It's Such A Shame That We Play Strangers

I woke the morning after, unaware of what today faced.

I sat up and begun to rub my eyes as I looked to my left to see that Jack was still sleeping. I smiled to the sleeping boy as I pulled the blanket off my legs, allowing me to get up.

I pressed the home button on my phone and read the time. It was only 7:13 and class didn't start until 8:30. I had enough time to take a shower, eat and than see if Jack will talk.

I grabbed my towel, clothes, tooth brush and other needs before quickly leaving the room, ever so quietly. I began to walk towards the shower block, when I realised I was just in my briefs. Luckily, I didn't decide to sleep commando. Who would like to see that?

I reached the shower block and walked in, seeing one shower left. I raced over to it and dumped my stuff on a wooden chair/bench thing. As I was closing my curtain, I heard my name being called. I looked out to see Vic walking in, over to the shower next to me, which is now free.

'Hey man.' I said, as he dumped his stuff in the cubicle.

'Hey. How was your first day?' Vic questioned. I shrugged my shoulders and laughed a little.

'Well, I got Jack to sit with me a dinner and I managed to sleep on that so called mattress.' I answered. Vic laughed then turned serious.

'You got Jack to sit with you? He hasn't been social in for over a year. He doesn't even talk. The last time he was social was the time him, Tyler and I used to be very close. But then something happened between them and they acted really strange. They would act all friendly and nice when around me but once they were on their own, things got weird.

One day, I was walking to their room when I heard yelling come from within. Tyler was yelling about how he could never love Jack and that he could never be like that. Now, I had my suspicions about them two, before it all turned to shit. They were always close to each other and then one day, Tyler snapped. I was just standing outside the room, not quiet sure what to do when I heard Jack kind of yell. I didn't know what to expect when I barged in, but when I did, Tyler had Jack up against the wall, held by the throat about to punch his stomach once more.

I ended up pulling Tyler off, pushing him away and telling him to never touch Jack again, and he never did. Jack went to talk to the principal about what had been happening. And apparently, this was going on for a while. No wonder Jack was sometimes covered in bruises and cuts. Tyler was abusive and Jack didn't know what to do. I honestly felt so bad for the kid. But that night he got back from talking with Mr Stevens, Jack was traumatised with what he had seen.

There sat on the bed, was Tyler, an empty bottle, a razor and blood, bleeding from his wrists. Jack freaked out and ran to try and save him. Jack not thinking about what Tyler did and how much he did hurt him, I just think Jack was still in love with him.

Ever since then, Jack has stopped talking, doesn't socialize and just focuses on his work. Jack didn't want to change rooms, so they moved him for a week, re-painted the room, placed new furniture in and burnt the old. He's never had a room mate until now and maybe all he needed was a new room mate.' Vic explained.

I stood there, mouth hung open as I ran my hand through my hair. I looked to Vic and shook my head. This makes sense why he reacted to me moving my hand at him. This is why he acts like he does. No wonder, I think anyone would act like this if this was to happen to them.

'I didn't know that's what happened. I just thought, he was some kid who never wanted a room mate due to social anxiety or something on the lines of that. But this, I totally understand as to why he is the way he is. No one should go through that. Even though, I may have experienced something similar. I just.. I don't know what to say.' I replied, still shocked.

'The whole school was like that. Tyler was one of those people everyone liked, you know. I mean, when my best friend Jamie started, well he didn't think so, but Tyler, he just warmed up to you. Tyler was good at sports, all his subjects and more. He was just talented at everything and he was even going for school captain this year, but now one of the jocks got given it.' Vic said.

'Wow. Do you think that Jack is warming up to me because I remind him of Tyler? Could that be why he's slowly, ever so slowly, agreeing to do things.' I asked.

'Maybe, I mean, are you good at schooling? Do you do sports? Do you get along with everyone?' Vic questioned.

'Well, yeah. I guess I get along with most people. I did play football when I was back in England. And schooling, I can pass that. I'm not exactly brainy.' I replied.

'Well, there you go. We could have found out the reason to why Jack is warming up and that is never a bad thing, because he was liked by everyone too. He used to be so funny and oh god, his dick jokes. Some are very cringe-worthy but you get over it.' Vic said.

'Yeah, well. We better actually shower now. Cause I am getting hungry and well we have class soon. But Vic, thank you for telling me. About Jack, because it would have been a while until someone actually told me what had happened and why he stopped talking.' I said, making Vic nod his head.

'No problem. I guess we shall go our separate ways.' Vic said, walking into his cubical and closing the curtain.

I walked into my cubical, closing the curtain and turning the shower on. I stripped and got under the water as I started to think about the way I'm going to approach Jack.

I don't really want to change the way I act around him. I think now that I'm aware of this, I am able to limit myself from stuffing up. Like, I know what I can't say, I know that I have to watch how I move my hands and everything in between.

I finished up in the shower and got dressed. I walked back to the room and when I got to the door, I couldn't help but imagine the yelling the you could here from this room. I just was still so shocked about what had happened. I opened the door and walked in. I looked over to Jack to see that he was dressed, and was writing away at his desk again.

'Hey Jack. Did you want to go get breakfast with me after I sort out my hair.' I asked as I hang my towel over the railing of my bed and then walked to the cupboard. I opened it, and saw a full length mirror in their.

I grabbed my straightener from my drawer and plugged it in. While it was heating up, I looked over to Jack who was looking back to me. I couldn't help think about how he was so hurt and no doubt still is. I smiled to him as he smiles back to me. He nodded his head and then returned his eyes back to the paper.

I turned back around to my straightener and picked it up. I pulled it through my hair and eventually, my hair was styled to enough perfection that it'll last till the end of school.

I unplugged it, and left it to cool. I grabbed my bag and through it over my shoulder. When I turned around, Jack was standing near the door, smiling.

'Well hey. Ready?' I questioned. Jack nodded his head and turned around, opening the door and walking out. I followed him, closing it and trailing behind Jack this time.

This sudden boost of confidence is very different. It's like he's willing to change already, yet I have no idea when he will become vocal. I just hope it's soon.

Notes

Sorry I didn't update last night. But I have successfully done it tonight, after losing it and having to write it all again.
Hope you all like it. I'm enjoying writing this.
Thanks guys.