-Alex's Point of View-

I hated planes. I mean, they were fun when I was eight and we were flying over, but getting on one now was the most scariest thing I had ever done in my life. I believe that I might of broke a few fingers on Jack's and May's hands while squeezing them, but they were the ones that offered so there really wasn't much that could be done about it.

When we had arrived at the airport, I could hear the sound of rain falling steadily on the aircraft and a small smile lit up my lips. One thing that I had missed about living over here was the weather, it was never too hot, but it was never too cold and it rained constantly. I loved the rain for many reasons. It was calming, the smell is wonderful, it's fun to play in. There were many reasons, but if I had to name them all, we'd be sitting here until next week.

As soon as we were allowed to get off, I jumped up immediately, desperate to get off of the plane. I did not enjoy my ride one bit and even with May and Jack's distractions, it just couldn't get it off my mind so easily.

"So what are we going to do first?" Jack asked, as we made our way to the baggage claim. I glanced down at my phone and saw that it was a little bit past one in the afternoon and I knew that my parents said that they would be here sometime soon right after our flight landed.

"Well my parents are coming to get us and I guess I should hang out a little bit with those two. I mean, it's been a few years since I've seen them. You guys can go to the apartment or you can come with me, your choice," I said, glancing between the two siblings.

"I'll go with you, Lex," Jack said, taking my hand in his and squeezing it slightly. A smile spread across my lips and I looked over at May for her answer.

"I think I'll just go to the apartment. There's stuff to be set up and I'd like to unpack my stuff. You guys can just go on without me. I need a little time to myself. This is a big move for me and I'd just like to think a little bit before I start going around and meeting people," she said, not making much eye contact. There seemed like there was something on her mind, but I wasn't too sure of what it was. May was strange sometimes and she had her moments, this being one of them.

"That's fine. My parents will understand," I said, glancing at her for a moment before just sighing.

I'm sure everything will work out just fine."

~~~

"You know Alex, you could at least introduce us to your little friend sitting here," my mother said, gesturing to Jack as she was bringing us out some hot tea before taking a seat next to my father on the loveseat. My father wrapped an arm around my mother's shoulders and held her close which brought a smile to my lips. My parents had always been in love. I suppose, I could say that I was one of the lucky ones compared to my half siblings.

"I'm sorry, Mom. This is my boyfriend, Jack. His sister was the one that was in the car with us. Her name is May, but I don't know how often she'll be around. She likes to keep to herself mostly," I said, taking my boyfriend's hand and giving him a small smile.

"Nice to meet you, Jack," My father said, reaching across the table and shaking his hand.

"So, Alex, why exactly did you and your friends move over here. All you really told us was to get a two bedroom apartment in the area and nothing more. There has to be some sort of reason why you left Baltimore for here?" My mother asked, her eyes holding a concerned glanced and I let out a sigh before looking over at Jack. He gave me a small nod which told me that he was okay with me telling his story to my parents

"Truth be told, we had to get away. You remember that really rich family that lived in Baltimore? They owned a whole bunch of factories along the east coast and Mom always commented on how lovely the house was whenever we drove by the gates?" I said and both of my parents nodded their head before allowing me to continue.

"Well, Jack and May just happen to be two of the four children of that industry owner. They have lived in Baltimore their entire lives with their father and mother. A few months ago, I met Jack. Quickly I found out who he was related to and soon enough, we hit it off. Well, their family is different from what we saw on the covers of the magazines. Mr. Barakat is an abusive alcoholic that shot May when she was younger and is still drinking to this day. Mrs. Barakat is into heavy drugs and has been just to get rid of the feeling that he husband leaves her with. Jack's family practically disowned him when they found out that me and him were dating and May was left to take care of her parents while they were finally recovering from their unnatural highs. I didn't like the fact that they lived in that mess. They couldn't stand to live in it, to be in fact. They wanted to get out and I was happy to help them. We all agreed that it was for the best," I sighed, looking between my mother's and father's shocked faces. They were completely dumbfounded by what I had just told them.

"Consider yourself and your sister a part of our family, Jack," my father said softly, giving Jack a smile and Jack looked at him and nodded his head, happiness filling his doe brown eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Gaskarth. It means a lot to us. We need someone to consider us family now that ours doesn't really want much to do with us anymore," Jack mumbled, rubbing his eyes as I saw tears line them. I squeezed his hand gently and he looked over at me and sighed before giving me a smile.

This moment couldn't have worked out any better...

~~~

Jack and I sat on the porch and stared off at the night sky. We were still sitting at my parent's house and we really hadn't had much of a thought of returning to the apartment just yet. We were just enjoying each other's company while we had the chance to be alone together.

"Alex..." Jack said softly as I was staring back out at space. His voice quickly brought me back to the ground as I glanced at him. "I have a question," his voice whispered.

"What is it?" I asked, getting lost in his eyes.

"What isn't there any pictures of Tom around the house? I mean, I saw some of you and your half sisters, but none of him," Jack said softly.

Jack knew what my deceased brother looked like. I had a picture of me, from when I was younger and him in my wallet. He had also seen pictures of my half sisters, though I never heard much of them since they were older than Tom and I had been when we had moved.

"D-Dad doesn't like to talk about what happened. It really tore my mother and father apart when he passed away. They were more than happy to leave as soon as the house was paid off and I was allowed to live on my own. They just... They just tried to forget him. As if he never existed," I said, feeling tears well up in my eyes and I glanced down at the rose tattoo that had my brother's initials right next to it. Memories of him flooded my mind, but I quickly shook them away.

"They look at Tom like he's the slip up. He couldn't help his addiction. He couldn't control it and they were blind to it. They left me with him so often that I was the only one who noticed," I sighed feeling tears roll down my cheeks and Jack wrapped his arms tightly around me and kissed my forehead.

"Shh, quiet. Everything is alright," he whispered and that's when my mother stepped out on the porch and saw the two of us.

"What's going on, boys?" She asked, concern filling her green eyes as she watched the two of us carefully.

"Nothing, Mom," I whispered, not looking at her. She didn't need to know.

"Jack?" My mom asked him, knowing that she wasn't going to get an exact answer out of me. I wasn't sure if he would give her an answer or if it was just going to happen like that.

He was quiet for a moment, but soon enough he whispered softly, "Did you know about Tom's addiction before he passed away?"

She stared at him for a moment like she knew what he was talking about, but instead she said,

"Who are you talking about?"

Notes

Title credit: Bullet - Hollywood Undead
EmptySighsAndWine