Welcome To My Life

"You have visitors."
I look up to find one of the guards standing in the doorway of my cell. I put away the book I had been writing in. I decided to keep a diary while I'm in here, just to have something to do. Or well, a diary, it was more like I was writing letters to Alex and Jenna telling them how my days had been but I didn't think they'd ever actually get to see them.

I follow the guard to the visitation area. A lot of inmates are talking to their relatives or friends at different tables. It doesn't take long for me to spot Jenna's green hair on the other side of the room. She notices me as well and points at me, causing Alex to look up. The guard guides me to the table they are sitting at. Alex gets up to hug me.
"No touching," the guard says sternly.
Alex sits back down, looking disappointed. I shoot him an apologetic look while I sit down across them.

"It's good to see you," Jenna says, smiling lightly. Alex nods.
"It's good to see you too," I reply. I can barely bring myself to smile.
"So, what do you do all day in here?" Alex asks.
"Work, write, eat, go outside... Yeah, that's pretty much it."
"What kind of work?"
"Can we just talk about something else? We already don't have much time and I don't want to waste it talking about being in jail," I say, a little too harshly maybe.
"But shouldn't you talk about it? You shouldn't bottle everything up..." Alex mutters.
"I write about it, Alex. You of all people should know that's one of the best ways to put your feelings and thoughts into words."
"I guess you're right... So, what do you want to talk about then?"

"Did you rejoin the band already?" I ask.
"Liz... I won't until they kick Jack out or something," Alex replies resolute.
"But you were so excited about playing prom!" I exclaim.
"Yeah well, my bandmates are douches and my prom date is in jail. I think I'll pass," Alex says bitterly.

"Don't look at me like that," Alex says as I unintentionally gave him a pitying look. "I'm not the one that's in jail..."
"Yeah, thanks for pointing that out" I say wryly.

"I can't believe Jack hasn't dropped the charges yet... I didn't expect him to get you arrested in the first place but when he did I kind of expected him to feel bad about it and drop the charges," Jenna says.
"It's Jack we're talking about," I shrug.
"Yeah, but still. He's fine! I mean, his nose is broken and all, but so is Alex's and I don't see him pressing charges. It's not like Jack's in de hospital still..." Jenna grumbles.
"I know but well, I did punch him. I could've known there'd be consequences."
"But he had it coming!" Alex exclaims.
"Unfortunately criminal law doesn't really care," I sigh.
"You're not giving up, are you?" Alex gave me a quizzical look.
"No... I'm just... Preparing myself for the worst. I don't want to get my hopes up. I know he had it coming but I'm still the one that committed a crime. I'm in jail and I can't do anything about it, just hope for the best and wait for news," Liz explains.

Alex's POV
I look at Liz' defeated expression. I have never seen her like this, although that probably isn't so strange as I hadn't known her for very long. I don't want to see her like this. We have to do something.
"We're gonna get you out of here, I promise," I say resolute.
A weak smile appears on her face. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Alex."
"I don't. We'll get you out," I state.
"As long as you don't pull a Michael Scofield and get imprisoned to help me escape from the inside," Liz jokes.
"Maybe as a last resort," I reply.

"Your time is up." A guard appeared next to our table. "Time to leave."
"Hang in there," Jenna says pitying as her and I got up.
"It's gonna be okay, I promise," I add.
"Don't do that," Liz says quietly.
"Do what?" I ask.
"Give me hope," she replies.
"You need hope. It's what keeps us going. It is the only thing stronger than fear," I say wisely.
"Are you really quoting The Hunger Games right now?" A small smile appears on Liz' face.
"I might be. We'll be back soon, okay? I can promise you that much," I say quickly, before the guard takes her away.
"You better," is the last thing Liz says before they take her back to her cell.

Jenna and I leave the room and walk back to my car.
"You shouldn't have said that," Jenna suddenly says.
"What?" I raise my eyebrows.
"That we'll get her out. We can't," she answers.
"I think I can," I state.
"How?"
"By telling Jack I'll rejoin the band if he drops the charges."

"Are you sure? I thought you were done with them?"
"I am, but Liz has to get out of there. It's worth a shot, don't you think?"
"Hmm I suppose but it's up to you," Jenna answers.
"I think it is. How about we drive by his house right now?" I suggest.
Jenna wrinkles her nose. "Do we have to?"
"Do you want to get Liz out of jail?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Okay, okay, we'll go by his house," Jenna sighs.

We get in my car and drive to Jack's house. We don't say a word on our way there, just like we haven't been talking a lot at school. There just isn't much to say. It has become clear that Liz was the main reason why Jenna and I hung out together.

I park my car in front of Jack's parents mansion and we get out.
"You do the talking if his parents open up," Jenna says while we walk down the path to the front door. "They don't like me very much."
"I don't think they like me too much either, but I'll do the talking anyway. It was my idea after all," I assure her.
I ring the door bell and seconds later we hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Considering their speed, I'm guessing it's Jack. A few more seconds later I'm proven right when Jack opens the front door. He looks at the both of us with narrowed eyes.

"What are you two doing here?" he asks superciliously.
"I have a proposition," I tell him.
Jack hesitates for a moment. "I'm listening," he finally says.
"I rejoin the band so that you'll can play prom," I start.
"And what's the catch?" Jack asks as I don't continue.
"You drop the charges against Liz," I answer.
Jack tilts his head. "Hmm... No."

"What do you mean 'no'?" I ask frowning.
"We don't need you, Alex. We can play prom without you. In fact, we already have a new singer," Jack says.
"Oh yeah? And who may that be?" Alex asks unconvinced.
"Uhm... Zack," Jack answers quickly. A little too quickly.
"Right. You and I both know Zack's voice can't do half of what mine can do. The offer still stands. If Liz is released before prom, I'll perform with you. If not, I'll come anyway just to see you guys make a fool of yourselves," I say, before turning on my heels and walking back to my car, with Jenna right behind me.

Notes

So, I know it's been a while and I'm sorry. I had to write an actual book for school, write daily posts for my blog and I didn't know how to continue this story so yeah. My book has to be finished next week so I'll try to update more from then on. I basically have their futures written out for them but I still have a couple of years to write about lol

Also, I think I've been quite inconsistent when it comes to past tense and present tense. From now on I'll be writing in present tense because that's what I've been doing for my book and it just comes easier now.

Title credit: Cinderblock Garden - ATL