The couple walking towards me is not something I had expected. I don't know what I expected. I only found out about them yesterday from Stella and this is what I find.

A middle aged woman with bright pink hair and more piercings than there should be humanly possible on her face. She's dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie, paired with a white pair of converse. The man standing next to her seems to be a little younger than her. His hair is gelled back with a piercing here and there. He wears a black leather jacket and black jeans with also white converse. I'm shook to see his neck covered with tattoos. Dear mother of Theresa.

" Hey babes." Stella greets as she comes to a halt in front of the table where I'm sitting. I quickly get up from my chair.

My eyes are still wide, looking at the couple who are holding hands, now standing in front of me.

" Hi. My name is Jasmine and this is my husband Brent. It's lovely to meet you." the middle aged woman greets holding out her hand for me to shake.

"Everly." I hesitantly shake her hand.

Stella makes her way over to me and takes the seat next to mine while the couple sits in front of us. I try very hard not to stare at Jasmine's eyebrow piercing. Gosh it looks sore. Maybe I should get a piercing? Hah. I don't think so.

" Jasmine and Brent both work as accountants." Stella announces. My eyebrows shoot up, surprised yet again.

Looks can be deceiving.

" Yes. We have been working for the same company for over 5 years. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment in the heart of London so we are near schools and shops and hospitals." Jasmine contuines to ramble on about all sorts of things but I can't help but zone out on her eyebrow piercing.

" Everly? " I'm snapped out of my trance when I feel Stella's elbow come in contact with my side.

" I'm sorry, what did you say? " I apologize.

Jasmine doesn't take it as an insult and just politely laughs it off.

" I asked how far along you are? " she asks again.

" Oh yeah I'm now 7 months pregnant." I answer her and rub my bump out of habit.

I see a flash of emotion in Jasmine's eyes but it quickly dissappears before I could figure it out. She smiles and her eyes focuses behind me.

" I had a miscarriage a few years ago and since then we have been struggling to get pregnant. The adoption agencies turned their backs on us because apparently we didn't look the part of decent parents. I know our appearances are a little out of the ordinary but it doesn't affect us in how we do certain things. I guess people label you when they see you don't dress like them or even act like them. It's how the mind works I get it but it doesn't mean that we are bad people. " Jasmine explains.

My heart breaks for her. I feel a little guilty for judging her from the outside. This is a woman that just wants a family but because of the cruel society we live in she can't have that. I watch as she gently places her hand on Brent's hand. Brent gives me a small smile.

" I truly believe that we would be the perfect parents for your child Everly." Jasmine smiles.

I can't help but smile back.

" I think so too. I'll have to get a little background information on the both of you. Not that I don't trust you, I just want to make sure that I put my daughter in the right hands. It kills me to give her up but at least I know she will be in good hands." I explain.

Jasmine's face lights up and I can't help the warm feeling in my chest yet something doesn't feel right. That's just a feeling, in cases like this I can't just depend on a feeling.

We continue to talk for a while and I finally get to eat my brownie. Jasmine told me all about her cravings that she got while she was pregnant. Stella kept throwing glances at Brent while he sat quietly doing his own thing. Maybe he's just an introvert.

After finishing my brownie I get a call from Blake letting me know that he is on his way to pick me up. I quickly say my goodbyes but not before saving both of their numbers on my phone.

I start making my way out of the mall when I see Blake heading towards me. I frown and make my way over to him.

" I thought you were waiting outside." I greet him.

" I just wanted to make sure that you are okay." he shrugs and places his hand on my lower back as he starts leading me to the exit.

We quickly rush to his car because of the cold weather outside. It looks as if a storm is coming. I'm surprised when he hands me over one of my woolen coats from the backseat.

" I knew you were going to get cold. " he laughs and pulls out of the parking lot.

I connect with the car's bluetooth and immediately the sweet sound of 5 seconds of summer starts playing through the speakers. I can't help but sing along as Blake tries to move away from the noise to save his precious ears.

" Hey I was wondering if you could help me do a little background research on the couple from today. Something seems a little off with them I guess. So I just want to make sure." I say as I turn the volume down a bit.

" Sure. What's their names?" Blake questions.

" Jasmine and Brent Michaelson. "

The car comes to a sudden stop and all the blood seems to drain from Blake's face. His eyes look two sizes too big for his face and he gulps nervously.

I hear passing cars honk at Blake. Well he did just stop in the middel of the road.

" M-Michaelson? " Blake asks as the car starts to move again.

I frown. I don't think I have ever seen someone go as pale as Blake did just now. Not even Macy from Sophomore year when a bag of Marijuana fell out of her bag in front of the principal.

" Yes. Why? " I answer unsure of why he is acting like this.

Blake gulps nervously and blinks, not sparing me a glance.

" No r-reason." he says after a while.

There was obviously a reason.

" I'll do some research." Blake continues before I can ask him further questions.

The rest of the car ride was filled with silence as we drove back home. When we got home Blake immediately jumped out of the car. At least he helped me out but he dissappeared soon after.

I look down at the time to see its nearing 1 in the afternoon. Just in time for my nap. I start to make my way up the stairs. Once I got to my room after about 10 minutes of trying to get there I quickly change into my pj's and head off to a deep sleep. No judgment. I haven't been sleeping well the past few days.

xxx

I'm woken up by my phone ringing in my ears. Its dark outside so it must be late. I groan while picking up my phone.

Not even looking at the ID caller I answer.

" Everly speaking." I mumble into the phone.

" Damn I missed your voice." I hear an all too familiar voice.

I nearly drop my phone. I mentally face palm myself for not looking at the ID caller before answering.

" What do you want Liam?" I sigh into the phone. I look at the time to see its just past 2 am.

I hear loud music play in the background. Is he at a party?

" I want a happy birthday princess. But I can't have a happy birthday without you here." he says loudly so that I can hear him yet his words come out in a slur. He sounds drunk.

Wait it's Liam's birthday today? I quickly work out the time difference. It's now around 10 pm in New York. Let me rephrase - shit it was Liam's birthday today? Damn that means it was Stella's birthday today and I didn't even know. I'm really a horrible person for dragging her out of bed so early especially on her birthday.

" Did you drink? "I ask already knowing the answer. It shouldn't bother me that he's at a party on his birthday and enjoying himself. He's his own person.

I hear someone call his name and he answers but I can't quite make out what he is saying. He's definitely drunk.

" Tiensy wiensy bit. " he responds to my question after a few minutes.

I roll my eyes. I feel my heart ache a little from hearing his voice. It has been so long.

" It sounds like you are having a 'happy' birthday." I say as I sit up in my bed. Now completely awake.

I hear more voices in the background and some people yelling.

" I can't be happy without you Everly. I need you here with me. I want to hold you and explore your body with my-" Liam starts but I cut him off before things get out of place.

" Okay Liam. I think you've had one too many drinks. I'll call you later on okay. Be safe. " I seriously sound like my mom now.

Liam groans into the phone. I hear the music die down as he presumably moves into another room where it is much more quiet than where he was before.

" Everly. " he whispers making my heart skip a beat at the emotion in his voice.

" Yes Liam. " I feel my eyes close again.

" I-I love-"

" Goodnight Liam." my eyes are wide open as I cut him off again and end the call.

Was he going to say... No it can't be... But it sounded as if he was going to.

Everly he's drunk - my conscience reminds me.

But drunk talk is real talk.

A drunk mind speaks sober thoughts you idiot, my not so friendly conscience corrects me.

This shit is too confusing.

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😍😍😍