Pretend Like I Don't Entice You (Alan Ashby)

Over Again

*Alan's POV*

I texted Karliah for the seventh time today but she still hasn't responded. It's been two months since she saw me in the kitchen with Katie even though we were just talking, I don't know what she heard though. I didn't even notice Austin's car parked across the street. If I would have known..

"Alan open the door." Austin said plainly. He's still pissed at me and I get that, Karliah is his best friend but so am I, I hope. I opened the door quickly to see Austin standing there with his arms crossed. "Karliah's phone broke but she needs to talk to you." He said walking away. "Uhm. Austin?" I said confused. "Come on get ready." He snapped. "Okay." I rushed out slipping on my shoes. Austin is extremely intimidating when he's angry. I climbed in Austin's truck and sat there silently. There was nothing to say just an awkward feeling tugging at you.

"I'm sorry Austin." I said once again. "I know you are." Austin finally said after a few minutes. "Is she okay?" I asked hesitantly. "No but I know she will be." He said looking out the window. We pulled into an ice cream shop, Karliah's favorite ice cream shop. "She's inside, I'll be waiting out here." He said unlocking the door.

When I saw Karliah sitting in the booth I didn't know what to say. I wanted her back but part of me didn't because I don't want to hurt her. I was naive and broke her. "Alan." She said softly. Her hair was up in a messy but and she had sunglasses on. She never wears sunglasses inside. "Hi." I said quietly sitting down.

"I'm pregnant." Karliah said breaking the silence. I sat up straight and stared at her. Her voice showed no emotion and her mouth barely even moved. She doesn't even sound the same. Her voice is more, firm and raspy. "How long?" I finally asked. "8 weeks, roughly." She mumbled sipping her drink. I didn't dare ask if it was mine because I knew it was. "I want you to come back." I said looking down, I couldn't tell if she was even looking at me. "Alan we both know that's a lie." She mumbled her voice softening a bit. "I want to be in my child's life." I said balling my fist a little.

"I know, that's why I told you." She said getting up. "What, you're just going to leave?" I said raising my voice a little bit and grabbed her arm. "Alan shut the fuck up!" She yelled yanking her arm away. "We'll talk soon." She said walking out leaving me inside with everyone starring at me. This couldn't have gone any worse.

*Karliah's POV*

For the past few hours I've laid on Vic's couch starring at the ceiling. I knew Mike and Vic were worried along with Austin and Amelia but I was fine for the most part.

"Karliah." Austin said making my eyes dart to his location. I wasn't sure if he was using my name to intimidate me or not. There is a possibility he's been saying my nickname this whole time and I've just zoned him out.

"What?" I mumbled looking back up at the ceiling crossing my legs. "Say something." He said sitting by my feet. "What do you expect me to say? You were right?" I huffed closing my eyes. "No, for gods sake Karliah what the hell is going through your mind? You've shut everyone out. We're all worried sick you know!" Austin scoffed, his voice getting louder.

"What's going through my mind? Oh I don't know. I'm pregnant and alone. The guy I thought loved me has been cheating on me for gods know how long. My engagement was a piece of shit and I'm emotionally drained." I said lowering my voice.

I couldn't bring myself to fight with Austin, he's more than I could ask for as a friend and I can't do anything to jeopardize it. "Look Austin I'm sorry but there just isn't much for me to say. I just need some time to come to terms with how my life is now." I sighed sitting up.

"Don't apologize Lilah, I'm glad you yelled at me. I was beginning to think you shut down again." He sighed sitting closer to me. "I can't lose this baby too Austin, the baby is really all I have left. The only good thing that came from that relationship besides Muffin." I mumbled leaning into him.