Acceptance - Chapter 20

Irene ordered a coffee while she waited for Effie to show up in the cafe they had decided on. She had decided to skip her classes to meet Effie.

Effie came before the coffee did. As Effie sat in front of Irene, Irene was taken aback to see the striking differences between the Effie in the past and the Effie in the present.

Irene’s gaze stared at Effie’s shoulder-length hair. Effie loved long hair. Irene could not forget how much Effie adored her hair and cared for them.

Her eyes traveled to her face and the tight-lipped smile left Irene, worried. Effie loved smiling. It was just the kind of girl she was. There would always be a smile on her face. She still had a smile but the radiance was missing. Her smile no longer was the genuine one like of the earlier times.

“Thank you for coming, Irene. I really needed someone. I couldn’t… think of anyone but you because. I don’t think anyone will understand.” Effie began, with the hesitation conspicuous in her stammering tone.

“Effie,” Irene’s expression softened as she placed her palm on Effie’s hand resting on the table. “It’s gonna be okay.”

Effie was in tears as soon as she felt overwhelmed by the warmth of support.

“How did this happen, Effie?” Irene started getting to the matter.

“I don’t know. I just couldn’t stop myself from falling for him and once I fell for him, I fell hard, Irene. There was no way of coming back. And I never never thought that he would do this to me.”

Irene had a moment of dejection because she could relate so much to Effie. She had never thought that Ayden would do what he did to her either.

“I really thought that he loved me. At least he made me feel that, Irene. The pregnancy was unexpected. I mean…”

“Ah, it’s okay, Effie,” Irene said, as an attempt to comfort Effie. Meanwhile, her order came and she forwarded the coffee mug to Effie and ordered another one for herself.

“I thought he would be happy but he” Effie’s voice trailed and Irene could just see how unexpected everything was for Effie.

Irene decided to break the news to her. “I know, Ashton.”

Effie’s gaze stilled on Irene, as it took her several seconds to absorb it. She had not expected Irene to know Ashton.

Before Irene could speak further, she felt that she spotted someone outside the cafe window but when she looked there again, there was nobody.

Effie asked for the explanation, catching Irene’s attention. Though Irene shifted her eyes at Effie, a part of her kept forcing her to glance outside every once in a while. She was sure that she saw someone there and someone… who was staring at them. Who could it be?

“We are in the same college, Effie and Ashton is my ex-boyfriend’s best friend.” Find authorized novels in Webnovelfaster updates, better experiencePlease click www.webnovel.com www.webnovel.com for visiting.

“Ex-boyfriend?” Effie asked but her face saddened at the next moment. “Also, Ashton never mentioned his best friend.”

“We will talk about my ended relationship later. How long have you been dating Ashton?”

“Six months,” Effie mumbled, and expected Irene to call her out for getting so close to him despite knowing him for barely six months but Irene did not do anything of that sort.

“Hmm. You haven’t told your mother yet, right?” Effie did tell Irene that over the call but Irene had to bring it up. Effie would have to let her mother know someday or the other. The sooner, the better.

“I can’t. She would be very disappointed in me and I won’t be able to take it.” Effie covered her face with her palms. “Mom’s then-boyfriend left her when she was pregnant with me.”

“Oh,” Irene murmured. She could now see why Effie could not talk to her mother about it. “It’s complicated.”

“I just feel that I should die.”

“Effieee.” Irene’s voice rose, displaying the fear that was visible in her eyes as well but she was quick enough to realize that it was not how things were going to work. She needed a calmer approach toward Effie, Irene knew.

“That can never be your solution, Effie. Do not think about that again. Promise me. You are precious to a lot of people. One boyfriend or ten boyfriends they should never be able to put you so low where you would feel the need to consider this option.”

“I don’t know what to do.” Effie cried softly, taking utmost care of the fact that they were in a public place. She was not going to create any scene.

“What exactly did he say to you?” Irene still was not getting why Ashton would do that to Effie. He really did not seem that kind of a jerk to her.

“He told me to abort the baby. He told me that he won’t marry me. He told me that we do not matter to him.” Effie pulled out a tissue paper to wipe her tears. “He was the same one who had said to me that I lighten up his world and now I don’t know what to do, Irene. I don’t know what to do. I can’t tell, Mom. Ashton is not going to take the responsibility and I I am scared.”

“Relax, Effie. We are going to figure it out. Don’t worry. You are not alone in this. I am with you. I am going to have a conversation with Ashton and figure out why he is doing this.” Irene was determined there. Ashton owed her some answers and he would have to give them.

“What if” Effie stuttered, as if fearful of opening up with her fears. “What if he does not accept us? What will I do?”

“Give me your hands.” Irene held Effie’s hands in a protective hold. “Listen to me, Effie. You have to accept yourself. People accepting you or not is another thing. It is hard. I know, it is extremely hard, but our acceptance matters. It does and it makes a whole lot of difference. As far as Ashton is concerned, we really have to figure out the entire matter first and let me tell you if he has really played with you then you are not going to beg him to come back to you. Believe in yourself because I believe in you. Your existence is not dependent on any guy. If you want to have this baby, then you will. If not, then you won’t. It is your choice and I am with you in whatever you decide.”