Stay With Me

The rumour is that Alex is the father to my child. At least according to twitter. Since he sent that tweet out I've been getting hundreds of tweets asking me when I'll announce he's the father. Some people are nice and happy for me, but some are horrible saying I'm not good enough for Alex. Either way it isn't Alex's, it's his friends. Jack hasn't responded to any of these messages, he's just said that he'd really like me to visit. I've managed to arrange a meeting with my mum and after that I'm going to stay for a week, staying with Alex. These past few weeks we've gotten quite close.

My phone started to ring and I pressed answer. I held it to my ear and waited a second.
"Hello?" I asked.

"Hi Zee," Alex said.

"Are you checking up on me again?" I laughed.

"No," he muttered. "I'm just making sure you're still coming around,"

"I am," I told him. "I have this lunch with my mum then I'm driving straight to yours,"

"Will you be okay driving?"

"I'll be fine," I promised.

"So I'll see you later?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied. "Bye," I told him.

I hung up and put my phone in my bag. I walked into a hotel and stopped in the lobby. I looked around and noticed how cheap and inexpensive it looked. I scanned the place and searched for Mum. I couldn't find her. This didn't seem to be her sort of place anyway. Perhaps I got the address wrong.

"Zandra!" Mum called. She had poked her head out behind a separating wall. She must be hiding before anyone she knows sees her.

"Oh hi," I smiled. I walked over, into a small cafe and forced her into a hug. When I pulled away I saw her smile was forced.

"I thought you wouldn't come," she said quietly. We sat down and I shrugged.

"I was packing,"

"Where are you going?"

"To see a friend,"

"Oh," Mum nodded.

"Why are we meeting here? It's a little shabby," I stated.

"It's fine,"

"It's all you can afford right?" I asked.

"Don't be silly," she laughed shrilly. All her money obviously is spent on booze. "I got you a coffee," she said and pushed it over to me.

"Thanks," I muttered. I sprinkled in some sugar in mine and took a sip.

"This is nice," she commented.

"Look Mum, why did you ask to meet me?"

"You've been asking to meet for weeks,"

"I know," I sighed. "I'm just asking why,"

"Because I can," she rolled her eyes.

"So, are we going to talk about you and Dad or your alcohol problem?" I asked bluntly.

"Firstly, I do not have a problem!" she snapped.

"You do," I countered quickly.

"And nothing can change what's happening between your father and I. He's spending some time away in Thailand," she explained tightly.

"Whatever,"

"How old are you?" she shot back.

"Old enough to conceive. But for some reason we haven't spoken about that yet," I said dryly.

"That's actually why I wanted to meet. We need to discuss your problem,"

"My problem," I laughed humourlessly. "It's not a problem,"

"Then what is it?" she asked seriously.

"A baby," I replied softly.

"And what will you do? I know a very good clinic, Zandra,"

"A clinic?" I gasped. "I'm not getting rid of it! It's my baby,"

"And what do you plan to do when it's born?"

"I'm going to give it up for adoption. I know I'd make a rubbish mum,"

"Hmm . . ." she muttered.

"I'm going to get my life back on track. I'm going to lose this weight and go back to modelling,"

"You think I'll be that easy?" she whispered aggressively.

"Why are you being like this?" I asked seriously. "I can't believe I wanted to meet you. You obviously can't be sensible or sensitive about this," I muttered. I pushed my chair back and stood up.

"I'm sorry!" Mum gasped.

"No, not until you're sober," I said flatly. She looked down sadly. I walked quickly away and back out of the lobby.

I walked a block until I got to Kate's car that I'm borrowing for the drive. I got inside and sighed loudly. I started the engine and pulled out onto the street. I headed out of the city, my knuckles white around the steering wheel.


When I arrived I got lost. I spend a while driving around before I finally admitted defeat and called Alex. He gave me directions to his apartment and I managed to find it. I pulled up outside and grabbed my case. I walked inside and to his door and knocked. He opened it a minute later and beamed at me. "Hi Zee!" he exclaimed loudly. I smiled and he wrapped his arms around me.

"Hey," I replied.

"Let me get that," he told me.

"Sure," I shrugged.

"Come on," he said and led me inside. Alex's apartment was modern and spacious. He gave me a tour. My room was average size with a double bed, wardrobe, chest of draws, bedside table and TV.

"This is cool," I told him.

"Thanks," Alex grinned. "I'll let you get your shit together then come into the kitchen. I'll make us a snack,"

"Nothing with lamb I warned,"

"Okay," he smiled. He went to shut the door but stopped. "By the way, Jack wants to spend tomorrow with you,"
"Fine," I sighed lightly.

Notes

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