Sit Back, Gotta Catch My Breath

I sat at the lunch table with Rian, Zack, and Cassadee. Jack hadn't
shown up to school today, and, needless to say, I was worried. Rian
tried reassuring me and telling me that Jack probably just woke up
with the flu or something, since it's been going around the school the
past couple of weeks.
I pretended to buy it, but I couldn't help but wonder if Jack's dad
had something to do with Jack not showing up.
I poked my salad with my fork. I hadn't even taken a bite, yet, and
lunch period was almost over. Rian and Zack were discussing something
about band practice. Apparently, we aren't having practice tonight
since Jack was 'sick', and we were going to just lengthen tomorrow's
practice.
That is, if Jack shows up tomorrow.
The bell rang to go to our next class and I sighed. I dumped my tray
along with all the other students and headed to my next class.
By myself.
Without Jack.
Just like I had been doing all day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I shoved my hands into my pockets as I walked home. Since Jack didn't
show up to school, he couldn't drive me home (obviously), so I had to
walk home. Luckily, it had been warming up outside lately, since it
was now April.
I hated thinking about what month it was, because it just reminded me
how close graduation was. Sure, I was excited to graduate, but, at the
same time, I was scared. I had absolutely no plans for after high
school, and it doesn't look like the band is going to be taking off
any time soon. Sure, we've practiced a lot, and we've even played a
couple gigs, but, for how long we've been a band, that's not very
impressive.
My mind wandered back to the 'Battle of the Bands'. I thought about
how close we had been to getting that record label. We got second
place. That thought alone always gave me hope, because, even though we
weren't the best, we were really damn close, and people actually
enjoyed our music. That thought alone proved to me that we might
actually have a chance to making it sometime in the future.
I sighed to myself as I walked up the front porch steps and opened my
front door. I walked in and set my bag down on the floor before taking
off my jacket and shoes. I walked down the hallway and turned into the
living room. I walked over to the couch and just plopped down. Today
had been a pretty exhausting day. I don't know what it was, today went
on just like any other day, but, for some reason, I was so tired, I
could probably fall asleep standing.
Just when I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard the front door open.
"Alex, honey, are you home?" I heard mum's voice call into the house.
"Yeah," I called back, "I'm in here!"
I looked at her when she turned into the living room and smiled at me.
"Hey, honey, how was your day?"
I shrugged. "It was okay."
"Just okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah. It was kinda boring."
"Well what about Jack? He seems like an interesting person."
I bit my lip. Of course she would mention Jack. "He didn't show up to
school today."
"Oh. Was he sick?"
I shrugged.
She sighed. "Alright, well, keep your head up, darling." She left the
living room and went upstairs to her bedroom, leaving me there alone
once again.
I laid there for a couple more minutes before sitting up and rubbing
my eyes. I obviously wasn't going to be getting the sleep I felt like
I needed. I stood up and began pacing the room. I pulled my phone out
of my pocket to check for a message.
... Still nothing. I've texted Jack maybe a million times. Where could he be?
I shoved my phone back in my pocket and ran upstairs to my bedroom. I
closed my door behind me and laid down on my bed. I buried my face in
my pillow and just laid there for what felt like forever until I
passed out.

Notes

I don't know what's going on with the way it looks. But hopefully it won't happen with any other chapters.
I don't like it.

-Ryan