I woke up groggy and not knowing where I am, I sat up and looked around. Oh, I’m in my new bedroom. I picked up my phone and had a text from Jack.
“From: Jack the Fag,
Hey can I um come over? I know we just met but I need to get away from my house.”
“To: Jack the Fag,
Hey, sorry I fell asleep and yes you can come over.”
I answered him immediately and got up and went upstairs.
“Good morning sleeping beauty.” My mom said
“Morning. Uh, I have a friend coming over.” I said
“You made a friend!?” She squealed
I nodded and she hugged me.
“He’ll probably be here soon.” I said
“Then he can eat dinner with us.” She smiled
I smiled at her excitement, my phone buzzed in my hand
“From: Jack the Fag,
Let me in you ass butt."
I walked over and let him in, he looked at me and I noticed that his hair was covering a black eye and a bruised cheek.
“Do you know how to use make-up?” He asked
“My mom does. She can help.” I said
He nodded and I let him in.
“Mom.” I said
“Yes sweetie.” She answered
“I need your help.” I said
“With?” She asked
“Make-up.” I said
I never took my eyes off Jack
“Coming.” My mom said
She walked in and came straight over to Jack and me.
“Oh sweet heart what happened to you?” My mom asked moving his hair
“Just a school bully. Do you think you could show me how to cover it?” Jack asked
My mom nodded and took his hand and led him upstairs to her bathroom. I stood awkwardly in the living room and waited for them to come back down, when they did Jack had a bag in his hands and my mom hugged him
“You’re always welcome here Jack.” She said
I smiled and Jack and I went downstairs to my room
“So, um did Larson do this to you?” I asked
“No. It was a bigger bully.” He said
“Who?” I asked
“My dad.” He said
He looked so sad.
“Why though?” I asked
“He said that if he beats me enough he’ll eventually beat the gay out of me.” I said
“So your dad is a homophobe?” I asked
Jack nodded and I pulled him into my arms and hugged him.
“Thanks Alex. And your text came right after I sent mine.” He said
“I thought I was late.” I said
He smiled
“So what fun goodies did my mama give you?” I asked
“Some of her make-up so I can cover up my face.” He said
I nodded
“I told her the bully was my dad.” He said
“You did?” I asked
“Yeah, I trust her. She made me feel like family. I don’t have many friends because of the fact that I’m a homosexual.” He said
“I’ll always be here.” I said
He smiled and hugged me, he looked around my room.
“Where is everything?” He asked
“Getting shipped here.” I said
He laughed and we plopped down on my bed.
“Why’d you move here?” He asked
“It’s a long story.” I said
“I hope one day you will share it with me.” He said
I smiled at him and he eventually fell asleep, I walked upstairs and looked at my mom.
“He’s a good kid with a shit father.” She said
“I know the feeling.” I said
She looked sadly at me and I looked at her.
“Jack is asleep. I don’t want him going home tonight. Is that okay?” I asked
“It’s perfectly fine.” She said
I hugged her and returned to my room and grabbed my notebook, I was going to start on the Music project, which would be easier if my guitar was here. And hour or so passed and I had finished with the song, now all I had to do was put music to it
It’s been a week since I started school and met Jack; all of my and my mom’s stuff had shipped in including my guitar. I put the music to the song I wrote and smiled knowing I did well. As I walked to school with Jack he watched me.
“What are you doing for the music project?” I asked
“Playing my guitar.” He said
“That’s it?” I asked
“Yeah, a lot of the people are going to play instruments. You’re singing aren’t you?” He asked
“And playing.” I said
He nodded and we walked into the school and into math, as the day went on it was time for Music and I was nervous.
“Good morning kids. It’s time to present.” Mr. James said
I looked around the room and he picked on people, as the class went on Jack was right most people played instruments. When it was Jack’s turn he went up with a cocky smile on his face, he pulled out a black electric guitar and plugged it into the amp. He started playing and he sounded amazing, there were only two other people in this class who’s playing gave me Goosebumps and they are; Rian Dawson and Zack Merrick. They were both good, Rian on drums and Zack on the bass. When Jack finished people clapped and then it was my turn. I got up and looked at Mr. James.
“Can I face my back towards the class? I’m nervous.” I whispered
He nodded and I grabbed my acoustic guitar and started to play.
“Get me out of this place, before I cause more damage, a small price to pay for building houses out of matchsticks; and when things get too hot, you've got me to blame for, every fire that breaks out in every lover's name, {so...} Don't forget, we've got unfinished business, stories yet to unfold, tales that must be retold, and I regret not knowing when to put an end to all this madness, keeps me wanting, keeps me wanting more... Sell me out I'm yesterday's old news, phrases left on paper, black ink bleeding through the pages where we made our history. Call me foolish, I feel hopeless... Running from lions, never felt like such a mistake
(Like a deer in the headlights) Running from lions, never felt like such a mistake
(I won't know what hit me...) Running from lions, never felt like such a mistake (Like a deer in the headlights) Running from lions, never felt like such a... (I won't know what hit me...) Don't forget, we've got unfinished business ,stories yet to unfold, tales that must be retold, and I regret not knowing when to put an end to all this madness ,keeps me wanting, keeps me wanting more...” I sang.
I stopped and turned to look at the class, they’re jaws were dropped including Mr. James. After a few seconds I began to get nervous but then the whole room started clapping. I smiled and Jack came up and hugged me as the bell rang
“That was fucking amazing. Why didn’t you tell me you could sing?” He asked
“It’s not something I share.” I laughed
“Man that was amazing.” Rian came up and said
“Thanks Rian.” I said
“Dudeee.” Zack said clapping me on the back
I laughed and Jack and I went on with the rest of our day.
“Hey Alex?” Jack asked as we were walking home
“Yeah?” I asked
“Can I come to your house?” He asked
“Yeah, do you need anything from your house?” I asked
“Yeah.” He said
“I’ll come with you.” I said
Jack spent almost all nights at my house; his mom told him he could whenever he felt unsafe at home. We walked right past my house and to his, when we got there his dad wasn’t home but his mom was. We walked right in and she smiled at us.
“How was school sweetie? Hello Alex.” She asked
“I figured out Alex has the best singing voice.” Jack said
“It’s not that good.” I said
“Don’t be modest I bet it’s great.” His mom said
“Thanks Mel.” I smiled
She hugged me and Jack went upstairs.
“Is he staying at yours tonight?” She asked
I nodded.
“I might stop by a little later before Rick gets home. I would like to talk to your mom.” She said
“You two have become good friends’ aye?” She asked
I nodded and went upstairs with Jack.
“Hey you.” I smiled as he was changing his shirt.
“Hey.” He said
“Your mom said she might stop by the house later tonight to hang out with my mom.” I said
“Sweet. I love that our mothers are friends.” He said
“Me too.” I laughed
We put his laptop into his school bag and some clothes, as soon as we were done there was a frantic knock on the door.
“Boys.” Mel said opening the door.
“Yeah?” I asked
“He’s home, get out of here.” She said
This was the first time this has ever happened, I’ve never seen Jack’s dad.
“Out the back door.” Jack said
We walked down the stairs and sprinted out the back door and around the house, when we got to the front of the house there was a huge man standing on the front porch.
“Jack!” The man yelled
“Rick no!” Mel said
That was Jack’s dad? Rick pulled a hand back and slapped Mel
“Mom!” Jack yelled trying to run to her
“Go!” Mel yelled
“Come on Jack.” I said pulling on him
We started running when I heard a truck start up and Rick had gotten into his truck.
“He’s going to follow.” Jack said
Jack pulled my arm and we cut through a path between some houses, the truck stopped and Rick got out and sprinted towards us, we pushed and ran faster. I apparently wasn’t fast enough because he caught the hood of my jacket and sent me falling into the snow.
“Who the fuck are you?” His dad asked
“Jack’s best friend.” I said
“Are you two dating?” He asked
“What if we are!?” I yelled
Even though we weren’t I had to stand up for Jack
“If you are you get this.” His dad said
In one swift second I was getting punched in the face, I was somewhat used to this.
“Stop!” I yelled
“Fuck you.” He said
He was suddenly pushed off of me, I looked up through my blood and it was Zack and Rian.
“Where is your house?” Zack asked after punching Jack’s dad.
“Down the street.” I said in a haze
“We’re going with you.” Rian said helping me to my feet; I got extremely dizzy after upright.
“I might fall.” I said
“We’ve got you.” Zack said
They both took an arm and helped me to my house, when we got inside my mom ran to me along with Jack.
“Alex what happened?” My mom asked
“My dad.” Jack said
“It was bad enough you dad was hitting one of my babies but now he’s hitting both?” My mom said angered
“I’m fine; I just need to clean up.” I said
“I’ll help you.” Jack said
Jack helped me to my bathroom and started washing the blood off my face.