All I Can See Are These Flames Around Me

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room, allowing my words to sink in. And to be honest, the silence terrified me. When people are talking, you don't need to be all that concerned with their mindless chatter. Most the time people don't even really listen to each other. It's when they stop talking that you need to be worried about what's going on in their minds. Tears continued to run down my flushed cheeks. Andy and Ashley both looked as though they could burst into tears at any moment as well.

Jake, in complete shock of my words let go of Andy and just looked with a shocked expression.

My knees were weak, and keeping myself upright proved to be more difficult that I thought it should be. I caught CC's eye when I wavered a tiny bit. He stepped closer to me and held my waist. I was thankful for both his ability to keep me on my feet and his shoulder he allowed me to cry into.

Ashley, who had stumbled back against the couch, sat burning a hole into the floor with his eyes. A look of confused pain distorted his face. What I wanted nothing more than was to walk over to Ashley and slap him and make him pay for what he had done to me. But what was the point of doing that? It wouldn't suddenly make me no longer pregnant. It wouldn't erase the memories that were burned into my mind. Slapping him would do nothing for me, except cause probably another fight.

“Nick...?" Andy, somehow pulled himself together and turned to look at me.

Without so much as a word, I slipped out of CC's arms and into Andy's.

For the first time in the last two days, I felt safe. The feeling of Andy's arms encircling me relaxed and calmed me. All this crying is starting to get fucking old, really quick. If I could just stop, things would be so much more bearable, my face wouldn't hurt, I wouldn't be so fucking tired, and I wouldn't have a dehydration headache. And if just knew how to put on a goddamn condom, we wouldn't be in this predicament.

“Nikki?” Ashley's voice broke through the silence of the room.

Even though I didn't want to, I pulled myself out of my safe little hiding spot and stared at him. The father of my unborn child was chewing his bottom look. He looked torn between all the things he wanted to say.

“What?” I tried to snap at him, but due to my tears my voice was nothing more than a sob.

“I don't care what you do with it. It's in your body and it's your baby, so you can decide what you do with it. If you want to get rid of it, I'll pay for the treatment. I just want you to understand that I want nothing to do with it."

Even though his voice was lifeless it sparked a flame in me. How dare he say such things to me. I knew for a fact that he wouldn't care when he eventually found out that I was carrying his child, but I hadn't expected him to suggest that I get rid of it. I opened my mouth to voice my anger at him, but when I did so nothing came out.

“I’m sorry. I never expected something like this to happen.” As if a simple sorry would make everything suddenly okay. As if it would take away all the terrible memories and hate I had for him.

“Ashley, I think it would be best if you left.” Andy looked over at CC and Jake who’s jaws were still on the floor in shock. “You two also? Please?”

Without any kind of argument, Jake and CC took their leave. Instead of bidding us goodbyes, they both silently slipped out of the room and out the front door. They must be so confused. Hopefully Andy will explain what happened to them later. With Jake and C gone, Ashley was the only one left to go.

Both Andy and I stared at the man sitting on the couch. His fists were clenched. And it was clear that he wasn't planning to go anywhere anytime soon.

Just fucking wonderful.

Ashley‘s narrowed his eyes. “It’s my spawn too Andrew.”

“You don't fucking say." Andy hissed sarcastically. "I need to talk with her alone. So get the fuck out of my house." Ashley's eyes turned to slits. But he still got up and stomped out the room and to the door. To show Andy and I just how upset he was about leaving, Ashley slammed the front door.

Not being able to stop myself I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior. God, who the fuck does he think he is? He basically just told me that he doesn't want anything to do with the baby, so why does he think he has any right sticking around to talk?

“Nikki….”

I didn’t dare look up as Andy spoke, I didn’t want to see the hurt in his eyes. To be honest before all of this happened I thought Andy and I were on our way to having a really good relationship. We can talk for hours without getting bored. And even though we don't have much in common, we still somehow get along. And now... Now everything is about to crash and burn in front of me.

"Andrew, I am so sorry. I-I didn't mean for this to happen. I'll understand if you hate me and never want to-" Andy silenced me by holding up his hand.

“Nikki relax, you’re going to make yourself sick if you don't.” In a gentle manner, Andy lead me over to the couch.

Sitting across from one another, I could now see just how hard the news had hit him. His eyes that were normally full of life and determination were now cold, dead, and hurt. Together, Ashley and I have singlehandedly killed Andy.

“I’m scared.” I whimpered, feeling like a child.

“I don’t want you to be scared Nikki. I want to help you through this, I want to take care of you.”

“I am so, so sorry Andy.” Sorry was the only thing I could think to say at the moment. His words hadn't registered with me yet.

“Stop saying you're sorry. This isn't your fault. Just let me help you.”

“You don’t have to do that Andrew,” I sniffled, dabbing at my eyes.

“I know I don't have to do anything. I want to. Let whatever happens to you become my responsibility. Let me be this baby's father."

Notes

Aw hell.
Andy wants to be the father.
What do you guys think is going to happen next?

Thank you so much to andyspurdygirl and rebel 2204 for your comments!
I really appreciate them <3