Memories That Fade Like Photographs.

Valentine's Day dawned rainy and grey, kinda like my mood. The baby was getting the hiccups, which was an odd sensation for me. Jack walked to me at lunch, tossing a bag of something to me.

"What's up with this?" I asked, identifying it as a bag of candy hearts.

"Be my valentine, Gus?" he asked, sticking out his bottom lip.

"Sure!" I laughed. After lunch, Jack, Bailey, and I walked out, Jack's arms around us. I saw Alex.

"Hi August." he muttered.

"Hi." I muttered back, caught off-guard.

THREE MONTHS LATER

"Hey, did you hear?" Jack asked, coming up to me in the hall one day after school.

"Hear what?" I asked.

"Alex is back to his old self. He slept with Keira Smith and now they're going to prom together." he told me.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"On his way to his car." Jack replied. I stormed out and met Alex.

"Hi August." he said, eyeing me nervously.

"Are you really going to the prom with Keira?" I asked.

"Yup." he smirked. I slapped him.

"Obviously you didn't learn the last time you screwed around with someone's heart." I hissed.

"Well, you're seeing other people, so I figured I should, too." he replied.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

"Aren't you going out with Rodney Kress?" he asked.

"That pig? No fucking way." I replied.

"That's not what the entire football team is saying. They think he banged you and you guys are going steady." he told me.

"I'm not going anywhere with that brainless prick. Besides, I’m hardly in the condition to ‘bang’ anyone." I replied.

"Oh. All Time Low got signed." he said quietly.

"Good for you!" I snapped, walking off.

"Wait! We're having a party for that and and graduation!" he called.

"Cool!" I called back sarcastically. He ran over to me.

"I want you there." he breathed.

"No. I know how you are at parties and I am not holding out false hope that you've changed when you're worse than ever." I replied.

"No, it's going to be pretty tame, I swear. My family will be there, so I can't drink and the band and Bailey will be there, and Zack’s girlfriend, Ellie will be there, and Rian’s girlfriend, Kara, and everyone’s parents." he told me.

"So why do you want me there?" I asked.

"I love you. You may not believe it, but I do." he told me.

"Okay, fine." I sighed.

"Good. See you this Saturday. My house at seven. Be there or be square." he smiled, leaving me.

Later, I shopped the mall for a graduation present for Alex. I found a pretty guitar. A tealish green one. I bought it without hesitation.

I showed up at his house and saw him with his back to me. I tapped his shoulder and he turned around and hugged me.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Your present." I replied.

"You didn't have to get me anything. It’s just graduation." he mumbled.

"I did anyway." I shrugged. He ripped off the paper.

"OH MY GOD!" he yelled.

"What is it, honey?" his mother asked.

"August got me a new guitar." Alex whispered in awe.

"Great, now I won't have to." she joked.

Alex turned out to be right. It was a really great party. I went out on his porch. He came about ten minutes later.

"Whatcha doing out here?" he asked.

"I needed some fresh air." I replied.

"You mind if I sit, too?" he asked.

"No. Go ahead." I replied.

Eventually, his hand rested on my stomach. I took it in my own. He looked up alarmed, but I smiled and he did, too. We just sat there like that for a while.

"August, I'm sorry. I've caused you to hurt more than anyone should and I regret that. But we're set to tour at the end of June, so I'll be out of your life." he said quietly.

"Don't." I whispered, hugging him close.

Notes

Title: Therapy, All Time Low

next chapter is the last, and then it's sequel time!! comment and rate and I will see y'all next Saturday!

xoxo

Hayley