I hopped out of bed feeling actually okay for once. Any reason? I can’t think of one. Maybe the fact that Alex is actually talking to me? I’m not sure, but I feel like today is going to be a good day. I happily skipped down the stairs expecting no one to be home. Nobody is ever home anymore. If Dad being gone helps Mom in some way, then I’m okay with it. I walked into the kitchen singing to myself but then someone cleared their throat. I froze: what if it was a serial killer? An intruder? A rober? I slowly turned around and only seen Dad.

“You scared me! I thought you were going to be at the hospital!” I exclaimed, it was good to see another face here besides my own reflection.
“Well Mom misses you, she wants you to skip today to come visit her. You haven’t visited her since the accident, y’know.” Dad sighed. I knew he was upset with me because I haven’t visited her. I just could never get the courage to.
“Does she hate me?” I mumbled looking at the ground, running my hand through my slightly greasy hair.
“Oh Jack- she could never hate you. She just wants you to visit. You have good grades, missing one day won’t matter, alright?” Dad smiled slightly taking a sip of his coffee.
“Yeah you’re right. She’d like to see me.” I smiled looking up at Dad.
“Good, she’ll be happy to see you. Go get dressed and I’ll even let you drive.” Dad smiled. I nodded with toothy smile and walked back up the steps.

I shut my bedroom door and walked over to my closet picking out my clothes. When I was slipping into my clothes I noticed a strange material on my floor in the corner. I walked over to the item and picked it up. It was Alex’s scarf. I smiled at it slightly and laying it on my dresser so I could give it to him the next time I see him.

I quickly styled my hair and then sprayed it into place. What if Mom hates me for not visiting her for about a month? I didn't actually have a reason not to visit her I guess I was just scared. I shook the thoughts from my mind and then walked back downstairs seeing it was already eight. When I got downstairs I put my phone in my pocket and then looked at Dad.

“Ready.” I said before we were out the door.

The ride to the hospital wasn't to bad. I only missed a stoplight twice, almost ran over an old lady once, only missed four turns, and only drove on the wrong side of the road once. But hey, that’s the best it has ever been!

“I’ll pick you up when you're ready to go, I think she would just like you to be there and not me for once.” Dad joked when I pulled into the parking lot.
“Okay, I’ll text you.” I agreed and walked into the hospital.

I always hated hospitals, they always had weird smells, a bunch of sick people, and everything was pure white. I walked up to the desk not knowing where to go.

“How can I help you?” She asked kindly, at least she seemed nice.
“I’m looking for my Mom.” I said looking at her. She raised her eyebrows at me to continue but I didn't know what else to say.
“...what’s her name?” She laughed.
“Oh! My bad!” I laughed, I’m an idiot. “Joyce Barakat?” She typed in her name, I’m guessing and then clicked the mouse.
“4th floor, room 395.” She flashed me a quick smile.
“Okay thanks.” I said and made my way to the elevator. God, there is a lot of rooms.

I arrived on the fourth floor rather quickly thanks to Mr.Elevator and started walking down the boring halls. I was actually really scared, I haven’t seen Mom since the accident. The room on the floor, 395.

The door was cracked, I peaked in so she didn't see me right away. She was sitting up and I could see she was reading a book but I couldn't see her face. I pushed the door open and she looked up from her book. I finally got a glimpse of her face. She had stitches above her right eyebrow, a fading bruise on cheek and a small cut on her lips. Her lips formed into a smile but I didn't move from the door.

“Jack…” She whispered, “I’m so happy you're here. I've missed you.” Right as she said that I broke. Tears started rolling down my face and I ran over the bed and hugged her. “Oh, Baby, shh..” I tried quieting my sobs but I couldn't. I never actually knew how much I've missed her until I seen her again. “I’m so sorry for not visiting, I-I-I was scared t-t-that you would hate me and I fel-felt like y-you wou-”

“Jack, Honey, shh. It’s okay. It only matters that you're here now.” She murmured as she stroked my hair letting me know that everything is okay. Once the tears stopped, I pulled away and sat on the chair next to the bed.

“I’m so happy to see you!” She beamed happily.
“How are you?” I asked.
“I’m doing good, I can get out of the hospital soon Jacky, isn't that great!” She smiled.
“Yeah! When?”
“A month or so, they just wanna make sure nothing shut downs again and stuff.”
“Well that’s good.” I smiled playing with my fingers.
“There is something different about you, something in your eye is telling me that you’re really happy.” She smiled. How did she know? Mothers instinct I guess.
“Well- uh, yeah.” I laughed awkwardly.
“Does it have to do with a guy?” She asked. Before she was in the wreck, we always talked about guys. It’s just one of the things we do.
“Yeah, it does.” I blushed.
“Oh really, does this guy happen to be Evan’s brother?” She laughed. I scratched the back of my head and nodded.
“I’m his tutor, even though he is totally straight, he told me one of his secrets and we’re hanging out this weekend.” I grinned feeling like a total schoolgirl.
“That’s great Jacky!”

---

After being at the hospital all day long catching up with Mom, I just arrived home. I plopped onto the couch with Sugar sitting next to me. I patted her head and then pulled my phone out of my pocket for the first time today.

5 text messages, 1 missed call.

I clicked on the messages first.

Sally: OMG GUESS WUT

Evan: Dude, where are you?

Evan: Jack you better be coming today please don’t leave me alone with Sally.

Sally: Jack?

Evan: WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE ALEX’S TUTOR!

I just quickly texted them back with a ‘hey’ and set my phone down and grabbed a cup of coffee. Any time is coffee time. My phone buzzed soon after telling me that Evan texted me.

Evan: Come over. Front door is opened.
Me: Okay, be there soon.

I yelled to Dad saying I was leaving and then ran out the door. I clung the jacket closer to me to as the November air hit my body. It was really cold for November in my opinion. After what seemed like forever, I finally got to the Gaskarth residence and opened the door quickly running to Evan's room.

“Hey.” I smiled as I opened the door. He was laying on his back on his bed throwing a ball in the air.
“Why weren't you at school today?” He asked sitting up.
“Visiting my Mom.” I said plopping down on the bed next to him. ‘
“Oh wow, how’d that go?” He questioned.
“It was actually really good, she gets out next month.” I smiled for what seemed like the hundredth time today.
“Glad to here that.” Evan smile throwing the ball at my face.
“Asshole!” I yelled and threw it back at him laughing. He just chuckled and then punched me in the arm, hard.
“Ow, what the hell?”
“Why didn't you tell me you were Alex’s tutor?!?” He said excitedly.
“Uh, I guess it slipped my mind?” I lied. “Who told you?”
“Sally, I guess she heard Alex talking about it to his jock buds.” Evan said.
“Oh.”
“Well, now that means you can finally make a moooove.” Evan laughed raising his eyebrows up and down.
“Yeah, no.” I laughed punching him. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Okay, have fun jerking off thinking about Alex.” Evan said throwing a pillow at me.
“Oh, ha ha. Shut up.”

I made my way out of his room and down the hall. I was about to enter the bathroom until I heard a faint strumming of a guitar. I quickly turned on my heels and walked down the hallway slowly. I passed a few maids along the way as the strumming became louder. As I finally got closer and closer, I found myself standing outside of Alex’s room. Before I could react, my hand flew up on the door knocking and then turning the door knob.

Alex was quickly shuffling around trying to hide the guitar, failing miserable if I may add and then glared at me.
“What the hell? Did you hear me say, ‘come in?’” Alex mumbled with sass, crossing his arms. I shut the door behind me and looked at my shoes.
“U-um s-s-orry.” I apologized. He sighed, “it’s fine.”
“So what do you want?” He asked bluntly.
“Uh, I heard a guitar.” I chuckled softly, “I didn't know you played.”
“Most people don’t.” He replied cockily.
“Oh uh, y-yeah.” I stuttered weirdly. Why is this so awkward?
“Sorry,” he apologized. “I’m just having a bad day.”
“What happened?” I asked still standing by the door.
“Just school,” he mumbled. “You can sit down y’know.” I blushed without a reason and sat down on the edge of his king sized bed.
“So you play?” He asked me.
“Hm?”
“Guitar.” He said flicking his eyes to his acoustic that was now on the ground.
“Oh yeah.” I laughed. He picked it up and handed it to me. I raised my eyebrows in confusion and he laughed.
“Play me something.” He said confidently.
“Oh- uh no.” I said quickly and snappy.
“Please?” He pouted. I looked up at him and his brown eyes held so many emotions that I wanted to cure. I wanted to be able to help him. He looked so lost and didn't want to ask for help. My eyes made my way down to his lips. The way they were sticking out a bit, slightly chapped and pink.
“Fine.” I mumbled but my lips couldn't help but quiver into a smile. “What do you want me to play?”
“Anything.” He said. I started to play the beginning to Stay Together For The Kids. I let my fingers do their own thing and then stopped after a bit.
“Wow.”
“I know- I’m not that good-” Alex cut me off by saying, “uh yeah you are good! Way better then me!”
“Doubtful, play me something?” I asked. He looked at me and smiled a small smile. “It’s only fair.”
“True.” He laughed and took his acoustic from me and started playing what sounded like Give Me Novacaine. He made a few mistakes along the way but it sounded pretty good overall.

"I mess up a lot." He laughed.
"It's okay, I could give you lessons if ya want?" I offered. His eyes seemed to light up when I asked that.
"Really?"
"Yeah!" I smiled.
"Wow thanks, how much money do you-"
"I don't need you to pay me. It's something I wanna do."
"Wow, thanks Jack, that means a lot to me. I always wanted to learn a lot more but no one in my family plays." Alex said looking at me straight in the eyes. His eyes were so beautiful...
"It's no problem, Alex."
“I’m better at singing.” He said quietly.
“You sing?” I asked.
“Yup.”
“Sing for me?” I asked full of hope.
“No, that’s where I draw the line.” He said laying his guitar next to him on the bed.
“Ugh fine.” I joked and he smiled a bit. “I will one day, once we know each other more. Are we still on for this weeken-”

The door bolted open revealing Evan. “There you are! I thought you were going to the bathroom?” I glanced at Alex and he laughed. I just rolled my eyes and made my way over to Evan. Evan made googly eyes at us making me hit him. Thankfully Alex didn't see. Evan chuckled and started walking away. I ran back to Alex’s room and peaked my head in the room. He looked up at me and I said, “and the answer to your question is yes, we are still on for this weekend.”

Notes

Okay so I about not updating for such a long time! Everything has just been so stressful with school and stuff. But the updates are back! Happy Reading! Let me know what you guys think in the comments. :)