Sit Back, Gotta Catch My Breath

It's been a week since Jack's one-day disappearance, and he's been
acting kind of weird. He won't let me go to his house anymore (which I
guess he could just be afraid of his dad showing up again). He's also
been very quiet, like he thinking all the time. I'm not saying Jack
isn't smart, but he never really seems to be too deep in thought.
Like, ever.
But he seems to be thinking about something nonstop lately. But
whenever I ask him what he's thinking about, he just says that either
he was zoned out or that he just didn't get enough sleep the night
before.
I'm not buying it. Sorry, Jack.
But what could he possibly have to hide? I mean, not even Rian knows.
And Rian always knows what's on Jack's mind, even if I don't. Jack
tells Rian everything. But I still think there's something going on in
that head of his. And it's bugging the hell out of me.
Jack and I were currently in music. Lately, we've had a sub, so all
we've been doing is a worksheet a day. Busy work. But I can never seem
to consentrate in class anymore. I end up having to do all my work at
home.
I sighed as I looked over at Jack. He was looking at the paper with
his eyebrows pulled together. Even though he was looking at the paper,
I don't think that's what he was seeing. He was somewhere else. He was
deep in thought, again, just like he had been since his disappearance.
I sighed again, causing Jack to look over at me.
"What's wrong?" he whispered.
I shook my head and looked down at my desk.
He was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "Lex?"
I shook my head again. I knew he wouldn't tell me the truth, so why
should I even bring it up?
I heard him sigh. "Damn it, Lex..."
The bell rang and I quickly shoved my paper into my backpack, wanting
to get out of there before Jack tried to cause a scene. I was halfway
out the door when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I just ignored it
until I got out into the hall way and out of everybody's way. When I
turned, I didn't see the face I was expecting. I was expecting Jack,
but here, in front of me, was the face of Juliet.
"Juliet?"
"What's going on with you and Jack?"
I gave her a look of confusion. "Wh-what do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes. "I mean, you guys seem distant from each other.
He doesn't walk you to class anymore, and I don't see you guys talking
near as much as you used to."
I shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Alex Gaskarth, don't you lie to me," she scolded, pointing a finger
at me, "I know something is going on. Now, what is it?"
I shook my head. "Honestly, I don't know." I turned away from her and
started down the hallway before she could say anything back. I hated
this. I absolutely hated it. She was right. Jack and I were a lot more
distant than we used to be. Is it possible we're growing apart?

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"That was an awesome practice, guys!" Zack exclaimed as he put his
bass in its case.
"Yeah, probably one of our best," Rian agreed, pulling on his coat.
Jack and I both stayed silent as we put up our guitars. I glanced over
to him to see that he was already looking at me.
I heard Rian and Zack say their goodbyes and nodded to the both of
them as they went up the stairs. I returned my microphone to its stand
before turning to Jack.
"Alex, we need to talk," he said, not looking at me anymore. He just
stared down at his shoes.
My eyebrows pulled together as my stomach dropped. Those were words
that no one wanted to hear. "A-About what?"
"About us."
I bit my lip. "Jack, if this is about me bugging you about what's been
on your mind-"
"No, Alex. It has nothing to do with that." He looked up from his
shoes and met my eyes. I felt sick when I saw that there were tears
covering his cheeks.
"What is it then?" I asked, my voice cracking.
He bit his lip and looked away from me again. "Um... I still love you, Lex..."
"Jack-"
"But I think I'm going to leave."
"L-Leave?"
He nodded. "To go live with my mom. In California."
"What? But Jack-"
"I'm miserable, Alex!" he shouted, looking me in the eyes, "I. Am.
Miserable! I hate living with that bastard that I call a father! I
hate getting made fun of a beat up at school because of how I am! I am
just sick and tired of this place!"
I took a step back from him. Seeing him like this was kind of scary.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "... And I don't think I
can keep a long-distance relationship going."
"Y-You aren't even w-willing to t-try?"
He shook his head. "It's just stress that I don't need." He pulled me
into a hug. "But you'll haunt my dreams every night. And you'll always
be on my mind." He kissed the top of my head. "And I will always love
you."
He let me go and ran up the stairs, leaving me there, stunned.

Notes

Okay. I actually know where I'm going with this.
The rest of the story, I've just been winging it.
But I have a plan this time.
I know what's going to happen.

-Ryan