Pregnant?! She's pregnant! How could that have happened?!

Duncan paced back and forth in his room, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe it was true. He could not and he would not. And yet, deep inside, he felt he'd known all along.

I can't be a father! He willed. I don't want my kid to have a crappy life like I did…

Flashback

"Duncan, this is the fifth time I have gotten a phone call from your teacher this week," Duncan's mom sighed.

Six-year-old Duncan pouted.

"So?"

"You're in the first grade Duncan! I can't keep putting up with you like this…"

Duncan tried to hold back his tears from falling. "What does that mean? You're going to give me away? Let some other family adopt me?!"

Duncan was used to this; his mom and dad were never home, always working, and his brothers that were supposed to watch him always left him home alone. Then he would cause trouble at school – at least he got attention from his parents that way – then his mom would say she couldn't deal with it…

Duncan's mom crouched down and stroked his shoulder length black hair and hugged him.

"No, of course not sweetie. I'd never do that. I love you baby." Duncan had heard it so many times that he found it hard to believe.

"Yeah, then how come you always leave me home alone all the time?"

His mother looked stern now. "Duncan, don't you want food, toys, and a house to live in?"

Duncan thought for a moment.

Yes. But I'd give it all up just to spend some time with you.

Only he didn't say it out loud.

End Flashback

Duncan couldn't stop the emotions tumbling through his head.

Ugh, a child… he can't be neglected… what if my kid hates me? What if I'm too busy to spend time with my own kid… what if he becomes like me?

Flashback

"Cameron! Watch'ya doing?" an eight-year-old Duncan asked as he watched his fifteen-year-old brother try to cut his own hair.

"Nothing kid, now leave!" Cameron snapped back.

"And what're those shiny stuffs in your nose?" Duncan persisted.

Cameron turned to his little brother in anger.

"I said beat it kid!"

Duncan looked upset; he never got to spend any time with his older brothers. As he turned to leave with tears in his eyes, he heard his name being called.

He turned back around and ran over before climbing onto his brother's lap.

"Hey kid, you like it?" Cameron asked, pointing to his hair.

Duncan giggled "You're half bald, and the rest is blue…"

"Haha, it's for rebellion. I hate this place… and all that stupid garbage mom and dad keep pulling on us."

"Oh…"

"Kid, one day when you're sick of all it too, do something rebellious… 'Kay?"

Duncan nodded.

Two Years Later

Duncan's parents had grounded him for the tenth time this month. Now he couldn't go to this party some of his friends were having.

Duncan was sick of this. His parents were never home, and if they were, they were always lecturing or punishing him. Cameron had moved out about a year ago, and had left all his stuff behind. Duncan missed him terribly for now Duncan was the only kid left in the house.

Duncan sat there on his bed fuming when he remembered what Cameron told him. Duncan snuck into Cameron's room and quickly found all the things he needed. After spending an hour on his computer researching, he went into the bathroom. Duncan plugged in the electric shaver and tied his long hair into a low ponytail. Duncan quickly swiped the shaver across his neck without thinking much. And without looking in the mirror except when he needed to, completed the haircut. Then he applied the green hair dye. He looked into the mirror and barely saw himself anymore, but he didn't let himself wallow in sadness until the job was done. He completed all his piercing with pain and misery. He cleaned up his bathroom, and went back to his room not feeling much like himself anymore.

One glance in his bedroom mirror was all it took to throw him over the edge. He sobbed on his bed for what seemed like hours after that.

End Flashback

Duncan shuddered as his memories slowly faded away. He had promised himself that it would be the last time he would ever cry. When his mom had come home, she'd almost fainted when she saw him, and didn't pause to ground him for two whole months. The look on Cameron's face when he saw him was priceless. He'd given him a big high five… but all he really needed at that time was a hug. Yet not his mom, nor his dad, nor his siblings ever bothered to give him one.

Duncan shifted over to his side, the thoughts flooding into his head. Like that time he'd told his parents that he hated them, and that time he moved out to live with Cameron. Or even that time he'd first gotten arrested, by his dad nonetheless.

God, he felt so bad; how could he become a father? If he felt terrible, then Courtney must feel awful. After all, she has to carry the baby and take care of him; she trusted him and he let her down. He had to make up to her, he knew he did.

Maybe this won't be so bad. He'll have Courtney by his side at all times, right? Knowing that the kid is half Courtney's made him feel so much better.

You know what? Screw this stupid thing, he thought. I can, and will be a dad and I have to get Courtney back here before she leaves for good.

He went outside the room and down the stairs. No sooner than he had left the building Duncan saw Courtney sleeping on the lobby's couch.

He smiled and picked her up and carried her to their apartment.

Hell, this was going to be a rough nine months.