The Essex Affect

I had to admit: when Jack offered me a ticket to the concert all his friends were attending, I was pretty hesitant. I had tried to beat up Alan, and I fucked a lot of shit up with Jack. However, when I asked them all on their thoughts about it, they seemed pretty down with me coming along, so I didn’t pass up the offer. “... Sounds like a plan!” I declared. Jack smiled and pulled me closer to his body. Taylor, Alan, and Austin also gave me warm smiles. I felt like I was part of the group again, and it felt so great to have the past be in the past. I wanted to make up for what I did and how I acted, and I knew this concert would be the perfect opportunity.

Gym was third period, and since I was pretty far in my pregnancy and the games we play could endanger the baby and I, I was to sit out until I went on maternity leave. I was sitting on the bleachers of the gym while everyone was playing badminton-- of course, my all time favorite gym game. I watched as Jack’s team was against a girl named Ashley’s team. Jack was in the center hitting the little shuttlecock across the net like a pro, and Ashley’s team members could never hit it back fast enough. Austin and Alan were purposely bumping into Jack and everything, but it never threw him off his game. As I sat there and admired Jack playing the game, I felt a presence come beside me. “Hey there, cutie.” Fuck, it was Oliver. I looked up at him and looked at him long enough so he could see the damage he had done.

“Hi.” I said plainly. I looked back at Jack playing because I wanted to avoid eye-contact at all costs. Oliver sat beside me without any distance between us.

“So, I was wondering if you wanted to come over my place tonight to watch a movie? I have Peter Pan, and I know it’s your favorite.” His offer struck me hard because it made me realize I never officially broke up with him. I just kinda kissed Jack a bit and even accepted to go to a concert with him. I sighed.

“Um, I kinda already have plans tonight, Oliver.”

“With who?” Oliver asked hurriedly. I looked over at him with a glare.

“Jack and his friends. We’re going to see Fall Out Boy together.”

“Oh no you’re not.” Oliver spat. I could tell Jack, Alan, and Austin were watching us out of the corner of my eye. “You’re not hanging out with them. You’re being with me tonight, Alex. I thought I made it very clear that --”

“That what?” Alan snarled as him and the others came up to us. Oliver looked up at Alan and gave him the fakest smile I had ever seen.

“... That I don’t appreciate him making plans on such short notice with me.” Yeah, bullshit, Oliver. Alan didn’t buy that for a second.

“Yeah, right. Alex wants nothing to do with you, bro. Him and Jack are back together, and they’re going to be together for a very long time.” What the fuck was Alan doing?! I never said anything of the sorts. I looked at Alan with widened eyes and gasped. Oliver looked down at me, appalled.

“You’re dating him? You went on with him without even having the decency with breaking up with me first?” I covered my face with my hands, beginning to panic. Jack knelt down and cradled me in his arms.

“Look, dude, just get the hell away from us. You’re hurting his feelings, and --”

“Fuck that little whore’s feelings!” And, before anyone could stop him, Oliver took his foot and kicked me dead in the jaw. I slid across the floor, out of Jack’s arms. I heard the gym teacher yell out to him and order him to the office. Oliver gladly accepted and stomped away. Jack ran to me and looked at my jaw. It was already swelling up and becoming purple. I pushed everyone off of me. I wasn’t in the mood for anyone’s pity.

“Alex, do you want me to --”

“I’m gonna go spend the rest of the period in the library.” I grabbed my bag and headed out of the gymnasium towards the library. I needed ‘me time’. I knew Jack and the others wanted to help, but right now, I didn’t need or want it. This was my problem, and I would have to fix it my own special way somehow.

---

That night, I had Tom drive me over to Jack’s place. I was in my Fall Out Boy varsity jacket, green skinnies, and combat boots. When we pulled up to Jack’s place, Tom stopped me from getting out. I looked over at him. “Tom? What’s wrong?” I asked. Tom sighed, patting my thigh.

“Don’t scare me like that again, kiddo. Okay? You… I thought I lost my baby brother and my nephew. You think I would want that?” Tom asked. I frowned.

“I’m so sorry, Tom. I promise, it won’t happen again. I was just upset and hurt. What Oliver was doing to me took a lot out of me, and I just did it out of spur of the moment.” I leaned in and gave Tom a tight hug. “I love you, bro. When I get home, I’ll probably be staying at Jack’s.”

“Okay, I’ll let mum and dad know.” As I was about to shut the door to go up to Jack’s place, Tom called out to me, “Make sure to buy me some merch!” I looked behind myself and gave him a finger gesture of “OK” before going through Jack’s door. In the living room, everyone was gathered up waiting. When I arrived, Taylor stood up and clapped.

“We can finally go! I am so excited!” Taylor gushed. Jack rolled his eyes and came up to me to embrace me.
“Hey, cutie. You sure you want to do this? I know that this might be hard for the baby.” Jack worried. I shook my head, patting his back.

“I’ll be just fine! I mean, come on, it’s FOB!” I giggled. Everyone laughed at my excitement, and soon, we were heading out the door to go see Fall Out Boy.

--

The concert was magnificent! The song line up was flawless, and the vibe coming off of people was amazing. As the band was singing “Young Volcanoes”, Jack and I were standing up and singing along with them. Austin and Alan were dancing around with Taylor down in the standing area. Since I couldn’t stand up for long, Jack was nice enough to sit with me in the seating area. As we sang, Jack turned me around to look at him. I looked at Jack with a wide smile. “Hey! What’s up?” I asked him as I swung my hips in a little dance. Jack rubbed my cheeks, making this moment go from fun to just peaceful and romantic. I leaned up against Jack’s chest to have the moment become warmer.

“You know, what Alan said really got me thinking. I… I want those feelings back -- those butterflies I had when we first started dating.” I blushed at Jack’s words. I reached down and laced our fingers.

“I agree. So, why don’t I bring back those feelings?” I offered. Jack nodded, giving me a cheeky grin.

“I would love that, Lex.” Jack and I then leaned in and kissed each other softly. People around us gave us ‘aw’s and ‘ooh’s, and it just urged me to move in closer. Jack, as we kissed, caressed my baby bump, and in response, Phoenix kicked against his palm.

Notes

tenth update!!!!!

xoxo krys