When Worlds Combine - A WWC Sequel

29; Bar stools, ignored calls, and cinemas

Zayn

 

"So, I've been thinking. I'm not going to tell him."

"Avery, you can't just not tell the father of your child that he is in fact the father of your child."

Avery had come into the bar in need of a conversation with me that Tuesday afternoon. It had been about a week since I had found out the news of her being pregnant, and about three weeks that Avery hadn't told Niall. And judging by her statement she greeted me with, it didn't seem like she was ever going to.

She slides onto one of the stools and looks at me with serious eyes. "But if there is no child, then he doesn't ever have to know. I can just get rid of the thing and then when we're both ready we can try again. And it'll be the right time."

I put down the glass I had been drying and throw the towel over my shoulder. "You want to get an abortion?" I'm a little shocked. Avery never seemed the type.

She takes a deep breath, breaking eye contact. "I know it sounds horrible. I know. But, Zayn, I can't do this."

"Avery-"

"No, I can't do this!" Her voice raises as she tugs at her hair. "Zayn, I can't do this. I can't, I can't-"

"Hey, hey." I put my hand over hers to try and calm her down. "Ave, it's okay."

Seeing her sitting across the bar she looks the worst I've ever seen her, which is actually impossible when it comes to Avery. Because even on her worst days she trumps all of our good days. Her hair is messy and her skin is pale, and she just looks lifeless. This is draining her of all the light she has, and it's absolutely painful to see. Ever since our talk on the balcony in Manchester, I hadn't seen Avery her usual self.

"I don't know what else to do," she whispers, shaking her head. "I feel like I'm letting everyone down. That I'm hurting everyone no matter what I do. All I know is that I can't do this alone. I don't want to do this alone."

"Hey, listen to me." I lean in closer to her, reaching across the bar. Her head is down, and I think she's crying. "Avery Green, you will never, ever have to go through anything alone. Certainly not this. I will be by your side through every step, you hear me?"

She looks up slowly, and sure enough her eyes are red. "Y-You really mean it?"

I squeeze her hand, giving her a small smile. "Of course. If you want to have an abortion I'll come with you. And no matter how much I don't agree with not telling Niall, I won't tell him. I respect your decisions, Avery. I always will. You know that."

She just smiles back at me, a smile that reaches her eyes. It's something on her I hadn't seen in a while. "Thank you, Zayn." Then she pulls her hand away from mine and rubs at her eyes, laughing. "Oh, god. I am such a mess."

"Come on, Avery. You're never a mess."

She just rolls her eyes, biting back a smile.