I sat at the dinner table with my body slumped over in my chair, my fork still resting beside my plate, and my mouth sealed shut. Tom, his newest chew toy, Ashley, mum, and dad sat around the table with laughter and words flying out left and right. Ashley would tell a joke about her home life, Tom would add onto it, and mum and dad would lose their shit. It was a daily cycle around the dinner table that night, and I wanted no part of it. At some points, I would pick up my fork and poke at the veal that was served before me, but I wouldn’t have the energy to eat. I placed my fork down beside the plate while continuing to listen to the cackling hens I called family around the table.

The family dinner soon came to an end, and somehow, I was finally recognized because mum perked up with, “Alex, you didn’t eat any of your dinner.” Now, all eyes were on me. I was the only one at the table with a full plate while everyone else’s plates were bone dry. I looked at mum with lifeless eyes.

“Not hungry.” I said bluntly before I stepping from the table and storming upstairs. I walked into my room, shut and locked the door, and sat at my desk. I opened my laptop, and once it was opened, my Facebook page immediately popped up. It was the last site I was on, I guess. On the side of my screen was a chat box where Jack and I had been talking; the sight of it made me remember why this site was still running on my shut laptop. That very night before, Jack and I were talking to each other about Oliver, and Jack assured that he would protect Phoenix and I. Beside his name was his profile picture which was one of us. I was so happy to be beside him, and the more I stared at the picture, the more my stomach began to hurt. What didn’t help my aching stomach was me reading over the messages.

Jack: Baby, I will be with you and Phoenix for as long as you want me to be.

Me: I really want it to be forever. I feel so close to you, Jacko.

Jack: Then forever it is then, Lex.

Tears were pouring down my cheeks. Why did I keep losing Jack? I needed him, and I needed him now. I grabbed my coat off of my bed and jogged downstairs. Everyone was in the living room, and right before I could leave, Tom perked up, “Where are you going, sport?”

“I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back in like an hour.” I didn’t say another word. I ran out of the door and began to walk my way to Jack’s.

It only took a short 15 minutes to arrive at Jack’s. His driveway was only consuming his car, so I assumed his parents were out on business for the millionth time since we met. I knocked on the door to find it creak open when my fist came in contact. I peeked inside; the house was eerily quiet. “Jack? Jack, you here?” I called out. No reply. I decided to step inside and look around. The kitchen was empty, the living room was empty, and even his bathroom. So, I thought he would be upstairs in his room.

I walked upstairs to head to his room when I started to hear sounds. The sounds sounded like heavy breathing and … moaning? As I inched closer to the room, the sounds were distinctly clear to be moans, I felt my sink to my gut. I got in front of his door and pressed my ear against the door. I could hear the creaking of the bed, moans of Jack and a girl that was -- oh my God. It was fucking Taylor. Jack was gay, and he was screwing around with Taylor?! I grew the balls to turn the knob of the door and swing the door open. My assumptions were right.

Jack was nailing Taylor into the bed like it was his life’s destiny. When the door collided with the wall behind it, both Jack and Taylor were startled and looked in the direction of the door. Taylor gasped, pushing Jack off of her while Jack struggled to pull the covers over his junk. “A-Alex! What are you doing here?” Jack stammered as he cowered in the corner. I stare directly at Taylor with tears dripping down my cheeks.

“I came to apologize for earlier today. I felt bad because I thought I deserved what you said.” I admitted. Taylor looked at me with guilt.

“Alex… you didn’t.” she whimpered. I glared at her. “We’re so sorry about this, Alex. It… it --”

“Don’t you fucking dare say it was a mistake.” I snarled. I looked into Jack’s eyes now. “You told me that it would be forever. You told me you would be here for Phoenix and I, and you lied. You betrayed the both of us.” Jack shook his head so fast that I thought it would pop off his shoulders.

“No! It still can be forever, Alex! I want it to be!” Jack defended himself.

“I don’t want to fucking hear it!” I screamed. “You cheated on me, goddammit! We didn’t even break up, and you’re fucking her like you missed her or some shit! I love you, Jack!” I couldn’t stop cry; my heart was racing. I couldn’t believe that of all moments I had to tell him, I told him then and now that I had fallen in love with him. Taylor gasped, covering her mouth while Jack looked at me in disbelief.

“W-What?”

“I fucking love you… with all my heart.” I croaked. I looked down at my stomach, clutching it for dear life as I sobbed. Jack slowly traversed over to me and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. I didn’t acknowledge it.

“Alex, I love --”

“Please, do not say it back because this just proves you don’t.” I pulled my body away from his hold and started to move towards the door once again. “I am going to go back home, and I’m going to discuss with my parents about leaving school and going back to Essex. I really can’t take being here anymore.”

“Alex, no!” Taylor begged. I could hear that she was crying as well. Jack repeated her words along with repeating her same exact tone. I shook my head at the both of them, and I turned to silently leave. I went through his front door and slammed it shut.

---

I stayed in my room when I arrived home and talked to my parents. I explained to them that being here just wasn’t working out, and they said they would discuss moving back home to Essex. They said that, if they agree on it, Tom and I would go while they remained in the States. That was good enough for me.

In my room, I had a tiny matchbox car in between my nimble fingers. It was the M&M NASCAR vehicle, and it was the one my grandpop gave to me before he passed when I was about eight years old. I took the car and rested it on the peak of my curved belly. I pushed the car down the hill of my stomach with my index finger. The rolling of it against my skin tickled, and it caused me to giggle, but what made me feel so much better was Phoenix. The car against my stomach made him kick, and when he did, the kick lifted my stomach a slight tad. I placed my hand right where the skin had been lifted and whispered, “I am never going to leave you, Phoenix. You’re staying with me for a long time.”

I remained on my bed just whispering sweet nothings to my developing baby boy.

---

*Jack’s POV*

When Alex left, I was torn to a billion pieces. I loved him, and I find out he loves me right after I fuck my best friend. I told Taylor to sleep on the couch that night, and Taylor didn’t oblige. We also agreed to never let that happen again, and that tomorrow at school, I would make it up to Alex about what I had done to him.

I woke up extra early to get ready while Taylor got herself situated. Once we were both ready, I drove us to school. Taylor went on her merry way when we arrived, but as for me, I went to Alex and I’s spot. I walked down the hill to where the tree was sitting, and surprisingly, Alex was resting against it. Thankfully, no raging Oliver’s were around; he was by his lonesome. I waltzed over to him and plopped down beside him. He had his headphones on while he was reading a graphic novel. I think it was called manga? I don’t know, some anime comic.

Alex pulled out a headphone when I arrived and looked at me with his blood-shot, baggy eyes. He looked awful, and I knew it was all my fault. “Hey, Lex.” I greeted hesitantly. Alex just waved and looked back down at his novel. I scooted closer and looked down at the novel. My eyes instantly widened. “Please tell me you know you’re reading that backwards.” Alex looked at me like I was a complete idiot.
“Uh, duh? Manga is made to be read like this.” I bounced my brows.

“Oh, well, that’s kinda du -- I mean, cool.” I coughed. Alex rolled his eyes and kept reading. I sighed, reaching slowly and placing a hand on his bump. His attention was, for the third time, ripped from his novel. I guess he got sick of it because he slammed the novel shut and threw it to the side.

“Jack, I swear to God, if you’re here to suck up like a little bitch, I’m not dealing with it.”

“Just hear me out, okay? Please!” I begged.

“Fine.” he spat.

“I just felt so bad, and… Taylor was there. She made me feel better, and I guess things got out of hand.”

“Yeah, they did. You threw me away like garbage. You get mad when I went with Oliver after our break-up, but you go and fuck Taylor while we’re fucking dating, Jack. And, if I remember correctly, your ass is gay.”

“I guess I was curious?” My words didn’t help, for Alex began to collect his things and try to leave. I scrambled to pull him back. “Stop, please! Alex, I love you, and I am so sorry. Please, what I said to you on IM the other day still means something to me. I want to remain with you and Phoenix, please… I can’t lose you.” Alex looked at me, scanning every detail in my face.

“You really mean that?” he asked, wanting to make sure he wasn’t going to get into something I was lying my ass off about. I nodded, my hand rubbing all over his bulging tummy.

“I mean it. I promise, it’s you and you only, Lex. I’m so so so so sorry.” Alex finally gave me a smile, and he shrugged.

“I guess I can give you one more chance. Just, please… no more being curious while you’re with me. If you want sex, just ask. You’re looking at a pregnant boy who masturbates at least six times a week because he needs to cure his constant horniness.” His words made me blush, and Alex let out a giggle. Alex leaned in and pressed his warm and soft lips against mine. I pushed mine against his with much more passion. When the kiss concluded, I whispered against them,

“I love you, Alex. And, you didn’t deserve what I said the other day. I was just upset that someone I loved was letting a maniac like Oliver off free of charge.” Alex frowned, petting my stubbled cheek.

“I know. I kinda overreacted, but I forgive you. Just, let me handle Oliver the way I want to, please.” Alex pecked my cheek quickly. “I love you, too, by the way.” I helped Alex stand up while I collected all his things. I handed them back to him in an organized fashion. “Now, if you really want to make it up to me, you go buy me a danish from the cafeteria -- lemon!” Alex squeaked in. I rolled my eyes, patting his bum as I started to walk with him towards the cafeteria.

“You got it, mama.”

Notes

updating for a second time!!! i may update once more before I give bree the time to write up her new update which will be in about a week if i remember correctly. if not, i leave you with this until then.

this chapter was 'eh' to me. i'm kinda exhausted writing it, and i felt it was pretty choppy. hopefully, though, you all liked it :)

xoxo krys