Tiny Dancer

Alex Gaskarth had loved to dance ever since he first remembered remembering. It came along with crawling, it came along with walking, and it came along with life. His mother had enrolled him in all sorts of dance classes once he was old enough, and he went through fazes every once and awhile. He didn't hate anything, but he occasionally did want to switch things up a bit.

During elementary school, Alex wasn't shy about letting everyone know that he absolutely loved dancing. Sure, there were definitely a couple kids that made fun of him for it, but it never really got to him. He had his own friends who thought it was pretty cool, and who generally didn't have sexist or homophobic ideas implanted into their brains before they were even ten years old. So, with that, Alex didn't let other people control his life. He talked about his dance classes in the same way another kid would talk about a sport practice, or a martial art class.

When high school came along, Alex was still very much into dancing. His classes were lessened, though, when school work became more demanding. It didn't matter to him, as long as he could dance whenever he could. He had never been competitive with the art, simply just considering it a hobby. Although, summer was Alex's favourite season for a very big reason. Summer meant no school, and no school meant more opportunities to do what he loved.

The summer before twelfth grade had offered Alex a very exciting opportunity. The dance school that Alex was currently enrolled in had invited him to perform with them at the local fair for a week long show, deciding that the family-oriented environment would be a great place for the group to show off their talents. The class Alex was in dealt with various types of dance, but this specific routine would be simple, so kids could follow along. They'd have a float, as well as their own costumes. The idea was incredibly exciting to everyone in the studio when their instructor gave the news of it, especially to Alex. Talking with his friends after their class, which mostly consisted of girls around his age, Alex revelled in the fact that this summer was seemingly already the best ever. He loved summer, he loved the fair, and he loved children. And, of course, he loved dancing. Alex had quite a positive fortune, giddy for the summer starting quite early, before he even knew about one of the biggest things that would happen to him that year.

Summer was a time for new things for a certain Jack Barakat, as well. Bored with school, including the people in it, the vacation offered him a platform to try different things and meet new people. Living in a decently sized city, there were quite a few things to do, so Jack, along with his best friends, Zack and Rian, began planning right away.

Wasting time was out of the question that year. The three boys slept in quite a bit on their first free day, but made sure to rise not too late, so they could get on with their day. Both Zack and Rian met up with Jack at the bus stop between their three houses just after one o'clock, and together they headed to the local fair, which had just opened that day.

"So," Rian asked Jack, since Zack seemed occupied with looking out the window, "What's the goal for today?"

"I don't know," Jack shrugged, "I'm surprised we even made it out before dinner time. We don't have to start big today, I'm not expecting to find a whole new group of friends and start partying with them tonight, y'know?"

Rian laughed in response, nodding his head. "Yeah, I get it. So, just food and shit?"

"Exactly."

It was almost comforting to Jack when he walked into the fair for the first time that year, and still felt the same familiar feeling he had felt the year before, and the year before, and the year before. There was something about being a local at a pretty large attraction that made Jack love it even more.

"What first?" Zack spoke up, his eye catching a sign a few yards away as he spoke. "Never mind, I know where."

Jack and Rian shrugged in response, following Zack as the largest teen out of the three practically raced over to where the farm animals were kept. It was funny to see Zack mingling in with all of the children every year, his love for the animals never going away.

Feeling that similar pull all day, Jack let his friends decide whatever and whenever, simply following them around. He was too busy enjoying his seemingly never-ending freedom, and he almost felt as if he didn't even have the right to pick and choose what he wanted, because, at this point, the summer offered him the biggest thing of all; freedom. Besides, it wasn't as if he was ever bored. As the sun shone brightly all day, he enjoyed going on a couple rides with his friends, playing games with Rian, and buying food for Zack when he ran out of cash already. It seemed like there was nothing more he could ask for that day.

By the time dinner hour rolled around, the trio of friends were strolling about, their arms full of their favourite foods. It was generally a loud environment, so they had to yell to talk, but their surroundings only became annoying when they saw a float approaching from behind them. The float was blaring music, a chipper tune attracting all of the children near it. The boys backed away to the side of the path, watching as the colourful float, decorated with all sorts of flowers and streamers, approached them. As the people in front of it finally cleared out, the teens could see that there were girls dancing around the float, as well. Dressed in cute dresses that matched the bright colours of their theme, the dancers interacted with the children that came up to them, as they moved their way through the crowd.

"Well," Zack remarked, "Maybe this thing isn't so annoying."

Both Jack and Rian nodded along, as all three pairs of their eyes trailed along through the group of dancers. Zack and Rian seemingly got bored of looking sooner than Jack, as they began to walk away. Only stopping when they realized their youngest friend wasn't following, Rian shook his head with a laugh.

"Come on dude, you've looked enough. Let's go now, yeah?"

"Yeah, just hold on a sec," Jack replied, feeling his heart practically thud out of his chest once he could finally see around to the back of the float. Dancing along the back of the attraction, rounding up the group, was one of the absolute cutest boys Jack had ever seen. He had pretty blond hair that shone in the sunlight, and he even made the brightly coloured shorts and T-shirt he was wearing look presentable. He was the sort of boy that made Jack question his own appearance, his plain clothing, dirty sneakers and messy, dark hair. Nevertheless, he didn't push Jack away, only drawing him in more with these characteristics.

"Oh, dear Lord," Zack chuckled, crossing his arms. "Looks like he's found one he likes."

"Oh my God, guys, look! Oh my god!" Jack spoke quickly, hitting Rian repeatedly as he talked. "He's a total babe! I have to talk to him!"

"Ow," Rian whined, before grasping Jack's hand to stop it's motions. "He's busy, Jack. Just wait until later."

"What if I can't find him later?"

"That's too bad." Zack sighed, but Jack wasn't having any of it.

"No, it's fine. They're talking to people every once in awhile, look!"

"They're children, Jack. And besides, they're moving away." Rian explained, irritated with Jack's persistence.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to follow them."

"Holy shit, no."

"He's actually doing it!"

"Jack! What the fuck man?"

"What the hell are you doing?"

It was easy for Jack to block out the yelling of his friends beside him as he got closer to the float once more. The music drowned them out easily, but even if it wasn't there, Jack figured he would've been too focused on the dancer boy to care, anyway. A few seconds prior to falling in step next to said person, Jack had thought his idea was perfect. Once the blond boy became aware of his presence, though, he wasn't so sure.

"Um, hi," Jack said, sort of yelling, but trying not to because it kind of seemed rude.

"Hi," the boy replied with a smile, his eyes glinting as he greeted Jack. Jack almost fell to his knees right at that moment.

"So, uh, it's sunny? Great, right?" Jack stuttered, shaking his head when he finished his sentence. He got a laugh in reply, and was surprised with the boy's confidence when he answered.

"If you're going to try to keep talking to me, you should at least dance."

"Oh, sure," Jack said, moving to the music in a much less exaggerated way than the stranger, but moving nonetheless. "Sorry, I must sound like such an idiot."

"It's fine," the blond grinned, "I'm Alex."

"Jack."

"So, Jack, what brings you here?"

"Well, you do."

"I mean to the fair."

"Oh. Nothing, really, but I'm glad to have found something now."

Alex chuckled at Jack's blatant flirting. Realizing the darker haired boy was at least a bit dedicated, since they were now in a whole new area of the fair, and still dancing, he decided to get straight to the point.

"Listen, my break is in half an hour. Meet me behind the fountains over there, yeah?"

"Sounds cool."

About thirty five minutes later, behind the fountains Alex had pointed to earlier on, the two boys were making out like it was the middle of the night at a house party. Jack had been suspicious when Alex had gestured to the secluded spot, but he took it as some sort of a hint, and was glad when Alex had no complaints as Jack led their second greeting straight into kisses. Alex kept an eye out occasionally as they kissed, not wanting anyone from his team to find him like that. If it was one of his friends, he'd never hear the end of it, and if it was an instructor or administrator, he'd be in big trouble. They were supposed to either go into the break room or walk around with cheery attitudes during their breaks, and Alex knew what he was doing wasn't exactly appropriate enough to fit into the second option. The location was odd, but they didn't let it bother them, as Alex sat on Jack's lap on a bench. He had his arms around Jack's neck, while Jack's hands were positioned on both his waist and his cheek.

"Mm," Jack mumbled, several minutes later. "I have to go to the washroom. I'll be right back, okay, pretty?"

Alex nodded in response, sliding off of Jack's lap and watching as the other boy jogged away. In the meanwhile, he decided to check the time on the watch in his pocket, surprised to find out that he was expected back by his team in only thirty seconds. With no idea what to do, and no way to leave a note, Alex frowned heavily as he made his way back to his dance team's meeting spot, which happened to be all the way across the fair.

When Jack got back to the bench, he was confused as to where Alex had gone. It didn't seem like he was trying to make a getaway at any point, and Jack was the one who had just left. Figuring that the boy had maybe gone back to work, Jack headed back out to find his friends, forcing them to help look for the dancers until it was time for them to leave.

Unamused with the way Jack pouted all night, Zack and Rian had decided they'd had enough of their friend's moping.

"Dude, if you really liked him so much, go back and look for him." Rian sighed. Jack had told them all about Alex as they looked for him earlier that day, obviously having terrible luck. They weren't surprised with their friend's behaviour, but they were disappointed in Jack for not even getting a last name.

"But it costs so much money!"

"It sounds like it doesn't matter that much to you," Zack added, satisfied when Jack smiled in defeat.

"You're right, it doesn't."

Jack headed over to the fair on his own the next day, as Zack and Rian both already had plans. He traced his steps carefully, timed every move, until he was finally in the spot he had met Alex the day before. Sure enough, he could hear the music of the float drifting over from in the distance. Not long after, he felt a wave wash over him as he ran to the back of the float, a familiar face catching his eye. Alex caught his, too, and Jack was ecstatic to see the way the other boy's face lit up. He could see Alex mouthing something, words that seemed to look something like, 'meet at the fountains again.' Jack figured Alex's break was at the same time again, but he decided to head over to their spot a bit early, not wanting to get Alex in trouble by following him again.

Sure enough, Alex met up with Jack at the exact same time he had the day before. Jack stood up as soon as he caught sight of the shorter boy, walking over to him and wrapping him up in a hug. Pulling back only to press a kiss to his lips, Jack then asked, "Where did you go?"

"I had to go back to dancing, I'm sorry." Alex said softly, "I felt terrible."

"It's alright," Jack nodded, slotting his lips between Alex's for another kiss.

"Did you come back just for me?" Alex wondered minutes later, giggling as Jack's cheeks heated up. They had exchanged phone numbers just a few moments before, so they were safe this time, but Alex still couldn't help but to wonder.

"Uh, maybe?"

"I think you did."

"Yeah, you're right. I told you yesterday, remember? You're my reason to come here now."

"Hopefully not just here anymore, though, right?"

"Definitely."

Notes

hi!! as of now, this will only have 2 parts, but u should definitely sub in case there's more in the future :^)