::Alex::

We had made it to the halfway point of our tour of the UK and while, yes, it totally sucked being unable to see Brook every day in person, it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be.

Actually, it was pretty hard but it didn't want anyone to know how hard I was struggling because then I'd hear how lame I was for missing a girl I knew for a little over a month at this point.

I especially didn't want Brook to know how I really felt. I was a little surprised at how optimistic She had been whenever we spoke, seeing as she was such a wreck when we said see you later, I expected her to be a lot worse.

Throughout the day we did our best to e-mail each other seeing as the international rate for phone calls and texts were pretty steep, especially for Brook, who had the most basic cell phone plan of all time.

We spoke on the phone generally around nine o'clock each night when Brook would be getting ready for bed and despite it being five hours later for me, I would also being just getting ready for bed at 2am. Whenever possible we would talk over webcam. I lived for those moments when I got to see her face and watch her eyes light up when she smiled and the cute way her nose crinkled up when she laughed.

The most difficult part of our relationship so far had been just about two weeks after I left when the final football games before the Superbowl went down. My Ravens lost and Brook's Giants advanced to the big game.

She swore she was just as bummed about the Ravens' loss but at the same time I could tell she was relieved. It wouldn't have been pretty if the Ravens and the Giants had to play each other, especially because we would be home for Superbowl Sunday and I most likely would be spending the free time with Brook.

"Hey you," I smiled into my phone when it rang and Brook's name flashed on the screen.

"Hi Alex," she said excitedly into the phone. "What are you doing?"

"Just got back to the hotel. We had some after-party tonight. They let me DJ," I explained, hoping she couldn't detect my drunk voice.

"Well, that sounds like fun. Just how drunk are you right now?"

I frowned. "I'm not that drunk."

"Sure you aren't," she said with a giggle and my heart shook violently in my chest at the sound.

"Okay. Maybe a little," I caved. "What are you doing? Why do I hear voices around you?"

"Oh," she started. "I'm still at school."

"Who schedules guidance appointments at nine o’clock at night?" I gasped.

She giggled again. "No. I'm not doing appointments, silly," she giggled. "I'm helping out with the musical, remember? I told you about this the other night. Tonight is our late rehearsal night."

I nodded to myself. "Of course. Yes. I remember now. The other teacher is knocked up or whatever it is and can't handle all the work anymore."

"Exactly," she said.

"And you were worried about doing it because you're not entirely the most musically inclined individual," I continued. "But you're excited because they're doing Annie and Annie is one of your favorites."

"You're good," she said and there was her giggle again.

"How are you liking it?" I asked, settling back against the pillows on my hotel bed.

"It's pretty fun and the kids are so talented but I don't know exactly what I'm doing."

"Aww, Brook. I'm sure you're doing fine. Plus, it's your first time. You have time to learn," I assured her.

"I know. Jason is amazing. He's really good with the kids and explaining things to me."

"Jason?" I asked uneasy.

"Oh. Yeah, Jason is the band teacher at the school and the head of the musical theatre club. You'd probably like him. He's really talented, like you," she basically gushed.

"Yeah? Is he really cute like me too?"

"He's cute," she answered. "When I agreed to work with the musical a lot of the other ladies at the school were super jealous. I guess everyone's got a crush on this guy."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I mean, I get the appeal. He's very likable," she said.

"So do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Like him?"

"Like him? In the sense that he's a nice guy that I'm working with, yeah, I like him. In any other way, no, I'm not interested," she answered.

"Well, you could've had me fooled."

"Alex..." she said with a huff.

"Look, I'm sorry but you're gushing over how great and nice he is. What am I supposed to think?"

"I'm sorry if I gave off the wrong impression, Alex, but there is nothing going to happen between Jason and me," she said, the tone in her voice changing. "Plus, I'm pretty sure he has a girlfriend."

"Yeah. Like that would make a difference," I mumbled to myself, almost forgetting she could hear me.

"What's that?" she snapped.

"Nothing," I said quickly.

"I heard what you said, Alex."

"Then why did you want me to repeat myself?" I asked

"Wow, Alex," she grumbled. "You're a cranky drunk, huh?"

"I'm not cranky. I'm just not okay with the idea that you're going to be spending all this alone time with Prince Charming," I huffed.

"Seriously, Alex? You're being ridiculous."

"No. I'm not."

She sighed. "Well, if you don't have anything else to say I'm going to hang up now. This call is going to cost me way too much just to be annoyed."

"Go ahead. I wouldn't want you to keep Mr. Perfect waiting," I snapped.

"Wow," she sighed. "I can't deal with this right now."

"And you think I can deal with it? I'm a million miles away and you're hauled up with some cute band teacher," I grumbled.

"Yeah. And you think I'm okay with you going out at night to these parties with girls throwing themselves at you?" she shot back.

"But that's different," I defended myself.

"Different? How so?" she asked.

"Because I'm a guy," I replied, regretting it immediately.

"Really?" she practically gasped.

"Well, yeah-"

"Don't try and explain that one," she interrupted. "I don't think I can bare to listen."

"Fine," I sighed. "I won't."

She didn't say anything for a good thirty second and when I didn't either she finally spoke up again.

"Well I'm going to hang up now. It's been a great talk, Alex. I’m really glad I called you."

"Enjoy the rest of your night," I said, faking a smile in my voice. "Tell your new friend that I said hi."

"Whatever," she huffed and a second later the line went dead.

I know it was immature and I definitely came off like an asshole but I guess deep down I was just terrified that Brook would find someone else. The thought of her spending all that time alone with this guy who was apparently so great instantly drove me a little crazy.

::Brook::

"What a jerk," I huffed, snapping my phone shut.

"Hey Brook," someone said and a second later a hand landed on my shoulder. "Everything okay?"

It was Jason. I faked a smile.

"Yeah... Great. What's up?"

"I wanted to go over a few things before the kids came back from their break... You sure you're okay?" he pressed.

I sighed. "Yeah... It's fine."

"Boyfriend issues?"

"Yeah," I shook my head. "No... I don't know."

Jason raised his eyebrow at me.

"He's not my boyfriend but I guess he's not just my friend either," I shrugged.

He nodded. "You're in the awkward phase, huh?"

"Exactly," I nodded, stuffing my phone in my back pocket. "And now he's away for work for like a month, so it's just been stressful."

Jason nodded again. "A month is a long time."

"I know. It's almost longer than I actually know him. So, it stupid to fight over stupid things. But like... what if this is what it's always going to be like?" I rambled.

"Relationships are hard enough," Jason said. "Throw in some distance and it becomes almost impossible in some people's eyes."

I nodded. "Definitely."

"But there are some people who can make it work because they have no choice," he assured me.

"Who are those people?"

"Me and my girlfriend," he said with a shrug and my eyes snapped up to him. "My girlfriend lives in Nebraska."

"Wow," I said, my eyes going even wider. "How did that happen?"

He smiled. "We met in school in Boston and then after we graduated I came back home to Baltimore and she went back home to Nebraska and neither one of us were ready to let go of what we had. So, we make it work."

"How long have you been together?"

"We've been dating for three years but we've been doing the distance thing for a year and a half," he explained and I felt like an idiot.

"Wow," I rolled my eyes. "And here I am whining about some guy I just met a few weeks ago."

"It's okay. I know what you're going through. It's hard," he said.

"What do you guys plan to do in the future? I mean, three years is a long time... And there's a huge distance between you guys. At least me and Alex live in the same town," I rambled again.

I may have been asking too many questions but I was really intrigued.

"We know eventually one of us is going to have to move. But right now she's comfortable where she is with her job and family. And I'm good here with my situation. We decided a long time ago that we were going to live in the present and not dwell on the past and the what ifs for the future."

I smiled. "That's a good outlook."

He nodded. "I know you don't want to hear it but things are going to be okay with you and this Alex guy. You just have to be prepared for a lot of bumps in the road on the way."

"I was afraid you'd say that," I frowned.

"I know but I figured you need to hear the truth."

"I appreciated it," I nodded with a smile.

"Listen, I know you're bummed that you guys fought but know that sometimes Ali and I will pick stupid fights with each other just to make it easier."

"Easier how?" I asked confused.

"If Alex walked down this hallway right now, what would you do?" he asked.

"Right now? First, I'd probably hit him in the nose," I answered honestly.

"Exactly," he nodded. "It's easier to be away from someone if you're mad at them."

"Makes sense," I shrugged. "I just don't like it, you know? It feels weird right now."

"I understand," Jason said, shooting me a smile. "The best thing to do is distract yourself."

"You're right," I nodded. "Why do you think I agreed to help with the musical?"

He laughed. "Come on," he said, placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me towards the auditorium. "Sabrina is going to run through Tomorrow again and I noticed how big you smiled the last time she sang it."

Sure, Jason was a nice guy and sure he was really cute and had a great personality and was super talented. Sure, he was someone I would actually be able to see on a daily basis and sure, some of the ladies I worked with deemed him practically flawless.

Aside from the fact that he did have a girlfriend, he wasn't Alex and to me that was his biggest flaw.
***

Notes

Story Title: Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly
Chapter Title: Taylor Swift - That's The Way I Loved You
Brook's outfit.

Aww, their first fight...