Stay With Me

I stirred my coffee before I drank it. I took another sip and smiled. My phone started ringing and I saw Alex's number flash on the screen. He's been texting me quite a lot the two weeks since everyone found out. I think he feels guilty for the way he reacted and the way Jack reacted.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey Zee. It's me," Alex replied lightly.

"How're you?" I asked politely.

"Good. What about you? Are you still being sick?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "But I'm okay," I explained.

"The Of Mice guys came last night and were asking about you,"

"Was Alan there?" I asked anxiously.

"Yeah, he is included," Alex laughed.

"How is he? I mean . . . How's he taking it?"

"Oh, he's dealing. In his own way," Alex explained carefully.

"Should I talk to him?"

"Honestly, I'd say no. Let him come to you,"

"Okay," I agreed. "I hope that's soon,"

"Give him time to calm down properly. I see why he's pissed. My idiot friend is his idiot friend and his friend slept with someone that's like his sister. It's rough for him,"

"Yeah," I sighed. "I feel like no one's on my side. I've been getting so much hate,"

"Well, I'm on your side. So are the guys and Katelynne and Kellin and Austin," Alex encouraged. "And I sent a tweet out earlier saying to leave you alone," he added.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"Hey, you should come down here again. You're actually pretty cool and not a slut. We could hang out," Alex suddenly said.

"That sounds nice," I nodded.

"I'll catch you later,"

"Bye Alex," I replied.

I finished my coffee and left Starbucks. I walked past a group of excitable fourteen year old girls. They were all wearing band shirts, fake piercings and talking to loudly. They stared as I went past and broke into giggles. I rolled my eyes. I felt them following me and I groaned.

"What?" I finally asked them.

"You're Zandra," one said matter of factly.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"You're Katelynne Quinn's sister?" another asked.

"I am," I agreed.

"Is it true you're pregnant?"

"How do you know that?" I muttered.

"Kellin Quinn's sister, Leah posted it on twitter. She said you were kissing Jack Barakat," one explained.

"We're you really kissing Jack?" another asked, open mouthed.

"I can't answer that," I said tightly.

"Don't get mad! I think you're awesome. You should do what you want. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you can't kiss people. And I bet Jack is a great kisser," she grinned at me.

"Thanks," I smiled unsurely. "You're the first fans that haven't given me hate," I laughed nervously.

"You're cool!" another exclaimed.

"Can we have photo with you?" they asked.

"Sure," I shrugged.

They stood with me. They took turns taking photos with me. I smiled lightly at their phones.

"Thanks," they told me before walking away.

I smiled to myself. I carried on walking past a shop. I stopped when I heard someone shout something across the street to me.

"What?!" I called to them.

"Whore!" They called back.

I rolled my eyes and carried on walking. I felt the person cross the street and follow me. I walked faster and could feel them close behind me.

"Just leave me fucking alone!" I finally exclaimed.

"Sorry," someone muttered.

I turned around quickly. I saw Alan and my eyes brightened. He watched me and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. I smiled and he did the same. Then my eyes started to tear up. I wiped them furiously, but I couldn't stop tears from rolling down my cheeks.

"Woah. What's wrong?" Alan asked quickly.

"I just love you . . . And you haven't talked to me for weeks. I can't help it . . . I just love you," I sobbed.
Alan rolled his eyes but stepped closer to me. He opened his arms for me and I stepped into them. I cried on Alan's chest and he stoked my hair gently. I felt him press a kiss to my hair and I started to shake. "Al',"

"Shh . . . I know," he soothed.

"Everyone's just being so mean to me,"

"Ignore them. They're looking for gossip because their lives are so boring,"

"But they're right! I'm going to be a mother. I'm such a mess!"

"Everything will work out. I promise,"

"Thanks," I nodded.

"Okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," I sighed.

We pulled away and Alan took my hand.

"Let me drive you home,"

"Okay," I nodded.

We started walking to Alan's car. We came to it and I opened the door. I got inside and Alan did the same. He pulled out onto the road and I looked at him.

"How's Jack?" I asked carefully.

"Don't talk about him," Alan snapped.

"Don't be pissed at him. I'm as guilty as he is. Besides, he wants to be there. He's not being a dick about it,"

"Fine," Alan nodded slowly. "This whole situation is just fucked up," he breathed.

"Try having a reminder if that in your womb," I said, causing him to shudder. "Sorry," I added.

"No problem," he nodded.

"And thanks for not killing Jack, ending up in jail and starting the chain reaction of the destruction of my entire life,"
"Right," he smiled. "Everything will be okay," he reminded me.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? What will happen next? Any predictions? Favourite line? xo