The Essex Affect

My time with Jack was fabulous. He told me all about his interests and when he started guitar. He told me about his family, and he told me how he does in school. Jack was an interesting dude, and I sat with him, I felt more comfortable telling him about myself. I explained to him how I conceived my baby, how my pregnancy has been going, and I even got to tell him I was doing in school. He got jealous of my school life was because of my advanced classes and magnificent grades. I cherished the jealousy, to be honest. It gave me the sense that I was as smart as everyone tells me I am because I never believe them when they tell me that kind of stuff.

When Jack left, my parents expressed how much they enjoyed Jack and his company, and they wouldn't mind him returning very soon. Inside, I wouldn't mind it either. He was a swell guy, and I truly could see us building a massive friendship. I was proud to tell my parents that I had made a friend on my first day; I, along with them, were worried that I wouldn't be able to fit in with a new crowd. I guess I proved us both wrong.

The following morning, I wasn't wakened by my alarm or my mum threatening to pour water over my head. Instead, I woke up by the sound of my phone going off. I picked it up to see a phone call from Jack. Yeah, we exchanged numbers while we talked, too. I picked it up and grumbled out a ‘Hello?’.

“Hey, Alex. You want a ride to school this morning?” Jack offered sweetly. I couldn't help but smile.

“You sure it won't be any trouble for you, Jack? I mean, my parents can just take me. I don't want you to go out of your way to take me to school.”

“It's no trouble, bro! I'm leaving in about five minutes to grab some breakfast from Starbucks. Sound good?”

“Um, yeah! Let me get changed, and I'll meet you outside, okay?” I cheerfully stated. I heard Jack chuckle over the phone.

“Alright, dude. See you soon.” With that, he hung up. I threw myself out of bed and changed at speeds I never knew I could reach. I ran downstairs, after changing and grooming, in a matter of two minutes. Three minutes to spare! Mum and dad looked at me like I was nuts; they couldn't believe their son was up so fucking early.

“Alex? You in a rush this morning? I mean, you got twenty minutes before we leave to take you to school.” Dad acknowledged. I shook my head, still glowing from ear to ear.

“Nope! Jack is picking me up to go get breakfast before school.” I informed as I grabbed my bag from the floor.

“Jack’s taking you?”
“Yeah! That's okay, right?”

“Why, of course it is, darling! I'm so glad you're making friends so early into the school year; Jack is such an amazing boy, too! Remind me to thank him when I see him next!” Mum gushed. I nodded happily. I looked at the clock and noticed that Jack should be pulling up any second. I threw my bag over my shoulder.

“Alright, you guys, I'll see you when I get home!” Without even listening to their goodbyes, I sprinted outside, and right when I got outside, Jack was pulling up. I waved excitedly, and through his windshield, I saw him giving me a cheesy smile and waving as well. I rushed over to his car and hopped in. “Morning, mate.” I greeted as he pulled out of my driveway.

“Good morning, Alex. You seem pretty happy this morning. Did I make you that happy about taking you to school?”

“I guess I was just excited about the free food. I don't care about you too much.” I scoffed. Jack playfully acted offended.

“Well! No breakfast sandwich for you, mister sass.” Jack stuck out his tongue. I rolled my eyes and pushed his side. We pulled into the Starbucks drive thru, and Jack ordered himself a Caramel Iced Coffee with a croissant while I ordered an orange juice and a breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese. Once we received our breakfast, we drove over to the school where we would eat our meal in the school parking lot.

I was munching on my sandwich when I noticed, at the corner of my eye, Jack staring at me. But, it wasn't at my eyes or face – it was at my stomach. I looked at him with pinched brows, and he didn't even notice because of how fixated he was with my gut. “Um, Jack?” I whispered. My words cut him from his trance, and he looked up at me with widened eyes.

“H-Huh?” he stammered.

“You were, um, staring at my stomach.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, Alex. I was just thinking about something.”

“About what?” I wondered. Jack, with flushed cheeks, shakily picked up his coffee and took a sip before explaining himself.

“I guess I was just curious as to, you know, how it feels to be pregnant. Is it weird to feel a baby inside of you? Or, does it feel like what it is to be full after a big meal?” I set my sandwich down and provided Jack with a slight shrug.

“I mean, it kinda feels like you're full, but it also sometimes feels like I am full of air. Overall, I don't mind the feeling of having a baby inside me. It's a cool feeling, to be honest.” Jack nodded, taking another sip of his beverage.

“I hope I didn't offend you by looking, Alex.” Jack frowned. I patted his thigh, giving him a generous smile.

“Offended, no. Glad you asked, yes.” I assured. Jack looked over with a smile forming on his lips. Him and I just enjoyed the rest of our breakfast before we had to retreat to class.


Lunch period snuck up behind everyone in a matter of what felt like seconds. I walked to the cafeteria and searched the mob of students for Jack’s table. I soon found him at a circular table all the way across the café with a few guys that I assume were his friends. I traversed over and tapped on his shoulder. Jack looked up and glowed upon seeing me. “Lex, hey!” Lex? Wow, he already gave me a nickname. I couldn't help but blush when he referred to me as Lex. “Wanna sit with us, dude? We don't mind at all.” I scanned the expressions of Jack’s friends, and they seemed to be interested in me; therefore, I sat beside Jack. I shyly set my lunch down onto the table. “So, Lex,” Jack perked up and pointed to one of his friends who had short hair and a silver nose ring, “this is Austin, and beside him,” he then pointed to a kid who was a red head, “is Alan.”

“Pleasure to meet you both.” I said softly. Austin, while chewing on the school’s home made cheesesteak, uttered out,

“So, Jack told us you're from England?”

“Yeah, I'm from Essex.”

“I have family from around that area!” Alan expressed. I grinned.

“It's a pleasant area.”

“Jack has told us a lot about you, Lexy.” Austin said with a chuckle. His words seemed to embarrass Jack a little, for he looked down at his lunch while trying to not make eye contact with me.

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“He said you're pretty cute, and that he wants to give you a big kiss!” Following Austin’s words, Austin and Alan made puckered lips at the both of us along with making obnoxious kissing noises. Jack must have been angered because when they said that, he slammed his hand down and shouted,

“I don't fucking think of Alex that way, okay? Can you two just shut the fuck up!” His words not only took Austin and Alan back, but it took me back as well. I looked down at my unopened lunch bag; it was obvious that I was shaken up by his words. I felt too sick to eat, now. Jack looked down at me with worry and guilt in his eyes. “Lex? I didn't say that to offend you. I'm –“

“Um, I forgot that I have to, um, talk to my counselor about switching classes. I'll catch you guys later, and it was, uh, nice meeting you guys, Alan and Austin.” With that, I ran out of the café with my bags. When I exited the cafeteria, I began to cry. I guess it was just my hormones that were flaming because I would never cry at something like this. What he said just hit me hard because I thought he would maybe feel about me that way? I don't know. All I know is, I stood there balling my eyes out until the bell for the lunch conclusion rung. with my bags.

Notes

ok so this may be a messed up chapter bc my ipad decided to be a bitch in the process

BUT

here's a long chapter :)

xoxo krys