Mixtape of Their Favorite Band

Dallas’s Perspective

Things with Zack were back to the way they were before. Except now, Alex was on the warpath, as if I’d cheated on him and not Zack. He wouldn’t talk to me, never hugged me or joked with me anymore. Every night, he managed to somehow work The Girl's a Straight-Up Hustler into the set list, occasionally throwing in That Girl or Return the Favor.

We were all hanging out in the front lounge as we drove to our next stop. Everyone was laughing and goofing around, except Alex of course.

“Hey Alex!” I smiled.

He just grunted and gave me a mean look. Not that I expected anything different.

“I’m going to talk to him. I’ll be careful, I promise.” I murmured into Zack’s ear as quietly as I could, hoping Zack heard me and Alex didn’t.

“Alex, come with me.” I said, pulling on his hand. He followed me, staring blankly ahead.

When we got to the back lounge, I stopped and hugged him tightly. He slowly wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my head.

“What’s this for?” he asked.

“I just want to make you feel better.”

“Then dump Zack!” he snapped.

“I can’t. I love him. You know that.” I said calmly.

“Yeah, you love him so much you’re willing to cheat on him.” he scoffed.

“Alex! I pulled you away so I could talk to you and try to make you feel better!” I cried.

“Yeah well, how’s that working out?”

“Alex, just please. Let me be with Zack and be happy for me.”

“No. Y’know why? Because the only reason we’re having this conversation is so that everything can be perfect in your world because it’s all about you. It’s always about you!” he nearly yelled.

“Alex, stop. Please!” I pleaded.

“Fine. I’ll just back off.” he said sadly and walked away.

“Alex--”

“No, it’s alright. I’m used it by now.”

--

It had been a ridiculously long and stressful day, followed by a night of the usual partying. It was around three AM when everyone settled in for bed as we set off on the road yet again. I practically fell asleep when my head reached the pillow, but Zack had other plans.

He kissed me passionately, working his way down my neck.

“Zack, don’t.” I said quietly. He just moaned in response. I searched my memory. Had he had that much to drink?

He didn’t stop kissing me, but he pulled my shorts down and went for my underwear.

“Zack, no! Zack, please stop!” I cried. I squeezed my eyes shut and started to cry.

Behind my closed eyes, I saw the light go on.

“Man, get off her.” I heard Rian say. Him, Alex, and Adelaide were standing around us, Jack having slept through it. Zack released me and jumped down from the bunk, rocking uneasily when his feet touched the ground. I righted my clothes and curled in a ball in the bunk.

“Dally bear.” I heard. I peeked up and saw Alex, looking concerned.

“What?” I choked.

“Come here.” he whispered. Before I could protest, he picked me up and held me in his arms. I kicked and fought him, but he held me tighter.

“Alex, let go!” I sobbed.

I saw Zack come to the door between the bunk room and the back lounge. I hadn’t even seen him leave.

“Dude, leave her be.” I heard Rian say to Zack.

I finally relaxed in Alex’s grasp as he held me. He kissed me platonically on the top of my head.

“Wanna lay in my bunk?” he asked. I nodded. He set me down in his bunk, pulling the covers up over me. He kissed my head again and walked off.

Alex’s Perspective

I managed to settle Dallas in my bunk and went to the lounge, where Zack was sitting with Adelaide and Rian. I calmly shut the door so Dallas wouldn’t hear us and turned to Zack.

“What the hell was that?” I asked sharply.

Zack looked terrified.

“I...I thought she was responding...” he said slowly.

“Oh yeah, she was responding. Especially when she fucking begged you to stop.” I snapped in reply.

“Alex...” Rian warned.

“No. He needs to hear this. You don’t rape your girlfriend. That’s just not cool, okay?” I ranted.

“That...wasn’t what I meant to do.” he said, looking sad.

“Try to tell that to Dallas.” I spat and turned away.

“Wait, since when did you get so protective over my girlfriend?” Zack asked.

“Since she’s become one of my best friends and you just treated her like a cheap whore. Goodnight.” I said and left before Zack could say anything else.

“Dally?” I asked, touching her arm gently. She gasped. “Shh, it’s me, Alex.”

“Oh.” she sighed.

“Can I lay in my bunk with you?” I asked sweetly.

“Mmhmm.” she mumbled and scooted over. I hoisted myself up and got in with her. “A-Aex?” she piped up quietly. I’d never seen her so timid before.

“Yes, Dallas?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

“I really like you, Dallas. But like I said, I’ll stay away. I know you want Zack.”

“Yeah, but after tonight, I’m not so sure.” she said quietly.

“It’ll be alright, I promise, Dallas.” I told her, patting her hand carefully.

“I hope so.” she sighed, sounding genuinely physically and emotionally tired.

I kept my distance in my bunk, giving her enough room so that she wouldn’t be scared. But then she rolled over onto me, mouth half-open, gripping a handful of my shirt in one hand. Her long wavy hair spread out and I caught a whiff of her coconut scented shampoo. My heart clenched.

I wanted her so badly. I wanted to be the one who kissed her head when she woke up from a bad nightmare. Or walk down the street with her soft hand in mine, knowing that I was hers. I wanted to wake up with my limbs tangled with hers and see her beautiful green eyes light up when she saw me.

But all that was Zack’s. I drifted off to sleep, her quiet breathing a comfort to me.

Notes

Title: The Only Exception, Paramore

Dallas
Dallas

So Fridays are now Mixtape days. Except for yesterday, because I fell asleep really early. So I have finished writing this and have started on the sequel. There's two more chapters left and then I shall start the sequel, which I'm really excited about!

comment and rate please!