Sick Little Games

Jack's POV:

*TIME LAPSE ONE YEAR*
A year has passed and Alex and I are still going strong. It's amazing how far we've both come. Alex stopped therapy just before our one-year anniversary. We still keep in touch with Jeff though because, without a shadow of a doubt, neither of us would be here without him.

Right now, Alex had left me home alone for the day so he could mend things with his mum. I knew this was a big deal for him and I knew I didn't make the situation any better between them both. I know Isobel doesn't exactly like me, but she really should be happy for her son; it's just what any parent would do. I didn't go along with Alex though: I knew this was something that he had to do alone. I was proud of him though, it's a big step and months ago, he wouldn't even walk past the house, let alone actually go there to repair their relationship. I was immensely proud of him and I want to make him mine. Forever.
I was home alone all day, Alex did say he probably wouldn't be home till late anyway and he always calls before he comes back, why not actually make him mine? I've been thinking about it for a while and since we're coming up to our second anniversary as a couple, I think the time's right. Yes, I know that 18 is a little young to be getting married, or engaged for that matter, but I don't care. I'm positive about this and who says we have to get married straight away? I just need to make sure he's mine forever. I cannot lose him.

I grabbed my keys off the sideboard and rushed out to my car I got for my eighteenth, it was only a beat-up little car but it had an engine and four wheels and, to me, that's all that mattered. Okay, maybe I'd have preferred a car that wasn't a shit-brown colour, but it's whatever. It was a present from my mum and I loved it all the same. I drove to the shopping centre with La Dispute blasting out my car. I parked up and walked into the busy shopping centre, dodging excited little kids as I made my way through the entrance. I walked into the first jewellers I found and looked at the male rings.
"Can I help you, Sir?"
A blonde woman with obviously fake boobs stood behind the counter I was looking at.
"Um, yeah. I'm looking for an engagement ring?"
"Ahhh, yes, okay. Follow me."
The woman strutted out from behind the counter, her slutty-looking heels clicking on the polished wood flooring.
"These are the rings that are suitable for an engagement, see any you like the look of?"
Before me I saw an array of silver and gold bands...all with diamonds and stones in. Sure, they looked pretty but I'm not entirely sure Alex would thank me for asking him to marry me with a ring made for a woman.
"They're all lovely and that but, um, they're not really my other half's cup of tea..."
I chuckled at the end of my sentence, laughing at how clueless the woman was at my, not so obvious suggestion.
"Oh, well, what does she like then? Maybe I could steer you into the right direction?"
I chuckled again. Yep, absolutely clueless.
"Um, well, he's not exactly into diamonds and all that shit."
I smiled at the woman, who's face had turned from sickly sweet to horror and disgust.
"You don't have a problem with selling a gay man an engagement ring for his boyfriend, do you?"
My tone was short and bitter. I couldn't help it, I just get defensive when it comes to these sort of things, like that woman at the beach a year ago.
"Well, actually, yes I do. Homosexuality is a sin."
"I hate to break it to you, lady, but being gay is legal in this fucking state. I'm not asking for your fucking approval, I'm asking you to help me purchase an engagement ring. Last time I checked, even according to the Bible, buying a ring isn't a sin."
The woman looked shocked, her face stunned at my defensive comeback.
"Oh, and I'd like to speak to your manager. Now."
The woman nodded and scurried away, her ankles wobbling about all over as she attempted to walk in her ridiculously high heels. It took a few minutes until a woman, who looked in her thirties, came over, a warm smile on her face.
"Sir? How may I help you?"
"I'm looking for an engagement ring...for my boyfriend, but your colleague over there, refused to sell one to me because homosexuality is a 'sin'."
I added air quotes as I said 'sin'. The woman looked horrified. Not another fucking person who thinks it's a sin to love someone of the same fucking sex?!
"Oh, Sir, I do apologise. Honestly, I am truly sorry. If you'd like to follow me over to the male rings, I'd be more than happy to help you out."
I sighed in relief as I returned the woman's warm smile. We walked back over to the male rings, where I was originally standing, only to find the same homophobic bitch standing there, sticking her bust out and chewing on her red-stained lip.
"Chardonnay? Would you please collect your things from the staff room please, leave your badge on my desk and leave? You've just blown your last chance. And I think this poor man is owed an apology."
I smirked in the direction of Chardonnay. She scoffed before muttering a sour-sounding 'sorry' before stomping off in the direction of the staffroom, not before toppling over on her heels and collapsing in a heap on the floor, her skirt riding up and showing off a pink thong. Classy.The nice lady beside me chuckled.
"Never liked her anyway."
"You didn't have to do that, but thanks nonetheless."
"No, I had to: you weren't the first to complain about her homophobic remarks and as her boss, and a lesbian myself, I wanted her gone as much as everyone else here. Now, what does your partner like?"
I smiled at the woman, feeling happy that I can finally get the desired item without being judged.
"Um, well, he's not particularly manly and he's a punk kid at heart, so I'm guessing something a little different? I don't know, I'm sorry, my description isn't particularly great."
I chuckled nervously, suddenly feeling self-concious for no apparent reason.
"Right okay, hang on right here, I think I've got just the thing."
The woman quickly rushed off out the back before coming out with a small box in her hands.
"It only just came in this morning, and we're not meant to put it up for sale for another week but I think it'd suit your partner brilliantly and it's the least I can do to make up for the hassle you've already had today."
The woman opened the little black box to reveal a thick, pewter band. The metal, almost black in colour, had a sort of washed-out look to it which just emphasized the swirly engraving. It was beautiful and she was right, it would suit Alex perfectly.
"It's amazing and it'd suit him too. Yep, that's definitely the one."
The woman nodded before closing the box and walking back behind the counter to scan the ring.
"Right that's two thousand, minus two hundred and fifty that will come out of Chardonnay's wages so that leaves one thousand five hundred to pay."
"Are you sure? I don't mind paying the full amount."
"No, no, it's the least I can do, trust me."
"Well, thank you."
I slid my bank card into the card machine and entered the necessary details.
"There you go, Sir. I hope he says yes; he'd be foolish not to, he's a lucky guy."
I smiled at the woman before leaving the store, clutching onto the bag that contained the ring as if my entire life depended on it...well, it did.
I scurried back to my car and raced home, wanting to get home before Alex so I could hide the ring before he sees it. Tomorrow I will ask him the question.

I sat down on the sofa, snuggling up in Alex's Adventure Time blanket. Yes, a year on and we both still love that show, who wouldn't though? I heard the front door open.
"Lex? Is that you?"
There was no reply but I heard sniffling. I shot up from the sofa and rushed into the hallway. I was greeted with a sobbing Alex with a small gash on his cheek.
"Lex, baby, what happened?"
"Sh-she h-hit m-me and told m-me that she n-never want t-to see me a-again."
I pulled Alex into a hug, probably crushing his bones in the process but he didn't seem to care. All he needed was a hug and a lot of love, and that was exactly what I was going to give him.
"Lex, I'm so sorry but you don't need her. I love you and that's all that matters, I just wish that I'd have gone with you so I could've stopped her."
Alex didn't say anything- I didn't really expect him to really. He just continued to sob, clutching onto me. I noticed a bag and a solid case by his feet.
"Did you get the rest of your stuff?"
Alex nodded.
"A-and my brother's g-guitar...I didn't t-trust her n-not to des-destroy it."
I nodded in understanding. Tom's guitar was the only thing Alex had left of him and I knew he cherished it with his entire life.
"Come on, let's go to bed, okay?"
I whispered in his ear, afraid that talking any louder would break him further.
Alex nodded against my chest, sniffling slightly. I took hold of his hand and lead him upstairs to our room. We snuggled into bed, my arms wrapped around Alex's still shaking body protectively. It took a while before Alex's unsteady breathing evened out. He was asleep now and that was the best thing for him at the moment.

Notes

Hey,
I'm so sorry for not updating yesterday but I had so much revision to do for my exams, it was unreal. I'm not sure if I'll be able to update daily for a while because of exams but I promise I'll try my best.

Also, does anyone else here listen to La Dispute? If you don't, then please, I urge you to do so because they really are amazing.

A big thank you to everyone for reading/subbing/voting; it means a hell of a lot to me.
Em x :)