Yes, freedom. I graduated yesterday and I feel great. I'm graduated and feel so free.

I live with my three year old son, Aidan.

He looks exactly like his father, and it worried me. People say he doesn't look anything like me. I'm actually upset a bit. But I got used to it.

"Aidan Darren Burns." Yes, I used Ashton's last name. Aidan should at least have his last name.

"Yes mommy." He came running from his room.

"Go get your shoes on. We're gonna go grocery shopping." He nodded and ran to the door.

I giggled and followed him.

"Need help buddy?" I laughed and he nodded again.

I tied his shoes and picked him up.

"Dank you mommy." I laughed again. We need to work on his words. I know he's only three. But still.

I buckled him up and drove to the store. This is where the fun begins. Can you hear my sarcasm?

________________________

"Mommy! Can we get cucumbers!!" This kid here loves cucumbers. Like he loves them. Everytime. Mommy! Can we get cucumbers!

"Yes Aidan." His face lite up and he hugged me.

As we entered the store I went straight to the soft food. Meaning bread.

I grabbed a loaf of bread. Then rolled the cart to the cold isles.

"Can you go grab two yogurts Aidan?" He nodded and ran across me to get yogurts.

He came back seconds later with two yogurts like I said.

"Here mommy." I thanked him and continued shopping.

I went to the store to get some food because I needed some. Obviously.

As I was shopping, I heard someone shout.

"Aidan Darren Burns." That's my last name. Burns.

I looked around to see someone I haven't seen in three years.

Charlie Grace. Also known as my ex-girlfriend now.

She started walking forward, but never noticed me. I tilted my head down to make sure she doesn't recognize me.

I thought she was gone but I was wrong. I looked up, but to only lock eyes with her. Her eyes widen in the process and looks down at the little boy.

I furrowed my eyebrows. What's happening?

"Hi Charlie." I said and she looked speechless.

"Ashton." She chocked out. There's something on her mind.

"How have you been? And who's this little guy?" I asked as I looks at the little boy the cart. He looked like someone.

"I've been good. And this is, um, Aidan." She gulped.

"No mommy." He cleared his throat and pulled his hand for a shake. "I'm Aidan Darren Burns." I shook his hands and looked back at Charlie.

"Burns?" I asked her and she looked down.

"Ashton, I'm so sorry." She whispered.

"Charlie, we need to talk." She nodded and walked away to the check out.

I did the same and walked out with her.

"Come to my place." She handed me a piece of paper with her address on it and left just like that.

_______________________

I'm screwed. I saw Ashton. And Ashton saw Aidan. And the funny part is that I'm inviting Ashton to my apartment.

I heard some voices.

"Yes, you can come in." I heard Aidan's little voice.

"Aidan, go to your room please." He made a sad face and ran to his room.

"Hi again." I puffed out.

"Hi, so is there anything to explain, or say to me?" Ashton looked pretty serous at the moment.

How do I put this.

"You're a daddy?" I shrugged.

"It was that day you found out me and Amanda were having- you know what." At least he knows not to say bad words when there's a child.

"Yes. I was actually at your house to tell you I was pregnant. But since I saw you cheating, I thought that you didn't deserve to know. My parents helped me out. When Aidan was one, I moved here. I graduated yesterday and now I'm taking care of a three year old." I explained and there was shock all over his face.

"You didn't bother telling me about my own son? Our son? You didn't want to say that I'm a dad? You probably didn't want me to be the daddy." He shouted. A tear fell on my cheeks. I only did it to protect my son.

"You'll never be the father. You haven't been here for three years." It's true.

"I haven't been here for three years because I didn't know I was gonna be a dad. You didn't bother telling me. So don't go blaming me, when it's mostly your fault. And two, I'll always be the father. I helped create that child. I helped create that heart, those lungs, and everything else. He's my son too." I sighed. He's right. Why does he have to be right?

"I bet you don't even want him." I said quickly and then Aidan comes running to me.

"Mommy, who is this man?" I sighed and bent down to Aidan's height.

"This is the man you met at the store." Knowing that he will still be curious.

"Ok." Then he stands behind me.

"I want to be in his life." Ashton whispers.

"Well I don't want you to be in his life." I may sound selfish. Really selfish, but I know what's best for my son.

"I get a right too Charlie. Please let be in my son's life. He needs his father. I'm the father figure. Every kid needs their parents. Including their father." I shook my head again.

"No, but you have one hour with Aidan. Then it's goodbye forever." He sighed but crawled over to Aidan. I went to the kitchen. I can trust Aidan with Ashton.

"Hi Aidan." I said nervously.

"H-hi." He seems nervous too.

"I want to tell you something Aidan." He nodded.

"I want to tell you that I'm your daddy." His face lite and ran into my arms. He snuggled his face in my shoulder. I hugged him tight. I can't believe she would let me miss the three years of his life.

"I've always wanted a daddy." I smiled but then my eyes formed tears and I just let them fall.

"You always will have a daddy." I chocked out. I was actually crying. I couldn't leave my son after him seeing me for the first time.

"Are you gonna leave?" My heart broke once more. How do I tell him I can't?

"No." I had to lie. There was no possible way.

Aidan released the hug and ran into the other room. He came back seconds later with Charlie behind him.

"Mommy! This is my daddy! I have a daddy!" He jumped up and down and jumped on my lap.

"Yes Aidan. You have a daddy. But not for long." I looked up at Charlie. She looked serious.

"What do you mean mommy?" I cried even more but silent. My little boy.

"Oh stop crying Ashton." Charlie started yelling.

"No." I said and stood up.

"Don't tell me no. Just please get out and never come back." I sighed but nodded. Kissed Aidan's forehead and told him goodbye and I'll visit him soon. Even though it's not true.

After I left Charlie's place I let all my tears fall. How can she do that to me? To our son?

I slammed my hands on the steering wheel and decided to go to someone who can possibly help.

_______________________

I pulled in the driveway and waited for the door to open.

"Oh my god! Ashton!" She hugged me and of course I hugged back.

"Hi mom." I hope she can help.

"Come in dear. I was just starting up dinner. Which you're staying for. You don't get a choice." I laughed but I also remembered why I came here.

"Mom, do you remember Charlie Grace?" I asked. Please take this well.

"Oh yes honey. The sweet, sweet girl that you cheated on. How could I forget." I rolled my eyes but continued.

"Anyway, I say her today." I mumbled out but it was louder cause my mom heard.

"Where? I don't understand why you think it's the end of the world." I sat down and slid my hand in my hair. How do I tell her?

"Ashton? Is there something wrong?" Yes, there actually is.

"Yes mom. And I also talked to her. She also explained what happened." My mother sat down next to me and I continued. Deep breath.

"The day Charlie came over. She wanted to tell me something very important. But since she saw me cheating, she decided I didn't have the right to know. She kept it a secret for three years mom. Three damn years." I started to cry again.

"Ashton, what secret? What did you find out after three years?" Here it goes. If you don't mind, can you start making my grave?

"Happy grandparents day!" I said. Stupid move Ashton.

"It's not even close to grandparents day- oh my god. Ashton." I sighed and nodded.

"I'm a dad. I've been a "dad" for three years and never knew about my child." My mom hugged me and motioned me to the couch. She sat down with me and kept me comfortable.

"A three year old child huh? Boy or girl?" I chuckled but started to cry again.

"I have a son. A little boy." I smiled just think about him.

"My poor baby. Do you know he's name?" I nodded and started.

"Aidan Darren Burns." I saw a smile creep in my mom's face, which only made me smile.

"My boy is all grown up. And now he has his own little boy." My smile faded. She doesn't know yet.

"No I don't. I may be a dad and have a son, but Charlie doesn't want me to be in his life." I heard a small gasp come from her lips.

"Bring her to court. You have legal rights." I sighed and shook my head.

"I don't wan to bring her to court. And besides, I don't apparently have any legal activity towards my son. I didn't sigh his birth certificate. There's not a father name on it." It was true, since I wasn't there, my name isn't there.

"Well honey. I have to go to work. You're welcome to stay." I nodded and she kissed my head then left.

What am I gonna do?

I grabbed my phone and it read, seven-thirty. Damn.

I can't stay here. I need to go back to my apartment. Ugh.

________________

After I was at my apartment I decided I should clean up. The place needed to be cleaned anyway. Maybe I should move into a smaller apartment. It's so big and lonely here. Well, I don't mind lonely but it't huge.

Four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a big kitchen, a big living room, an attic. Yes, I have an attic. I live on the top floor, so I an attic.

Maybe I should just stay here. This place is pretty big, but it also cost less. Two-fifty a month. I know, that's very cheap. But then there's your electricity, water, and tax. Electricity is only one-fifty a month because I barley use any, besides wifi. Water bill is cheap. One-hundred a month. I got some pretty good deals.

I'm not going to college. Don't have the time or money. Besides, I have a pretty good job for not going to college. My teachers and family members kept telling me I'm not going to get a good job, or have any support to my family one day.

Look at me now. I'm almost nineteen, living on my own. I have a job to pay the bills and other stuff. I actually got this apartment when I was sixteen. My mother couldn't afford me in the house. She didn't kick me out, I actually left on my own decision.

I've had my job since I was fourteen. If you're wondering, I work at a garage. I'm a mechanic. Not one of those advance ones. I just help fix cars and motorcycles. That's it. But it plays really good. Fifteen bucks an hour. That's really good.

_________________

After I finished cleaning up the place I decided to go grocery shopping. I need more food in this place.

RING

"Hello?" I asked the unfamiliar person on the other line.

"Ashton, it's me. Charlie." Wow, never in a million years would I thought she would call me.

"Oh hey. What's up." There's apparently not gonna be anything to do with Aidan.

"I need to ask you a favor." Yep, still the same old Charlie I know.

"It depends what kind of favor it is." I said. If it's a selfish one, then no way.

"I actually got a scholarship to a college, and I need to travel to France. I'll be gone for maybe about three months. I kept thinking this over and over again. I really don't want to leave Aidan with you, and I don't want to be away from Aidan that long. But I decided that you need time to catch things up a bit with Aidan." Was she saying what I think she's saying?!

"Tell me please." I begged. She's finally letting me see my son again, only longer.

"May you watch Aidan for the next three months for me?" I smiled. This is the best day of my life.

"Yes, yes. Million times yes! When are you leaving?" I am so damn happy. I get to spend time with my son.

"Tonight. I'm sorry it's a late notice." Anyday, anytime, anywhere. I don't care as long as I get to spend some time with my son.

"No, it's fine. When do you want me to pick him up?" I'll go to the store later.

"If it's ok, maybe right now. I still have to pack, but I figured it would be faster if you were here." I smiled even wider. Best day ever.

"I'll be right over. Maybe ten minutes." I said and hung up the phone. I decided to go back to my apartment and grabbed something. This is the best damn day of my fucking life!