Jack

Today was interesting, to say the least. I spent practically the entire day at Alex’s side. I was protecting him like I promised I would, but I still didn’t think he completely trusted me just yet.
He’s still shy and timid, and he stutters and always seems so unsure of himself. Or maybe just unsure of me.
I get it’s kinda weird that I never even paid him any attention at all before all this, and now suddenly I’m being all nice to him.
I guess maybe he doesn’t think I’m being serious about this whole thing. I honestly feel a really strong need to protect him, and I don’t know.. Make sure he’s okay. I’d never tell that to his face, though. I’m no open book.
Once school ended, I decided to offer Alex another ride.
“Hey, you need a lift to mine?” I asked him, as we walked out of the building together.
“B-but it’s not even raining..” He said, softly, looking at me with a bit of confusion on his face.
“I could still drive you. Quicker than walking.” I shrugged, with a small smile on my face.
Maybe he’d be more open to trusting me if I would act a little friendlier.
“O-oh um..” He seemed to be having a little mini debate in his head.
“Come on, don’t say no.” I chuckled a bit, making him smile a little.
“O-okay.. Sure.”
I smiled, and pulled him over to my bike by his arm.
I got on, and felt him get on behind me, instantly wrapping his arms securely around me.
Guess he learned from last time.
I started up my motorcycle, and started driving to my house.

Once we were in the garage, he hopped off immediately, just like last time.
“Why so scared? Too fast for you?” I asked, getting off.
“I-it’s just k-kinda scary.. I’m just not used to it, I guess.” He shrugged, looking at the floor.
“Wimp.” I rolled my eyes, seeing him flush with embarrassment and frown down at his hands.
Shit. Forgot how sensitive he was.
“Hey, sorry. I was kidding.”
He looked up at me in shock, then.
I gave him a confused glance, then he blinked a few times, snapping out of it.
“O-oh um.. It’s okay.” He gave me a small, reassuring smile.
I nodded, and took off my shoes, walking into the house.
He followed suit, and sat next to me at the kitchen table.
We started taking out our books, when I realized I forgot my manners.
“Oh I’m sorry! Would you like anything to like.. Eat or drink or whatever?”
He gave me another one of those surprised looks, and shook his head looking back at the table.
“You sure?”
He didn’t respond this time, seeming lost in thought.
“Uh.. It kinda requires an answer.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” He asked, looking back up at me.
“I thought we’ve been over this. I’m supposed to protect you.”
“Yeah, at school. I didn’t know the same rules applied everywhere else.”
I sighed, and scratched my head.
“Well would you rather me be mean to you?”
“N-no.. I-I didn’t say I didn’t like it.. It’s just..different.” He shrugged.
“Is it a good different?”
“More so for me than for you. I-I’m a nobody. You’re somebody. I’m such a downgrade..” He looked down at his hands.
Oddly enough, it actually kind of hurt me a little to hear him talk that way about himself.
But I didn’t give a damn about a bad reputation.
“You’re not a nobody, Alex. Don’t fucking say that.” I said, with a bit of anger in my tone.
I could tell it kind of startled him a little.
“I-I’m sorry, I-I just-“
“You sound like all those pricks at school. They think they could just call someone a name and make it their new identity. Those people don’t know you. And I don’t mean it like you’re invisible. I mean they only see you as some label an asshole gives you. I hardly know you myself, but after three days, I already know you’re not a nobody.”
He froze, staring at me in shock, thinking over my words in his head. Then, he quickly looked down, blinking his eyes quickly as if he was blinking tears away.
“Aw come on.. Don’t cry on me.”
“I-I’m sorry, it’s just.. Th-that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” He sniffled.
“Yeah well, don’t get used to it. I was just saying. It’s true.” I shrugged.
He looked over at me and gave me a true, genuine smile.
His eyes were a little red and puffy, but he was, well.. Beautiful.
No one could deny that.
I smiled back at him, and looked at my work.
“So.. History.”
“Oh.. R-right.” He looked at his book, and wiped his eyes carefully, as if he didn’t wanna mess something up.
I shrugged it off, and started working with him.

It was near the end of our session, when he started getting nervous and cleared his throat.
“Got something to say?”
“Um.. Y-yeah. I-I was just wondering if- I know you probably won’t want to but- it’s okay if you say no but-“
“Come on, get on with it.”
“Um.. W-would you like to come to my house? I’m supposed to have my two friends over after this, and I-I don’t know.. Th-this is stupid, I know you wouldn’t want to-“
“I’d love to.” I cut him off without thinking.
“R-really? You would?” He seemed kinda happy about it.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into, meeting his friends, but it was whatever.
“Why not?”
“O-okay.. We can go once we finish, then.” He smiled, and looked back at the paper.
I smiled a bit, and nodded.
I wonder how this would go.

Notes

Aww Jackyy.

School makes updates slower yay!

Also, Bree is super pretty and nice and I wish I was her okay bye cx

Thanks! :)

Title cred: Ferrari- The Neighbourhood