Chapter 14

Alex’s POV

I was silent. Terminal lung cancer? Shit, that was bad. Jack didn’t know how to react. We just sat on the floor next to each other. Jack’s long sleeved shirt sleeves were pulled over his hands and he looked at his lap. I looked at his hands, having nowhere else to look. I didn’t know how to comfort him if he wasn’t doing anything to need comforting.

We sat on the floor for a while before I spoke. “We’re going to my place. In case Cass needs me. You get to come with because you need me too.” I said gently. He nodded and stood up as I did. We walked out to our cars and drove separately to my house. Tom was home.

We walked inside and went up to my room. Tom came in, on his phone like he often was. “Alex, I’m seeing Issy’s parent’s again tonight, what should I wear and do?” He looked up. “Oh hey Jack, how’s it going?”

He shrugged. “I’m not really sure.”

Tom frowned. “You’re not sure?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know how to feel about my mom having terminal lung cancer.”

Tom’s eyes widened. “Holy shit! I’m so sorry!”

Jack shrugged again. “Thanks.”

“Tom, just wear something casual, but not too casual. Like a white v-neck with a black leather jacket and skinny jeans. And black vans.” I said.

He smiled gratefully. “Thank you so much, that’s perfect.”

“And act like you did last time, but stick to holding hands instead of putting your arm around her waist. That didn’t go over too well. No swearing, be polite, take interest in the subjects.”

“Since when did you become the expert on seeing your girlfriend/boyfriend’s parents?”

“I’m not, but I’m guessing this is right.”

“Okay, well tonight I’m giving her a promise ring. Hopefully her parents realize I’m serious with her.”

I smiled. “They’ll love you. Don’t worry and go get ready.”

He smiled and left, still texting. I turned back to Jack. “Are you okay? About this?”

“Being here or my mom?”

“Your mom.”

He sighed. “I don’t know what to think. I’m upset, sure, but I just don’t know how exactly to react. I don’t want to cry, I don’t want to scream, I don’t want to punch a wall. I don’t know what I want to do. She’s had a lot of health issues before, like breast cancer and a brain tumor. I guess I’m just sort of used to it. It’s bad that I’m not reacting, isn’t it?”

“No. You’re just... Conflicted. With your emotions. You’re not sure whether to be sad or carry on with your life.”

He shrugged. “I guess so.”

I smiled a little and we scooted down so that we were laying on our backs. His arm rested across my stomach and his head laid on my chest. I kissed his hair and put my arms around his shoulders, rubbing his arm farthest away from me. Tom came in again, dressed as I told him to.

“Am I interrupting?” He asked.

“No, not necessarily. You look good. Remember, stick to holding hands. When are Mom and her husband coming back?”

“No clue. They’re on a hella long honeymoon, so if they died or something we’ll never find out. Oh well.”

“And what about Dad? Where’s he hiding out?”

Tom shrugged. “No idea.”

“Okay, well you need to fix your hair. It looks weird.”

He rolled his eyes and left. I let Jack cuddle closer to me. He closed his eyes and sighed. “What’s the matter babe?” I asked.

“I’m just... I don’t know. That’s exactly what’s the matter. I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about this.”

“Just don’t think about it for now. You’ll realize how you feel soon enough.” I smiled at him and quickly kissed him.

He smiled back as the doorbell rang. I got up and answered it. Cass was there. “Hey Cass, you okay?” I asked, hugging her hello.

She shrugged. “Sorta. I’m thinking about the whole Rian thing and got nervous.”

“Well I’m glad you came over if you were nervous. Jack’s upstairs, he’s having a rough night.”

“Aw, how come?”

“That’s for him to tell you if he wants to.” I smiled as we walked upstairs. I cuddled back up to Jack while Cass sat at the end of the bed facing us.

“Goddammit, can’t I just have a cute relationship like you guys?” She said, smiling at us.

“You could as long as you find the perfect person.” I said, poking Jack in the side and making him jump.

“Anymore Rian threats?” Jack asked her.

“Not THREATS, but I just got nervous he would rape me whether I go on a date with him or not. So I came here. Alex said you were having a rough night, everything okay?”

He sighed. “I don’t know. My mom has terminal lung cancer and I don’t know how to react to it.”

“Awww, my poor baby!” She said, giving him a hug. I chuckled at her calling him her baby.

“Bitch, he’s MY baby.” I laughed. She laughed too.

“Fine. He’s my... Dammit Alex, you took the only one!”

“I feel so loved!” Jack said. I chuckled and kissed him quickly. Cass awwed, making me roll my eyes and Jack blush.

“Anyway ladies, I’m sorry about your mom Jay.” Cass said. “Alex, I need you to sing. Your singing always helps things.”

“Will you help then?”

“Sure. What’dya wanna sing?”

“Skeletons by This Century.” I grinned and picked up my guitar, beginning to play and sing.

“You’re like a ghost to me, a love so true I can not see...” I sang, Cass joining in for the chorus. Jack just sat there with a content look on his face. It was nice to see that on him.

We finished singing and Cass hugged me. “That helped, let’s do more. Damage I’ve Done, Anarbor.”

I loved how we had the same music interests.

I laughed and began to play. “It feels a little funny every time, I can’t recall a single high school friend of mine...”

We sang for the rest of the night, up until Tom came home. He looked upset when he came into my room. “What’s the matter?” I asked.

“Issy’s parents fucking hate me. Still.” He sighed, coming and sitting on the bed with us.

“Why? What’d you this time?”

“Nothing. I held her hand, I was polite, I took interest in her parents subjects, and Issy’s, I gave her the promise ring which she accepted, I don’t know where I went wrong!”

“Are her parents like, skeptical of you or something? Do they not trust you?”

“I don’t even know. I have no fucking clue what I did wrong.”

“Sorry man. Want to listen to Cass and I sing?”

He shrugged. “Sure. Sing something Coldplay.” His favorite band, of course.

I started to play Fix You, the song that always made me cry. “When you try your best, but you don’t succeed...”

Like every time, I was crying by the end of the song, but laughing because I was crying over a song. Jack just hugged me. “That one helped me.” He said.

“Why?”

“Because I love when you cry over music. It’s cute and sad and sweet all at the same time. You’re just so adorable whenever you cry over something like a song. The reason I think it’s cute is because I’ve done it before too. Although I doubt I looked cute.”

I laughed and wiped my eyes. “Shut up, I hate when I cry over music. It’s dumb.”

“Why? Songs are emotional.”

“I know, but no one else cries over music. Everyone cries over broken bones and hearts and then I’m over here sobbing over a stupid little song that I can’t help but love.”

“Awww...” Jack smiled and kissed me, longer than we usually do in front of other people, but still too short for my liking. Oh well.

Cass’s phone buzzed. She took it out and clicked a few things before her eyes widened and she threw her phone across the room, her hand covering her mouth.

“Cass? What’s wrong babe?” I asked.

She pointed a shaky finger at her phone. Tom grabbed it and tossed it to me.

Cass girl, you’ll regret standing me up tonight.

“How the fuck did he get your number.” I growled at Rian’s text.

“I-I don’t kn-know.” She whispered, a tear running down her cheek. Tom hugged her tightly, not something he usually does. Hm. Well, he was being nice to my best friend and she needed it. She hugged him back and cried into his shoulder as I texted Rian back.

Hey asshole, it’s Alex. You had better not do anything to her because if you do, you’re fucking dead.

I sent it and shut her phone off. “There. It’s off. He’s getting his ass kicked tomorrow.”

She nodded and continued to cry. Tom rubbed her back and shhhhed her.

“It’s alright Cass, he’ll be done for if he does anything to you. I have the authority to ruin him.” Jack said, smiling at her. She just nodded again and pulled away from Tom.

“Thanks.” She said, her voice cracking.

“Anytime baby.” I smiled and kissed her cheek. “You want to spend the night?”

“Will it be any trouble?”

“No, of course not. You’re welcome to sleep here whenever I’m home.”

“Okay, then sure.”

“I should actually be getting home, I have papers to grade.” Jack said.

“Alright, I’ll walk you out.” I got up and we walked downstairs. “I’ve been waiting to do this all night.” I said before wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him sweetly, long and gently. His arms curled around my waist and he kissed me back. Our lips moved in sync together and it was so amazing. We didn’t make it heated. No tongue and no lip biting. A little bit of roaming hands. I allowed to my hands slide into the back pockets of his jeans, but it didn’t go any farther. I didn’t want it to. It was perfect the way it was.

“ALEX!” I heard Tom call. “NO MAKING OUT WITH JACK BY THE DOOR! WE HAVE NEIGHBORS!”

I broke out laughing against Jack’s lips and just continued to kiss him. “Oh for fucks sake.” Tom muttered from the top of the stairs and he stomped his way down. “Break. It. Apart. We have neighbors who might not like gays as much as I do.”

I broke apart momentarily before giving Jack one last goodbye kiss, then he left, much to my disappointment. “Geez, how long does it take to say goodbye?” Tom grumbled.

“It was just a kiss! Sheesh.”

“No, you guys were totally making out.”

“Were not.”

“YES YOU WERE!” Cass shouted.

“SCREW YOU!” I yelled back, laughing. “Okay, so we were making out. Fuck you.”

“Please don’t.”

“Oh my god, you are so dirty!” I exclaimed, smacking his arm and going back up to Cass.

“Enjoy your little make-out session?” She smirked.

“Fuck you, yes I did.”

She laughed and I sat on the bed with her. “We should probably get to bed, it’s late and we have school tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” She stole a shirt and was already wearing sweatpants. I just changed into my pajama pants and climbed in the bed with her.

“Night Cass, love you.”

“Love you too Lex. Night.”

I kissed her cheek and flipped the light off. I fell asleep quickly.

~~~
We spent the weekend together, Jack dealing with the whole mom issue.

We woke up Monday morning and did our usual morning routine, breakfast, clothes, hair, school. We drove in the same car and I met Jack in his classroom while Cass went to find Caleb, Kellin, or Vic.

“Hey babe.” I greeted, giving him a quick kiss like I usually did. He seemed distracted.

“Hey Lex...”

“What’s the matter?”

“My mom’s cancer has spread to her brain.”

“Oh god, I’m so sorry baby.” I whispered, kissing him again in attempt to get his mind off of it. It worked, because nearing the end of the kiss, I was sitting on the desk with him between my legs and his hands on my low lower back under my shirt while mine rested on his chest. His tongue licked the seam of my lips and I opened my mouth, giving him dominance as he explored my mouth. It was cut short by the bell ringing and kids coming in the classroom. Jack moved away from me and I hopped off the desk, adjusting my shirt and sitting down. Cass came up, an excited glimmer in her eyes.

“Alex, guess what?”

“What?”

“Caleb asked me out!” She squealed happily.

“Oh my god! That’s amazing! You said yes?”

“Or course!”

I laughed and hugged her tightly.

“Ladies, sit down.” Jack called, fake insulting me. I flipped him off and pulled back, giving her a kiss on the cheek before sitting back down.

Jack taught the lesson quickly. Good. I loved Jack, but I hated English. He did seem a little bit down today, because of his mom, and people certainly noticed. They asked him about it before he could go to his desk after the lesson.

“Jack, you’re so sad today, how come?” Jasey asked.

He sighed. “Something came up yesterday.”

“Well, what was it? Something in bed?”

“Family issues.”

“What issues? Did Alex fuck you too hard?” She asked bitterly, making everyone laugh.

He rolled his eyes. “Since you just have to know, my mom has terminal lung cancer that spread to her brain, so thank you for being so rude today.” He snapped.

“Should I believe you?”

“Like I would lie about my mom on the road to dying. Geez, think before you speak bitch. I’m sick of you and all your little friends dissing Alex and I’s relationship because it gets pretty damn old, especially since you have no fucking idea what’s going on with me, him, or our issues. So shut it.” He said angrily.

“You shouldn’t speak to your students like that.”

“I just did. One more word about Alex and I’s relationship and it’s going to the principle for you.”

“One more thing. Is Alex a good fuck?”

His eyes flashed into pure anger. “Get the fuck out of my classroom. Kelly, take her to the principle’s office for me.”

Kelly got up and forced Jasey to go. Jack just sighed in exasperation and looked at me with the look in his eyes saying, ‘Please sing something’.

I smiled a little and got my guitar out, singing We the Kings’s Every Single Dollar. I love this song.

I guess it made Jack feel a little better because he seemed more relaxed. I made Cass come up and sing How You Love Me Now, her original song. I played the guitar for her and sang backup vocals.

“Wow Cass, that was great.” Jack said, smiling at her.

“Aw, thanks darlin.” She smiled back. He blushed at the new nickname and looked down at his phone.

I left my guitar to go and sit in the spinny chair next to him while other people continued on talking. “Hey babe, how you doing?” I asked softly.

He shrugged. “Eh. Jasey just pissed me off today. She’s being a bitch about us.”

“Jasey’s just a bitch in general.”

“True. But still, assuming we had sex when we were cheering Cass and I up? God. Rude.”

“Oh, guess what?”

“What?”

“Caleb asked out Cass.” I grinned. Jack’s eyes lit up.

“Oh my god! Are you serious? That’s amazing! CONGRATS CASS!” He called. She knew what he was talking about and winked. I laughed and kissed Jack quickly.

“Gaskarth, not in here! Or ever!” Zack Merrick called.

“Zack, do you need to go to the office as well?” Jack warned. Zack shook his head. “Then I suggest you suck it up and let Alex and I kiss if we want to.”

Zack rolled his eyes and turned back to his friends. Jack looked back at me. “Asshole.”

“Yeah.” I smiled and took his hand in mine, linking our fingers together and squeezing Jack’s hand lightly, pressing my lips to his knuckles. He smiled back at me and looked back at the class to make sure they weren’t acting out.

Cass came up to join us. “Hey boys. Jack, I’m so sorry about your mom. Jasey was being a bitch.” As if on cue, Jasey tramped through the door. “Speak of the devil...” Cass muttered. Jack’s eyes flashed anger.

“Jasey, get up here. We need to talk.” He said sternly. She rolled her eyes and walked up here, stopping in front of Jack and crossing her arms, sticking a hip out to one side and raising her eyebrows.

“Listen. You might not support me and Alex’s relationship, but you are not allowed to speak to me or him the way you did. You asked what was wrong and I told you my mom was dying, yet you still thought that it was because Alex and I had sex, which we haven’t in over a month. You need to learn to respect other people and-don’t look at me like that, that’s just going to get you in more trouble.” He said firmly. She was looking at him with an expression that read ‘is this guy an idiot or what? Not worth my time’.

She just rolled her eyes again and walked away, snapping her gum. Jack glared after her before turning back to me and kissing me lightly and quickly. Jasey pulled a disgusted face as the bell rang. I grabbed my things and kissed Jack goodbye, catching up with Cass to go to history.

~~~
The end of the day came and like any other day, I went to Jack’s room. He was on the his computer, staring intently at the screen. “Whatcha looking at babe?” I wondered. He looked up, alarmed.

“Plane tickets...” He muttered, turning back to the screen.

“For what?”

“California...”

“Why?”

“That’s where my mom lives.”

“Oh. How long would you be gone?”

“I’m looking for a week.”

“A whole week without you? I’m not going to survive!” I complained, making Jack laugh.

“I’ll call you every night.” He promised, giving me a light kiss. “Aha, perfect.” He said, clicking on a ticket to see how much it cost for a round trip. Not a bad price. He hit ‘buy’ and printed out to ticket. “Done.”

“When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Aw, but I’ll miss you!”

“I’ll miss you too baby, a lot. But like I said, I’ll call you every night, okay?” He smiled at me.

I had to smiled back, his smile was contagious. I leant in and kissed him softly. “I think I can live without you, but I’ll be miserable at best.” I murmured against his lips.

“Awwww.”

“Damn it, you had to ruin that, didn’t you?”

“You know me. I ruin every cute moment.” He grinned.

I smacked his chest and laughed. “Screw you.”

“Please do.”

“Pervert.”

“You love it.”

“Can’t say I don’t.” I grinned and kissed him again. “Come on, let’s go.”

“I have to go to my place and pack my things, but you’re welcome to come.”

“Will do.” I smiled and got up, pulling him up from his chair and putting my hand in his back pocket, his hand sliding into mine. It was our signature thing. We went to our cars and drove to his house separately. I started thinking about what I’d do without Jack all week. I’ll be so bored.

I know he had to know. This would be the last time he saw his mom. I wanted him to do it, but I also wanted him to be here with me. God, that was selfish. I wasn’t going to not allow him to go just for me. He’d call me, I know he would.

We reached the apartment and walked in, seeing Matt. “Hey Jay, hey Lex.” He greeted.

“Hi Matt.” I replied.

“Matt, I’m going to see my mom tomorrow so I’ll be gone for a week, I’m going to go pack.” Jack said. I followed him to his room and helped him pack his things, folding every neatly.

Once we were done with it, Jack hooked two of his fingers through my belt loops on my pants and pulled me by my hips into him. He didn’t remove his fingers though, he kept them there to ensure I didn’t try to get away. I smiled up at him and he leant down to capture my lips in a kiss, long and sweet.

I didn’t allow it to become heated and he didn’t want it to be. It was just perfect. His soft warm lips moved against mine in perfect rhythm and I smiled into it. I wanted to cry, about not seeing Jack for a week, but also because he was amazing and all mine.

One tear slipped out and ran slowly down my cheek. I didn’t bother to wipe it away, but Jack noticed it. He pulled away and wiped it away. “Why are you crying?”

“I-I don’t want you to leave.” I whimpered pathetically.

“Aw, Lexi baby, I’ll be back in one week, okay? No longer. I promise I will call you every night, alright?” He smiled at me. I smiled back and nodded.

“If you don’t, I’m blowing up your phone with calls and texts.”

He laughed. “Okay. I think I can handle that. I should go to bed, I have to be up super early tomorrow. Oh shit, I have to get a sub.” He groaned, grabbing his phone and dialing someone. “Hey man, it’s Barakat. Can you sub for me for a week? I’m going to California.”

He was quiet for a minute. “Family problems, gotta be there. Thanks a lot dude, I appreciate it.” He said before he hung up. “There. Problem solved.”

“Who’s the sub?”

“An old friend of mine, Tarcy Thomason.”

“Hm. Alright... I’ll miss you.” I whispered, leaning in and kissing him again. Not long this time, but still sweet. I broke away and kissed his nose before taking his hand and climbing in the bed with him. But I had to call Tom and tell him where I was before I could go to sleep.

Jack and I both fell asleep cuddled against one another.

~~~
I woke up the next morning alone with a note on the pillow next to me.

I’ve already left, but I’ll call you when I get to the hotel. Love you baby <3 –J

I smiled and stole some of Jack’s clothes before saying bye to Matt and driving to school. I didn’t go to Jack’s class since he wouldn’t be there. Instead, I went to where Cass usually goes before school. She was already there, talking with Caleb.

I came up behind her and covered her eyes with my hands. “Hey Lex.” She said, turning around.

“Damn it!” I complained, disappointed she knew who it was.

“Why aren’t you with Jack?”

I sighed. “He went to California for a week to see his mom. We have a sub.”

“Aw, sorry babe. You have to hang out with me instead, darn it.”

“Shit.” I joked. “Just kidding, you know I love you.”

“Yes I do. Love you too.” I grinned.

The bell rang and I went to first period. Tarcy, I’m guessing, was in the room along with some other kids. He started teaching right away. He wasn’t nearly as cool as Jack, but still pretty awesome.

~~~
Tarcy was there for the whole long week. As Jack promised, we talked on the phone every night. His mom’s cancer had won, she died two nights ago.

I went to meet him at the airport the day he came home. I got there an hour early and for once, the plane was actually on time.

The minute I saw him step off the plane, I jumped up and ran towards him, literally jumping on him. My legs were around his waist and my arms around his neck, I was finally taller than him. He set down his things and hugged me tightly back, laughing at my reaction to seeing him. I was crying, tears of happiness though. “I missed you so much.” I murmured into his neck, grinning like an idiot. He kissed my neck and I know he had missed me back. I have no clue how he heard me over the noise of the airport, but he did.

“I missed you too baby.” He said before letting me down and kissing me hard but sweet. I kissed him back, my hands on the back of his neck. His hands rested comfortably on my lower back, however, they moved up and wiped away my tears. “No crying.” He muttered.

“I’m just so happy to see you.” I said, grinning as more tears fell.

“I’m thrilled to see you too baby. Let’s go home, I’m tired. Sleeping on a plane is not an easy thing to do.” He laughed and picked his things up again. I forced him to let me carry something.

We got it all in my car and we drove back to Jack’s house. Matt wasn’t home yet, so I made Jack some hot chocolate and we sat in the living room. “How’re you doing? With your mom?” I asked.

“It’s just... I don’t even know. I didn’t cry, I didn’t do anything. I just sat there and watched.”

“Aww, I’m so sorry baby.” I said quietly, giving him a hug. He hugged me back, then pulled back and kissed my nose.

“What did you do while I was gone?”

“Not much at all. I was so fucking bored. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cass and I like Caleb, but you can only spend so much time with them.”

He laughed. “I’m sorry I left you here all alone with them.”

“It’s fine, I know you had to go see your mom.”

“How are Cass and Caleb?”

“They’re doing good. She’s still a little nervous about the whole rape thing with Rian, but ever since I threatened him on her phone last week he’s stayed away. Caleb just looks miserable when he isn’t with Cass.”

“Aw, young love.”

“Dude, we’re in young love.”

“True.” He grinned at me. I smiled back and linked our fingers together. The door opened and Matt walked in.

“JACK!” He yelled, running over and giving him a hug. Jack laughed and hugged him back quickly. “Hey man! How was your trip?”

“Alright. My mom died two days ago.”

“I’m sorry dude, that really sucks.”

Jack shrugged. “I still don’t know how to react to all of it.”

“Maybe you don’t need to know.” I said. He looked at me, confused.

“What?”

“Maybe you just don’t really need to know how to react. There isn’t a specific way you SHOULD react to this sort of thing. Just react how your mind chooses to react.”

“I guess. You’re so smart.” He smiled and poked my side, making me yelp and him laugh.

“You’re so mean!” I whined.

“You love me.”

“I know.” I grinned and kissed him quickly.

“Have you guys fucked each other yet?” Matt asked.

“Oh my god Matt, you are such a dirty little whore! No! We haven’t fucked in like, over a month.” Jack said.

“I’m not a whore!”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

Matt backed down. “Okay, I’m a whore. How can you go that long without having sex?”

“Um... I’m not quite sure how to answer that.” I said.

“Mhm, well, you need to fuck. Go. Now. Fuck him.”

“Matt! Oh my god! Can’t we have a little bit of us time that doesn’t involve sex?” Jack exclaimed.

“Jay, you want to go to my house?” I asked.

“Sure. Let’s go.” He stood up and we walked down the apartment hall together.

We took my car, figuring Jack would spend the night with me. We sang along to the radio the whole way there. Whatever, it was fun. I don’t care if the people next to us heard.

We walked in and up to my room. Tom came in looking upset. “Hey Alex, hey Jack. How’s your mom?”

“She died two nights ago.” Jack replied.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”

Jack shrugged.

“You okay? You look unhappy.” I said.

“Issy broke up with me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. At least you won’t have to impress her parents anymore.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah well, I won’t have to impress her either. I didn’t really care what her parent thought of me, I cared about her.”

“Sorry dude.” Jack said. “Did she give a reason?”

“Not really. She just said it wasn’t working out.” Tom sighed. “I’m gonna go to my room. Later guys. I’m sorry about your mom, Jack. No fucking, I know you haven’t seen each other in a week and you might be horny, but I don’t care. No. Sex.” He said firmly.

“Fine.” I pretended to pout, then laughed and leant into Jack as Tom left. He kissed my hair and closed his eyes. “You know I’m not letting you sleep in skinny jeans, right?”

His eyes opened. “Ugh, fine. I’m taking your sweatpants.” He got up and stole a pair of my sweatpants. I put some on too, then got back in bed with him. I kissed his cheek and since it wasn’t late yet, only around 8pm, we stayed up for a few hours.

“Have you noticed a behavior change in Tom since he ended high school?” Jack asked out of the blue.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“Well, when he was your age, he wasn’t very nice to anyone. He talked back to authority, he pushed people around, all sorts of rude things. But he seems nice now and I’m wondering if he’s always been like this around your family and was just rude at school or...” He trailed off.

“Um...” I thought back to when I was an eight grader and Tom was a senior. “He was never very nice to my parents at that age, but he was always really nice to me. Was he ever rude to you?”

“On occasions. Not very often, we were in different groups of friends. Sometimes he’d throw me a dirty look or whatever, but it never got verbal or physical.”

“What group were you in?”

“I wasn’t popular, but I wasn’t unpopular. I had friends and I didn’t have enemies, although I didn’t like some people. Tom and I never talked. He was probably the most popular kid in school.”

“Hm. Sounds like him.” I laughed. “He was always very outgoing and loud. Spoke his mind.”

“Yeah...” Jack chuckled. “We should get to bed, I’m tired and we have school tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Alright. Night Jay. I’m so happy your back. I missed you, baby. Love you.” I smiled and kissed him sweetly before turning off the light and snuggling up to him.

“Night Lexi. I missed you too. Love you.”

~~~
(The next morning, at school)

“Hey Barakat, you’re back!” Rian said.

“Yep.” Jack said unemotionally. The death of his mom had finally sunk in to him this morning that he didn’t have that one person who basically raised him. His dad hadn’t been a big part in his life.

He had received a lot of hellos this morning. He just sort of forced a smile and waved. Now that he was back in the classroom, people were attacking him with greetings and hugs and questions.

“Why were you gone?” Jasey asked smugly. I know she had a sex joke in her head.

“Seeing my mom.” Jack replied, still not much emotion.

“Oh? Sure you weren’t fucking Alex the entire week?”

That pissed the fuck out of Jack. He slammed his hands on his desk and stood up. “For your information, Jasey, I was with my mom, who died three days ago. So thank you oh so much for assuming I was fucking my boyfriend when I was watching my mother die in a hospital bed.” He yelled.

“Your mom died?” Zack asked, shocked.

“Did I NOT just say that? Yes! My mom just died of terminal lung cancer and you all think I spent the whole week having sex with Alex!”

“Fuck, I’m so sorry.” Zack said sadly. I could see he meant it.

“Thanks.” Jack said blankly. “As for you, Jasey, I don’t fucking LIE. You should know that by now. If I say I was in California visiting my dying mother, I was in California.”

She just rolled her eyes. What a bitch. “Just do whatever, I don’t even care.” He sighed.

This is what I had been waiting for. Perfect. I got out my guitar and starting to sing a song I had written while Jack was gone, Cassadee joining in for backup vocals.

“I'm lost in empty pillow talk again
I'm lost in empty pillow talk again

This bed's an island made of feather down, and I'm stuck here alone
With little else but memories of you, on memory foam
Visions of a brighter love, I'd kill for one more day
To pool my thoughts, and find the words to say..."

Jack was laughing and clapping at the end of the song. “Did you write that about me?” He asked.

“No Jack, I wrote it about the guy I’m cheating on you with. He was also gone for a while. Yes I wrote it about you!” I laughed.

“Aw, you’re so sweet!” He grinned and walked over to me, giving me a quick kiss. “You just made my day!”

“I’m glad.” I smiled and kissed his cheek, not wanting to make a scene in front of the entire judgmental class.

“Would you write a song about me if we were dating, Alex?” Jasey asked.

I laughed. “I’d get a song out of you, definitely. But it’d be a hate song.”

She pouted. “You’re so mean!”

“And you’re such a bitch.” I laughed again and turned away from her. “I want to sing that song I wrote when I was really fucking pissed off at you after you rejected me.” I said to Jack.

“Is it wrong that I still love that despite it was a hate song?”

“No.”

“Good. Sing it.”

I grinned and started to play it. “I’ve been played a fool, four, three, two many times...”

People clapped along and Jack just grinned throughout the whole thing. I finished the song laughing. “There you go Jay, did you like your hate song?”

“Very much so, thank you.” He chuckled. “Play something else. You’re entertaining.”

“In more ways than singing.” Jasey spoke up.

“We seriously haven’t done that in over a month and a half.” I said.

“Should I believe you?”

“Trust me, if you accused Jack and I of having sex when we did, I wouldn’t deny it.”

“Dude!” Jack exclaimed. “Not everyone needs to know when we have sex.”

“No, but if they want to know, they can.”

He shrugged. “True. Sing!”

I laughed and played Forget About It. My favorite part of it came up.

“You know, there are some days, when I really feel like this could work. Like you and I, are finally gonna get it right. Then there are days like today. When you make me, want to tear my fucking hair out.”

Dramatic pause.

“’Cause I feel, like a bad joke...”

The entire class loved that part. Including me.

“I swear to god if that was about me, I’m breaking up with you.” Jack said, laughing.

“No, I wrote that last year. Some bitch,” I pointed to Jasey, “I went out with for a while was a confusing vindictive rude person and I couldn’t stand her.”

Jack laughed even harder when I pointed to her. “You and her went out?”

“For like two weeks!” I defended.

“Well, Gaskarth...”

“What?”

“Am I better?”

“By a billion.”

Notes

Here ya go! Y'all are amazing!