Stay With Me

Katelynne woke me up gently. I wasn't expecting her so I jumped and pulled the covers up to my chin. She laughed a little and stoked the hair away from my face.

"I let myself in," she explained.

"Really?" I asked.

"Sorry, I just thought you might want to come out. Kellin's sister and I are having lunch,"

"I don't know," I muttered.

"You don't have to,"

"I've been being sick whenever I eat. I'd rather not," I tried.

"Okay," Katelynne sighed. "At least say hello to everyone,"

"Everyone?" I echoed.

"Just Kellin and his sister," she shrugged.

"Why are you doing this to me, Kate?"

"I'm being a good sister and trying to get you out. You haven't been working,"

"Who's going to employ me?!" I exclaimed loudly.

"Stop it," she ordered. I started to sniff and she sighed. She pulled me into a hug and I buried my face in her hair. She patted my back and kissed my head. "Come on," she said. I sighed in defeat and got up. She passed me a dressing gown and I put it on. We started walking through to my living room and I stopped Katelynne.

"You haven't told Kellin, have you?" I asked urgently.

"Of course not," she replied quickly.

"Good," I muttered. We reached the living room and my eyes widened. On the sofa was Kellin holding Copeland, Kellin's sister - whom I don't like - and then Jack. Katelynne looked at Kellin angrily. I looked at Katelynne and she laughed nervously.

"What are you still doing here?" Katelynne asked Jack and laughed manically.

"Kellin said to wait. There's no point in me making my own way to the studio when he could drive me," Jack explained.

"Of course," I muttered.

"Hey Zandra," Jack smiled.

"Yeah," I said, later realising that I wasn't making sense.

"We'll see you later," Kellin said. He passed Copeland to Katelynne and waved to us. I heard the door slam. Then a giggle from the woman on my sofa. I really can't stand her, she's so fake.

"You'll never guess what?!" she exclaimed shrilly.

"What?" Katelynne asked.

"Kellin went to the toilet and guess who gave me his number. Jack. Isn't that fantastic,"

"Fantastic," I muttered dryly.

"Come on, lets go," Katelynne said quickly. "I'll call you later," she told me.

"Okay," I breathed. They all left I sunk down to the floor. I rested my head on the sofa and started sobbing. I've stopped counting the amount of times I've cried over my pregnancy. It's just pathetic. I'm so emotionally unstable at the minute. I don't even know why I'm so upset. Why I'm sat on my floor bawling my eyes out. But it's not like I like Jack. Of course I don't. I don't even find him that attractive. But he's possibly seeing Kellin's fake relative now. What could anyone see in her?!

I reached for my phone and dialled Austin's number. I waited urgently and bit my lip. "Hey Zee," Austin said happily.

"Why am I here?!" I cried hard.

"Oh no. What's happened?" he asked urgently.

"What hasn't happened?! Mom and Dad both text me telling me they need space. So they're not talking to me. Katelynne is trying to force me out of my flat because its her job as sister. And to top it off Kellin's fake sister has got Jack's number!"

"Your parents just need time, and even if they don't accept it you have other people to support you. Katelynne is just concerned, Zee. She's just trying to help. And since when has his sister liked Jack?"

"I don't know! But they may be dating now for all I know," I muttered. There was silence on the line. I could almost hear Austin thinking. He started to hum softly, calming me down. "I'm such a mess!" I finally said. He didn't say anything. He just started to sing quietly, knowing it would soothe me. I listened for a while until I eventually stopped crying.

"Why do you care about Jack?" Austin suddenly asked. Oh God, I haven't told him.

"Jack is the father. He's the one I slept with," I informed him. He doesn't say anything. I know he's shocked, but he doesn't react. I'm sort of grateful for that. "Why don't I just run up to my roof and jump?" I asked desperately, but he knows I'm joking.

"Everything will be okay. I promise, Zee," he soothed.

"Thanks," I muttered. "Thanks Austin,"


Next week I discover that I'm being thrown a party. For the birthday I've been trying to forget about. Kellin has organised it. Which of course means he's not only invited everyone I know, but his friends too. Meaning All Time Low will be there. Meaning Jack.

When I arrive and everyone has shouted surprise - which wasn't a surprise - I started to go between groups. I've spoken to all the people I know and I'm starting to recognise a trend. They're are so many couples here, it's like they're taunting me. I even saw Jack go off with Kellin's fake sister. They're probably having sex as I speak.

But as I get a drink I'm shocked to see Jack on his own. He looks at me as he takes a gulp of something and smiles. I nod to him and he shuffles over but bumps into me. "Sorry," I rushed.

"My fault," he explained. "Anyway, how're you? You having fun, birthday girl?" he asked.

"I can't contain myself. I'm trying to work out who I know and who Kellin just invited," Jack laughs at this. "So, you and Kellin's sister?" I asked.

"Oh yeah," he muttered. "Weird, right? I was going to tell you actually,"

"Sure," I mocked.

"What?"

"Were you going to tell me through nods or tuts,"

"That isn't my fault. You just expect me to say hello. Like it would hurt you to say hello first," Jack rushed.
"Don't blame me."

"You go back to just nodding at me after. . ."

"I thought that's what you wanted. You just left my room,"

"Because you were drunk," I said firmly.

"I wasn't wasted, Zandra. I still find you attractive," Jack defended.

"You do?" I asked.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Um . . . Thanks,"

"Do you regret what happened?" Jack asked carefully. I regret him not using a condom. Perhaps I don't regret the sex part, because I remember enjoying myself at the time.

"Jack," I breathed. Then his lips were on mine. They were soft and skilled and tasted of pear cider. I kissed him back and it was just like before but better. My arms wrapped around his neck and he ran his hands down my ribs until they settled at my hips. But it wasn't the same or even better. I was carrying his child and he's probably already slept with Kellin's sister who I'm still refusing to refer to by name. So I pushed him off of me and he looked at me like I'd done something terribly awful. "What about Kellin's sister?" I asked.

"Zandra," he sighed.

"Are you together? Are you with her?" I asked and he silently nodded. "Then stop, just stop before we do something stupid . . . Again," I ordered.

"I'm sorry," Jack eventually said. Then he leans in after checking we're not being watched. He kisses me deeply and passionately. Then he pulls away.

"Please, just stop," I muttered, tears in my eyes. Then he left, walking away and leaving me alone.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? I hope you liked this chapter. What do you want to see. Thank you so much for the comments! What was your favourite line? xoxo