If We Climb This High, I Swear We'll Never Die.

After I had listened to Josie and Amy's conversation, I felt a little bit bad. Not because of Josie's feelings for me, but because Amy had to lie to her to get her off my fucking back. Had that really been the reason she had done it? She did seem a little annoyed at Josie when she kept going on about me. I'll have to thank her when I get the chance.


Surprisingly, Alex wasn't in the dorm when I got back. He'd probably gone into the town or something. I slung my bag onto my bed, but something caught my eye. Right there, on my pillow, was a note. Neatly folded. Intrigued, I picked it up and unfolded it. And what was written surprised me.

"Jack,

I don't really know how to say this... In fact, I'm probably going to regret giving this to you. But fuck it. I have to ask you this. Listen, Barakat, I feel kinda bad for everything I've done to you. You've done nothing but try to be a friend to me, and I've thanked you by shoving it all in your fucking face. And I am so, so fucking sorry for that. In a way, I think I've fallen for you, Jack. It fucking sucks to admit it, but it's true. So... Here it goes... Will you go to the fucking dance with me? Pretty fucking please?

Bye now...
Alex"

Holy shit... Alex asked me to the dance? He's fallen for me? What the hell was going on? I thought for a second that someone could have faked the note, but how could they do that? Alex and me are the only ones who had keys to the dorm, and Alex checked the lock religiously everytime he left.


All of a sudden, the door unlocked. I jumped back a little, not expecting it, still clutching the note in my palms. Then, Alex strutted in. But he didn't stay long. He looked up and saw me. Looking at my hands, he saw the note. He muttered a curse word under his breath, then ran out of the room again. What was going on?


Of course, I chased after him. He ran right down all the hallways, trying to lose me. Several times, he turned back, letting me catch a glimpse of his face. He had a tear running down his cheek. Why was he crying? And why was he running? This whole situation was just too strange. I didn't even understand why Alex had asked me in the first place. I was certain that he hated me.


Eventually, I caught up with him. He stopped at the school gates, unable to go any further. The sky was pitch black and the cold night air pinched at my skin.


"Alex... What the hell is going on?" I asked, approaching him slowly. He sniffed, wiping his tears away. I don't think he wanted me to see them.


"I was going to come in and take the note before you could read it..." Alex mumbled, sniffing again.
"Why?" I asked, placing my hand on Alex's upper arm.


"I'm embarrassed. I shouldn't have asked you in the first place. You hate me. And I'm meant to hate you." He sighed a little.


"And what makes you think that, Gaskarth?" I smirked slightly. Slowly, I leaned into him, kissing his lips softly. Alex made a surprised noise, but was quick to kiss back. He wrapped both his arms around my neck whilst I placed a single hand on his waist, the other sliding up to his chest. The kiss was soft, and slow, and perfect. Better than the first time we kissed, and a million times better than when I kissed Josie.
As I pulled away from the kiss, Alex smiled at me. He didn't move his arms away from me. We just stayed how we were, holding each other.


"You like me too?" Alex asked, still seeming surprised.


"You know, Gaskarth, I never thought that I could like you in more than a friendship way. You just seemed so... Arrogant. But now I've realised that arrogance is your shield. You make yourself seem unafraid, when inside.... You're terrified. And it's okay to be like that. That's the Alex that I like."


"You... You do?" Alex looked a bit taken aback. I don't think that was the answer he was expecting.
"Of course I do. It just took me a while to realise." I smiled a little. "Now, more importantly... Why do you like me?"


"You're the only person that's ever wanted to be my friend." Alex muttered. He seemed ashamed of the simple answer, like there should be something more to it. But to me, it made perfect sense. It must suck for everyone to know you as the school bully. The one who can't be trusted in a classroom full of others. The one who flirts with probably the most popular girl in the entire school. The arrogant bastard that no one cares about.


"You don't have to act like that around me, Alex. Okay? From now on, you be yourself." I pressed my lips to his forehead. Alex smiled weakly.
"Deal."

Notes

Look, I made something happen.