Chapter 1 – Jack

Okay babe, pick you up tomorrow, good night.
I texted, put my cell on the nightstand and threw myself on the bed. First day of school tomorrow, yep... senior year is finally here. I was thinking about Ashlee. I'm not sure I want to be in a relationship at the moment, but she keeps pushing.
Please Jacky, I won't hurt you, why can't we just try, don't be so self-centered.
But the truth is, I'm not. I just had a tough break up and I don't really want to be with her, or anyone for that matter, if I don't feel like it. I don't want to force myself, be a bad boyfriend because it doesn't feel right. I need to tell her that, but I don't know how, because there's another thing. I've had a lot of problems with my father, especially lately, because he started drinking even more. Mom can't handle it alone and last few times it was me that either bailed him out or drove him home. Ashlee has been really supportive, but that doesn't change the fact I can't be in a relationship right now.

I met Ashlee when she was working in a bakery I go to almost everyday. It's near my home. She was very nice and funny, so I decided to ask her to hang out. We've had some great times and I really like her, but only as a friend.

When it comes to my dad, he didn't have any problems before, had a drink or two, mostly beer. It came after my grandma died, he was devastated and started drinking away his sorrow, forgetting he has a family. Mom has been working more, since he got fired and if he ever wants a normal life again, he has to go to rehab. But the problem is that he denies being an alcoholic and I am doing my best to get him to rehab as soon as possible. He never touched us, but he was aggressive in other ways. Fighting and screaming is our everyday, when he is not sober. Mom can't really do anything anymore and I feel really bad. Not only for her, for my father too, I know he's not a bad person, he just took the wrong turn.
*
I woke up at 7am sharp and it only took me 30 minutes to get ready and have some breakfast. Dad was still passed out on the couch, I just ignored him, it was like that everyday. After cleaning up the whiskey stains from the table, my appetite was barely present, so I just took a pop tart and went to pick up Ashlee.
''Morning.'' She said and kissed my cheek.
''Mornin'. How are you?'' I replied
''I'm alright, how about you, how's your dad?''
''Same old, can't get through to him. I'll work something out.''
''Don't worry Jacky, I'm sure everything will work out.'' She said and put her palm on my hand.
''Yeah, I'll manage.'' I didn't really want to talk about it anymore. Maybe him losing the license was a good thing, at least he can't cause any accidents.

We walked into the hallway to meet our friends. I saw Rian, he was already waiting for me at our locker.
''Hey man!'' I greeted him while Ashlee ran off with her best friend Amber.
''Jacky!'' He said and pulled me into a hug. ''How've you been man? It's been over two months.''
''Already? Damn, summer went by so fast. I've been good, you know, the usual. You?''
''I went camping with my family, played drums, you know me.''
''To the senior year bro, let's finish it strong.'' I joked. He just laughed and then went to class. I had to check my locker, sort out some things. As I was taking off my leather jacket, I accidentally hit someone with my arm.
''Shit, I'm sorry...'' I said as I was turning around. I saw a familiar face. He looked like an Abercrombie model. ''Sorry.'' I repeated.
''Oh, uhm, hey Jack. It's alright.'' He replied. Wait, he knows my name. Then it came to me, it's Gaskarth.
''Hey... Alex? Wow, I barely recognized you. You look great!''
''Thank you, likewise. How was your summer?'' I was still grasping how much he's changed. I never thought this was hiding under all those weird clothes, behind those glasses and shyness.
''It was alright, so was yours I presume.'' He was still a little shy but it was so adorable.
''It was good, I played some music.''
''Cool, maybe you could play a song or two at prom.'' I joked.
''Maybe.'' He blushed a little and grinned. ''Well, see you in class.'' He then said and walked down the hallway.
I was literally speechless. I never really hung out with Alex, we only talked at school but he was always very shy and nice. And now he's like this brand new person. I was pleasantly surprised.

Notes

Here it is, chapter one :) let me know what you think and thanks for reading!

[credit for the title goes to: Alicia Keys]