A Delicate Decision

Warning: Character Death!

Three Days Later

Justin's POV

I'm laying down with Daphne, after getting back from my appointment. We lay sprawled on the couch, both of us just too lazy to move for the time being. She asks me how my appointment went, and I tell her. "I was embarrassed the whole time. I was the ONLY guy there, Daphne."

She gives me an 'oh please' type of look. Then I re-phrase my statement. "I mean, I was the only pregnant guy there. Daph, I'm a freak of nature. Only a few other males have ever gotten pregnant before, and none of them lived to tell the tale. It scares the shit out of me."

Daphne gently pulls me into a hug, knowing that it's the only thing that will calm me right now. Moments later, she begins to speak. "Just because things turned out bad for those other men, doesn't necessarily mean that it'll happen to you too." I nod, but I still feel scared.

"I... I don't know if I'll be able to handle this. I have my shifts at the diner to deal with, I have the Pink Posse to deal with..." I trail off, when I hear Daphne let out a huff of disgust. I cock my head to the side for a moment, and then wait for her to comment.

She doesn't disappoint me. "Justin, Cody and the Pink Posse are the reason that you almost got killed! They are a group of blood-hungry gay men, who want nothing more than to make every straight person feel like a shit, even though not every straight person hates the gay community."

I nod, but don't reply. Taking that as her cue, Daphne starts up again, and I can feel a headache coming on. "I understand that Darren getting bashed reminded you of how you felt after your own bashing. But think about it, Justin. You can't afford to try and get even with Chris."

I stare at Daphne in shocked silence. She gives me another look. "Justin, you and I have been best friends for a long time. I know what you're thinking. I also know what Cody has in mind. A kind of revenge/shock therapy. But what if Chris hurts you again?"

I don't know what to say, so I shrug. "Please Justin. Quit hanging around Cody. You almost got killed because he roped you into following his dangerous and foolish beliefs! Besides, what about Brian? Huh Justin? How do you think he would feel if you got hurt again?"

This time I'm definitely confused. "What are you talking about?" As soon as I finish my question, Daphne slaps me on my left arm, hard. Then she begins to speak. "I'm talking about the Prom. When you got hurt, it really messed him up. He couldn't handle that again, I know it."

We talk for a little while longer, and then Daphne has to leave. I watch as she gets to her feet. I slowly do so as well. Daphne hugs me for several moments, then kisses me on the cheek and as she gets to the door, I blurt out, "I love you, Daph."

Daphne turns back to me and smiles. "I love you too, Jus." Then she leaves. After Daphne leaves, I close and lock the door. Then I go and take a bath. An hour later, I feel better. Stepping out, I grab my clothes and get dressed once more.

I decide to clean up, since there is nothing else for me to do. I fee like painting, but for the moment I don't know what to paint. So I just continue to clean the loft. Before I know it, Brian is walking in the door. He walks inside, and closes and locks the door.

Then Brian sets the alarm. He walks into the room, taking off his clothes, and tosses them in a pile on the floor in the corner of the bedroom. Turning to me, he asks how my day was. I tell him that it was okay, and that Daphne and I hung out some, for a while.

The next thing I know, we are in bed making love. Well, to me, it's making love. Brian still calls it fucking. It's midnight as we decide to quit making love. (Again, my words, not his.) I lay my head down, and close my eyes, when suddenly someone starts banging on the door to the loft.

Brian bolts from the bed, and I follow right behind him, wondering who the fuck is here at midnight. I quickly pull on some pants, and reach Brian just as he opens the door. It's... my mother? "Mom? What's going on? Where's Molly? Is she okay?" I'm panicking, but I can't help it.

I watch as she nods her head yes. Inwardly I sigh with relief, but outside, my body is still frozen. Forcing myself to speak, I ask, "Then why are you here? It's midnight." My mom looks at me for several moments, and her eyes are sad. Extremely sad. "Just tell me."

My mom looks me in the eyes, and then speaks. "Daphne is dead. I'm sorry, Justin. She got in a car accident an hour ago." The words hit me like a sledgehammer, and I stagger backwards in shock, almost falling over. But Brian is quick, and he grabs me, stopping me from hitting the floor.

My heart is racing and I feel weak. The pain in my chest makes me think I'm having a heart attack, but since I've had this since after Prom, I know it's a panic attack. My mom stands there watching, as Brian springs into action trying to get me to calm down, but it's no use.

When Brian is unable to calm me down, he gets up and goes to the bathroom. A few minutes later, he comes back and fills a glass with water. Then he gives me the pills and water. I take them, and it's a few minutes before I feel normal again.

I get up, and start walking toward the bedroom. As I get back in the bed, I hear my mom and Brian talking, and then my mom leaving. Brian returns to the bedroom a few minutes later. As he goes to climb in bed with me, I say,"I want to be alone."

Brian stares at me, wondering if I'm serious, "I'm serious, either you go out and fuck someone, or I'll leave." As I start to get up again, Brian quickly puts me back in the bed. "There's no fucking way you're leaving. You just had a panic attack."

I look him in the eye, and then say, "Go to Babylon." Brian tells me no."GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" The words leave my lips before I can stop them. Brian looks pissed, but a moment later, I know that he understands. "Don't go anywhere."

I roll my eyes at his words, and reply, "I wasn't planning to." Brian nods. Then he grabs his coat, and leaves. When the door to the loft closes, the tears I were holding back begin to fall freely from my eyes, and down my cheeks. I can't believe that Daphne is dead.