No such thing as simplicity.

We walk through the Mall, Alex and I. We both carry a few bags as well as a receipt that indicates a shipment of baby furniture will reach Alex’s apartment in a few days. Alex’s hand rests on my lower back, because for some reason he can’t seem to keep his eyes or hands off of me. Maybe in fear that I’ll run away again, or maybe he thinks I’ll fall or something. I’m not complaining. It’s comforting to be touched. People don’t touch me enough, not in a sexual way. But just an acknowledgement of my presence. Matt used to always put his hand on my thigh while he was on the phone, or on my shoulders while we walked. When he and I would watch a movie I would lay against his side and he would run circles on the back of my hand. It never made sense to me. He only knew me for so little time, but enough time for him to be so connected. It was amazing and I loved it, mostly him though.
“Is there anything else you need?” Alex sighs as we walk through the last part of the Mall we hadn’t wandered through before.
“Not really...” I shrug and lean into his side, tired from walking, “What about you?”
“Nothing I need now.” He smiles a bit and slips his arm around my shoulders, “You know how when you’re growing up, and you hear your mom tell a pregnant woman ‘they’re glowing’ and you never really understand why?”
“Yeah..” I laugh and look up at him, “What? Are you going to tell me I’m glowing now?” I raise an eyebrow and smile up at him.
“No,” He looks forward, “To be honest you look a bit dull.” a small smile plays on his lip.
“Asshole.” I mutter jokingly and bump his hip with mine, pushing him away from me.
“I know I am.” Alex chuckles and tightens his grip on my shoulders. “In all seriousness though...” He smiles, “You look beautiful lately. I don’t know if it’s the baby or whatever...” I smile, feeling blood rush up to my cheeks. The way he looks, right at this moment brings a twisting feeling to my stomach, that isn’t the baby inside of me. I feel safe, for the first time in a long while, and the way his hair falls over his left eye, the half smile on his lips can only widen my smile. In moments like this I wish we were alone, in sweatpants watching TV on the couch and cuddling to keep warm.
“Well thank you.” I laugh and lay my head on his shoulder for a second, closing my eyes and letting him guide me.
“Shit..” I hear him breath out, loosening his grip on my shoulders. I open my eyes to see a blonde haired girl down the hallway, pathetically sitting at a table outside of a star bucks stand, her phone pointed directly at us, a huge grin on her face. I sigh with him and step away.
“Should we head home then?” I look up Alex whose lips are perced as we continue to walk, with a bit of distance between us.
“Yeah, probably.” He says through tight lips, once again so his upper lip almost disappears.
“Come on then.” I sigh and grab his arm, pulling him in the direction of the car, which so conveniently is the opposite direction of blondie.



"Shut up!" I giggle and shove Alex's shoulder, "I was young and ignorant!"
"Please," he chuckles and pulls the door open to his apartment, setting the bags of baby supplies on the kitchen counter. "You fucking wore a strapless shirt to a concert." He grins and walks in ahead of me, casually pushing the door to Jacks half of the apartment closed.
"I looked really cute ahead of time." I shrug and pull my shoes off, "I couldn't have foreseen a random boonies grope."
"You really. Really should have." He grins and locks it before walking over to the couch and flopping down haphazardly, sprawled out.
"Well I'm sorry I disappointed you." I smile and walk over, sitting down on his thigh.
"Whoa there." He grins and starts to sit up, "maybe you should start using your skills of foresight now." Alex chuckles and winks at me.
"What?" I smirk and lean forward, "what could you really do to me?"
"I could do a lot of things." Alex smirks obviously glancing down at my lip while biting his gently.
"Are you trying to seduce me Gaskarth?" I smile and lean further forward jokingly, trying to tease him a bit.
"If I was?" He raises an eyebrow and smirks, one of his hands touches my hip, running his thumb down the lines of the sweatpants I wear.
"Then maybe I would like it." I smile and lick my bottom lip, the feeling of first date butterflies starts to fill my stomach and head. He cocks his head to the side and smirks, leaning forward a bit so that our faces are only inches away from each other. His breath tickles my lips while I stare into his eyes nervously, trying to make sense of all the things going through my head. He hovers for a moment, waiting for disapproval I can't bring myself to give him. He leans forward, closing the last bit of space between our lips, naturally I close my eyes when my racing heart stops beating, immortalizing the moment, and the feeling of his lips against mine. I feel his long cool fingers slip under the hair on my neck, cupping my jaw gently. His lips move with mine slowly and lovingly. Alex reaches across my lap and grabbing my thigh he pulls me closer to him on the couch.
"WHOA!" A deep male voice comes from across the room, I tear my lips off of Alex's and look wide-eyed at Jack Barakat himself, staring at the two of us. His face distorted to a look of confusion.
"Hanna?" He leans forward and starts to walk over to me, I stand and look up at him, Jacks eyebrows furrow and his lip curls up in confusion.
"Hey Barakat..." I smile a but faintly at him, his expression making me nervous as to how pissed he might be at me.
"What the fuck?" Jack mutters and holds his arms out at me, looking to grab my shoulders, though he whips his long monkey arms around my back, pulling my body tight into his chest. I feel his lips on the top of my head as he holds me close, beginning to duplicate me in his shirt.
"Jack...." I mutter,
"What the fuck is going on.." He mumbles
"I came home..." I laugh and groan a bit, trying to push away.
"Where were you?" He lets me go for a moment, only to grab my shoulders and hold me arms length away from him, looking into my eyes, searching them for something. "Who were you with? I was in Saint Paul and stopped by your place, your mom said you were gone forever, then you never returned my calls or texts and..." He begins to ramble.
"Calm down man." Alex interjects, shutting jack up for a second.
"I need a joint..." Jack grunts and lets to of me.
"You can't smoke..." I mumble and lick my lip, the large shirt must be hiding my baby bump much more then I thought it would.
"Why not?" Jack raises an eyebrow and turns around,
"Dude..." Alex laughs and walks up to my side, "she's pregnant..." He pulls on the shirt, tightening it around my bump.
"What?" Jacks eyes widen as he looks down at my stomach. "Yours..." Jack looks up at Alex wide eyed.
"No!" He laughs and holds his hands up, releasing the shirt. "Absolutely not I just ran into Hanna like last week.."
"Then who?" Jack cocks his head to the side and starts to walk over to me slowly. "Please don't say one night stand..."
"No." I sigh and look down at my stomach, running a hand protectively on top of it.
"Who?" He asks again more urgently.
"Matt..." I mutter and close my eyes, waiting for the silence to be filled,
"That's why you left..." He mutters. I feel Alex's hand on my back, trying to be comforting. I exhale and start to tell my story. Explaining that I was scared an didn't want to be a hindrance to all of them. That I couldn't feel safe on your and pregnant. Throughout the story we gradually move to the living room. Alex bringing Jack and himself a glass of wine. I sip at a glass of milk, finishing off, leaving Jack to ask any questions.
"So are you guys going out..." He looks up between Alex and I. Taken aback I look up at Alex, my mouth hanging open partially, we're not dating I mean, we just kissed..
"No...?" Alex raises an eyebrow at me,
"You guys can talk that out then..." Jack mutters, "how much does Matt know?"
"Absolutely nothing." I nod surely.
"You sure about that?" He raises an eyebrow and pulls out his phone.
"What?" I lean forward, the painful twisting in my stomach coming back at the thought of Matt,
"What did he say?" Alex immediately gets up from where he sits to sit next to Jack,
"He texted me, told me to head over here and see what was going on with you." He shrugs.
"I should head home..." I mutter through tight teeth.
"What are you alright?" Alex looks up at me concerned.
"Yeah, I just need to rest a bit. Sygird is home, don't worry I won't be alone." I smile a bit,
"Sygird?" Jack raises an eyebrow
"Her roommate." Alex nods and stands up, "I'll walk you to the elevator then." He smiles and holds his hand out to me. I blush and take it, grabbing my coat on our way out.
"Hey Hanna!" Jack gets up just as we reach the door, jogging over he pulls me into another hug, "I missed you." He whispers into my ear.
"I love you jack." I smile and kiss his cheek,
"You too babe." He chuckles and steps back, looking down at me. "Promise me to return my calls from now on?" He smiles slightly.
"I swear. Text me and maybe we can go out sometime." I reach forward and squeeze his hand gently before turning and leaving with Alex by my side.
"So.." Alex breaks the silence.
"When can I come over next?" I look up at Alex who looks down at the ground as we walk.
"Anytime." He smiles down at me and puts an arm on my shoulders.
"What day is it today?" I shrug and walk with him up to the elevator.
"Sunday."
"How's Friday sound?" I cock my head to the side, wanting to see him sooner but not wanting to seem desperate.
"Perfect." Alex grins, "Sleepover with Jack and I?" He chuckles and releases me to step into the elevator.
"Sounds good." I smile back up at him.
"Sweet." Alex puts his hand on my cheek and kisses me, just off of my lips before stepping back as the elevator door closes.
"Sweet..." I breathe out, surprised by his actions. Never did I ever think I would have a thing with Alex. Or is this a thing? I mean you don't just kiss a friend like that. Alex is so different from the other guys I've ever dated and if dating is what Alex want’s... I'm in no place for it.

Notes

HEY
sorry it's been so long since I posted </3 I've been working on this chapter for a while and I hope you love it <3

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