; he felt his left leg buckle beneath him and give way so his knee hit the floor. "OWww!" He yelled as his knee bounced off the concrete and he fell crumbled in a heap, his hands clasped around his joint. "Fuck." He mumbled under his breath as he seen the group of pregnant women look at him, before turning their backs to him.

It stung to put weight through it and so he tried to get himself up off the floor avoiding any pressure to the knee. Unsteadily he hopped toward the changing room door, but as he passed the female door he stopped, noting a spotted bikini and a beautiful girl. "Ashia." He stated, suddenly feeling very embarrassed and slightly uncomfortable. "What are you...?" He trailed off, glancing back across his shoulder toward the pregnant women, nodding as he silently understood her purpose here. He got on well with Ashia and their friendship was quite strong, but he had been, at times a bit concerned that he would let it go further, knowing he couldn't provide the support she needed if he was in too deep. It was times like this, where she stood looking hot; wearing her bikini, that he couldn't figure out why she would have wanted to keep the baby. Not that he knew much, or if anything about babies or abortions or any of that sort of stuff, but he figured it must be easier than actually having the baby. "I urm... fell. My knee... I think it could be broken... hope not though." He laughed slightly, it was just his luck, he'd come here to remain fit, not get a fracture. "You doing well? Like okay I mean." He asked smiling, realising they hadnt really spoken in a few days. He knew it was a bit selfish of him, particularly since she didn't have the support from the baby's dad, but he knew if he let himself in too close he'd only end up hurting her and probably himself.

Not really realising what he was doing, he suddenly become acutely aware that he had been staring at her chest. He felt a blush raise from his chest, up toward his neck and face. "Sorry." He stated boldly, grinning slightly. "I guess I should be banned from public places where hot women are half naked." He laughed and scratched his head, ensuring he kept a hold of the wall with his free hand to prevent himself from falling over. "Am I keeping you from your class?" He asked curiously, not wanting to make her late or anything. "Not that I want to get rid of you." He added nervously his spare hand rubbing his chest. He had become significantly self concious standing here in front of her. Not that it made much difference; there had been many times he'd answered the door to her in his towel or boxershorts. But this was different; he hadn't expected to see her here, and he was wet, and he had fallen; making a fool of himself so he could hardly act cool now.

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He smiled as she greeted him, although he was pretty sure she wished he hadn't been here. As she crossed her arms over her stomach, he felt uneasy; like she was uneasy with him seeing her this way. Pregnant and half naked. Sure he'd prefer just the second one, but he knew she now came as a package deal. He never really understood why girls so young wanted to have a baby, or maybe that was just it; maybe she felt bad giving it up... he wasn't sure but he guessed at some point he'd be able to talk to her about it. "Sorry I haven't called. I've been a bit... busy." Although the truth was totally different. He hadn't been busy, he'd been moping. So much so that he'd mainly spent the week indoors or in a club. It wasn't like he thought their relationship was over, but finding out she was pregnant was pretty hard to come by, especially since he'd wanted to tell her how he felt, which he now knew was a complete impossibility.

He listened as she informed him of her missing her alarm, while he tried to ignore the sharp throbbing pain in his knee. "Oh really? That's not like you. Guess you must have been tired huh?" He spoke softly, concerned that maybe she wasn't coping so well. "You should have text me last night and I would have rang you to wake you up." He'd offered it before but he figured she'd only ever taken it light heartedly. "Or your other option is, if you stay over the night before... works a lot closer to my apartment, so I could just give you a lift in." He suggested trying to come up with a number of problem solving solutions. He wondered what would happen if she did lose the job. Would the father actually step up and act up. He didn't know, but he doubted, because whoever he was he hadn't bothered so far. As much as the thought of babies scared Theo, he knew, had he gotten a girl pregnant, he'd act up; no matter how much he didn't want to.

He noticed her blush and he laughed gently. "You'd think we were total strangers. I'm always hanging around in less clothes than this, and it's not like I haven't seen a girl in a bikini before." He smirked at his own stupidity. But Ashia wasn't everyother girl, she was a girl he'd always imagined in her underwear, but never quite had the privelledge to see. He cocked his head to the side. "Why not? I mean, it's not gonna do any harm right?" He asked curiously, frowning slightly. "Ashia, you been to any scans or anything?" He asked coylly. He sighed slightly and looked over toward all of the pregnant women, "Just you know, if you... needed anyone to come... you got my number right." He offered, defying all of the advice he had so unwillingly been told by his other friends and his sister. He shrugged, "I'll be okay." He stated starting to walk, and very quickly grabbing her arm. "Yep. I need help." He laughed shaking his head. "I come swimming and I end up in the ER... just my luck!" He felt her warm arm on his wet cold skin and he smiled. "Thanks babes. You sure you are okay to hold me up?! Don't wanna damage the tot." He nodded at her. "You don't look like your pregnant. You still look very hot."

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He shrugged, she was right, she couldn’t consume all of his time. But at the same time, she deserved some of his time and in truth he hadn’t given her it. ”Yeah but… I don’t see you enough.” He told her truthfully. He shook his head at his own stupidity. ”You told me that you were pregnant, and rather than trying to support you… I distanced myself. I’m an ass hole. But I always have been and I always will be. Guess that’s why you love me though!” He laughed jokingly. ”No seriously. I’m sorry. It was just… a shock.” He admitted running a hand over his shaven head to remove the water droplets that were irritating his scalp.

He nodded and sighed, ”Yeah I guess he or she is eating your energy. You’ll have to try eating more.” He grinned excitedly. ”Ahhh we’ll be able to have lots of movie nights with take aways and snacks!” He laughed, finding himself slightly excited. Take aways were something he avoided if he could, just simply because he always tried to remain healthy, but giving him any excuse and he’d have one! He cocked his head in agreement. If she slept through her phone three times then he knew his call wouldn’t wake her up. ”Yeah I guess you do work everyday.” He stated in agreement. ”Maybe if your so tired, you should think about cutting your shifts slightly. Or like try working later… starting later I mean. Then you get your sleep…” He smiled coyly. ”You know, your welcome to stay over.” Obviously not all the time… that was what he wanted to add but simply couldn’t bring himself to say it. He smiled at her before casting his eyes on a hot brunette walking past them.

He sighed, and nodded. ”Yeah, you’re right.” He looked back at her and he looked into her eyes. ”It’s my fault. I’m sorry. Maybe I should give you compliments more often then.” He replied back to his flirtatious ways again. He frowned not really sure what she was getting at, so he decided to be bold. ”Well… just cos someone’s got a husband, don’t mean they’re gonna be a better mom or anything. If your that bothered, why don’t you ask the baby’s dad to come.” He paused shaking his head, regretting his words the minute they left his mouth. ”Or better still, get some hot guy like me to watch…!” He needed to inject humour to try and make the conversation a bit more light hearted. He nodded, ”Yeah if that’s what they call them. The scan thing where they look at the baby, and people cry.” He stated shrugging his shoulders, he was so clueless it was unreal.

He nodded as he squashed his face up trying to hide the discomfort in his knee. ”Yep. I’ll come. I want to see what my god child will look like.” He replied through gritted teeth as he tried to hop along, taking most of his weight himself. ”Yep, I’ll always say it. Even when you cant move and I have to pull you off the sofa. I’ll get it raised high or something. You can count on me you know… not sure why you don’t think you can.” He had to admit he’d been less than reliable recently, but he knew if she’d picked up the phone he’d have been there.


About twenty minutes later, he emerged from the ER, his knee bandaged up; making his way out with crutches. ”I cant believe tissue damage hurts this much!” He said, as he paused a moment to readjust the crutches. ”I don’t care what that doctor said, I’m still driving. I’ll be lost without my car.” He stated defiantly, looking at Ashia amusedly.

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He grinned mischievously as she patted his chest. ”Are you for real? Give me some credit! I’m not that shallow.” He stated in mock defence. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. ”God! Good luck to the girl that tries to tell me I’m a dad. I make sure I’m protected & if I have any doubts, the morning after pill will make sure.” He stated before realising he sounded too harsh. ”Not that if I became a dad I’d just leave… I wouldn’t do that.” He advised carefully, ”Plus its not like we’ve even had sex.” He didn’t get girls who said they wouldn’t kill a baby before it was even a baby. ”It’s not like you’d be killing something… they’re only cells. To me, like before a certain stage. It would be like… the cells in your nail… yeah… it’d be like biting a finger nail off… You can tell I’m a guy cant you?!” He asked humorously.


He nodded and smiled. ”I guess, your just not hungry. I don’t know. Doubt there’s anything wrong. I mean we can google it if your worried.” He suggested, knowing he relied on the google pages to tell him too much stuff that he should probably already know. His eyes widened in mock horror as she said about the type of films. ”Oh my god! I’ll end up being gay at this rate. Or at least people will think I’m gay.” He protested jokingly. ”Right well… we’ll make a deal… if you bring those sorts of films… then the girl has to be hot.” He laughed slightly finding himself rather amusing. He rolled his eyes as she talked about money. To him money was nothing, but it was always the case when he had lots of it lying around. ”Money isn’t everything.” He stated, knowing money hadn’t made his childhood or teen years any better. Or made up for the absence of his family. ”Look. If your rents so bad. Just move in with me. I have a spare room, and its decent size… you don’t need to be working all the hours ever, cos you’ll just make yourself and the baby ill.” He stated frustratedly, he wanted to help her, and maybe this was the only way he could. ”Just forget about clothes and shit, you’ll get by. But your health is more important.” He certainly wasn’t going to see her starve or become ill just because she had to pay rent. He wasn’t that type of guy. He grinned. ”Well I was gonna let you have your own room. But if you want to share my bed, that’s fine… I just have to pre-warn you, if I have been drinking, I often sleep nude.” He smirked averting his eyes away from the brunette.

He seen her roll her eyes and he felt a little bit embarrassed. Why was it she had this effect on him?! She’d made her choice and he was single. ”Okay calm down. I was just joking.” He stated frowning scratching at a tattoo on his arm. He seen her reaction to the father of her baby and he promised himself he wouldn’t bring him up again. He widened his eyes in mock terror and dropped his mouth open. ”I cannot believe your questioning my hotness. Yeah I’ve been downgraded with this knee but seriously!” He laughed slightly, only joking of course. He nodded and smiled beyond his pain. ”Yeah, I’ll hold your tissues.. I cant promise I’ll cry.” He offered, trying to be supportive, but feeling his leg was going to buckle again. ”Look Ashia. Were friends. Best friends right? And I’d hope if I was in a trick spot then you’d help me. Like I said. I have a spare room… you could stay; rent free then we’d come to an agreement; like you could cook me some tea or something.” He laughed feeling comfortable with that suggestion for now, besides if she was in her own room, it wasn’t like his life had to stop.

He gasped at her in horror. He loved his car, and normally he’d not have lent it to anyone, but he felt bad. After all she was vulnerable. ”If you need to.” He stated reluctantly. ”Right, what we doing now?” He asked her awaiting direction.

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He sensed the atmosphere change slightly, and he raised his eyebrows as his eyes met her. ”No. That’s not it. Stop being defensive. I’ve been busy.” He stated firmly. Busy watching his life fall apart. He sighed deeply and frowned at her. ”Remind me, why do you always make me out to be the bad guy?” His sarcasm was fluent today, and he wasn’t about to back down to her, just because she was pregnant. She didn’t have a clue about how he felt for her, and he doubted very much he’d ever let her know now. He was dreading the ex boyfriend turning up, and he guessed at some point he’d want to see the kid, and come find her. It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t know where she was.

He was insulted by her angry statement. ”Someone like me? What the hell’s that supposed to mean? I’m not the prick you think I am.” He stated feeling actually quite offended, and maybe even hurt. ”I’m sure you think that I’m just some dickhead who goes around sleeping with people for fun. Well I’m not. It has been months since I last had sex. Not that I should have to justify myself to you, or anyone else.” He advised defensively, a frown crossing his brow in frustration. Listening to her words and her distant body language he sighed feeling a little fed up with it all. ”For fucksake. I’m not asking you to go and have an abortion! You chose to have the baby, and I am trying to be your friend, and try to support you. But why is it everything I say or do is wrong?! Why is that?” He asked raising his tone slightly. He was trying to stay calm, but she was pushing him, and he liked her too much not to care. ”Me have a problem with everything you do? Don’t be a hypocrite Ashia.” He turned his head away from her slightly, so his eyes were directed at the floor.

He listened to her speech about money. She didn’t get it. He didn’t care about money. He pretty much only cared about her and she had just thrown it all back in his face. He didn’t know how else to show her. ”Ashia. The spare room is big. A baby could live in a cot. In the room. I sleep through all sorts, so a baby would not wake me up.” He was trying to stay calm, taking deep breaths as he managed his own pain and frustration. He didn’t want to argue with her. ”Yeah, your right. I don’t understand. I don’t understand why you are making your own life so extremely difficult. Just accept my help!” He pushed, hearing his own frustration in his voice, he took a deep breath. If she knew how much he cared, she would just see his awkward defensive ways were purely because his world had been crushed.

He heard her words and he shot back a glare. ”How can you say that?” He asked her, feeling a mixture of mad, and hurt. ”You just... you just think I’m selfish? Is that it!?” He shook his head as she left him to go to the changing rooms. Luckily for Theo he had good upper body strength, and although the crutches were a pain he was able to use them relatively quickly. He followed her to the changing room, and pushed open the door. The locker room was empty, all for except Ashia. ”You are not leaving me like this. You cant just run away from your problems Ash. I’m not a problem. I’m your friend. You need me & I need you.” He stated calmly, hopping over to her; trying to balance as he tried to enforce a hug upon her. ”You know your my girl and I’ll do anything to support you.” He stated honestly his eyes expressing his sorrow. ”I’m sorry. You know I’m a jerk; but to be honest... its only because I care. More than you realise.” He left go of her, and sat down on the bench. ”Just don’t block me out of your life Ash. You’re pretty much all I care about.” So he was yet to admit his true feelings, but at least he’d indicated them.

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He scowled at her, its not really like he had been lying to her. More like protecting them both from his imposing feelings. Had he have just come out with the fact that he loved her, well it would have only deeply confused matters. Especially for him. Could he really live with bringing up someone else’s baby? And what would happen if the father came back and wanted in, surely he’d be cast to the side?! ”Your hormones are clearly getting in the way of you making an informed decision.” It was blunt but he didn’t like arguing, and he wasn’t the type of guy to back down especially if he didn’t feel like he had really done much wrong. From what he gathered her day had started out bad, and she was continuing to make it bad. ”If you hate me so much why are you my friend?” He asked sure she’d not really be able to criticise it anymore. He just didn’t get it. None of it made sense. He really cared for her, and she threw it back in his face.

He took a deep breath, the reputation that surrounded him was mearly a reputation. He hated the fact that people didn’t believe he was actually a decent guy. Yes he had the odd one night stand, but generally he treat girls very well. ”I don’t have a fucking sex life. I haven’t been with a girl to do anything for ages! When will you just get that? Then you say you don’t care but you still accuse me!” He shook his head and looked toward her slowly, ”I cant win with you.” He stated bluntly, it was almost the truth, he felt like he was fighting a loosing battle. ”So what? I’m not allowed to be myself anymore. I’m scared of children. It is your choice. I’d never try and take it away from you, I cant believe you put that on me.” He paused shaking his head, momentarily disgusted by their conversation and maybe, although reluctantly, his own behaviour. ”So I say the wrong thing. Maybe I should just stop speaking.” He noted quietly, realising he was actually beginning to blush slightly, he never blushed.

He stood blankly for a moment, and looked to the floor. ”I’m just… I just wanna make things easy for you. I don’t wanna force anything on you.” He stated calmly, rubbing his forehead. ”I don’t know what you want from me… one minute you need me, and the next you push me away. I just wanna help.” He stated, his voice reflective of his insecurities. It was true, he had no idea what she wanted from him, but he knew regardless of what he was doing, or who with; he’d drop everything and try to help her. That wasn’t normal for Theo. He wasn’t usually taken in by girls, and he wasn’t so soft that he’d let girls have the upper hand. Usually he’d have left a girl like Ashia standing alone, he didn’t really wait around, but she was different and he couldn’t figure out why.


He frowned as she tried to push him away, and he gently let go of her. He listened intently to her words. I just… I just want to make things easy for you.” He sighed, feeling anxious as he cast his eyes to the floor. ”You don’t love me.” He stated firmly, ”Not the way I love you anyway.” He stated as she leant on him. He stayed silent for a moment awaiting her reaction. ”You won’t be alone.”

[THEO JACOB STOKER]

He sighed as she yelled at him. ”Ashia, I am not going to argue with you.” He stated his face calm, and collected. He was blunt but his words were sincere. He didn’t know why she appeared to resent him, and he was convinced his actions had not directly effected their friendship, but maybe he was wrong. Yes he was apprehensive, and he had been warned by his friends and his sister that having feelings for his best friend could only end in tears, let alone the fact she was pregnant. He knew it all lead to further complications but he couldn’t switch off. It was almost like if he seen a girl with blonde hair in the street, he would hope it would be Ashia. He had it bad, and in a bad way too.

He shook his head, yes he had mentioned baby’s made him uneasy, but he was able to adapt. He had to adapt, it wasn’t like he didn’t plan on having a child somewhere in his far away future. And he certainly wasn’t going to lose a friend over it. ”I am not scared of a baby. Maybe you picked me up wrong. Talking about a baby does not scare me. When will you actually just stop and listen to me.” His words were subtle and frank. She just seemed to be making presumptions. He had to fight to stop himself from laughing. ”Yeah right. Devil child.” He smirked, finding the conversation slightly amusing. Then she joked and it spun his whole world into confusion again.

He shook his head, ”It’s only going to be harder if you push me away. Like it or not but your stuck with me.” He stated firmly offering her, once again, his support. He listened to her words and it stung him. ”So you just want to be friends when it’s convienient for you?” He asked, his eyebrows raised. ”Sorry Ashia, but I’m not gonna play games. Friendship is a two sided card.” He advised her shaking his head, as he felt her hand on his back and holding onto his arm. He didn’t know how things were going to turn out, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to given their recent conversations. ”Yeah well… you don’t know what I think or feel. And maybe I’m not so good at telling anyone how I feel.” He shook his head, his eyes focussed on the floor. He didn’t respond as she told him she’d best take him home. His knee was throbbing, but it didn’t matter anymore. ”Ashia. You think I’m some sort of man whore, who just sleeps with anyone and like lies and stuff. Maybe you don’t know me at all.” He sighed with frustration. ”That guy isn’t me. Maybe I actually have feelings. Maybe they just don’t want to be obvious. Or maybe they’ve been obvious and you’ve just missed sight of them.” He stated standing up, deciding he needed to go home. He was drained, ”You coming to my apartment? I haven’t actually brought the car. I walked.”