Alex POV

I woke up remembering that it was Friday and that I am no longer single, but even with the happiness I should be feeling I still feel like getting out of bed and get ready is getting harder and harder, but nevertheless, I dragged my tired body out of bed and put on clothes. My hair was ratty and matted from not brushing it for a few days and my face was still covered in a tacky grime from crying yesterday, I washed my face and brushed out my hair before putting on my shoes, taking my meds, and skipping breakfast. Jack and I got into school early to get some actual studying done because whenever we study at our house we always just end up making out. I was sitting on the ground waiting for Jack, who was standing at his locker. The two guys pulled me off the ground and started to punch me, Jack tried to run over but the kid walking to him trapped him in his arms. I was being punched and kicked in places I never thought existed. Some kid kicked my right shin and I heard a loud pop then I felt pain shoot up my spine, a familiar feeling from when I was ten and broke my arm snowboarding. The other kid punched me In the rib-cage making me lose my breath again. A fight that felt like half an hour that really lasted 5 minutes finally came to an end. I remember Jack kicking one of the guys in the face and Rian pulling the other off of me and them being hauled away by teachers. Jack sat next to me, crying, drying my tears, reassuring me that everything will be okay and rubbing circles on my back. Before I knew it I was being put in the ambulance and he said he would follow in his car, then I started to fall asleep, I almost hoped I was dying.

Jack POV

I may have just saved Alex

I thought as I twirled my thumbs and sat in the waiting room. My ribs ached and I pulled out my phone and called my mom and told her to go next door and take Alex’s mom to the hospital. No questions asked she did as I said and soon after they were there in the waiting room with me.

"How did this happen?'' Mrs. Gaskarth asked

"I was in the hall getting my books when three kids ambushed us. One held me back as two guys beat up Alex. Rian helped me pull the guys off of him.” I explained

"I can't thank you enough" Mrs. Gaskarth pulled me into a tight embrace and I hid the pain radiation from my midsection

"I am proud of you Jack” my mother fixed my hair

“Jack Barakat,“ a doctor with blue scrubs and salt and pepper hair said to the waiting room
the three of us got up and approached the doctor, I was somewhat shaking in my shoes.

“Alex is stable and awake. He has a broken tibia, fibula, and two cracked ribs; but otherwise, he is okay. He would like to see jack, alone, if that is okay" The doctor said leading me to a curtained room.

He opens the curtain to reveal a battered and bruised boyfriend. I walk to his bedside and hold his hand

“Everything will be okay babe” I smile as a tear rolls down my cheek

"Thank you," he says in a soft tone holding my hand a little tighter.

I look him up and down in the hospital bed. A blank white cast from toe to thigh covers his right leg and there's bruising on his face. I rub my thumb along the back of his hand.

"I will be right back," I said wiping my face as I leave the room and going to get our moms
We walk back into the room and his mom runs to his side

"Oh Alex I am so glad you’re okay,” his mom said with tears in her eyes and squeezed lex

“Mom I’ve got broken ribs” He wheezed

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry” She stepped back and held his other hand

Both our moms left us alone and I give him a small kiss on his forehead and went to tell my mom that I would stay back with Alex, she winked at me and walked Alex’s mom, who was needed at work, out of the hospital. I gave him another kiss and said I would be back soon. I gave him his phone and said I would text him when I got home and when I was on my way back.

I got back home and threw on sweats and an old Green Day shirt when my phone buzzed

Alex
I was moved to a room upstairs. Floor 3 room 369. And if it's not a bother can you bring me some sweats and a shirt as well, thanks in advance

Me
No problem I am leaving now be there in 15. See you soon

I got to the hospital, signed in and went up to Alex's room with my bag on my back. I walked into the room throwing my stuff on the window sill and went straight to Alex. I kissed him and then sat down in the crappy pleather chair next to the hospital bed and held Alex’s hand.

“I'm sorry” Alex looked down at me

“Why are you sorry“ I looked towards him

“I caused this, didn’t I? I wanted to date you and those guys probably knew me from my old school and I— “ he said before I cut him off

“Alex, you didn’t cause any of this, if anything I did. Those guys have hated me since we were kids because I am queer. You didn’t do anything“ I said gingerly moving onto the side of the bed

“Are you sure” Alex stressed

“I’m positive” I reached to him and grabbed his hands “This was not your fault and it will never be your fault”
“Ok” He looked at me with wide eyes and smiled a little

I sat on the end of the bed with my legs crossed tightly in front of me, and as I pulled my shoulders behind me to crack my back, pain shot up my spine and my breath hitched.

“Ribs?” a concerned Alex asked

''When I tried to pull one of the kids off of you he elbowed me in the rib cage" I lifted up my shirt exposing a bruise that was forming

“Want to have someone look at it“ Alex inquired as he leaned forward to reach me

"No, why bother the nurses when they probably have much better things to do” I reassured him

We sat and chatted when my phone buzzed in my joggers.

Cass
I heard that Mason, Chad, and Dylan ganged up on you and Alex. Are you guys okay?

Me
I am not hurt but Alex was. I probably won’t be at school Monday or Tuesday just to make sure he is okay. And oh yeah, we are finally a THING.

Cass
FINALLY. I am so happy for you two and just come back to school when you feel ready. Is it okay if I come around and visit?

Me
I know right and feel free to come around whenever

Cass
Ok ill be there in a few

There was a knock at the door a few minutes after Cass's last text and I got up, opening the door to a very excited Cass hug.

"I am so glad you are okay" she squeezed my torso and pain shot up my spine again

“So am I but I gotta focus on lex now“ I breathed out as she released her clamp on my chest

she walked over to the bed where he was sitting and sat on the edge

“Oh Dear, I’m so sorry this happened.” Cass gently hugged Alex and I sat on the edge of the bed

“I’m going to be okay Cass, nothing time can’t fix’’ Alex looked over at me

“I know, well I can’t stay long because work needs me in a little bit. Just wanted to make sure everyone was alive” She smiled and hugged both of us again before she left

I moved from my spot on the end of the bed to next to Alex, leaving space between us.

“Never thought this day would end like this” Alex laughed

“Neither did I” I smiled and we sat together with our fingers intertwined

The two of us were alone together, sitting side by side, silent in each others company; it felt right.

A nurse interrupted our silence when she barged through the doors and I hopped off the bed. The nurse asked Alex some basic questions, and checked his vitals, just as she was walking out Alex spoke.

“Can I change out of this gown?” Alex pleaded

“I don’t see why not, you’ve been through enough today” the polite nurse smiled and walked back out of the room

Alex, who was dressed in a paper gown, swung his legs over the side of the bed and looked at me with puppy dog eyes. I walked to his side of the bed and kneeled on the floor in front of him. I bunched the loose pajama pants at the ankle and slipped them over his feet, he stood up and pulled them the rest of the way up. Alex discarded the gown and revealed a bruise over his ribcage shortly before he shimmied into the baggy t-shirt and my cardigan. Alex laid back in the bed and propped his right leg up on a pillow, I sit across from him on the bed.

“I wonder how many days I’m going to have to spend with my mom watching over me like a hawk” Alex questioned

“Well Probably a week or two” I laugh a little

“But at least I will be with you, I hope” Alex looked down at his hands in his lap

“Maybe, Most definitely after school” I smile back at him

We sat in harmony for a while before I had to get up and pee. As I get up I straighten up and try and hide the throbbing pain.

“Can you please get it looked at?” Alex asked

“Fine” I sigh and go to the bathroom and when I come out the same polite nice nurse was standing by the side of the empty bed and had asked me to lay down and lift up my shirt
I did as she asked and she poked and prodded at my chest before pulling off her gloves and throwing them away.

“So your ribs aren’t broken, looks like three cracked” She stood straight and I sat up

“Okay, so what do I do” I looked up at her

“Ice and rest, no PE for a month and one-week bed rest” She smiled

“That's it,” I ask with a smile on my face

“Well yeah” She walked out of the room and winked

“Okay then,” I think to myself

Alex and I sat together for the remainder of the night, watching movies on Netflix together. I eventually move to the chair next to the bed and curl up with a spare blanket, my hoodie balled under my head, and soft music playing in my headphones.

Notes

Don't worry guys, this will all make sense in a few chapters. Please don't hate me for this but it's important to the plot.

PS I am moving updates to either Monday or Tuesdays