Trading Heartbeats
Chapter 27 - Discords & Disintegration
Cody's mind soared with different thoughts and questions. Should he leave Amelia? No, he couldn't. He loved her, hadn't he? But if the child wasn't his, what then would he do? Amelia had stopped her trembling and looked up at him, her face tear-stained and red. Cody's heart sank a bit as he watched her like this. Whatever thoughts ran through his mind were forgotten at this moment, Amelia needed him, and in some strange way, he was sure he needed her too. Cody planted a kiss on her trembling lips which seemed to steady themselves after the kiss; a sudden calm had filled the room by now. Pulling away from the kiss, Cody stared into Amelia's grey/green tear-filled eyes. "We'll get through this," he whispered giving Amelia a smile of confidence.
This hadn't helped her one bit. Although she returned an identical smile, she hadn't felt any more confident in herself. In fact, she was disappointed that she'd still been so young, and she was going to have a child. Not to mention the fact that she was still unsure of who the father was. Her eyes fluttered closed as Cody planted a kiss on her forehead. A sudden beep had sounded from Cody's pocket. Cody's hand left from around Amelia and fished around inside his pocket. What he had retrieved made Amelia sigh a bit. Cody gave her an apologetic smile and stole one more kiss on her lips before answering his beeping phone. He proceeded back out to the bedroom. Amelia watched him leave and looked down at the pregnancy test once more. She decided what she needed to - she had to see a doctor.
Would she let Cody come with her? Amelia shook her head almost instantly. She had to do this by herself, especially if it meant finding out who the father of the child would be. Amelia carried the pregnancy test into the kitchen, passing Cody who'd been standing with one hand on his hip listening to the person on the phone chatter away. Dropping the pregnancy test into the garbage bag, she slipped on a pair of flip-flops and proceeded outside to the parking lot of the apartment. Her first attempts at heaving the garbage bag into the dumpster were unsuccessful. She was still weak from all the crying and trembling. Suddenly, a hand from behind had caught hers aiding her in her third attempt at heaving the garbage bag into the dumpster.
Amelia spun around on her heel after the task had been completed. "Thanks, Cody," she said in a quiet voice with a slight smile. Cody smiled back and kissed the top of her head. Amelia noticed he had his keys clutched in his hand. "Where are you going," she asked as she looked up at him.
"Oh, to the arena for some practice," he said with a slight smile. "I'll be back at 10:00, alright," he asked giving her another peck on her forehead. Amelia smiled a bit at this, and wished him good luck. As she made her way back into her apartment, she sank herself onto the couch. Staring up at the ceiling, she allowed her thoughts to run. According to the once faulty home pregnancy test, she was pregnant. Did she believe it? Amelia scoffed a bit and shook her head, answering herself, 'no'. It had been misread once, couldn't it be misread twice? She needed to check. What about the father of the child, if she were pregnant? Amelia sat upright and looked down at her knees. Could it have been Punk's? She raised one eyebrow trying to think back to her dream earlier. She hadn't recalled seeing a man there, and at this her worry had worsened.
"Wh-What do you mean," Punk asked as he sat down on the bed, taking this all in. Hadn't they been planning for a baby for several months now? Khaila stood there with a look of disbelief and confusion rolled up into one as she continued to stare down at the pregnancy test that she had been holding in her hand for several minutes now. Khaila hadn't a voice to answer him. Standing there muted by her shock, tears had begun to form in her eyes. After so many months of thinking she had some sort of life in her, she had actually been looking forward to the baby.
Punk stood up and placed both hands on her cheeks, lifting her face up to his. Staring into her tear-filled eyes, he closed his and gave her a peck on her lips. Khaila's eyes had, too, closed themselves as she continued the kiss. The kiss intensified and Punk's hands slid themselves down from her cheeks and onto her hips. Punk's lips drifted from her lips to her neck allowing chills to race all through Khaila's body. She could feel herself moving backwards now. Suddenly, she felt herself pressed up against the cold wall of the bedroom. Her bottom lip slipped under her teeth as she felt Punk's breath all along her neck and shoulders. In one swift movement, Punk's lips had stopped and he started pulling off her shirt. Just as Khaila had raised her arms for him to complete his task, something rang behind him. Punk stopped and looked towards the bed.
Khaila closed her eyes and let her arms drop to her sides while Punk made his way over to the bed picking up her ringing cell phone. "Hello," he asked as he answered the phone. Khaila could tell there was a bit of anger in him. "Who - Oh, yeah. She's here," he said. Khaila made her way over to him and reached out for the phone. Punk held up a hand. "No, this is still Punk," he told the person over the phone. "Khaila's right here," he spoke once more. Khaila giggled a bit as she reached for the phone once more. "Well, you didn't ask to speak to her," Punk stated. Khaila giggled and moved closer to Punk reaching for the phone. Punk smirked down at Khaila and stroked her back slowly. "You know, actually, I think she might be busy," he lied. Khaila laughed and jumped for the phone clutched in his hand. "Yes, I'll take a message-" Punk spoke before Khaila successfully took hold of the phone.
"Hello," Khaila asked hoping whoever it was hadn't hung up.
"Khaila," a voice over the phone sounding like Sonelle's chimed in. "Two things … one, Punk is infuriating and two, how would you and Sir Infuriation like to come over tomorrow night and we have dinner with Brittany and Justin and Cody and Amelia," she invited. Khaila raised one eyebrow contemplating all of this. After all, just last night Amelia had caused something to go wrong which resulted in them being kicked out of the club. Then again, she had wanted to tell her friends about the shocking news that'd happened recently. Khaila sighed.
"Sure," she said. "I'll tell Punk."
"Alright," Sonelle said cheerily, "See you at 7:00 tomorrow then?" Khaila muttered a small 'mhm', and the girls bade goodbye hanging up. Two arms locked themselves around Khaila from behind taking the phone out of her hand and placing it on the table beside them. His lips pressed themselves against her cheek.
"Punk," Khaila whispered to him. Punk gave a slight smirk.
"Yes," he hissed reaching for the bottom of her shirt once more. Khaila bit on her bottom lip allowing him to pull it off. He spun her around so that they were now facing each other. He leaned his forehead against hers looking down at her lips. Khaila released her bottom lip.
"Nothing," she whispered. Punk smirked and picked her up, placing her flat on the bed. Punk crawled on top of her and in a moment's time, both lay beneath the sheets, one on top of the other. They'd forgotten entirely about the discovery they'd made just recently if only for this moment - this moment of pleasure.
The hours rolled on and as night became day, Brittany, who had been lying across Justin's bare chest, awoke with a slight startle. Brittany looked up at him and smiled, giving him a gentle kiss on his lips. Even though he was sleeping, Brittany distinctly swore she saw his lips twitch into a smile. As she rose up out of the bed, she quickly retreated to the bathroom taking the robe off of the hook and tying it securely around herself. Proceeding back outside to the bedroom, she quickly crossed over into the living room seating herself on the couch and flicking on the T.V. careful not to turn it too loud. As she sat there with her head resting against the frame of the sofa, she contemplated about tonight.
Tonight would be the dinner Sonelle had invited them to, and although, Brittany wasn't embarrassed about Justin (who could be?) she could tell that he never truly fit in with the rest of the guys. He was different as far as Brittany was concerned, and she was fine with that. Her thoughts then fell to what would become of the rest of the dinner guests. Already Amelia had proven that she couldn't go out with Cody without raising some sort of havoc. Imagine what she'd do now that she was indoors with people she'd actually had a history with. Brittany shook these thoughts from her head. Perhaps everything would turn in good favour. "You're up early," a South African-accented voice spoke breaking Brittany's contemplation. Brittany looked up at a shirtless Justin Gabriel giving him a slight smirk.
"It's 9:00 am," she told him. He chuckled a bit before making his way back over to the couch, sitting on the arm of it and extending his arm around her. Brittany slid herself closer to him. She saw Justin yawn a quiet yawn, and she chuckled. "Someone's still tired," she whispered to him. He chuckled and planted a kiss on her head.
"I'll be more awake tonight when we go to … where are we going again," he asked as he moved himself from sitting on the couch's arm to sitting on the couch itself.
"Sonelle and my apartment for dinner," she reminded him. He nodded recalling that she had mentioned something about that last night. As the two cuddled within each other's arms, Brittany emptied her mind. In a matter of hours, she and Justin would be dining with friends, and nothing could possibly ruin that.
The time had been 6:02 pm the last time Kofi had checked the digital clock on Sonelle's bedside table. Sonelle had been getting ready in the bathroom as Kofi lay, already dressed, on the bed flipping through sports channels. Suddenly, Sonelle stepped out of the bathroom dressed in a black dress with gold design patterns patterned around the waist of it. Kofi sat up almost immediately and smirked her way. Her cheeks flushed a light shade of red as she proceeded into the bedroom. Kofi rose to his feet taking one of her hands in his. "You look stunning," he whispered to her as he neared her slowly. Sonelle looked up at him and gave a smile of gratitude.
"As do you," she whispered back. Kofi's lips twitched into a smirk before his eyes wandered down from her eyes to her lips. His hands found themselves on her cheeks as he leaned in slowly for a kiss. Sonelle's eyes fluttered down as she seized the front of his shirt gently. Their lips fused with a passion they'd never experienced before. She could feel Kofi's tongue intrude her mouth and the kiss further intensified. Kofi's hands had now found their way onto her hips where her hands travelled north and landed themselves on his shoulders. The kiss slowed to a stop, and just as it had ended, a knock had resonated through the apartment. Sonelle blushed as she looked up at Kofi who'd been smirking down at her. "I'll get it," she whispered as she gave him one last peck on the lips. Kofi, however, wanted more than a simple peck.
Just as Sonelle had been looking to walk through to the living room and then to the door, he seized her by her arm and pulled her back to him. She giggled. "Kofi, our guests," she whispered. Kofi smirked.
"Forget about them," he mumbled as his lips travelled down her neck. Sonelle's teeth was withheld her bottom lip as she enjoyed the feeling of Kofi's kisses all along her neckline. The knocks had gotten louder, and Sonelle giggled.
"Later," she whispered to him placing her hands on his cheeks and lifting his head away from her neck. Kofi gave a disgruntled 'okay' and watched as Sonelle left to the door. Opening it, Brittany and Justin had stepped in. Brittany was wearing a black and red dressed that had a rose pinned to the right side of her waist. Sonelle hugged both Brittany and Justin as Kofi hugged Brittany and simply shook hands with Justin. The four sat in the living room awaiting the other couples.
The guys talked mostly sports and Justin indulged in tales about South Africa as Kofi had been interested in it ever since he'd learned Justin was from there. Sonelle and Brittany who had excused themselves into the kitchen after a while immediately divulged in their worried for tonight. "I know she's our friend, but just look at what happens around her! The first time the four of us had gotten together at a party, she sleeps with Khaila's guy; the next time we go out together, she gets us kicked out of club for being involved in a fight," Brittany relayed in a whisper. Sonelle gave a nod meaning that she'd been listening.
"I get what you're saying," she told Brittany. "Strange things do happen to follow her where she goes." Brittany gave a slight sigh and nod. In little to no time, there had been knocks once more at the door. As Brittany reached the door, pulling it opened. She immediately embraced Khaila who'd been wearing a grey and black dress that tied to the back. Brittany, who'd finally noticed Punk with Khaila, gave him a slight smile and proceeded back to the kitchen. Punk walked in, gave Kofi a slight hug, and shook Justin's hand. The three men sat in the living room now changing their discussion from sports to comic books and movies. Khaila found herself in the kitchen with two of her friends. The three had finished setting a nice enough table in the kitchen area just as more knocks had sounded at the door.
As Sonelle had gone over to get the door, she noticed Punk rise up out of the sofa and pull the door open. Sonelle smiled. Maybe Punk wasn't so bad, she thought to herself as she proceeded back to the kitchen in an attempt to pick out glasses and napkins. Amelia, who had been dressed in a gold coloured dress that tied around the waist, and Cody stepped into the apartment. Cody and Punk shot daggers at each other as they walked past each other. "What's your problem, man," Punk asked as he continued to glare at Cody. Amelia could feel Cody's grip tighten around her hand. Amelia let out a slight gasp as the tightening continued and Cody immediately released her hand.
Cody rolled his eyes from Punk to Kofi and Justin. He proceeded over to them and sat down continuing to discuss comic books and movies. Punk joined the group later, but neither Cody nor Punk talked directly to each other. Amelia kept a weathered eye on the both of them while she helped Sonelle, Brittany and Khaila prepare the remainder of the food. Amelia was always carefully listening to the men's conversation making sure Cody nor Punk's tone got too angered or loud. Sonelle had called for dinner and all four men rose to their feet. Each person served their comfortable amount of food and seated themselves at the table that Sonelle, Khaila and Brittany had prepared. Sonelle and Kofi sat at opposite ends of the table where as Cody and Amelia sat opposite of Punk and Khaila. Further down the table, Justin and Brittany had sat facing each other. The couples dined rather nicely together and drifted their separate ways after the meal. The girls had stayed in Sonelle's bedroom whereas the guys placed themselves in the living room once more.
"Guys," Khaila started out slowly. All heads turned towards Khaila as they waited for her to continue her statement. Khaila took a deep breath. "Well … this isn't happy new - not for me, anyways. I-I," she stuttered as her eyes filled with tears. "R-Remember my pregnancy test," she asked both Brittany and Sonelle who nodded in unison. Khaila sighed once more. "Well … I found it the other day, and … it read not pregnant." Sonelle and Brittany's mouths gaped opened. Amelia merely stared at her blankly. Emotions raged inside of her; she wondered whether or not she should tell the girls about her pregnancy test as well. Brittany and Sonelle flew to Khaila's side, comforting her. Amelia looked down at her fingers and bit on her lip. They were her friends, right?
"I-I have something to say," Amelia stated in a little more than a whisper. All three heads looked up at her. "I-I'm pregnant," she whispered. Their eyes widened as they looked at Amelia in utter disbelief almost as to ask aloud, 'Really?' Amelia gave a nod answering the questions that were apparent on their faces. Khaila took a sip of her glass of Spite as she continued to look at Amelia.
"You know, maybe the baby will be good for you," she said in a hopeful sort of voice. Brittany and Sonelle nodded once more.
"Yeah, definitely! I mean, you love kids, and you'll be a great mom," Brittany continued.
"And think about Cody! He'll make a great father," Sonelle stated beaming at Amelia trying to instil a bit of hopefulness in her friend. Amelia withheld her breath at Sonelle's statement before exhaling it. She looked down at her fingers once more.
"Th-That's the thing," Amelia continued in a hushed tone, "I-I don't know if Cody's the father. It-It might be Punk," she finished looking at Khaila. Khaila looked at her with tears filling her eyes. Punk? No! She couldn't! No, no, no! This was wrong - absolutely, unequivocally wrong. She and Punk were supposed to have a baby, not Punk and Amelia. Khaila's body filled with raging emotions. She wanted to comfort Amelia in her time of confusion, but she also wanted to smash the glass she'd been holding over her head. Before either of them had a chance to speak, shouting and yelling had come from outside. The girls sprinted down the hallway only to gasp at the sight they'd seen in the living room.
On the floor, wrestled Punk and Cody who were shouting swears to each other and giving each other bruises upon bruises. Punk's jaw had a nasty black bruise as Cody's lip was bleeding. Both Kofi and Justin had attempted to pry the men off of each other, but nothing worked. "Amelia, do something about your boyfriend," Brittany said shoving her at the wrestling men. Amelia spun around on her heel facing Brittany.
"It's not only my boyfriend involved in this fight, Brittany," Amelia spoke. Her emotions rising between being angry at herself for being pregnant, angry at Cody for being in the fight and angry at her friends for thinking that Cody and herself always started unfortunate things. Brittany glared at her.
"He's the main one, Amelia," Brittany answered back her voice now rising over the shouting. Khaila and Sonelle simply looked at each other separating the two. "This always happens! We invite you somewhere and you just mess everything up! I have half the nerve to say that Layla was half-righ-" she was stopped by Amelia attempting to run at her and tackle her to the floor. Khaila stood in front of Amelia where Sonelle stood in front of Brittany.
"Don't touch me," Amelia yelled as she pulled away from Khaila. Her temper had risen so much; she'd never felt this angry before in her life. So many things were happening all at once. Everyone was blaming her for something, including herself. "Your boyfriend's the one who probably started this thing, anyway! You fix it," Amelia called to Khaila. Khaila's mouth hung open as if she were about to call back to Amelia, but Sonelle grabbed Khaila's arm.
"What's wrong with you," Sonelle added in a disgusted-tone at Amelia. Amelia looked away from both of them turned to Cody and Punk who were finally being pried off of each other. Cody immediately tried to deliver a punch at Punk who had been attempting the same thing.
"Why don't you try keeping your dick in your pants," Cody yelled at Punk still fighting to get back at him.
"Yeah? Why don't you try asking your girlfriend to keep her legs closed first," Punk called back. Cody shouted a swear word and broke free from Justin's grasp attempting to punch Punk in his jaw. Kofi who had been between the two men pushed Cody off. Cody looked around the room and finally spotted Amelia near the door mouthing 'stop' to him. Cody cussed one more swear word at Punk before grabbing onto Amelia's arm and pulling her out of the apartment. Amelia shook herself out of Cody's grasp and opened her apartment door. Locking the door behind both of them, Cody sighed and approached her.
"Amelia, I-" Cody started calmly.
"What the hell was that, Cody," Amelia yelled at him. Cody looked at her confusedly.
"That was me trying to defend you," he shouted back. Amelia shook her head and slammed down the keys on the floor marching off into the bedroom.
"Do you even know what they're saying about us," Amelia called back to him as she kicked off her shoes. Cody, who had been following behind her just as angrily, had nearly been hit as she spun around on her heel again facing him. "They're saying that we fuck everything up whenever we're around," she continued to yell. "That back there made it no better, Cody!"
"What the hell did you want me to do? Did you want me to just let him insult you," he yelled back at her. "I'm sorry, then, Amelia. I didn't mean to defend you, to protect you." Amelia's chest heaved.
"You mean you honestly couldn't have found a better way than fighting the guy," Amelia persisted. She knew she was right! … right? Cody looked at her confusedly.
"Well then what should I have done then," he continued to shout. Amelia stormed away from him into the bathroom taking off her jewellery. "Let him insult you? Is that what I should've done? Well, I'm sorry, but by no means would I have let that happen." Amelia sighed and shook her head.
"It's not about what you were fighting for. It's just the mere fact that you fought him, Cody! You're not helping our situations with our friends," she continued.
"Well then maybe they're not our friends," Cody stated. "You, yourself, heard what they say about us together, Amelia! Think. Maybe those aren't friends!" Amelia turned to face him shocked that he'd say that.
"Everything was just fine before you started the fighting with Punk," Amelia pointed out still raising her voice.
"No, everything was fine before you decided to let Punk in between your legs," Cody shouted at her. Amelia's heart plummeted. She turned away from him arranging and rearranging her jewellery so as not to cry in front of him. Cody looked down at his hands and left the room, closing the bedroom door behind him. Amelia's tears now flowed like a waterfall onto her cheeks. She swallowed several knots in her throat before going back out into the bedroom. It was apparent that Cody hadn't left. He was probably in the living room, thinking it all over - just as she had been doing.
She knew she loved Cody, but she also knew she was right to tell him off about the fighting. Wasn't she? She sighed, not bothering to take off her dress or make-up. She simply curled up on the bed, allowing her flowing tears, now filled with mascara, to run onto the pillows. Everything had been happening so suddenly for her. She was pregnant, she was questioning her friends, she was fighting with her boyfriend, and she didn't know who the father of the child was. Everything was weighing her down. She felt angry at everything, especially herself. Maybe Layla and Brittany were right … maybe if she'd kept her legs closed 3/4 of the issues that she were having right now wouldn't have happened. Amelia closed her eyes as the tears that continued to flow out of them non-stop, put her to sleep.
And so the disintegration begins.