My Only One (Jalex)

Alex's POV:

As soon as I mentioned Jack's father, his entire body just froze. His eyes went wide and his face was just in total shock. I could see tears gloss his eyes, still wide. His lips were pursed together in a tight line, almost looking painful. His body then started to tremble slightly. I knew exactly what was happening to him: I used to suffer really badly with them. Panic attacks. I tried calling his name, but nothing worked. He was too far into the attack to be brought round. I placed my hands on his shoulders, shaking him slightly in one last attempt to bring him back. Nothing. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as his legs gave way from underneath him. He fell in a heap on the floor, his legs underneath him bent at weird angles. Even though I used to suffer with panic attacks a lot, so much, in fact that I had therapy twice a week, I didn't know what to do in situations where someone else has them. I knew that passing out was common: I did it after the majority of my attacks but I always seemed to wake up in a confused state. Of course, I remembered having the actual attack but it took me a few minutes to come back to Earth.

I opened the door to my classroom and stuck my head through.
"Hannah, could you please go and get Mr Merrick from his office please? Tell him it's urgent."
Hannah, shot up from her seat and ran out the door, running quicker after seeing Jack's limp body on the floor. My class all remained quiet, obviously sensing that this was not the time to act up. I crouched down at Jack's body. I lifted his head so it was resting on my leg. I slid my arm under his legs and lifted him bridal style. Just as I lifted Jack, Hannah came rushing back with Mr Merrick closely behind.
"Sir, Jack's just had a panic attack and I'm going to take him back to my office. I know what to do...because of reasons I'll explain later. Could you take my class for me? All they've got to do is the survey that's on my desk."
"No worries. Is that all they've got to do?"
"Yeah, it should take them all lesson. Thanks."
"No worries."
Mr Merrick walked through the door of the classroom, immediately giving them my instructions. I carried Jack back to my office and lay him down on the black leather sofa that was pushed against the far wall.

I sat and looked at the boy that was passed out on the sofa. He looked so peaceful, so content. His face held no contortion of pain or anger. His hair flopped over his forehead a little, his lips set in a straight line. His face was pale but the sort of pale that looked good. He was extremely attractive. I shouldn't be thinking about things like that because of my position of authority but I couldn't care less. I had a 17 year old boy asleep on a sofa in my office and I had nothing to do. I'm only 24 though, so it's not like there's a huge age difference.
Movement from the sofa brought me out of my thoughts. Jack was starting to stir from the sofa, his legs moving up so he was in the foetal position. I got up form my desk and walked over to the sofa, kneeling down so I was on his level. His eyes fluttered open, inaudible slurs coming from his mouth.
"Jack? You there, Jack?" I whispered, afraid that anything louder would send him into another attack, knowing that it can happen from my past experiences.
"Wha-?"
"It's me, Jack. Mr Gaskarth. You had a panic attack."
Jack shot up from the sofa, immediately groaning, his hand flying up to his head. I gently pushed him back down on the sofa.
"Stay lying down, Jack. Sitting up this soon won't help. I used to suffer badly from panic attacks, just trust me on this, okay?"
Jack nodded slowly, wincing from the inevitable thumping of his head.
"Just answer me a few questions, Jack?"
He nodded again.
"Have you had a panic attack before?"
"No...well, maybe but now I know what it was."
"Okay, you don't have to answer this, Jack, but is there something going on at home? Something to do with your father?" Jack froze once more, his eyes going wide again. "You don't have to answer, Jack, but I have a duty of care and I'm concerned."
Jack's eyes filled with tears, a few escaping as he tried to blink them away. I reached behind me and grabbed the box of tissues off the coffee table behind me, handing one to Jack. He accepted it gratefully and wiped his face.
"N-nothing happens at h-home."
"Jack, I know that's not true but I'm not going to pressure you into telling me."
"Let's j-just say that I'm n-not exactly loved..."
My heart shattered at Jack's admission. How could anyone treat anyone like that?
"Jack, is there anything I can do? Anything at all?"
Jack shook his head quickly, wincing once more.
"No. You can't. You can't tell anyone, please."
"But, if you're in danger, I ha-"
"NO! You can't. I'm begging you, please, Sir."
I sighed, fighting a mental battle inside my head. I was torn. In front of me, there was this boy that was previously a hard-shelled kid to a broken boy, begging for his secret to be kept.
"Fine. But, if anything happens or I feel like it's getting worse, I'm going to have to tell, okay?"
"Fine. Can I go home now, Sir?"
"Technically you still have a detention, so no but you can just sit here, calm down, rest and chill. I know I may seem boring but I have a good taste in music so we can listen to something, okay?"
Jack sighed but agreed anyway. Lying back down on the sofa.

After the time of his detention was up, I started to pack away my stuff into my brief case, putting away the surveys that Mr Merrick had brought back to me.
"Jack, I'm not going to let you walk home after an attack: you'll be tired and weak. I'll drive you back. I hope that's okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Thank you."
"My pleasure, Jack. Come on, we best get going."

I led Jack out to my car, a silver Land Rover. Jack hopped up into the car and immediately started to flick through the numerous CD cases that were littered around the car.
"You weren't kidding when you said you had good taste in music."
Jack put a Fall Out Boy disc into the radio, the sound of cameras clicking immediately filling the car as 'Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued' played. Jack and I both hummed along as I drove to his house, knowing where it was due to checking his address on the school database.

I pulled up outside a large house in the wealthy part of Baltimore, not far from where I lived.
"Wow, Jack. Your house is huge."
"That's what you get for having a father who owns one of the biggest law firms in Maryland. Thanks, Sir."
"No worries, Jack. Honest. Get some rest tonight, okay? You'll be tired. I'll hopefully see you tomorrow."
"Yeah. I'll try. See you later."
Jack slid out of the car and walked up the large driveway to the front door of the house. He turned back around and waved, a smile playing on his lips. I smiled and waved back as he entered his house.

That night, my thoughts were filled with the lanky, dark-haired boy. It confused me how he could go from this obnoxious, rude person to this broken, fragile boy who would break down so easily. I knew something wasn't right at home and I knew it had something to do with his father. I was scared for him, to tell the truth. I was scared that something will happen and Jack will end up dead or something. I had no idea why I had suddenly grown to care so much bout this boy that I despised at first, not to mention the fact that I hadn't even known him a day. My thoughts troubled my sleep that night. My sleep ending up being restless. I awoke the following morning with dark circles under my eyes.

-

I dragged myself into work the following morning, my feet scuffing on the floor.
"Woah, Alex. What happened to you?"
"Oh, nothing, Vic. Just didn't sleep very well last night."
"I heard about the incident that involved that asshole that you and Zack were discussing."
"Oh, you mean Jack? He's troubled, Vic. I regret calling him that now. He's not got it easy."
"Whatever, man. He seems an ass to me. See you around."
Vic walked off into his classroom, shutting the door behind him. Apparently news spreads fast in this school.

It was now lunch time and I hadn't seen Jack all day. I decided to wander around the school corridors, try and get to know the hang-out spots of the students. I heard chanting and shouting coming from further down the corridor that I was currently walking down. As I neared the huddle of students, I could make out a small ginger kid pressed up against the lockers, a hand holding him there by his throat. I traced the arm back to its owner: Jack.
"Mr Barakat, what the hell do you think you're going?!"
"This ginger bastard tried to trip me!"
"And that is no reason to hold him against the lockers by his throat! Let him go!"
"See if I give a shit."
Jack let go though, the ginger boy sliding to the floor, holding his throat and gasping for air.
"Jack, here. Now."
Jack slunk towards me, his head hanging low in shame.
"It's almost as if you like spending two hours after school with me in detentions."
"Whatever."

Notes

Hi,

Poor Jack :( I'm really enjoying writing this and the response so far has been incredible so thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Keep the comments coming and please, don't be afraid to tell me about anything that you think that could improve this.

Thank you so much,
Em x