So Long Soldier

Alex’s POV

I found myself waking up this morning with the urge to go over to Jack’s house early and talk to him about last night. When I was sat with him on that wall and his head was resting against my shoulder, it felt perfect. He was just a friend though. Well, at least I think that of him. Maybe I love him more than I think but I just don’t know that bit yet. I sat up on the edge of my bed and ruffled my hair. “You need to sort out your feelings dude.” I stood up and walked over to the mirror in the corner of my room, taking a brush and brushing my hair out from its bed-hair state. “Maybe because it’s only been the first day with him you felt different feelings for him. Maybe things will change today.” I stopped brushing my hair and looked at myself. Who was I kidding, if I loved the dude I loved him. “Maybe you do love Jack.”

“Alex honey, Jacks here. He came early for some reason.” I turned round and Jack was standing there. “I’ll leave you two to your boy talk then.” My mum walked off downstairs. There I stood in front of Jack, with nothing but my underwear on. “You didn’t hear anything did you?” Jack looked at me. I could see his eyes travelling up my body. “No why?”

“No reason. Why you here anyway? There’s two hours till we have to go to school yet.” He sat down on my bed and I walked over and sat next to him, our arms were touching. “My parents were shouting at me for no reason and my dad… He…”

“He what?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He frowned, clenching his hands together in his lap. I felt sorry for him. There was obviously something going on between him and his parents. I raised my hand and ruffled his hair, pulling him into a hug against my bare chest. “I’m here for you Jacky, don’t worry.” I felt him giggle into my chest. He sat up smiling at me. “You’re the bestest friend I’ve ever had you know Alex.” I smiled. Knowing I could be the most important person in Jacks life was an amazing feeling. “Your mine too.” He leant forward and hugged me so tight it pushed me to the surface of the bed. “Whoa Jack!” We rolled across the bed and fell off, hitting the floor. We laughed, lying side by side. Then there was a moment where everything changed. I looked at Jack and I realized I did have feelings for him. I wanted to be closer to him than I already was. I wanted to be his.

Jack’s POV

I looked across to Alex who was looking directly at me and into my eyes. “What are you staring at?” I smirked, looking back into his eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe you?” I looked away and up at the ceiling. I looked back. Alex’s eyes were amazing. All I could see were the colours of his eyes looking back into mine. I wanted to say I love you but the words wouldn’t come out. “Don’t you think you need to get ready for school Alex? Unless you’re thinking of going shirtless?” I laughed and he sat up. “Suppose I should go and get ready.” He stood up and winked at me. Sitting up, my feelings towards Alex had changed. Before I just felt like he was a friend to me, and now I feel like he should be more. He’s helping me more than anybody ever has.

Walking to school was probably what Alex was dreading all morning. He had to avoid Lisa because I knew myself that if he came into contact with her he’d be in an odd mood all day. “Fuck!”

“What’s up?”

“Lisa’s by the gate.” I saw him clench his fists by his sides. “Just try to ignore her dude, please. If she tries to say anything to you I’ll help.” He looked over at me and smiled. “Thanks.” Walking past the gate, I knew she would say something and she did. “Alex wait please!”

“No fuck off Lisa!” Alex stormed past her. I jumped in front of Lisa. “Leave him alone!”
“Who do you think you are Jack! His boyfriend?” Them words hit me. They hit me so hard. “Why do you think that were boyfriends?” I saw Alex stop walking up ahead and turn around to look at me arguing with Lisa. “You seem so fucking attached to him, especially yesterday!”

“He’s just my best friend! That’s what best friends do!” I felt myself holding back the tears and biting the edge of my tongue. Alex started walking back down the path to me. “Your so attached to him though Jack! It’s like your gay!” That was it. That word gay. That hit me the most. I didn’t think I was gay but the way she said it sounded like it was an insult towards me, like she knew somewhere inside me I was. “Thanks to you I’m not myself Lisa, I’m all strung up and that much is bloody well clear!” I ran past Alex and into the school door. I just ran to the toilets and sat there until the bell rang. My day had just started off great…

Notes