The next few days passed quickly. Ashton hadn't come over to my house yet and it's Saturday. Today is my birthday, September 5. Ashton knows that. I told him that this week. I don't know if he remembered or not. Well, of course he did, because he was getting me a present.

I still haven't told Ashton about my parents or about Kaely being mine. I feel so bad, because I know I'm lying to my boyfriend's face. I just don't want him to think of me as a slut or a whore or a bitch like everyone else in the school does.

We get weird looks in school because we're always holding hands or giving each other little kisses before going to classes. People say "oh, I thought you were going to be cool, Ashton, but now you're, like, dating this bitch?"

I just try to ignore the looks and comments because I'm happy with Ashton. He doesn't say those things to me. That's also why I don't want to tell him about Kaely. I'm afraid he will call me those things. I'm sure he won't, but I don't want to take the chance.

It was about noon and I was in the living room with Kaely. I was trying to get her to talk. That would be the best birthday present ever if she said muma or dada today. I would try to get her to walk, but I don't think she's old enough for that yet.

"Kaely.. Say 'muma'" I told her, and she looked at me.

"Kaely, 'muma'" I said and she was starting to try to move her lips.

"Okay.. How about 'dada'?" I asked, and there was a knock on the door.

"One minute!!!" I yelled, grabbing Kaely.

While I was walking out towards the front door, I said to Kaely once more, "say 'dada'. Can you say 'dada'?"

I opened door to reveal Ashton saying, "happy birthday, babe" and handing me a box. Kaely reached out her arms to him saying, "dada!! Dada!!"

"Kaely!!" I gasped. I could not belive she just said her first word! She also called Ashton "dada".

"She's calling me dada?" He laughed, "So you're still babysitting Kaely?" He asked, confused.

"Um, Ashton, come in.." I said, gesturing to the living room. I guess it was time to tell him...

We sat down, and Kaely reached out to Ashton again, saying, "dada! Dada!!", so I handed her to Ashton and she smiled.

"Why does she keep calling me dada? I'm so confused.."

"Well, Ashton.. She doesn't have a dad around" I began to tell him.

"You said about your uncle.."

"Well, no.. I don't know how to say this," I paused, "her dad is in jail for rape" I sighed.

"That's terrible" he said, looking at Kaely.

"Her dad raped me" I said quietly.

"Her dad what?"

"Don't make me say it again.."

"No, seriously, babe, I didn't hear what you said"

"I said, her dad raped me" I said slowly.

"Chloe.. I-" He stopped himself, but went on, "I'm so sorry"

"You don't get it, do you Ashton?"

"Get what?"

"Kaely's mine. She's my daughter"

"Oh my god.. Chloe, why didn't you-"

"Because you're the only friend I have in school. Everybody else thinks I'm a slut for getting pregnant at thirteen! I don't know why they can't lay off! Nobody loves me, except for Mrs. Smith, Kaely's great-grandma, her dad's grandma."

"Chloe, I love you.."

"Do you? Now that you know the truth? And I live with Mrs. Smith, because you know why? My parents don't care about me at all. They're into drugs and don't take care of me! Ever since I was eight, I've worked for myself to get money for food and to pay for school and to even pay my own house bills. Do you know what that's like? Being a little adult at eight? It sucks!" I completely ignored the fact that he just said 'I love you' to me for the first time. I was too caught up in thinking he'd hate me to realize what gesture he had just made.

"Chloe, I had no idea.. I didn't know.."

"Well, now you do!"

"Chloe, no.. I love you. The truth about your past doesn't change anything. I love you, not what's in your past. I care about what you want right now, not about how you wanted your childhood to go"

"Ashton.. I'm sorry for blowing up like that. I didn't mean to"

"Babe, it's perfectly fine. Now you have that off your chest,"

"I was afraid you wouldn't like me anymore.. Nobody at school does," I explained, crying.

"Chloe! Why would you ever think that!? Like I said, I love you no matter what, and you don't need to keep worrying about your past."

"Thanks Ash.. I love you," I said for the first time, smiling.

"There's that beautiful smile!" He exclaimed, then hugged me. He kissed my forehead. This was exactly why I loved Ashton.