Smile

Following Ben up the stairs Ahreighn couldn’t help but notice how much Ben was changing and how he was slowly starting to understand how he should treat her. She held back a small smile. By the time they made it back to the main room there was a lot more people in the house. “Ben!” Somebody yelled from across the room. They both turned around and when Ahreighn saw who it was her knees gave way. She lost her balance and fell forward. Ben caught her before she hit the ground. “You okay?” “Yeah I’m just a little dizzy.” The man she had been watching all these months was a friend of her husband. Bert walked dangerously close to her. “Bert you made it.” Ben shook his hand and gave him a slight hug. “Meet my wife Ahreighn.” Bert took her hand and gently shook it also. “Nice to meet you Mrs. Jorgensen.” “Please, call me Ahreighn?” “Alright Ahreighn well it was nice to meet you.” She nodded. “You don’t mind if I steal Ben for a while do you?” “Be my guest.” Ben leaned down gave her a quick kiss and vanished behind all the people.
No one was aloud upstairs in the house except for Nash, his band members and his family. Ahreighn walked around the house looking for Nash. She found him talking to a young girl who was way to young for him. Walking over to him she spotted Ben and Bert talking by the kitchen door. She ignored them and made her way to Nash. The girl had left by now and Nash was completely alone at his party. “Nash.” “Hey Ahreighn. You like the party?” “Yeah its awesome.” “You need something babe.” “Yeah I was wondering if you could tell me about that guy over there talking to Ben. I think his name is Bert.” He gave her a questioning look. “I know you’re not a nosey person Ahreighn. So why are you so interested in him?” “I know I’ve seen him before.” “Well I hope you have. His name is Bert McCracken. He sings vocals for the band The Used. We’re supposed to be touring with them in a couple of weeks.” “What?!?” “Ben didn’t tell you?” “No I haven’t heard anything about you guys going on tour. Shit.” “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy if we finally got to go?” “I am happy but I’ve been trying to tell Ben something for the last couple of days and he won’t listen.” “Well what is it? I’ll tell him.” “No. If he finds out from anybody besides me he’ll beat the shit out of me.” She realized what she had said and covered her mouth. “Ahreighn what’s going on?” She shuddered. “Ahreighn come on I won’t say a word to Ben.” “I have to go.” Nash grabbed her arm, “Come with me.” He led her up the stairs to his room. Ben looked up from his spot and saw Ahreighn going up the stairs with Nash. This got Ben extremely mad. “Excuse me Bert I’ve gotta take care of something real quick I’ll be right back.” Bert saw Ahreighn going up the stairs and knew Ben was pissed off. “All right I’ll be around.
Nash closed the door behind him and sat Ahreighn on the bed. “Now tell me what’s going on Ahreighn or I can’t help you.” She didn’t say anything. “Fine I’ll start. Has Ben hit you?” Tears started forming in her eyes. “I know he has Ahreighn all you have to do is tell me.” “He doesn’t mean to.” She said quietly. “Bullshit. Why haven’t you told someone?” “Who was I supposed to tell Nash? You guys are his best friends. What could you have done?” He didn’t know what to say. “What are you trying to tell Ben?” “I’m pregnant.” She dropped her head and covered her eyes. Nash’s mouth dropped open wide. Everybody seemed to know that Ben never wanted kids. “He’s not going to be happy Ahreighn. The longer you take to tell him the more mad he’s going to get.” “I know and I’ve tried but he hasn’t been listening to me at all lately.” “Try and tell him after the party tonight.” Just then the door opened so slowly and quietly that Nash didn’t even hear, but Ahreighn saw it. “Ben.” Nash turned around to see Ben standing in the doorway. “What’s going on in here?” “Nothing Ben we were just talking.” “Shut up Ahreighn. Nash for the second time what’s going on?” Ben saw that Ahreighn still had tears in her eyes. “She was telling me something that she’s been trying to tell you for weeks.” “Nash please don’t?” “I said shut up! Keep going.” She shook her head at Nash begging him with her mind not to tell him. “I’m sorry Ben but I can’t be the one to tell you.” “Do you mind if I talk to her alone then?” “By all means.” He walked out the door. “I’ll be down stairs Ahreighn come and find me okay.” “Okay.” He closed the door. Ben turned to her and looked awfully irritated. “So what is it?” “It’s not that easy Ben.” “It has to be otherwise you wouldn’t have told Nash before you told me.” She sighed. He sat down on the bed next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “I swear I won’t get mad baby. Just tell me what’s bothering you.” “You don’t have to swear you won’t get mad Ben. I know you will.” “Try me.” “Remember about a month ago when you came home from a late band meeting and you were drunk. We had sex that night without a condom Ben. And you got me pregnant.” Ben stared at her, speechless. He had no idea that was coming. “I…I.” He stuttered trying to get his words out. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Ahreighn had never heard him speak so softly. “I was afraid you’d make me get an abortion.” “We can’t keep the baby Ahreighn.” “But why not?” “Because I’m not around enough to help you take care of it. I’m about to go on tour and I can’t be here to help you. You’re going to have to understand that this is for the best.” “I want this baby Ben. You never let me have anything I want, please just reconsider.” “I’ll think about it but I’m not promising you anything Ahreighn. Is that understood?” “Oh Ben, thank you thank you thank you.” She jumped in his lap and hugged him fiercely. “I love you so much Ben.” “I love you too.”
When Ahreighn woke up she was not in her bed. She turned over to see where she was. She was alone and she hated the dark. She sat up quickly getting out of the bed running to the door and cutting on the light switch. She found her jacket and scrabbled through it looking for her cell phone. She dialed the number she knew all to well. The phone was busy. She hung up and called again. “Hello?” A deep and playful voice said. “Ben where are you I’m terrified and I don’t….” She stopped when she heard a girls voice in the background. It was muffled and she only heard bits and pieces. “Ben… come on…I…For…Her” “Ben who is that? Is she talking to you? Ben answer me.” She heard the girl giggling and then she heard Ben gasp. Then the phone went dead. “Ben! Ben!”