Chapter One - Ding Dong Ditch

Drake sat against his bed as he normally did on the Thursday nights when he didn't have another hot date lined up or anything better to do, really. With his guitar at hand, he chewed the side of his cheek and attempted to tune it for the millionth time. It just never seemed to sound right, no matter how many times he thought he adjusted the strings properly. Josh was still at the Premiere Theatre, cleaning up more popcorn or stomach contents, he was sure and Megan was out with their parents. It was the first time in a long time that he had time, real time, to just be alone with his thoughts. Drake had always been the type of guy who was on the move non stop. He was also the type of guy who didn't like to think. It definitely was not his strong suit. So really, to never have the time to do so, wasn't such an awful thing.

"All alone.. Guess again. You've been known to take the hand of any man who will fill your fantasy." He softly sang, his fingers strumming skilfully. Still off-tune. He adjusted them once more and tried again. "You there, a big mistake." That was much better. "You're the pride of every fake that comes around this messed up town."

There was a sudden loud knock at the front door down below. Frowning with confusion, he placed his guitar down and his eyes searched for the clock. It was quarter to eight. Josh was at work until nine and obviously his parents wouldn't knock. So, he wasn't sure who it could be. He pushed himself to his feet and then made his way down the stairs, but not before glancing out the window to attempt to see who it was. His feet thudded almost rhythmically and soon enough, his hand met the cold metal of the door knob. He didn't see anyone through the thick stained glass but opened it slowly anyways. He looked around in the darkness that had become night and his suspicions were confirmed. There was no one there. It was probably just another bratty kid from the neighbourhood playing Nicky Nicky nine door. He shut the door with a shrug but then froze when he heard a small sound that was unmistakable for anything else. Hesitantly, he opened the door once more and then looked down.

Laying cuddled up in a large white bassinet was a baby. A baby that was cooing at the fascination that were it's hands. Tucked into the side, was a crumbled up note, a bottle full of milk, a handful of diapers and a few outfits. Drake let out a small gasp and took a step back, his eyes darting back up and desperately searching around. Who in their right mind would leave an innocent and helpless baby on some guy's doorstep? On anyone's door step for that matter?!

Drake stepped forward and bent down, unhurriedly taking the note out and opening it up. Inside, in black pen, it read;

"Drake,

I know this is sudden and completely out of the blue, but this is Ellie...

Our daughter.

I can't look after her the way she deserves anymore so I have no other option but to leave her here with you. PLEASE, do not go to the police or give her up. I'm so sorry for this and for not telling you sooner but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I wish I could explain. But I can't.

Please forgive me. Please understand. And please take care of her. She's only has you now..

Kara."

Drake dropped the note. This couldn't be happening. It just... It couldn't! Kara... Kara.. Who was Kara? It then dawned on him. A year before, he got himself involved with a girl that was new to the school and who in turn, didn't stay for long. She ended up moving back to her home town six hours away. But before she left, things became heated and they said goodbye with more than just their mouths. Drake let out a heavy breath and stared down at the little girl that had lost interested in her hands and had begun to get fussy.

What was he going to do? Maybe she wasn't his. Maybe this was a complete joke; a horrid, evil one at that, but a joke none the less. Ellie let out an ear piercing shriek. He jumped and looked around again. The neighbours were definitely going to hear her. They were going to call the police and things were going to soon spiral out of control. He just knew it. Oh God, how could this have happened? He was Drake Parker. Things like this, DID NOT happen to him.

Drake grabbed the bassinet by the weaved handles and carefully picked it up, her weight inside of it surprising him. He shut the door with his foot and quickly placed her onto the coffee table. She continued to cry. He let out a whine.

"Believe me, kid. I feel the same way."

Her tiny hands curled in frustration and her pink skin began to turn red. Drake bounced on the spot. He then reached around the couch and ripped the phone off of the charger. Dialling the number to the theatre, he waited impatiently. Josh answered in his normal chipper voice.

"Premiere Theatre, Josh at your service. How may I help you?"

"Josh, it's Drake. I have a major problem. I need you home. Now."

"Did you get your head stuck in something again?" He chuckled.

"Josh, I'm serious! Listen." Drake then held the phone up to Ellie and as if on cue, she cried louder. He fumbled the phone in his hands and put it back up to his ear.

"Whose baby is that? And what did you do to it?"

"It's... mine."

Drake could hear Josh's breath hitch. "I'll be home in ten minutes. Just, just... Try to feed it or something. I'm on the way!"

And at that, his ear met the dial tone. Drake nervously looked back down at Ellie, who just couldn't understand why the big blubber butt in front of her just couldn't give her what she needed. This was a nightmare right out of a horror movie and he was the star of it.

What... was he going to do?