Long Live Us

*Jack pov*

Jack always thought that the steamy make out sessions in the school toilets was a thing of movies and books, and never actually happened in real life. Today, however, Alex had shown him that it could be a reality. The boys' biology teacher had gifted the class a free period; as a reward for completing the exam, and so the class had scattered, disappearing to go and buy food or just laze about somewhere on school grounds. Jack, though, had been grabbed by his boyfriend and swiftly dragged to the boys toilets, before being aggressively shoved into a cubicle and up against the wall, and being attacked by his favourite pair of lips.
The motive behind the make out session was unknown, but the dark haired boy wasn't complaining, relishing in the feeling of their hips being pressed together. Small moans escaped their mouths, a sense of desperation growing between them, yet being held back considering they would have to return to lessons shortly. Alex had his arms wrapped strongly over Jack's shoulders, keeping him in place, keeping him close, tugging at the soft locks at the top of his neck. It felt like they were in a steamy romance movie, locked up in each other, nothing else mattering.
Their perfect moment was ruined, however, when the bell sounded for the next lesson. The boys drew away reluctantly, pouting at each other before desperately attempting to smooth their hair down.
"Let's get going." The older boy mumbled, grabbing Jack's hand and walking to the door. As Alex grabbed the handle to pull the door open, Jack retracted his hand, a move he felt was normal, but made the brunette pause and look at him.
"Why'd you let go?" He asked, frowning slightly.
"We're going outside.. People..." Jack replied, concerned that the action had provoked a response.
"So?" Alex prompted, now raising his eyebrows, an angry vibe beginning to come off him. Jack didn't know how to reply, so looked down at his feet and tangled his own fingers together. Part of him felt like he had done something wrong, yet the other half was saying that he wasn't ready for this; they hadn't come out as gay or as dating, wouldn't that be, well, weird if they were seen holding hands?
"Oh, are you embarrassed to be seen with me?" Alex asked, his voice raising ever so slightly.
"No no no, obviously not! It's just... We haven't like, come out here..."
"We've been going out for five months, Jack!" Alex seemed more disappointed than angry, although there was definitely a spark in his eye fuelled by anger.
"I-I know..." He stammered, keeping his head low, not wanting this to become a full blown argument.
"Whatever. Let's go." The brunette swiftly swung the door open and left, Jack quick on his heels, wondering why his own worries had to end up upsetting Alex. He couldn't imagine what he would do if them coming out had bad consequences. What if someone hurt Alex? He wouldn't be able to live with himself. So he remained covered by his fringe, following his boyfriend, worrying about how he could make this up to him.

As it was Wednesday, band practice was on, however Alex had decided to give it a miss. Whether it was because of the spat earlier with Jack or not, the dark haired boy didn't know, but that would be his first guess. So the remaining trio were in Rian's basement, set up like normal, just with an empty microphone and stand in the middle.
"So, are you gonna tell us why Alex isn't here or not?" Zack queried, tuning the bass strapped over his shoulder. The taller boy rolled his eyes and turned his back to his friend; this being the fifth time of asking.
"Aw Zack leave the boy alone. There's obviously trouble in paradise." Rian cooed, pulling a face at Jack. Jack ignored him, fiddling with his own guitar, trying not to retaliate.
"Anyway, what song we doing?" Zack asked, deeming his bass tuned and walking over to Rian.
"True Colours?" The short haired boy said, handing the music sheet to the muscular boy.
"How many more of Cassadee's favourite songs are we doing hm?" Jack joked, laughing when Rian blushed and ducked his head slightly. Zack joined in the laughter, the short haired boy glaring at them and swiftly announcing that their practice was starting.
The trio played it through three times, adding their own sound to the cover, and ended the session very happy with what they had produced. Jack knew it would sound perfect with Alex's voice too, and couldn't wait to perform it tomorrow. It was strange the brunette not being here, Jack felt like a little bit of him was missing. As much as he enjoyed feeling the guitar strings under his fingers, the tall boy's mind was still ticking away, working out how to make his mistake up to his boyfriend, how to being the beautiful smile back to his face. And he would. He vowed he would fix it; fix the crack, fix his confidence, grow a pair and come out.
'I'll do it. I'm gonna do it.'

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The following day the band were setting up in the music room, tuning guitars, unpacking drums and plugging in mics. Alex and Jack had greeted each other, albeit awkward and nervous, but it gave the taller joy a flicker of hope that this would only be a bump in the road and would soon be forgotten about. Rian and Zack were conscious of the slightly tense atmosphere, and Miss Jackson picked up on it quickly, checking the boys had all they needed before swiftly leaving claiming loudly that she needed a coffee.
The bell went and the blonde teacher returned, a steaming mug in her hand, a minute or two before the class began to waltz in. The four boys were set up now, sitting in their positions and waiting. Jack noticed Alex was tapping his foot on the stool, looking down at the floor and refusing to lift his gaze up. Every inch of his body wanted to hug him, calm him down like he would normally, to share their gentle kiss before a performance, to have his embrace for another moment. But he was too far away.
"Jack!" Rian's snap brought the boy out of his daydream, shaking his head a little and turning to look at the drummer.
"Take two." Zack muttered, Rian rolling his eyes and everyone facing the front again. Jack turned slowly, and feeling Alex's eyes on him, looked up to indeed meet the brunettes gaze. The brown eyes held the same sorrow and feeling of lost that Jack currently possessed, the same emotions reflected between the two. It was weird how the effect of one tiny spat had on both of them, further emphasising to themselves how much they needed one another.
Rian started the introduction, Zack and Jack following before Alex introduced himself and then the band and the song. The drummer counted them in and off they went, Jack and Zack playing together first to bring them in. A smile lit up Cass' face as the girl realised what they were playing, the rest of the class nodding in agreement, knowing they liked the song. Rian and Alex came in on queue, the brunettes angelic and calm voice filling the room, radiating the emotions withheld in the song.
'You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged. Oh I realize, it's hard to take courage, in a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all, and the darkness inside you, can make you feel so small. But I see your true colors, shining through, I see your true colors, and that's why I love you. So don't be afraid to let them show, your true colors, true colors are beautiful, like a rainbow.'
It was only then did Jack completely understand the meaning behind the song. As he ran his fingers up, over and along the well known strings of his guitar, his mind was focused on the words and how they reminded him so much of the boy singing them. He shouldn't let his own fears of other people stop him from showing who he was. Nothing and nobody should stop him from walking around with his head held high and his fingers intertwined with Alex's. Who cares that they're two men? They were happy, together, and that should be all that matters. The next think Jack knew he was strumming the last note, the noise left ringing in the room. So he did what he wanted to do. Standing up, he walked over to where Alex was still perched on the stool. The brunette looked up at him, confusion written across his face, but it soon disappeared when Jack brought his hand to the elders cheek and pulled them together. And using the courage Jack has built up over the past three minutes and eight seconds, he kissed his boyfriend, in front of the class. Whether it was a good move or not, he didn't care. He had shown not only Alex, but also himself, that no one else truly mattered. It was them against the world, and he was more than happy to have Alex with him. He wanted everyone to know, to know they were together and didn't give a shit. The next thing in Jack's mind was another line of the song, but he reminded himself one step at a time.
'And that's why I love you.'

Notes

im so sorry i havent updated in aaaages and then this chapter is so short! i dont really have an excuse either, damn, but here! i'll try not too leave so long between updates again, and i kinda like the next few chapters so hopefully you do too!
much love to everyone, and as always thank you for reading!