Alex

''You have to want this to stop!"

Jacks words were buzzing around my brain, consuming every last inch of me. Of course I want it to stop. Does he really think I stroll into school, skip up to Jon and ask for a punch to the gut? No, I don't. I'm doing this so it doesn't happen to Patrick, the guy can barely make eye contact with anyone, let alone stand up to a bully, so I'm doing it for him, I'm being a good friend and keeping him safe. I'm not saying anything to teachers because I know they'll phone home and mom will pull me out. I didn't tell Jack because quite honestly, his anger scares me, and I don't want to think I can't stand up for myself so that I have to ask for his help every single time. I'm not completely useless, I know what I'm doing.

As soon as Jack stormed off up the stairs, I threw my top on and collected my stuff together, wanting to just go home. Once I had everything, I emerged from Zack's basement to find them in the kitchen stuffing their faces with Pop Tarts.

''Yo, Gaskarth!" Zack called, waving me over, ''Where'd your boyfriend go?''

I rolled my eyes. ''He's not technically my boyfriend...''

''Pop Tart?'' Rian suddenly offered from beside of me, setting one on a plate.

''Uh, no thanks.''

''So, where did Jack go?'' Zack asked.

''Don't know, don't care.'' I shrugged.

That was a lie, I did care. I cared quite a bit. But if he was going to run off and have a temper tantrum, not understanding why I didn't say anything, then I wasn't going to apologise. Even if it did go against the Christian teachings of forgiveness.

''Ouch!" Rian laughed, shoving food in his mouth.

''Could I, eh, get a ride home?'' I asked.

''I'll drive ya!" Rian said, ''I'm about to leave anyway.''

I gave him a small smile of thanks and waited for them to finish eating before we left.
We both hopped into his car, and it was really strange. I was so used to being on the back of Jack's bike, the familiar feeling of the wind slapping against my face, wrapping my arms around him as I tried to not fall off. But in a car, you just sit doing nothing.
Along the way, Rian tried to make conversation with me about school, our friends, even music, but I just wasn't in a social mood. I wanted to go home and sleep. Sleep away the argument. Sleep away the fuzzy feeling I had from smoking last night, but I knew I couldn't, my parents wouldn't let me. Laziness is one of the seven deadly sins after all.
When we pulled up, we said our goodbyes and Rian said he would see me Monday at school. I closed the door behind me and stepped inside my house, kicking off my shoes by the door and heading straight for the door with the intention to to my room, but my parents were blocking my way, a serious look on their faces.

''Alexander, we need to talk.'' My dad said, ''Living room please.''

''O-okay.''

We went in in silence, my parents sitting next to one another on the couch, and me in the armchair somewhat opposite to them both. I never liked it when they got like this, it always meant really bad news. Had they seen Jack and I kissing? Did they know that I smoked last night? Had they seen my bruises? Has school phoned them? All of these questions were floating aimlessly around my head, begging to be answered.

''Wh-what is it?''

''It's Jack.'' My mom said.

Oh my God they know! Wait.. 'Oh my God'? I just used the Lord's name in vain. Great, I'm definitely going to Hell now. Fabulous.

''We don't want you hanging around him anymore, he's bad news.'' My dad stated matter-of-factly.

''Are you actually being serious right now?'' I said almost too snappily. ''You can't do that!"

''Sweetheart, it's for your own good-''

''How? How is taking my only friend away 'for my own good'? He's the only friend I have here, mom!''

''I saw him Alex..'' My mom started.

''Doing what?'' I half growled, fed up at how unreasonable this was.

''I was on my way back from the supermarket-''

''And?'' I snapped.

My parents obviously weren't expecting me to be so defensive about it, but by the look of shock on their faces, they knew I was being serious.

''Smoking, Alexander! Smoking!"

I let out a quick sigh, happy that was all they had seen. Although, how could Jack be so careless and get caught? Sometimes I swear that kid doesn't have a brain.

''Please, mom, don't do this. He's the only friend I have. I'm so, so sorry for not telling you, but I made sure he didn't smoke here, in front of you guys...please...'' I begged, ''Don't make me stop talking to him.''

''Sweetie, I don't think it's a very good idea.''

''He's not a bad person, mom, I promise. We always help each other out with homework, he stuck up for me with those bullies at school...please mom, I need him, don't make me be the new kid in school with no friends!"

I could feel my eyes start to sting slightly, and I knew they were watering. I was probably being way to over emotional, but I meant every word of it, I couldn't lose Jack, I didn't want to lose him.
My parents tore their gaze from me to one another, as if they were reading each other's minds in a secret conversation, my dad nodding his head after a few moments.

''Fine,'' My dad spoke sternly.

''Yes!" I cheered in response.

''We won't stop you seeing him, but I don't want him here every day of the week. Got it?''

The biggest smile I've had in a while appeared on my face and I bound over to them, embracing them in hugs, kissing their cheeks and thanking them over and over.

''This doesn't mean we like him,'' my mom added, ''We're doing this for you.''

''I love you guys, so much.'' I smiled as I stood up.

''We love you too, Alex. Now, go and get changed and we'll watch a movie together?''

''Peter Pan?'' I asked excitedly.

''Of course.'' They both replied in unison.

I dashed up the stairs and hurled myself on my bed, going through what just happened. My parent's didn't like Jack. Jack the idiot who was careless enough to get caught smoking. I smiled at the thought of it actually, so I rolled off my bed, pulled on fresh and comfy clothes and tapped out a message before heading back downstairs to make it up to my parents for being so secretive lately.

To; Jacky:)
- see you monday x

Notes

I suck, I typed this all out (but better) and it got deleted in the submitting process thank to my crappy internet :)))
And none of you got the UBERCVRRENTSWAGGERLICIOUSYOLOHELLADOPENESS refrence, I'm disappointed :c

Real talk, thanks for making this the number one story right now on the popular page and we're 2 votes away from 50?!
You guys are crazy insane and I love you all<3