~Jack's POV~

Alex had eventually agreed to let me book him an appointment, and I was so proud of him for it. Since he talked to me about his feelings, he has been acting more comfortable around me again, and although he still doesn't speak very much, he's speaking a bit more. Alex has had a tough time recently, and all of it has just impacted him negatively. He's still my Lex though. I rung the doctors, and they have booked an appointment with a therapist for Lex on Thursday. I could tell he was nervous, but there was no way he would admit it. I promised I would be there for him though, and that seemed to make him feel a bit more at ease.

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jack, it's Rian."

"Oh, hey. Are you okay?" Me and Rian only ever texted eachother, so I was worried about why he was ringing.

"Yeah, I'm good. I was just wandering whether you want to hang out? I know we've seen eachother in school and stuff, but I feel like we haven't spoke properly in ages!"

"Sounds cool. Name the time and place, buddy." I stood up, putting my pants on. It was always more comfy to relax without wearing them.

"Starbucks in 10?"

"I'll see you then." I hung up and ran down the stairs, pulling on my jacket. "Mom, I'm just going out with Rian!"

"That's fine, sweetie." My mom was sitting with John on the sofa. It felt like John had moved in; he was always here. I didn't mind though, he made my mom happy. "What time is Alex coming over?" Mom adored Lex, so he was invited for tea with us tonight.

"Um, about 7ish. Is that okay?" I replied, rummaging through the drawers in the kitchen for my keys.

"That's great. They're on the counter Jack." My mom shouted through. I looked up on the counter and found what I was looking for. I forgot where I put my keys at least once a day.

"Oh yeah, thanks, I'll see you later." I said, walking out of the house and putting my earphones in.

When I got to the coffee shop, Rian was already waiting for me. He had brought me a hot chocolate.

"Hey! Rian, you didn't have to buy me this! I have the money!" I sighed. I hated people buying things for me.

"My treat." He smiled, revealing his pearly-white teeth. "How's Alex?"

"He's doing okay, I guess." I sighed again, sitting down. "I booked the appointment with the therapist, I just hope it all goes well."

"I'm sure it will jack. He's just having a hard time. He'll pull through, we all know he will." Rian gave me a sympathetic look.

"Yeah, I know, I'm just worried about him, you know? I really like him, and it hurts to see him like this." I was on the verge of tears, but I tried to keep them hidden.

"Do you love him?" Rian looked right into my eyes. Fuck, how was I supposed to answer that? I didn't even know myself.

"I don't know, Rian. I feel like I do, when I see him, time just stops. In my eyes, he's perfect. The other night, I thought he was going to say he loved me, but he just said he 'really likes' me. I don't know if it's all too rushed. What if I say it to him, but he doesn't say it back? He's not been in a situation like this before, what if I scare him off?" My answer came out rushed.

"Woah, slow down a bit! Yeah, you definitely love him, I can see it in your eyes. I don't think it's rushed, you know, Jack? I think I fell in love with Cass the first time I saw her. You can't stop love. It just happens when it happens." Rian had a point.

"Thanks." I took a sip of my hot chocolate. "It's his birthday 3 weeks on Saturday, we need to plan something for him. I want it to be special." I smiled.

"Tell him you love him on his birthday." Rian suggested. "It will be sort of romantic I a way, and you'll have more time to think it through so you're definitely sure. I think you are sure, but just to be sure sure." He was starting to confuse me now. I think all the coffee was going straight to his head.

"Good idea, potato." I earned an evil glance as I said the nickname that I came up with a few days ago. Basically everyone called him that now, I thought it was hilarious. "What about a party? He's going to be 18, so it needs to be big."

"I'll work on some ideas and I'll text you, okay? But I've gotta go now, sorry." Rian got up from his seat.

"Okay, thanks again, Ri. I'll see you tomorrow." We both left the shop and headed off, and as it was 6:30 already, I decided to go and get Alex so I could walk him to my house.

Notes

Hey, sorry it's short, I don't really have the energy to write much sorry.
anyway, I'm 6 weeks clean today, that's something to celebrate, right?
And thankyou for all the support I'm getting in this story, I love you all :)

Ellie x