STOLEN (Lawson)

Don't leave me

I ran back to my room and locked the door behind me. I sat on my bed and stared at the ground for a while, what the fuck just happened ? I’m not really mad at Tom but I just don’t know how to deal with this. Too much has happened,and I really don’t feel like being pushed any further, especially by Tom, who knows me more than anyone. I just need some time alone.

Good thing that Tom didn’t come knocking on my door until much later, so I took a nap, showered, and had time to relax before I faced him.

Five hours after our little incident he came by, and I willingly opened the door. I didn’t want there to be any weirdness between us. He looked tense, and nervous and more so, he was holding his luggage bag in one hand and a backpack in the other. Where the hell was he planning on going?

“Angie, umm I came by to say good bye.”

“What? Tom, you’re not really leaving me are you? C’mon.. I’m not even mad. Let’s just forget it ever happened.”

“No, I think me being on this trip is just gonna complicate things, I mean, when I brought you here I didnt have any intention to try and win you back. I did it to help you, but clearly being around you brings back so many memories and I’d rather just give you some space right now. You can stay as long as you want, it’s on me. They will take care of you here, I’m sure by the time you come back to London, you’ll have made up your mind.”

“Tom...”

“Angie...”

“Okay, fine then. I’d just like you to know that I trust you no matter what , you’re the most amazing person in the world Tom. You always put others first. I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said, pulling me into a tight long hug. I rested my head on his shoulder and I breathed in his scent. I was blessed to know such good people.

“Okay... wow... my flight leaves in an hour so I’d better get going..”

“Let me take you..”

And so we hopped in a cab and I took Tom to the airport. I waited till I saw him enter the plane and then I made my way back to the hotel. Well since he insisted.. I had better start enjoying this trip while it lasts.

I went for dinner all by myself. Got a bit drunk. Danced with the traditional St.Lucian dancers. Met a couple of cool tourists from Ireland. Drunk a bit more. I didn’t know I could have all this fun on my own.

The next day, I went for a massage in the morning, scuba diving in the afternoon and karaoke in the evening. And the rest of the days I spent there were filled with adventure as well as relaxation, and let’s not forget , deep thinking.

***

After about two and a half weeks of serious ponder in a tiny paradise in the Caribbean, I finally made my way back to the freezing city of London. Tom picked me up secretly in the airport and gladly the paps hadn’t known of my arrival.

“Wow, you look great, you’re as bright as ever, did you enjoy the trip without me?”

“It wasn’t as good as it would have been if you didn’t leave me hanging half way, but yes, I did enjoy myself. But it’s great to be back home, yknow?”

“Happy that you’re back, Angie.”

“Me too.” I said, laying on his shoulder, knowing that soon I would be facing a lot of confused people.

Tom tipped Zara and Zayn of my arrival and we were gonna meet secretly at my house.

I got inside my condo expecting to find a mess and dust everywhere but to my surprise it was all neat and spruced up.

“Who cleaned my house?”

“Well, Zara made it her duty to keep it clean just in case you came back. She seemed to come here a lot, hoping you’d just show up.”

“Oh Zara, I owe her an apology too, she’s my best friend, she deserves to know the truth but I hid it from her.”

“Don’t worry, she’s not even mad, she just wanted you to come back home. She’s been super worried. I’m sure she’ll be ecstatic to see you.”

“I wanna see her too, I’m just-”I started but I was interrupted by knocking on the door. Tom opened the door and Zayn and Zara came rushing in.

Zayn immediately swooped me off my feet and gave me a heart warming intense hug, I hugged him with my entire being, I even felt the my blood rush in my veins. He didn’t say anything and neither did I. The was absolute silence in the room. Then he finally pulled me away and grabbed my face and looked into my eyes.

“Don’t you ever do that again, do you hear me?”

I just nodded my head, tears spiralling down my face.

He hugged me again.

“Don’t dissapear like that okay? You don’t know how worried I was for you.”

“I’m so sorry, Zayn, everything happened so fast. I’m so sorry.”

He gave me one last hug before letting go of me, and I turned, and there was Zara, with a weak smile on her face.

“Zar!” I said falling into her arms. We literally hugged for like 10 minutes.

Then the four of us had dinner at my place. It was more of a feast.

***

“When  Andy came in the church I was like shit shit shit! It was just one of those moments yknow!” Zayn said, and we all laughed.

“I just went numb, like I totally hadn’t seen that coming!” Zara added.

The best thing about having great friends is that you can make a laugh out of practically anything.

“Wait Zar, what are you doing?” Zayn stated, grabbing her glass of wine away from her.

“Oh, almost forgot.”

“Almost forgot what?” I asked, curiously.

Then there was a dead silence, and Zara went pale.

“Uhm, Angie, .... I’m pregnant.”