Chapter 5
1057 Words
After ending the call with forcing her father to not cause a scene and him saying that he won't promise anything, Lana got up and walked to her bags picking out something comfortable to wear.
After putting on her clothes she went into the bathroom to put on some make-up. She didn't usually need make-up hence she rarely used it but the woman who stared back at her through the mirror that morning, convinced her otherwise. After she was finished with the make-up she couldn't help but admire her work. She took in her attire, faded jeans, a black loose T-shirt and flats, feeling satisfied she left the bathroom and rearranged her bags putting them on the bed.
She then opened her bedroom door and started making her way downstairs. Jessica had told her that the house had six floors and that Alex lived with some of his extended family who happened to fill almost every floor from the fourth floor upwards, definitely a pack house, but Lana would be staying on the second floor so that she wouldn't get lost easily. For a house full of people she hadn't come across any except for Jessica, Alex, Derick and the girl who served her.
She didn't care if she came across Alex, as long as she wasn't in a bath towel she would be okay.
She used her hearing to find Jessica and after following the trails of giggles she found her in the kitchen with you-know-who. Alex was sitting on a stool with Jessica behind the breakfast bar, he quickly looked up when he sensed Lana's presence and this caused Jessica to also look in the same direction.
"Lana, you are up. I'm so sorry that I let you sleep in but you seemed so exhausted yesterday and I thought that the rest might do you some good", Jessica said while grabbing a couple of cups.
"It’s okay", Lana replied while avoiding eye contact with Alex.
"Come on sit down", Jessica said while gesturing to one of the stools.
Lana did as she was told but chose the stool furthest from Alex but close enough to not raise any questions, which meant that she sat two stools away from him but still didn't look at him.
"Coffee?” Jessica asked.
"Oh no thanks, you know that I don't drink coffee. Do you by any chance have rooibos tea?” Lana politely asked, still debating how she was going to break the news to her friend.
"I bet we have those, I had forgotten that you weren't a coffee fan", Jessica said while laughing lightly while Alex spared her a curious glance.
She retrieved the tea bags, making two cups of coffee and one cup of tea.
"Here you go", Jessica said handing the coffee to Alex, the tea to Lana and keeping the last cup for herself.
"Thanks", both Lana and Alex murmured.
"Lana I've got some great news!” Jessica exclaimed.
Lana paused from sipping her tea and felt Alex tense.
"I wanted to tell you yesterday but since you were tired and all, I didn't think it was the best time. Guess what?” Jessica asked beaming.
Lana just raised an eyebrow questioningly but before she even had the chance to reply, Jessica cut in.
"Alex and I are pregnant! Lana, you are going to be an aunt!” Jessica exclaimed, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
To say that Lana was stunned would have been the understatement of the year and to say that she was heartbroken, the understatement of the century. She wanted to ask who the father was but felt it was inappropriate.
She took a huge gulp of the hot tea and it helped push down the lump forming in her throat, she then looked up at her friend and gave her a very fake smile but Jessica was still caught up in her own bubble so she didn't notice.
Lana couldn't say that she was happy for her friend so she just broke the news.
"Jess, I have something to tell you", Lana started, her voice was shaky but Jessica interpreted that as Lana being overwhelmed with emotions, positive emotions that is.
"Lana I haven't been feeling well and I talked to my mom about it and I think it's better if I go home for a while but I'll be here for the ceremony", Lana finished.
"But you can't leave!” Alex blurts out.
"I mean Jessica needs you", he quickly added.
"I am truly sorry, Jessica. But my dad is already on his way here and he will be here within-", she looked at her wrist watch.
"Twenty minutes or less", she finished but she was leaning on the less part, NASCAR drivers couldn't hold a candle to her father's driving.
"Oh. I am afraid that I won't be present to see you off, I have a late appointment with... Charlie. But I do hope you do get home safely.” Jessica replied, the sadness and disappointment evident in her voice.
She went around the breakfast bar and gave Alex a kiss on the cheek before heading out.
Lana sat there with her soulmate but had nothing to say to him, she wanted to hit him and kiss him at the same time, she hated and loved him simultaneously and in the end she just chose to feel numb.
She felt a tingling sensation on her hand and searing heat pass through her body and it made her desire things she couldn't have. The fire became intense as it flowed from her hand to her back until it felt as if her back was on fire, the hotter the fire became the clearer her old memories became. The touch felt familiar and with its familiarity it brought pain.
She looked down to see Alex's hand lying on top of hers and felt the tears she thought were all dried up blur her vision, she quickly pulled her hand away.
She looked up at Alex to find his blurry figure staring at her and when she blinked the tears ran down her cheeks, clearing her vision.
Alex was quick to wipe those tears away.
"I am so sorry", those were the only words he managed to find but even he knew that Band-Aids don't fix bullet holes.
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