Jack

Alex was so cute when he blushed. He nuzzled his head into my chest, and mumbled something into my shirt. I played with the ends of his hair, twisting the silky strands between my fingertips.

'What did you say?' I asked, finding his hand and lacing our fingers.

'What happened last night?' He asked, turning his head so that he was listening to my heartbeat. I looked down at him, kissing the top of his forehead as I did.

'We went out to a bar, you got wasted, I started walking you home,' I reeled off the events of last night, 'and then, you came into the park.' I stood up, taking Alex's hand. I led him to the same bench and sat down on it.

'You wanted to rest, so you sat here. You asked if last night was a proper date, and I replied yes,' I looked into his chocolate eyes, making sure that I had his full attention, 'and you asked if you could kiss me.' His eyes widened, and he immediately opened his mouth,

'I -' I cut him off swiftly,

'And I replied like this.' Once again, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his.

'That sounds like a beautiful date,' Alex said after I pulled away.

'It was.'

We sat in silence for a few moments, one question whirling around my mind and Alex possibly trying to remember every second from last night. I rubbed the back of Alex's hand, breathing in the fresh air.

'Do you want to do it again?' I asked Alex softly, my voice barely raising above a whisper.

'Now I can't hear you, Jack,' Alex laughed, looking at me. I swallowed nervously, my eyes moving away from Alex's chocolate orbs.

'Do you want to do it again? Go out on a date, I mean.' I said slowly. Alex blinked, a million answers racing through his mind.

Yes, no, maybe, it was nice but you're not my type, I've got my eye on someone else. I became more worried with every passing second.

'I'm just teasing you,' Alex said, breaking his look of pure concentration and smiling sweetly at me, 'of course I'll go on another date with you. Ring me when you get home so we can decide on the day and time?'

I nodded, kissing his forehead. 'I'll probably be back here tomorrow if I don't have any family business.' I told Alex, walking in the direction of my house. I couldn't be bothered walking and my father had hosted a social function today. I walked to the building that he was holding it in, luckily it was only five minutes down the street. Everyone was filing out as I arrived, the women's pencil skirts, matching jackets and nude pumps and the men's plain black suits marking them a well to do, potential sponsors of my father's company.

I saw my father come out a few minutes after the last people had left, and I quickly ran to join him.

'Hey, Dad.' I said, falling into step beside him. He got into our car, the chauffeur pulling away from the curb as I closed the door.

'What's with the get up?' He greeted me, looking at my shoes. 'Your mother isn't going to be happy.'

I sighed internally. 'I find it comfortable.' I said, scratching the back of my neck. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and I knew he was going to overdo it when he got home. It must have been a stressful afternoon. The ride home was made in silence, my father looking down at his tablet and tapping in more dates.

We reached the house and I jumped out of the car, leaving my dad sitting there.

I checked my watch; it was fifteen minutes until dinner. I guess I had no choice but to actually join in with the family. I got out the cutlery and seasoning, placing them on the table. I got out plates and left them in a stack next to my mum as she cooked.

'Hey honey,' She said, giving me a sideways hug as she stirred the fried rice in the wok, 'can you please grab the spring rolls out of the oven?'

I did and started distributing them evenly to the plates. My mum slapped a fair amount of rice on and sent me to fetch my siblings. I walked upstairs, and knocked on May's door.

'Dinner!' I yelled at her after she made a loud noise to acknowledge the presence behind her door. I turned around, intent on going to Leeyh and Joe's rooms, but they were already running down the stairs. I followed them, my dad walking through the door as I started to walk through the entrance archway.

Mum had set the plates on the table and setting out wine for everybody. I sat in front of a plate, trying to stop my eyes from narrowing as I saw my father pick up his wine and take a big gulp from it and my mother walk to the kitchen and tip her head back.

- - -

'So, how was your day?' My mother asked after dinner, setting her cutlery on the plate. I copied her actions, internally scolding myself. I had been feeding myself for over twenty years and I couldn't remember to put my cutlery on the plate when I finished my meal? May noticed my slight shake of the head and laughed.
'Jack, you seem to be out a lot, what do you do?'

My eyes flicked up; I didn't want to tell them about Alex.

Notes

Title credit: More Than Alive - The Ready Set
c0l0urfultears