Jack must have passed out, because when he opened his eyes he was in the emergency room at the hospital. His head hurt severely, and there were IV’s in his arm. He clicked the small help button, and moments later a nurse arrived.

“Hello, how are you feeling?” The nurse asked, smiling. She didn’t care though, it was just her job to ask the questions. Jack smiled.

“I’m good. How long have I been here?” He asked, repositioning himself.

“You’ve been unconscious for three days. You were in a small coma.” She said.

“A coma? Has my mom come by at all? Joyce Barakat?” Jack asked, his voice small. The nurse shook her head sadly.

“No, sweetie. You do, however, have a very worried friend who has not left since he brought you here.”

“Oh, Rian. Could you send him in please? I’d like to talk to him.” Jack asked, giving his best smile. The nurse nodded, and disappeared from the room. He repositioned himself again, sitting up straighter. He heard the door handle turn, and watched as the door opened. As soon as it did, his smile fell from his face as he saw Alex step into the room. “A-Alex?” Jack asked, confusion lining his voice. “What are you doing here?” Alex’s face fell as he closed the door behind him, and took a step closer to where Jack was.

“The nurse said you wanted to talk to me, but clearly she was wrong.” Alex said, growing quiet as he looked down at his feet. Jack sighed, and shifted uncomfortably.

“Alex, sit down.” He said, not knowing what he was doing. The only thing he knew was that he wanted Alex close by, and he wanted to be able to confide in him again. He watched as Alex shuffled nervously over to the chair by the bed, and sat down. It took a while before either of them spoke, and it was Jack who broke the silence. “Thank you.” He said, looking at his hands.

“It looked pretty serious, Jack. You needed a doctors care.” Alex said, crossing his ankles.

“Not that, Alex. Thank you for pulling Zack off of me. No one else would have, and I would probably have died.” Jack said, his facing getting hot. Alex nodded, but stayed quiet.

“I’m sorry.” Alex finally said, not looking up. Before Jack could say anything, the nurse came in.

“You’re good to go home, Mr. Barakat.” She said smiling.

“Thank you, but I don’t have any clothes to wear home.” Jack said, slightly embarrassed. Alex smiled.

“I brought you some of mine. I wasn’t sure when you’d be able to go home, but I brought them anyway.” Alex pulled out an outfit from his backpack, handing it to Jack.

“Thanks.” He said, taking the clothes and placing them on his lap. The nurse came over, and removed the IV’s from Jacks arm, and both her and Alex left the room so he could change. He quickly pulled on the clothes, and went out to the hall to see that Alex was waiting. As soon as Alex spotted him, a smile spread across his face. Jack politely smiled back, but more than anything, he wished that Alex wasn’t here.

“How are you feeling?” Alex asked when they got outside into the fresh air. Jack shrugged, and kicked at a rock on the sidewalk.

“Hungry.” He said truthfully. “I’d like some food that hasn’t been fed to me through a tube.” Alex laughed at this, and pulled Jack off the sidewalk into a small café. He recognized the place immediately. The place where he and Alex used to go everyday after school when they were in eighth grade.

“What do you want?” Alex asked, leaning against the counter. Jack shrugged his shoulders, and shyly looked down at his feet. When Alex realized he wasn’t going to answer, he smiled. “Go find a good place to sit, and I’ll get you something. Alright?” Jack nodded, and made his way over to his favorite table, the only one next to a window.

Five minutes after Jack sat down, Alex came over with a paper bag, and two caramel swirl lattes. He handed one to Jack, and opened up the bag, pulling out a boston creme donut. Jack smiled, taking the donut, and thanking Alex.

“How did you know these were my favorite?” He asked, taking a bite. Alex chuckled.

“How could I forget?” Alex said, making Jack go quiet. He set the donut down on a napkin, and looked up at Alex.

“Thanks.” Jack said, making Alex look up in surprise.

“What for?” He asked, taking a bite of his own donut. Jack shrugged, and looked down at his hands.

“For pulling Zack off of me. For taking me to the hospital. For giving me a change of clothes. This.” He motioned to the café, and his donut and latte. Alex could feel himself beginning to blush, so he looked down.

“Well, I owe you a lot for what I’ve done. It’s my job to keep you safe, and it has been since we became friends in the fourth grade. I’ve done a shit job, and I guess you could say I failed you as a friend.” Alex said, his voice quavering. “I’ve lost my best friend, and I don’t think I can fix it to the way it used to be.” Jack leaned back in his chair.

“You haven’t lost me, Alex. I’m right here. Yeah, you may have been a shit friend, but that’s never changed my opinion of you. You’re still my best friend, and nothing can change that. Okay?” Jack said. When Alex looked up, there were tears present in his eyes. “Why are you crying?” Jack asked, leaning forward, grabbing Alex’s hand.

“Cause you should hate me, but you don’t. I don’t understand how you can’t hate me. I hate myself for what I’ve done to you and I can never take that back. That will always be a piece of me, and you.” Alex said softly. Jack got up from his chair, and made his way around to Alex. He kneeled down in front of him, and smiled.

“Alex, it’s forgotten. Now you just need to forget. I forgive you, because it’s nothing.” Alex closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” He finally said, looking at Jack. Jack nodded, getting up from where he was, and returning back to his seat. “So, uh. Do you want to do something today?” Alex suddenly asked, a smile spread across his face.

“Sure, what did you have in mind?” Jack asked, taking a sip of his latte. He watched as Alex’s smile turned into a mischievous smirk, and he frowned just slightly.

“It’s a surprise!”

Notes

okay, so since i haven't updated in a couple days, i decided I would make a long chapter . I hope you like it .

5 comments and I will continue. <3