Chapter two
Kono and Adam sat at the dining room table looking at the array of leaflets they had been given. They ranged from antenatal classes to support for young mums. One that stood out for Kono was a leaflet to speak with a counsellor who worked specifically with those who had no one to talk to. Of course Kono had Adam but she had an uncomfortable feeling about their relationship. It wasn't that she didn't like him she did but she had no idea what love was and didn't know if she felt it yet and feared jumping to having a family would mean they missed vital steps in a relationship. She also didn't feel he could go to her parents or Chin and she had no idea if anyone else in the family knew yet, although she imagined they did.
"What are you thinking babe?" Adam asked.
Kono sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. She wanted to talk to Adam but she didn't know what to say.
"This is just a lot to take in"
"I know but will get there; we can go through these leaflets tomorrow"
"Yeah"
"We should get going; we have the meeting with the school"
"Okay" Kono sighed following Adam and forgetting about the leaflets.
Adam held Kono's hand and walked her towards the school offices. They were meeting with the head teacher plus the school counsellor. Kono was nervous that she would be kicked out of school then she really wouldn't know what to do. She still contemplated dropping out anyway but she hoped she could discuss it another day.
"Adam, Kono take a seat" Mr Harlow instructed.
He was unaware why the teens were requesting a meeting but from the phone call he sensed something was up. Mrs Moore the school counsellor smiled at Kono sweetly.
"So what brings you both in this evening?"
Adam squeezed Kono's hand and gave her a reassuring smile.
"We got some news yesterday that you need to be aware about" Adam began trying to seem professional and grown up.
"Okay…"
"Kono's pregnant" Adam explained.
Mr Harlow and Mrs Moore looked between each other, both surprised the Kono would end up in this situation but equally not passing any judgment. They were both very fond of Kono and she had clearly influenced Adam in making better decisions.
"Congratulations" Mr Harlow grinned.
Kono looked between to the two teachers in shock, her eyes so wide that Mrs Moore had to contain a chuckle.
"Don't I make the school look bad?" Kono asked feeling guilty once more.
Mr Harlow gave Kono a small smile and tilted his head at her.
"What happens between yourself and Adam is between you, of course pregnancy whilst at school makes things difficult but I am not here to pass judgment. I support all my students and push them to achieve greatness should they wish to accept that support. Kono you are a fantastic student, you're a talented young women and you will go on to be great. This pregnancy will of course affect your school life and many things will need further discussion but I will personally ensure the school supports you. Adam you've made a huge turn around since getting to know Kono and I'm pleased to see you sitting here with her. Many men your age would have run a mile."
"Thank you sir" Adam acknowledged.
"There's a lot to talk about but firstly are you both getting support from home?" Mrs Moore asked gently.
Kono looked to her hands and sniffled, blinking away tears.
"Adam's dad kicked him out so were staying at my parents' house at the moment" Kono mumbled.
"At the moment?" Mrs Moore questioned.
"I don't think were very welcome so were hoping to apply for housing benefits" Kono informed feeling useless.
"How did you're parents take it Kono?"
"There not happy, there disappointed…my family frown upon children out of wedlock and teenage pregnancy, I've disgraced them" Kono informed tearfully.
"I think it would be beneficial to speak with your parents Kono about how we will help you at school…"
"No it's fine, we can deal with it" Kono quickly responded.
"You're parents have allowed you and you're boyfriend to stay at their house, I'd guess there more supportive than you think Kono" Mrs Moor said softly.
"Maybe…"
"What will Kono do about school?" Adam asked changing topic slightly.
"Well at the moment you're not showing so we can wait until the school is informed" Mr Harlow began. "If you're suffering with morning sickness we can give you a late pass and you will be allowed to excuse yourself whenever necessary."
"Okay"
"When's you're due date?" Mrs Moore asked.
"June the sixteenth" Kono informed.
"Hopefully it won't impact you're exams and you will have a beautiful baby to celebrate when you're done"
"I hope so"
Nani returned from work and dropped her bag by the couch. She fumbled around the kitchen making herself a coffee and moving to clear the table. She flipped through the bills and frowned when she found the leaflets. She felt bad that Kono and Adam had gone alone to the appointment but she was more concerned at the leaflet with the counsellor. The number had been highlighted and it hurt Nani that Kono would rather talk to someone else but at the same time she was still trying to accept what was happening. The key in the lock brought Nani to her attention and Kono walked through the door.
"Hi" Kono mumbled shyly avoiding her mother's gaze.
"Where's Adam?"
"He's erm…gone to try speak to his dad"
"I thought his dad kicked him out"
"He did but he's hoping he's cooled off now"
"Oh"
"I'll be in my room"
"Wait Kono!" Nani called out.
Kono thought that maybe her mum wanted to talk or maybe even hug her.
"Where have you been?"
"Meeting at school" Kono sighed.
"How erm…"
"I'm having another meeting next week" Kono answered swiftly and continued to her room.
Adam opened the front door to his dad's house and entered quietly. He really hoped his dad had calmed down and was willing to at least talk. He wasn't surprised that his dad was angry and uninterested he wasn't exactly a decent dad to him but he felt like a huge burden on Kono's family and thought Kono would mend things with her family if he wasn't around. He hoped he could persuade his dad to let him stay until he could save some money.
"Adam?" Hiro questioned as he came out of his office.
"Dad"
"I told you to get out"
"I was hoping we could talk"
Hiro frowned and remained silent.
"I just wandered if I could move back in"
Hiro stepped towards Adam and pointed a finger in his face.
"You can move back in on one condition"
"What?"
"You have nothing to do with that girl and that baby"
Adam's face fell and he glared at his dad, his eyes narrowing at the suggestion he leave Kono and his baby.
"There is no way I would leave my girlfriend and baby!"
"Then you have no place in this house"
"How can you do this?"
"No son of mine will ruin his life with a baby and some girl"
"She is not some girl!"
"She's ruined your future"
"No she hasn't! She's the best thing to happen to me!"
"You have no idea Adam!"
"No you don't! You're so obsessed with your work that you have no idea how to be a dad or support me! All you care about is work and Michael!"
Hiro's blood boiled at Adam's words and he grabbed him by the collar and pushed him up against the wall.
"Don't you speak to me with that mouth, you have no clue what you are doing and you are not welcome here"
"You're a waste of space" Adam spat earning himself a hard punch to the face.
"Get out!" Hiro yelled throwing Adam out the house.
Nani and Ke'ano looked up from the table as Adam walked through the door, their faces dropping at the black eye and finger prints around Adam's neck.
"Adam!" Ke'ano said in surprise.
Adam looked at them briefly before dropping his head and trying to hide his face.
"Did your dad do that?" Nani asked grabbing an ice pack.
"It doesn't matter" Adam mumbled trying to leave the space.
"Adam sit down" Nani instructed and handed him the ice pack.
Kono exited the room hearing Adam return and burst into tears seeing him with the ice pack.
"Oh god Adam!"
"Babe I'm fine"
"What did he do to you?" Kono sobbed.
"It doesn't matter sweetheart" Adam tried as he let Kono sit on his lap.
"I'm sorry Adam" Kono cried.
"Why are you apologising?"
"Because I put you in this situation" Kono whispered.
"WE got us in this situation" Adam replied softly kissing Koo's head gently.
"Adam why did your dad do this?" Ke'ano asked.
Ke'ano may be angry and disappointed but he didn't condone violence and could never imagine hurting his child.
"He didn't want me in the house, I just wanted to see if he would talk" Adam said not wanting to say that he was trying to leave.
"How is your eye feeling?"
"It's okay"
"Why don't I order you both a pizza" Ke'ano suggested.
"Erm actually were trying to save money" Kono mumbled.
"I'll get this one" Ke'ano smiled gently, the first real smile Kono had gotten.