"You were amazing."

"You really think so? A lot of people don't like my voice. Kind of made me afraid to sing for a long time."

Jack smiled to himself as he watched Zack wrap a comforting arm around Juliett. Given, they were a strange couple, but still a very sickenly cute couple. He'd never seen Zack so happy before, and from the way he talked, Juliett really understood him and fully supported the band on their road to success. At first, he didn't know how well it would work out, having another girl around after everything that just went down with Rian and Kara, but Juliett wasn't very.. Girly. She was more or less like one of the guys.

He let his eyes trail from the new, happy couple, over to his own boyfriend. Alex was sitting on the chair by his lonesome, staring Jack down. They were both thinking the same thing- That they wanted to be open about their relationship so they could be that adorable couple that made you sick, but the time still wasn't right. At least, not for Alex.

"I think you should try to get your own record deal," Rian shifted his weight. He was on the floor, sitting just below Alex with his back pressed against the chair. "You're talented enough, and if we ever do get signed over that audition, I promise that song will be on our first big album and you'll be in it."

"Aw, thanks Rian. I'm just really honored that you guys let me play such a strong role in that song. I know it was hard, and a really big step for the band."

Instead of speaking, Rian just smiled at her. His eyes proved that the thought of the song, or of Kara and the baby, were still too much to take in. He put on a really good friend, but deep inside, it was killing him. He just didn't have the courage to ruin the high the band had been on by mentioning it.

Alex shifted in his seat, breaking eye contact with Jack long enough to pull his vibrating cell phone out of his pocket. He hit the send button and questioned the other person on the line with a hello.

"Yes it is... Yeah, yuhuh. All Time Low. We've been together for a few years, fully prepared to do whatever it takes to make it in the business. We think the audition went well."

Now all eyes had turned to stare at Alex. He held up his finger in attempt to tell his band to wait a minute, and smiled into the phone.

"Yeah, we wrote the song. It's been a rough few months for us all."

Rian allowed his hand to grab Alex's leg so that he could shake him, begging to know who was on the phone, and what the conversation was about.

"Thank you very much. You too."

Alex tossed his phone in his lap and sighed loudly. He smirked as he noticed that Jack was chewing on his bottom lip, Juliett was almost climbing over Zack to get off of the couch, and Rian was starting to bruise his leg from squeezing so hard.

"Why don't you guys go call some of your other lame friends?"

"Why would we do that?" Jack stood up, walking slowly over to Alex. "Who was that? What did they want? Was it Hopeless? Come on, Alex!"

"Well, as I was saying before Jack's big mouth got in the way," Alex smiled, ripping his leg from Rian's grip so he could stand up on the chair. "Fellow music lovers, we must call all of our friends and tell them to bring the booze, because All Time Low just got a record deal!"

Happy. That was the only way to describe the screams and cheers coming through the Gaskarth house. Zack picked up Juliett and swung her around, kissing her every now and again to thank her for helping them push through to the finish line. Rian was the first one on the phone, shouting to anyone he could reach in his contacts that they could kiss his ass because he'd finally made it... And also that they should all come over, because Alex Gaskarth was about to throw a bangin' party. But it was between Jack and Alex that most of the love and happiness was shared. They didn't scream, or jump, or dance. They just stared at one another from across the room, knowing that no words were needed.

All the hard work had finally paid off. The long nights, the arguments, even hearing people say they'd never make it. Sure, it'd be just as hard from here on out, trying to work on new songs and keep up with school work. Trying to make time for friends when eventually they'd have to start touring. At least they knew they'd have love and support from their families, and each other.

It was much longer after Rian pulled out his phone, that knocks came to the front door. Alex and Jack had been so wrapped up in one another, silently, that they hadn't even realized when the music began and the people started to flow in. It was all a blur. They were drunk on life.

"Congrats Gaskarth," a small voice came from just behind Alex, making him jump. "I always knew you'd make it."

"Oh, hey, Lisa." Alex broke his eye contact with Jack, once more, to spin on his heel and stare down at the small girl. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Rian invited me. Maybe it was an accident, or a mistake..."

"No, no. I'm glad you're here. You were a big part of this, you know. I don't want you to think just because we're not together anymore that I don't still want you around."

"I know, Alex. I was just thinking, maybe we can be friends now."

Alex smiled to himself. Not because of what Lisa said, but because he felt a long arm wrap around his shoulder, and he knew instantly who it belonged to.

"Hey Lisa," Jack smiled. "It's good to see you back around."

"And it's good to know Al's friends don't hate me. Anyway, I think I need a drink. I'll catch you guys later."

Putting his head on Jack's shoulder, Alex twisted his head to see his boyfriend, grinning like a fool. "I'm proud you, Jack-O."

"I'm proud of you, too. However, I don't feel much like partying. Would you like to join me in your room for our own celebration?"

"I thought you'd' never ask."

Jack tried not to obviously cling to Alex's hand as the older boy led him up the stairs. Hands down, this was the best day of his life. His dreams had all come true. Soon, his band would make a name for themselves, and to top it all off, the love of his life was openly leading him to his bedroom around dozens of people.

"I'm ready to tell them," Alex breathed, closing the door behind him. "The next time we're all alone, I want to tell them that we're together, Jack."

"Are you sure you're really ready? Because I don't want you to get my hopes up."

"I swear to you, I'm ready," Alex smiled, backing Jack against his bedroom wall. He placed his hands on either side of Jack's hips. "I want them all to know you're mine."

Notes

I'm not too fond of this chapter. I'll probably post another in the next few hours.