Nothing Personal

Jack--

"Mr. Barakat! Please pay attention and stop daydreaming!" My teacher scolded me. I snapped my head up and looked at her.

"Sorry Miss. It won't happen again." I said. She nodded sternly and turned around, continuing her writing. I copied down all the notes until the bell rang, signaling lunch. I rushed out of the classroom and met Alex by his. We quickly kissed and made our way to the courtyard where Rian, Cassadee, and Zack were seated at the table.

"Hey guys." I said as Alex and I sat on an empty bench across from Zack.

"Hey guys." Cassadee said with a smile.

"How have you two been?" Rian asked. I looked at Alex and smiled.

"We've been good. How about you?" Alex asked as he squeezed my hand tighter.

"We're good. So, did your parents talk to you yet?" Rian asked.

"Yeah. They're happy for me.. for us honestly. They love Alex, and his parents love me. I'm going home today after school." I said.

"That's fantastic, Jack!" Cassadee said. I smiled and nodded. I looked at Alex again and I pressed my lips to his.

"You hungry, babe?" I asked after we pulled away.

"No not really." Alex replied.

"Jack.. if you're hungry, you can have my sandwich. I'm not going to eat it." Zack complied. I grinned and happily took it from him.

After school, I waited for Alex in the parking lot by my car. He never usually took this long, and it kind of worried me. I tapped my right foot impatiently. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed his number. When he didn't answer, I pocketed my phone and jogged back towards the school. I searched the open hallways with wide eyes; hoping to catch a glimpse of him anywhere, but to no avail.

I sighed when I decided to give up, turning a corner and stopping in my tracks. There was Alex, struggling to reach something in his locker.

"Lex?" I asked as I walked over. He didn't acknowledge me in the slightest.

"Lexy? You okay? You didn't answer your phone. I got worried." I said, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine, Jack." He said, not turning around. I cocked an eyebrow.

"Look at me." I said.

"Hold on a minute, Jack." He said in a frustrated tone. He finally stopped fidgeting with his locker, and he slammed it closed. He turned around and I covered my mouth with my hand.

"Lex... your... your sleeves." I muttered. He looked down at the ground, obviously ashamed.

"What did you do!?" I asked.

"I didn't do it! I swear!" He cried, looking up at me with tear filled eyes. I took off the sweatshirt he lended to me and I handed it to him. He slipped it on over his long sleeved shirt, and I grabbed his waist. I pulled him into my side, and we walked to the parking lots.

"Alex, please tell me what happened." I said as we got in my car. I didn't start it, just sat there. He sniffed and messed with his sleeves.

"It was Nathan Grace. He did it. I'll show you later.. but I... I promise you I didn't do anything!" Asked cried.

"Shh. I believe you, baby. I believe you." I said softly. He looked at me with his sad eyes. I kissed him gently.

"Can we go? They're really starting to hurt." Alex whispered, probably from pain. I nodded and started the engine. I peeled out of the parking lot, and headed towards my house.

Once there, I helped Alex inside. He had gotten paler since the car ride and I was worried. I dragged him past my parents and into the bathroom, avoiding their comments and questions of why I was late. I was only focused on the crying boy in front of me as he sat down on the toilet lid.

"Jacket, off. Shirt, off." I said as I rummaged through the cabinets and drawers, finding gauze, bandage tape, cotton balls, and Hydrogen Peroxide. I was well aware of my shaking hands, and Alex's fresh sobs as I grabbed all the necessary materials. I turned towards him and nearly fainted.

"T-This is gonna sting a lot. Just... just hold on tight babe." I said. He nodded and I opened the bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide. I grabbed a cotton ball and cleaned up all the excess blood from his arms before dousing another one in the liquid. I pressed it to his left arm, hearing him hiss with pain. I rested my forehead on his, still concentrating on what I was doing.

Once I had done both arms, I got a wet washcloth and pressed it gently to both his arms, pressing soft kisses anywhere I could manage, letting him know it would be alright. After that, I tossed the washcloth in the sink and let his arms air dry for a few minutes. I got a good look at them. On his left arm read "faggot" and the other read "queer." Just one word on each wrist.

"In second grade now, are we?" I muttered. Alex only grunted in response. I grabbed the gauze and carefully applied it using the tape, making sure to put it on firmly on both arms. I quickly cleaned up the mess after that and helped Alex to his feet after washing my hands. I pulled him into my arms and we stood there for a minute, not saying anything, just hugging. We pulled away and I grabbed Alex's bloody jacket and shirt, because the blood had seeped through both. He followed me into the laundry room and I put both items in the washing machine. I started it up and Alex followed me to my room, me still avoiding my parent's questions.

I tossed Alex a Blink shirt and a sweater of mine, both of which he put on gratefully.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." I said. he nodded and I trudged into the living room.

"What the hell happened?" My mom asked.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you when Alex isn't here, alright?" I asked. They both nodded and I retreated back to my room. Alex still looked pale, so I retreated to the kitchen and grabbed him some food and drink.

Oh boy, was this something.

Notes

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