The room was still dark when my eyes fluttered open, alerting that I had awoken from my sweet slumber. I lifted my head up from something hard and flat. I looked down to notice that it was Jack – yes, Jack… I smiled a tad at the fact that I had Jack with me, but soon, my smile morphed into a deformed ‘o’ shape when the feeling of nausea hit me like a ton of bricks. I scrambled out of the bed as quickly as I could and rushed to the bathroom. I knelt over the toilet and began to heave. A fall of my dinner and bits of my lunch poured into the bowl of the toilet. I guess this was my child's way of telling me that the morning sickness stage was far from over, and I cussed it out mentally.

As the contents of my stomach escaped my throat and into the toilet, I felt a hand brush against my back. My eyes were clamped shut, so at first, I could tell who the person was. But, when they spoke up, I knew exactly who it was. “You okay, Lex?” they – Jack – whispered softly. I let out a strangled cough before I replied.

“It's just – erm – morning sickness. I'm alright.” I assured him. I sat up for a moment, and I wiped the thick saliva off my mouth. I remained in that position for a few moments just in case my stomach would decide to go for a second round. As I sat there taking in deep breaths, Jack continued to rub my back while whispering sweet coos into my ear. He was so comforting and caring, and even, he was a little charming. I had never felt such a sense of comfort in a long time. Don't get me wrong, when I was a wee child, my mum would care for me like a mother hen to a chick. However, what Jack was doing was something I have always desired in a guy – something I have always dreamed of having.

The minutes I had to wait were over, so I flushed my vomit down the toilet and stood up shakily. Jack held my hand as I rose up. “You sure you're okay, Lex?” he quizzed. I nodded, swallowing saliva to coat my raw throat.

“I promise that I'm okay.” I walked over to the sink to brush my teeth, but I immediately froze when I felt Jack’s arms wrap themselves around my waist. I looked in the mirror to find his head balancing on my shoulder with a smile stretched across his skin. I looked into his eyes, by the mirror, and asked, “What are you smiling about, mister?”

“Just you.” He admitted.

“What about you?”

“You just have this natural glow about you that I love… You're an amazing dude, Lex.” I gave up on brushing my teeth; I set the tooth paste and toothbrush down and turned myself to look at Jack. His arms still roped around my bloated waist.

“I am amazing, eh?” I cocked a brow. “How's that? You just met me not even a few days ago.”

“Time doesn't matter to me. When I have the feelings, time isn't a factor. If I feel it, and I act upon it, they're real whether it took a year to develop or even an hour.”
“I like the way you think, Barakat.” I chuckled. I reached back and gave him a tiny slap on the bottom. Jack, mocking my actions, cocked up one of his brows.

“What was that for?”

“What? Time isn't a factor here, Jack. Now, let's head to bed – I and the baby are exhausted.”

---

That day at school was the day we had to present our project to our Music Appreciation class. I had to admit that I was sweating bullets. Yeah, I told Jack I wasn't scared of performing in front of a crowd, but that was a bullshit lie. I had never performed in front of anyone before, and this would be my first time in front of kids I didn't even know. The pressure was on, but I had to do this not only for the grade, but for Jack.

Groups went up and performed without a care. Two kids went up there and did a clarinet and flute duet while another girl went up and sang the National Anthem in Spanish. Interesting? Finally, towards the last few minutes of the period, Jack and I were called up to perform. Jack and I waltzed up to the front of the class, and Mr. Biersack provided me with a chair to sit on. I clutched my guitar in my clammy hands before speaking up. “So, um, this is Jack and I’s song that we are dedicating to where we live – Baltimore. The song is called For Baltimore, and we hope you enjoy it.”

Slowly but surely, I began to strum out the beginning chords of the song. The students sat there with blank faces while they watched Jack and I played our instruments lightly. I counted in my head the measures until I was able to begin singing, and soon, I was blaring out the lyrics with strength and passion.

Mayday situation overload
I'm restless, obsessed with your future
And all my worries they don't bother you
Collected, you render me useless
But I carry on

Right now, I think that you think that I'm
Half drunk, searching for something of
Substance, casually dropping a line, designed
To keep you next to me
I can't awkwardly craft in advance
I know, that you wouldn't fall for that
You say "Shut up and take my hand"
And we carry on

As I continued to sing out the lyrics, I could see in the audience that kids were practically shocked that I was singing like this. Honestly, I couldn't believe I was either. I continued to blare out the lyrics and soon, the chorus.

I don't wanna say goodnight
The city comes alive, when we're together
Why can't Thursday last forever
I don't wanna say goodnight
I've never been so sure
Just do it for the memories
Do it for Baltimore
And do it for me

Each lyric I sang came out with so much power that my throat began to ache. My finger tips were beginning to bleed at how hard I was playing the guitar, and I think I was practically overpowering everything Jack was doing. The audience’s jaws were against their desks, and their eyes were the size of the moon. I, the quiet little new kid, was singing like I belonged on a broadcasted singing competition.

Minutes later, I made it through the entire song. But, I added a lyric of my own – a lyric that was so genuine that everyone gasped at, even Mr. Biersack.

Do it for Baltimore
And do it for me
So, Jack Barakat,
Will you be with me?

Notes

ok so i was kinda disappointed to see our rating go from 10.0 to 9.6, but don't worry -- that won't stop me from updating!

i hope you guys enjoy this chapter :)

xoxo krys