Everything is fine

Alex’s POV

I got to the school gates where Eddie left me to go to his group of friend and I was looking for Jack but I couldn’t find him.
“Hey Alex, you okay?” Cara asked as she walked over to me.
“Yeah, have you seen Jack around?” I said as I looked at her and Cara frowned a little but shook her head.
“No I haven’t seen Jack, but maybe you should ask Roo, he knows where Jack is.” Cara said and I nodded but then frowned.
“Which one is Roo?” I asked and Cara chuckled and pointed to another group of popular people.
“Roo is the one with the hat on.” Cara said and I smiled as I walked over to the group of people.

“Hey which one of you is Roo?” I asked and they all stopped talking and looked at me which made me uncomfortable slightly.
“That’s me.” A boy said as he stepped forward.
“Can I speak to you please.” I said and the boy nodded and we stepped away from the group and went somewhere a bit more quieter.
“Where’s Jack?” I asked and Roo sighed loudly.
“Jack is at home, Look I don’t know what Jack has told you or what you are too Jack but he could really do with a friend right now.” Roo said and I nodded.
“Jack hasn’t told me much and if you really want to know what I am to Jack then I’m his boyfriend.” I said and Roo looked at me shocked.
“The bastard kept that quiet.” Roo said and I smiled slightly.
“Here, have my keys and let yourself in. Jacks room is upstairs and the door straight in front of you.” Roo said and gave me his keys which made frown at him.
“But I don’t know where you live.” I said and Roo chuckled slightly.
“It’s 2 blocks away from here.” Roo said and I was still confused.
“You are talking to a British person here, we rarely use that word.” I said and Roo laughed quietly.
“Okay so it will be like 5 streets away from here. I don’t bloody know to be honest but give me your number and I’ll text you my address.” Roo said and I nodded and him my number as I took Roo keys and I turned around and walked to where Jack lived.

I got to Jack’s house and let myself in since Roo said his mum was working all day so Jack would be alone.
“Jack you home?” I called up the stairs as I took my shoes off and I heard someone moving around and a door opened and I looked up the stairs and saw Jack looking at me confused.
“How did you get into my house?” Jack asked.
“I spoke to Roo because I’m worried about you and he gave me his keys and yeah so I legally broke into your house.” I said and Jack smiled slightly and he walked down the stairs and stood in front of me.
“Also if you wanted to tell Roo about us then you’re a bit slow as I kinda had to tell him about us.” I said and Jack nodded and I pulled him gently towards me and hugged him and held him close which Jack returned and hid his face in the crook of my neck.
“It’s okay, let me look after you.” I whispered as I kissed the side of his head and Jack pulled back and looked at me.
“But what about you? You’ve got loads going on and you shouldn’t be worrying about me.” Jack said and I rolled my eyes.
“I am fine. You on the other hand are not fine so you are in need of unlimited cuddles and watching crap on tv and me looking after you because you need someone to take care of you for a change.” I said and Jack smiled and I lent forward and kissed him which Jack returned.
“Put some clothes on, I’ll make us a drink and something to eat and then we can watch crappy movies and have cuddles.” I said and Jack nodded and went upstairs and I went looking for the kitchen and the stuff in the kitchen.

“Do you want to talk about what the matter is?” I asked as I played with Jack’s hair since his head was on my lap.
Jack looked at me and I smiled at him.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Just know that I’m here and if you want to talk then I’m all ears.” I said quietly and Jack smiled at me as I lent down and kissed him which Jack returned.
“How old was you when you found out that Eddie was autistic?” Jack asked and I frowned as I thought about it.
“I was about 12 when Eddie went through the tests and then he was diagnosed when I was 14.” I said as I looked back at Jack.
“Would you have him like he is or somebody else?” Jack asked and I chuckled.
“I wouldn’t change him for world. Yeah he’s a pain in the ass and he gets on my nerves and we argue but that’s what siblings do. I just have to be a bit more aware of what I say because Eddie can take anything to heart. But I love him and I wouldn’t change him. Despite how fucked up I am, I can look at Eddie and just see that little bit of happiness he has about the world and I know that I can fuck up but Eddie will still look at me like the sun shines out my ass.” I said and Jack smiled at me.
“I have a brother.” Jack whispered and I looked at him.
“I have a full brother called Casey.” Jack said a little louder and I nodded.
“Want to talk about him?” I asked carefully as Jack started to mess with my hands.
“He’s in prison.” Jack said quietly.
“I don’t know if I should ask why.” I said not sure if Jack will answer.
“He’s a psychopath.” Jack whispered and I smiled sadly and kissed his forehead.
“We don’t have to talk about this.” I said quietly and kissed Jack.
“You don’t care?” Jack asked quietly.
“I don’t really care. As long as you are not like him then I don’t give a flying fuck about this Casey dude.” I said and Jack smiled which made me smile.
“Sit up, I fancy a tea and I’m guessing you want a coffee.” I said and Jack smiled.
“Yeah a coffee sounds good. Hey you want a cigarette, I can roll you one while you make the drinks.” Jack said and I smiled as it feels like Jack was back to himself again.
“That sounds good to me.” I said as I got our mugs and went to the kitchen and made our drinks.

Me and Jack must of fell asleep on the sofa as I was rudely woken up by a woman speaking loudly followed by Jack talking.
“Who the fuck is he Jack and how the fuck did he get into our house!” The woman said loudly.
“This is Alex and he is my boyfriend and Roo gave him his keys.” Jack said sleepily as he rolled away from me.
“And why weren’t you at school young man.” The woman said and I groaned loudly as I sat up which made Jack grumble as he sat up as well.
“I was having a shit day.” Jack said as he lent against me.
“What even is your name?” The woman asked and looked at me.
“Alexander, but everyone calls me Alex.” I said and the woman looked at me since I had my hand out to shake it which also meant my scars was on show.
“This the boy who has all that trouble?” The woman said and I slowly retracted my arm as I looked down and stood up.
“Don’t go Alex.” Jack said and I looked at him and smiled and I lent down and kissed the top of his head.
“It’s fine, you have to talk to your mum okay. Text me if you want to talk to me and I’ll reply. I might fall asleep but I’m always here for you okay.” I whispered as I looked at the woman and walked out the room and put my shoes on and walked home.

———————————————————————————————————————

“Why weren’t you at school?” Mum asked as I was sat round the island drinking yet another tea while getting told off by mum.
“Because Jack needed a friend so I bunked and spent that time around Jack’s and to cheer him up a little.” I said and mum looked at me.
“You can’t throw you education away Alexander.” Mum said seriously.
“I’ve already got my grades Mum, I got my grades when we was in England so therefore I technically don’t need to go to school anymore.” I said and mum frowned at me as she walked over to me and sat in the seat next to me.
“Well me and your father can’t trust you in the house on your own and you’re too young to get a job so sadly son you have to go to school.” Mum said and I groaned loudly and rested my head on the table.
“You’re a smart lad Lex, use your brains and get better grades. You haven’t got the worry of going to hospitals, the worry of when your next fix is coming from. You are happy and healthy for the first time in a really long time and you can get the education you deserve.” Mum said and I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah but also despite everything what was happening, I still managed to pass school with most of the predicted grades.” I said and mum smiled.
“I know you did but you can do better this year because I know you are a bright young man.” Mum said and I smiled as the door bell went.
“I’ve got it.” Mum said and walked out the room and I just sighed loudly
“He’s in the kitchen.” I heard mum say which made me frown and I looked and saw Jack standing in the door way.
“So um, everyone is out and I don’t want to be on my own.” Jack said and I smiled as I stood up and walked over to him and pulled him into a hug which Jack returned.
I pulled back slightly and kissed Jack which he returned and mum walked into the kitchen.

“Would you like tea?” Mum asked which made Jack frown slightly.
“Not the drink tea, the food tea.” I said and Jack looked confused.
“Yeah I’ll have dinner.” Jack said and I smiled as I caught hold of his hand and we went to the sitting room where Eddie was.
“Why is Jack here?” Eddie asked as he made himself comfy beside me as Jack lent against me.
“Because I have friends, anyway I told you me and Jack are together.” I said and Eddie frowned at me.
“So you don’t want to hang around with me anymore?” Eddie asked quietly as he looked down and Jack moved so I could pull Eddie to my side.
“Of course I want to hang around with you, I just might have Jack joining us.” I said and Eddie looked at Jack unsure slightly since Eddie was different around outside of school than what he is in school.
“Boys you have homework to do.” Mum said and all 3 of us groaned loudly.
“I don’t have any to do.” I said and Jack frowned slightly as Eddie got up and walked out the room to do his homework.
I looked at Jack.
“Let’s go upstairs.” I said quietly and Jack nodded and he went upstairs to my room.

“You’ve cleaned your room and actually got a bed.” Jack said and I chuckled as I jumped onto my bed.
“Well I have nothing better to do with my time since I’m currently sober so I managed to get mum and dad to buy me a bed.” I said and Jack chuckled as he walked over and sat on my bed.
“At least it’s more comfortable than just a mattress.” Jack said and I smiled at him as Jack made himself at home by lying down and I did the same only I rested my head on his stomach where Jack started to mess with my hair.
“How long have you been sober now?” Jack asked.
“It has been 4 weeks since I’ve had heroine, 5 weeks since cocaine, 3 weeks since I’ve been out to a party and got stupidly drunk, it’s also been 3 weeks since Xanax and 1 week since I’ve had a joint.” I said as I tried to think of anything else I take and currently sober on.
“That’s amazing Alex.” Jack said proudly as he sat up and moved so he was closer to me but also facing me.
“But I feel like I could just relapse.” I said quietly as I looked down but Jack made me look at him.
“You are so close to being a month sober. You can do this Alex, I am going to be right beside you.” Jack said softly.
“You realize, I can normally make it to 60 days before I relapse again. You know the whole going crazy crying in the shower saying how much I’ve fucked up, there could also be self harm as well. It’s not pretty Jack.” I said and Jack smiled as he kissed me which I returned.
“I don’t care, I said I am going to be right beside you and that’s what I’m going to do. Im going to support you through this and see if you can make it past 60 days.” Jack said and I couldn’t help but smile.
“If you want to run then you can. I’m not stopping you.” I said and Jack chuckled and kissed me again.
“I’m staying right here beside you.” Jack said against my lips and kissed me again.
“Hey Alex I need your help.” Eddie said ruining the mood as he walked into my room.
“Damn this child.” I whispered and Jack chuckled as he moved and Eddie walked over and made himself at home on the bed and got me to help him with his homework.

After we had dinner we was all sat in the sitting room like we always do watching crap on tv.
“Do you parents know you’re here Jack?” Dad asked as he sat next to mum who was busy doing work on her laptop.
“Yeah, I told my mum I was here and was probably staying the night if that’s okay with you guys.” Jack said and mum looked over her laptop and smiled at us.
“Course sweetie, if you want to stay round and your family knows then we don’t care.” Mum said as she looked at dad who didn’t looked too pleased but I knew he would agree as those two was high school sweethearts and mum lived with dad at one point.
“Can I have friends round?” Eddie asked and I was in a mean mood so I had to say what I had to say.
“You don’t have friends.” I said and Jack slapped my chest.
“Don’t be so mean.” Jack said and I rolled my eyes.
“Jack’s my friend.” Eddie said.
“Yeah well he’s my boyfriend so boyfriend trumps friend and also I’m not giving my cuddles up so fuck you.” I said and mum gave me a stern look over her laptop.
“Don’t be mean to your brother.” Mum said and I rolled my eyes.
“Hey Ed.” I said and Eddie looked at me.
“Love you buddy.” I said as I knew it would always bring a smile on his face which it did and he came over to me and sat next to me and gave me a huge hug which I returned as Eddie would only hug me and not let others touch him.
“Love you too Lex.” Eddie said quietly which made me smile.
Jack looked at me and I smiled at him.
“I know how to win him back over again.” I said and Jack chuckled and we went back to watching what ever crap we was watching.

“Why must he be so lively at this time of night.” Jack grumbled as he got into bed just as Eddie decided to have a meltdown about something.
“He’s not lively, he’s having a meltdown about something. But mum and dad will sort him out soon so hopefully he’ll settle down.” I said as I looked for something to watch on Netflix.
“Does this happen often?” Jack asked and it made me chuckle.
“Only when his bedding has been changed because he hates the washing powder we now use. It’s also could be because he had to have his bedding changed that it isn’t the covers he is literally obsessed with.” I said and Jack looked at me.
“Trust me this is mild compared to when we first moved here. He would proper lose it every night because it was a different room and all that and it wasn’t to how he likes things and there is also the change in time and all that crap which Eddie doesn’t cope well with.” I said as I looked at Jack.
“Don’t you wish he was normal sometimes? Like there’s no meltdowns p, you can’t say whatever you want with him and all of that?” Jack asked and I smiled.
“There are days I wished I had a normal brother but those day are rare as I love him for who he is and I will always protect him, I would still protect him even if he was normal.” I said and Jack nodded.
“Honestly he is amazing once you get to know him and he adores spicy food and will eat the most spiciest food around and wouldn’t flinch.” I said and Jack smiled and chuckled quietly.
“I’m sure if your circumstances was different you would be the same with Casey.” I said quietly and looked at Jack.
“Casey is older than me, Yeah I admit when we was younger you wouldn’t be able to find Casey without me and it was the same with Casey and me. We was like two peas in a pod. But then the incident happened and Casey changed, he changed into someone I don’t even know anymore.” Jack said quietly and I smiled at him as I rolled onto my side and moved some hair from his face.
“You can always take Eddie under your wing. I know he really wants to be your friend but is a bit challenged on making friends.” I said and Jack chuckled.
“You are so mean to him.” Jack said and I smiled as I moved closer to Jack.
“But I love him and he’s also my brother so I’m allowed to be mean but I know my boundaries.” I said and Jack just hummed in agreement.
We both stayed quiet and watched what we was watching until we fell asleep.

Notes