The Atlas Of Love

- sixteen -

I had been pacing up and down for the last 30 minutes, trying Nick's number.

I brought Kara home that night because it was obviously not safe for her to be alone at a time like this.

She said she wanted to keep the baby no matter if Nick would stay or leave.

I even thought of telling Xander about this and let him help us in finding Nick, but hesitated because I wasn't sure if Kara wanted him to know about her pregnancy.

"Hey, K." I called out.

She had been staring out of my window ever since we arrived, her eyes still red from crying.

"Yeah?" She cleared her throat.

"Do you, do you mind if we tell Xan about this? Maybe he'll help us find Nick." I said cautiously.

"I don't know Jane. I don't want worry Xander at this hour and besi--"

"Shut it Kara. We've all been really good friends since highschool, what are friends for? Don't you remember how you'd write his assignments whenever he asked you to? He owes you." I cut her off, walking closer to her.

She showed me a smile, nodding.

That was my cue.

"Xander! Xander!" I whisper-yelled from my balcony.

He opened his window, almost half-asleep.

"What?" He rubbed his eyes, looking annoyed as he rested his hands on his hips.

I forgot how to breathe momentarily staring down at his abs, his messy hair and hearing his groggy voice.

"I'm going back inside if you're just gonna stare at me like that J." He warned, glaring at me.

I shook my head, finally being aware of everything around me.

"No, no. Please come over Xander. We really really need to ... talk." I hinted.

He misunderstood this, a sly grin crawling up on his face. "J, if you wanted it you could've just texted me or something. You know I'll be here for your service 24×7. Just be a little gentle with me tonight, I'm feeling a little weak." He teased, pretending to hide his body from me.

My jaws dropped. "Xander! Just come over!" I quickly turned back around, running inside.

Within a minute, we could hear Xander jumping out of his window, landing on my balcony.

"Babyyy I'm here. Come out, come out and claim your prize." He howled, sliding my window open.

Since Kara and I were sitting on the bean bags in the far corner of the room, he couldn't see us. We both held in our laughter, waiting for him to come inside and embarrass himself.

Xander peeked inside the window, looking confused when he didn't see me. "I'm coming in. Come out whenever you're ready J." He laughed, swiftly jumping inside.

He stood there for a good 30 seconds, his hands on his hips as he stood there staring at my bed.

"Xander." Kara finally called out, scaring the shit out of him, resulting in him flinching when his name was called.

"Kara? What are you doing here, and why do you look like that?" His voice softened, as he crouched infront of her, examining her almost lifeless face.

Kara's tears came back in an instance, unable to speak out. Xander looked at me in confusion.

I shrugged, scooting closer to her and rubbing her back.

When she seemed to calm down, we narrated the whole story to him, asking him to help us find Nick.

He was beyond furious when he heard this. "What kind of man is Nick!  How the fuck could he do this you?" Xander yelled.

I gestured him to keep his volume down and to not mention that. "Okay stop crying Kara. He'll be here infront of you in some time, apologizing." He whispered into her ear, hugging her tightly.

At that moment, I thought, I thought that for once, maybe the old Xander was back.

The Xander I once loved. The one who was always there for me and his mother and would do abso-fucking-lutely everything and anything to keep us from getting hurt.

I shook this thought off, getting up from my seat and getting some water for Kara.

"Kara, please stop crying and drink this. You haven't had anything and it wouldn't be good for you ... and the baby." Xander pulled away, taking the cup from my hands and urging her to drink.

She took it and gulped down every drop of water in there, making the two of us smile.

"I'll get something for you to eat. Xander, please stay with her." I informed, running down to the kitchen.

My parents asked me how Kara was doing now, I told them that she was fine now and that I needed something for her to eat.

My mother immediately ran to the kitchen, making something for her.

"Here Jane. She still likes kimchi right?" She handed it to me.

"Yes, thanks eomma." I smiled, walking up the stairs carefully.

I tiptoed to my room, making sure to not spill the soup in the bowl.

"--besides, this baby's not just going to have you as a mother. She's going to have me and Jane too. We'll be the baby's godparents!" I heard Xander say, and I stopped on my tracks.

Kara let out a loud laughter at this, telling Xander how much fun that would be to watch.

I smiled to myself, picturing Xander with a baby.

"Food's here!" I called out before walking inside.

Kara squealed seeing what I had in hand. She had always been a big fan of my mother's kimchi and bibimbap.

Xander and I smiled at each other, seeing Kara's reaction. I placed the tray infront of her, walking to my bed where Xander was sitting.

"Xander, don't be so hard on Nick when you see him. The dude left because he was scared, and we don't want to scare him off for real this time." I offered him a half-smile.

He nodded at this.

"I'll go find him and be back real quick." He said, standing up.

"Yeah. Come back fast." I patted his back.

"Hey Xan! Before you leave, I want you to promise me something." Kara stood up, a mischievous smile on her face.

Xander and I both looked at each other in confusion.

He hesitated for awhile but seeing her like that, he had to give in. "Sure, what?"

"You'll do everything I ask you to do right?" She asked.

"Except murdering someone, yes." He nodded, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Okay! You can't take that back alright?" She jumped in excitement, clapping and I had to run to her to stop her from doing so.

"I'll let you know when you get back." She winked at me.

What the fuck is Kara up to now?