I was lying on my back in Jack’s bed with my hands on top of my stomach. My eyes stared at the dark ceiling and nothing else. I had yet to go to sleep, and it was already three in the morning. My mind was just filled with too many thoughts and concerns – mostly concerns. This whole relationship thing with Jack just seemed to be too soon. We had just met each other, and we were already in a relationship. Yeah, I liked him, but… I felt like this was too soon. I looked over at the handsome boy who slept beside me, and it caused me to frown. It was for our own good, though.

I slid out of bed and walked over to his desk. I pulled out a piece of paper and crayon and began to write down something for Jack to explain where I had gone and why. It read:

Jack,

I am so sorry I am doing this this way, but it has to be done. I don't think I am ready for a relationship with you. We just met, and seeing Oliver today really got me thinking. I don't need you getting hurt because of Oli, so maybe we need to push back getting into a relationship. Maybe we can do this after I have the baby, but…for now, I need to call it quits.

I really hope you understand.

Alex.

I put a little X beside my signature to stand for a kiss before folding up the letter and setting it on his laptop. I let out a breath to calm myself down while I pulled out my phone to dial up Tom. It only took a few rings for him to answer. “Ello?” he greeted groggily.

“Tom? It's Lex. Can you, um, pick me up at Jack’s?”

“Why? Did he do something to you?! Bro, I swear to –“

“He did nothing, Mr. Over-Protective.” I groaned with a roll of my eyes, “I just don't feel good and want to be home just in case I get sick. So, can you please pick me up, Tom?” I heard sigh on the other end of the phone along with the shuffling of him getting out of bed.

“I'll be there in about five minutes, mate. Be ready.” That's all he said before he cut the line. I put my phone in my ass-pocket and turned to look at Jack’s beautiful face once again. I knelt down to him and ran my fingers slowly and softly through his beautiful locks.

“Please understand, baby. I'm begging you.” I pleaded in a low coo. I then got up, grabbed my overnight bag, and went downstairs to wait for Tom to arrive.

---

When Tom dropped me off back at home, I decided to crash on the couch. Yeah, that was a totally bad idea because when I woke up, my back was on fire, and my neck felt like if I moved it the right way, I would snap it clean in half. I was awakened by my stomach growling. I sat up, cupping a hand on the underside of my belly. I had this distinct craving for bacon and pancakes, so I went into the kitchen to scan around for the ingredients of my desired breakfast. I found jalapeño bacon along with blueberry pancake mix – perfect.

I whipped up the batter for the pancakes and decided to take the bacon and dip it in the batter to make pancake battered bacon. Jalapeños and blueberry pancakes may sound odd to you, but to me, it sounded like heaven. Once I battered all the slivers of bacon I wanted – 12 to be exact – I slowly began to add them to the hot oil pan. As I stood there waiting to flip my battered bacon strips, I decided on munching on Gherkin because that sounded just as good as my pancake bacon strips. “Ooh, something smells good!” I heard my mum gush as she walked into the kitchen. She walked behind me, wrapping one arm around my waist, and examined my creation. “My, my. Battered bacon strips? Blueberry pancake battered bacon? Someone’s cravings are going wild today.” she joked. I let out a small giggle.

“It's even better because the bacon strips are jalapeño flavored. Sweet and spicy breakfast, and I can already predict the baby will hate me afterwards.” I explained as I flipped a few stripes on their raw sides.

“Tom told me he had to pick you up from Jack’s last night. Any reason why you came home early? Were you sick?” Mom wondered. I couldn’t tell her I broke up with Jack, no. I didn't want her being disappointed in me. So, I just used the excuse I gave to Tom.

“I felt sick, and I just wanted to be home just in case I started throwing up. I didn't want to wake his parents with my obnoxious vomiting.” My strips were fully cooked, so I took out a plate to put them on the plate. I jumped and my body went cold though when I felt a palm press itself against the side of my stomach. I looked at mum with widened eyes. “Mum? W-What’re you –“

“Don't be scared, sweetie. I just want to feel my little grand-baby.” Mum rubbed her soft hands all over my stomach, and I couldn't help but smile. I leaned against the stove as she admired my bump. “Has it started kicking yet?”

“I feel tiny little flutters, but I haven't felt a real kick yet. I really want to feel one though, mum.”

“Oh, I understand that. When I carried you, you didn't kick until the fifth to sixth month. When you did, though, you made sure I felt it.” she chuckled. Mom removed her hands from my stomach once there was a knock at my door. “I'll get it, baby.” I nodded and went back to finishing my breakfast. I put all the strips on a plate and covered them in chocolate syrup and maple syrup. It looked like a hot mess, but I knew it would taste delicious. I picked up my plate and was about to go into the living room until I heard my mom taking to the person at the door. It was … Jack?

“Is he awake, Mrs. Gaskarth? I really need to talk to him.” Jack begged.

“Yes! He just finished making his breakfast. He's actually in the kitchen of you want to –“

“Hey, Jack.” I interrupted my mum. She turned to me and held out a hand.

“There you go, Jack!” Jack looked at with bloodshot eyes, and it was a dead giveaway that he had been crying.

“Mum, could you give Jack and I a minute, please?” I asked. Mum nodded and hurried upstairs to lay with my father in their shared room. I stayed by the kitchen entrance while Jack still stood at the front door. He looked hurt, like a lost puppy. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to actually speak?” I interrogated.

“You left? Too soon?” Jack quizzed.

“Yeah, Jack. Too soon. It's not that big of a deal, I mean, we dated for a day, and we’ve known each other for like three. Why get so butt hurt over me?” Jack slammed the door and stormed over to me.

“Listen, you stubborn piece of shit,” Jack snapped. His outburst took me by surprise. He pushed me against the wall. He took hold of the collar of my shirt and yanked me towards his face, “I fucking care so much about you! I'm not getting fucking butt hurt; I got dumped because of something so dumb! You ask me out, but it's too soon? Make up your damn mind!” Jack was shouting right in my face, and it was scaring the hell out of me. With each word, Jack would yank me closer and harder. Soon, our noses were pressed together like mush. “I don't want you to fucking leave me; I want you to stay!”

“Jack! I am not ready! Stop it, you're scaring me!” I shouted back. Jack took his hand and was about to swing at my face when I heard my dad boom,

“You pull that hand back right this fucking instant or your ass is bloody dead meat!” Jack looked up frightened, and he slowly pulled back. He also let go of my shirt, and when his grip loosened, I dropped to the ground in terror. My dad stomped over to Jack and mimicked what Jack was previously doing to me: he grabbed Jack's collar and pressed him against the wall. “You trying to hurt my fucking son?! You want to punch my pregnant son?!” Now, mum and Tom ran downstairs to see what the commotion was. I was on the floor screaming at my dad to stop while crying harshly. Mum ran to my aid while Tom pushed my dad aside to get to Jack.

“What the fuck did I tell you?! What the fuck did I tell you! If you ever hurt my brother, I would fucking kill you! Did you punch him?” Tom yelled in Jack's face, spit covering Jack’s stumbled cheeks.

“Stop! Both of you, please, stop! Look what you're doing to Alex!” Mum ordered. I was in mum’s arms shaking and crying heavily. Tom shoved Jack against the wall as he snatched his hand off of him.

“I don't want you to ever come near my brother again. Get the fuck out of my bloody house, or I will throw you physically out.” Tom threatened. Jack gave one look at me with guilty eyes before stomping out of the house. Tom and my dad knelt down in front of me and took me into their arms. All three of my family members were gripping onto me for dear life.

---

Dinner came and went that night, and I didn't eat anything. After it concluded, I told Tom to tell mum and dad that I was going out for a bit. I walked myself to a local motel where I near someone was waiting for me. I walked down the row of rooms and found the room I was looking for – Room A7. I knocked on the door and waiting for a response. Not even seconds later, the door opened to reveal who I was looking for. Standing before me was Oliver Sykes. Oli instantly smiled when my presence was presented to him. “Why, hello there, Lexy. I was surprised when you called and asked to stop by. Why the sudden need to see me?” Without giving him an answer, I took his hand and pressed it against my stomach. A flutter engulfed my tummy, and I couldn't help but blush.

“I want you to help with the baby, Oli.”

“Oh? Don't you have Pepe Le Pew to help you with that?” Oli cocked a brow, but his hand never removed itself from my stomach. In fact, he hugged it closer.

“Jack isn't good for me. I… I want you to be the one to help me. It's your baby anyway, and the fact you want to help me is good enough for me to keep you closer. If you want to help, then I would be so happy. If not, it's understandable.” Oliver smiled at me, and he pressed me against his body lovingly.

“I would love to help you with the baby, but under one condition.”

“One condition? What's that?” I wondered.

“You be my boyfriend.” My eyes widened. I just left Jack because it was too soon, but this was different. I've known Oliver so much longer, and he was my crush since middle school! Looking down, I nodded. I was looking down to hide my massive blush, not because I was scared or pressured. Oliver lifted my head up and smiled. “Is that a yes?” I nodded.

“Yes, Oliver. I'll be your boyfriend.” Without another word, Oliver leaned in to kiss me softly, and I gladly accepted and kissed back with much more passion.

Notes

hey guys! i actually want to thank both my amazing co-writer, Bree, and my girlfriend, Bre, for helping me get my creativity back. (Yeah, my Double-Bre[e]-Team ;D)

anyway, here's a long update for you guys to make up for my lack of updating. i will try and keep up with my updates. hope you guys enjoyed this chapter !!! :)

xoxo krys