"Alex I... I'm sorry for calling."
"Wh-Why are you calling me Piper?" All I can hear is Piper's breathing. She's crying, and it breaks my fucking heart. I would have hoped that after all this time, I wouldn't feel this way about her.
"I would really like to see you, can we meet up somewhere?" Is she serious? I can feel the tears building up, hating the fact that all I want to do is see her again.
"Fuck you Piper," My voice breaks, I know she hears it, but I can't control it. "I can't handle this right now, I-"
"Please, I just… I have to see you."
This is what I wanted, to see Piper again. To be near her again.
"When?"
"I um… are you busy now?" Is she fucking crazy?
"Now?Fuck Piper…" I already know I will tell her yes. "Where do you want to meet?"
"Th- there's this new diner, I think the name is Joe's? I can buy you lunch… I mean if you want to… or we can meet at your place."
"No, no I rather meet in a public place. Joe's sounds good. I can be there in about fifteen minutes, is that good for you?"
"Yes… yeah I will see you then." I hang up, stunned by the conversation that just occurred. I'm going to see her again, is this really what I want?
I know that seeing her again isn't what's best for me right now. I look on my counter, and I see the pamphlets that my doctor gave me. It all comes rushing back to me; I'm pregnant, and I need to make a choice. I can't keep it; I'm not made to be a mom. I'm not emotionally fit to take care of a child.
I sigh, and make my way out of my apartment.
I enter the diner, skimming the small crowd of people. There's no sign of Piper, so I make my way over to the booth in the corner. As I'm fidgeting in my seat, I see a waitress make her way towards me.
"What can I getcha, darling?" the older woman asks, with a hint of a smile.
"A bottled water, please." As she walks off, I look at the time. What if she doesn't show up? Before my mind can come up with every reason why Piper wouldn't show up, I see her walk in.
She doesn't see me right away, which gives me time to take her all in. She's dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans, and her long blonde hair in soft curls, she still looks just as amazing since the last I saw her. She turns to look in my direction and I see her tearful eyes brighten and the faintest of smiles adorn her face. I can feel myself catch my breath as she makes her way over to me. We stare at each other for the longest time, until finally, she speaks.
"Alex, you look..." she pauses, and takes in every detail. I feel uneasy under her gaze, and she seems to notice this. "You look amazing Alex."
I give her a small smile; I can tell just by the way she looks at me that she means it. "You do too, Piper." It comes out as just barely a whisper, but I know she hears it.
She continues to stand in front of me, fidgeting from one foot to the other. I can't help but chuckle at her.
"You can sit down you know, I won't bite." I find myself smirking at her, something I haven't done in such a long time. Just being near her again makes me happier.
She lets out a nervous laugh and sits straight across from me. The waitress brings me my water, and asks if we would like anything else.
"Can I have some pancakes, please?" Piper asks. I never understood why she would ask for food that she was going to pay for, but naturally I found it endearing.
"And for you, hun?"
"I'll have the same, thanks." I answer, but I don't take my eyes off of Piper. The waitress walks off, leaving us alone once again.
"Why did you call me, Piper?" I don't feel like putting this off anymore. I need to know if she wants something from me. Even though I'm happy to see her, I won't hesitate to tell her to fuck off if she just wants to use me. I won't be able to handle that.
"I- I just…" She's struggling with her words, and I don't rush her. "I wanted to apologize. About…. about leaving, especially when you had just lost…" I see fresh tears build up in her eyes, as she takes in a shaky breath and continues. " I know that you hate me, and to be perfectly honest, I hate me too."
"Piper, I-"
"No, let me finish. Ever since I left, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I want to be part of your life, I don't care if it's just as a friend; or th- that your still in the cartel… but I would like to give us another shot. "
"I'm not in the cartel anymore." It comes out softly, and I honestly thought that she wouldn't be able to hear it. But the relief that is shown on Pipers face make it clear that she heard it.
"When did you…?"
"About a month after you left."
I let her ponder over what I just said, and I let my own mind wander too. If I let her be part of my life, then there will be no way I can keep this baby situation a secret.
"They just let you quit, just like that?" Fuck, this is it.
"No, it wasn't that simple."
The fear is evident on her face. I start to wonder if telling her is such a good idea. What if she runs away again?
Before I can protest, I fell her grab my hand. "Please, tell me what happened." She rubs her thumb softly on my hand, and I look at her. There's understanding in her eyes, but I can't bring myself to say it. I can't go into the details of what happened.
The waitress comes back with our food, and we both tense up at the sudden intrusion. She tells us to enjoy, then just as quickly as she came, she left.
Neither one of us touch our food, both seemingly lost our appetites at the turn of our conversation. I take in a shaky breath, and try to find some way to tell Piper about my attack.
"Kubra sent one of his men after me about a month ago." I refuse to look into her eyes, so I settle for studying the plate of food.
"Alex?" I look up at her, her eyes searching mine, as if looking for confirmation on what I'm actually saying is true. "How bad was it?"
The tears fall, and I allow myself to be weak. "He…" How can I say it? I look down at my napkin, and grab the pen from my purse. One word is really all it will take. I slide the napkin over to the blonde, still not looking directly at her, and I hear her gasp.
"oh, Alex." I look up at her, and the tears stream down her face.
"You really want to be part of my life now?" I ask, but I don't wait for a reply. "I can't be your girlfriend, maybe not even friends right now, but what I'm about to ask you is something that I need at least someone for."
Her reply is instant. "Whatever you need, Alex."
"I'm pregnant, and I need you to come with me to the women's clinic."
She's looking at me, not with judgment, but understanding. "You're not…"
"No, I don't want it. I just want this to be over and done with. I don't want this constant reminder of what happened, and I definitely don't want to carry a baby that I'm not sure I will even love. I'm going to terminate the pregnancy."
