American Dreams
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Alex’s POV
I watched Jack walk away and it was then I let the tears roll down my face.
“Lex.” I heard Nala say and I turned around and looked at her.
“What the fuck did you say to him?” I asked as calmly as I could.
“I didn’t say..” Nala started but I interrupted her.
“Don’t fucking bullshit to me!” I shouted which made Nala flinch slightly.
“He’s no good for you Lex, he’s nothing but trouble.” Nala said.
“How the fuck do you know!? I was never as happy as I was when I was with Jack! You saw trouble but I saw past that and saw someone who needed somebody and I wanted to be that person and you single handedly fucked that up and took it away from both me and him!” I shouted and I felt someone pull me into their side.
“What the fuck is going on?” I heard Rowe ask and I waited for Nala to speak but she didn’t so I moved away from Rowe side and looked at Nala hard.
“Jack broke up with me.” I said quietly.
“What? Why did he do that?” Rowe asked.
“Ask that bitch.” I spat as I turned round and walked off.
“Alex!” I heard Rowe shout but I ignored it and carried on walking.
I ended up sat at some park on a swing when someone sat on the swing next to mine and I looked up and saw Rowe.
“Lex it’s freezing out here.” Rowe said softly.
“I don’t care.” I sniffed as I flicked the cigarette away and got another one out and started to smoke it.
“You might not care, but I do. We all care and we are worried sick about you right now.” Rowe said and I looked down.
“He was something different.” I whispered.
“I know he was, I’m sure Jack has his reasons.” Rowe said carefully.
“This is why I don’t get into relationships.” I sniffed and Rowe chuckled softly to herself.
“You coming home now?” Rowe asked and I shook my head.
“I want to be alone.” I whispered and I could feel Rowe looking worried at me.
“Alex the last time you said that you almost killed yourself.” Rowe said.
“I’m not going to kill myself so don’t worry about that.” I said as I got up and walked off again.
“Alex please don’t do this.” Rowe said but again I ignored her and carried on walking to the next spot.
I found myself at the hill which was a save spot for and nobody knew about when someone sat next to me.
“For the last time Rowe I’m fine and I haven’t done anything stupid.” I said and the person chuckled and it sounded like Jack.
“Why you here?” I asked as I looked out the the view.
“Your sister messaged me saying she was worried about you and pointed me in this direction but she didn’t know the way.” Jack said and I sighed loudly.
“Wish they would learn I am fine, what happened before was a cry for help.” I said quietly and Jack put his hand on my knee which made me look at him.
“Their just worried about you.” Jack said and I shook my head.
“But what about you?” I asked and Jack shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m fine. I have another type of family looking after me at the moment.” Jack said but you could tell he wasn’t happy about it.
“Come home with me please.” I said as I looked at Jack who was looking at me.
“I can’t, I’m sorry but I can’t come home with you. But I will walk you home and make sure you get home safe.” Jack said and I looked away and looked down.
“Come on, let me take you home.” Jack said quietly and I shook my head.
“I’m staying here.” I said quietly as I lead back and looked at the sky.
“You shouldn’t be this hung up over me, it’s not as if we had been going out for a long time anyway you don’t do relationships.” Jack said and I sat up and looked at him.
“You was different okay. I don’t know why but you was meant to be the one who changed the way I feel about relationships. You was meant to be the person who showed me that there is at least one person who isn’t in my family that isn’t going to hurt me, to show me that not everyone is a monster in this horrible world.” I said and I didn’t realize I was crying until I felt Jack’s hand on my face and I looked at him.
“I can still do that and not be in a relationship with you.” Jack said and I shook my head as I moved my face out of his hand.
“But I want more from you, I know you feel the same Jack.” I said and Jack looked down and sighed.
“Yes I want the relationship. But right now I can’t do that. My life is a shit storm right now Alex and us being together is just not going to work right now.” Jack said.
“But we can make us work though. Please Jack, yes I’m not the one for relationship and I’m not the one for begging but you are so different and I want to fight for this.” I said and Jack looked at me.
“I can’t drag you into my shit Lex.” Jack said quietly.
“You don’t have too.” I said and Jack shook his head and he stood up.
“You need to go home Alex.” Jack said and he walked off and I looked down and sighed and got up and went home and once I was home I just sat in the hammock and crashed there for the night.
———————————————————————————————————————
I was walking round school and was worrying about Jack since I haven’t seen him for the last month which wasn’t like Jack.
I was miles away at my locker when I looked up and saw Justin standing next to me.
“What the fuck do you want? I can’t handle your bullshit now Justin.” I said and Justin rolled his eyes at me.
“Word is out that you and Jack aren’t together anymore.” Justin said and I shut my locker and looked at him.
“Why would you even care? Think you’re in for a shot guess what Justin you wouldn’t be able to keep up with Jack so don’t bother trying to get into his pants because it’s not going to work.” I said and Justin nodded.
“You win Alex, you get your boy. But I’m worried about him I haven’t seen at school all month. Was the break up really that bad?” Justin said and I rolled my eyes.
“It has nothing to do with the break up okay. Jack has his own problems which I’m not going to share what little information he gave me. He’s just got it tough at the moment.” I said and I looked past Justin and saw Jack and we locked eyes.
“I need to go.” I said and walked past Justin and headed towards Jack but he turned round and walked off so I kept following him until we got to the field which was when Jack stopped.
“Jack.” I said softly as I got to him and I touch his arm which made Jack jump as I walked round him to look at him.
“Baby talk to me what has happened?” I asked softly and Jack put his hood down and I looked at his beaten face and I couldn’t hold back a gasp.
“What happened?” I asked as I went to touch Jack’s face but he flinched away from me which hurt.
“I’ve fucked up Lex.” Jack sniffed as he looked behind him and I did the same and saw Justin.
“I don’t want anyone else involved with this, I trust you enough not to do something stupid.” Jack said quietly.
“It’s okay, I’ll tell him to leave and I’ll come back okay. Just stay here for me.” I said and Jack nodded as I walked round him and walked over to Justin.
“I need to see if he’s okay.” Justin said as he went to walk round me but I stopped him which made Justin glare at me.
“He doesn’t want to see you.” I said and Justin glared at me more.
“Respect his wishes and walk away.” I said seriously.
“You fucking hurt him, I swear to fucking god Alex.” Justin growled.
“Right now I am the least of your concerns. So you just back the fuck up and leave us both alone.” I said seriously and I turned round and walked back over to Jack.
“Hey, let’s sit down and have a cigarette and talk.” I said and Jack shook his head.
“I’ve fucked up and I don’t know what to do Lex.” Jack said and I frowned at him.
“What do you mean? Jack you need to use words here I’m not a mind reader.” I said and Jack put his hood down again and I looked at his face.
“Who did this to you?” I asked as I went to reach for Jack’s face but he moved his face away from me.
“Some people jumped me the other night.” Jack whispered and I frowned at him.
“Why didn’t you come and find me, if I’m not here then I’m at home.” I said and Jack looked down out of my eye contact.
“Jack please talk to me I want to help you.” I said softly and Jack looked at me.
“Okay, shell we go back to mine where I can clean your face up and you can have a shower because you smell and you can get some food inside of you and get some sleep because you look like shit and that’s not with a beaten up face.” I said and Jack smiled slightly as he nodded.
“Come on then.” I said softly as I caught hold of his hand and we went to mine.
Luckily mum was at work although mum doesn’t seem to care who came home with me as long as they respected the house.
“Go to the kitchen I’ll be there in a second.” I said and I went to walk off but Jack tightened his hold on my hand which made me look at him.
“I understand.” I whispered as I lead Jack to the kitchen and I walked to the counter where I turned Jack round and gently pushed him into the side and Jack looked at me and I smiled at him.
“Trust me okay, I’m not going to hurt you like these people have done okay.” I said quietly and I picked Jack up and sat him on the counter.
“You going to take your hoodie off?” I asked and Jack gingerly took his hoodie off and handed it to me and I looked at him over.
I noticed needle marks on his arm.
“Oh Jack, Why didn’t you come and find me. We could of helped you.” I said softly.
“This wasn’t meant to happen, I wasn’t meant to get back on the drugs. It was only meant to be for a week I was on the streets but it didn’t work out and I had debts I had to pay and I’ve fucked up so badly Lex.” Jack said and he started to cry and I stood between his legs and pulled him into a hug.
“It’s okay, you’re safe now and we are going to help you get better.” I said softly as I started to mess with his hair.
Jack moved and looked at me.
“I’ve got you okay, you don’t have to worry anymore.” I said softly and Jack nodded as he looked at his arm but I made him look at me.
“Let’s find this handsome face under all this dirt and cuts.” I said quietly and Jack nodded as I got something to wash his face with and did so very carefully.
I managed to move Jack from the kitchen to the bathroom where I was hoping Jack would have a bath.
“Jack no offense but you smell and in need of a shave.” I said and Jack shook his head as he looked down.
“If it because I’m going to be seeing you naked then it doesn’t matter, I’ve seen you naked before.” I said and Jack looked at me.
I walked over to the bath and started to run the water.
“I don’t care what you look like Jack, I just want you to feel better and just catch up on some sleep.” I said as I walked over to Jack and I was surprised he didn’t move away from me.
“May I undress you?” I asked and Jack looked me in the eye and I smiled at him and Jack nodded.
I moved forward and gently kissed his forehead.
I gently got hold of his top and looked at Jack for permission and Jack nodded so I gently lifted his top up and pulled it over his head and threw it on the floor.
I stepped back a little and saw that Jack had lost some weight and he was black and blue with all the bruises.
“These are more than being jumped bruises Jack, these are someone physically assaulting you or maybe even abusing you by the colour of some of these bruises.” I said and looked at Jack who was looking at me and something in his face had changed and it got me worried.
“It was a mistake coming here, I’m sorry to be bothering you Alex.” Jack said as he walked past me and got his top but I caught hold of his hand.
“Jack you need help, let me help you please.” I said and Jack shook his head.
“You don’t understand.” Jack said quietly.
“I do understand, I understand what you are going through, I understand the pain you are in. I understand everything Jack because I have been in your shoes. I have been the person you are and I would never wish it on anyone.” I said and Jack looked at me unsure.
“Who?” Jack asked softly.
“My dad and my older brothers.” I said as I looked down.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, I wouldn’t wish the trauma after it on anyone. I would t wish going to court and reliving it all over again on anyone. Which is why you need to let me help you Jack. I can’t sit back and let you go because whoever did this to you will fucking kill you.” I said as I looked at Jack who was looking at me unsure.
“How do you know?” Jack asked and I felt tears roll down my cheeks as the memory came back into my mind.
“Because my dad nearly killed me. My dad had beaten me so much that he almost killed me. That man also took me out to the woods and he done the worst thing imaginable and then he left me there to die.” I said trying to keep my voice strong but it wasn’t really working well.
“You might think it’s just a one off thing, but if you go back to this person I want you to think of me. I want you to think of that story. So if you want to leave then do, just know I’m always here if you want somebody.” I sniffed as I walked out the room and went to my room where I sat on my bed and let the tears roll down my face.
I had lead myself down on the bed when someone came into my room and lead down behind me and cuddled into my back.
“Your dad and brothers did horrible things to you didn’t they?” I heard Jack ask.
“My dad was the worse, my brothers would just help if Help was needed.” I sniffed.
“Did they go to prison for this?” Jack asked and I shook my head.
“They had no proof.” I said and broke down crying again and Jack rolled me over and held me closer to him
“You’re free from them now. They can’t get to you.” Jack said softly and I shook my head as I looked at him.
It was then I realised Jack had actually gotten a shower and was wearing my clothes.
“But my family didn’t get justice. We had to run and move here. That man was dangerous and would hurt everyone.” I sobbed.
“That doesn’t matter, the main thing is you are free from that horrible person and you have a better life here.” Jack said and I looked at him.
“Can I stay here?” Jack asked quietly as he looked down.
“I’ll just ask mum when she comes home but I don’t see why you can’t stay here.” I said Jack smiled.
“Get some rest okay, mum will be home soon and she’ll make something good to eat.” I said and Jack nodded as he settled down into bed.
I started to mess with Jacks hair and once I knew Jack was asleep I gently got out of bed and went to the bathroom to pick Jacks clothes up and went downstairs and put his washing on when mum walked in the room.
“What you doing home?” Mum asked as she put her bag on the table.
“Jack came to school, something bad has happened to him and he needs our help.” I said and mum frowned at me.
“Expand Alex, I took the boy in before and then he left leaving you a right mess.” Mum said seriously and I sighed as I walked over to mum.
“Someone really beat him up and I’m worried that someone could be abusing him.” I said and mum looked at me.
“Someone is hurting him?” Mum asked and I nodded.
“He’s black and blue mum. I’m worried about him and his welfare. He needs support from whoever he can trust and he trusts us.” I said and mum sighed as she looked down and thought about something.
“I don’t even know what is happening with his family mum. All I know is that he is all alone and he has nobody.” I said and mum looked at me.
“He can stay, but you need to try and get some answers out of him.” Mum said and I looked down.
“Alexander what else aren’t you tell me.” Mum said seriously and I looked at her.
“Jack has got himself onto drugs.” I said and mum sighed loudly.
“You want me to have someone on drugs in my house, you realize that could fuck everything up for Nala.” Mum said and I rolled my eyes.
“Mum, we are all fucked up after that bastard. But we have all put the past behind us, Jack needs us Mum.” I said and mum sighed loudly.
“Fine he can stay. But you need to speak to his family first and tell them he’s not dead and what advice they can give us.” Mum said and I nodded and walked out the room and went upstairs and walked into my room where Jack was still asleep.
I looked round to find Jack’s clothes and I couldn’t find his phone which made me sigh loudly and I grabbed my phone and messaged Rowe asking her if she could hunt down Jack’s brother and if she could bring him to the park round by the house.
I sat in my room keeping an eye on Jack when Rowe in my room.
“Jesus Christ he’s a mess.” Rowe said as she looked Jack over.
“Don’t need to tell me that.” I said quietly as I got off the bed and put my shoes on.
“Did you find his brother or whatever the fuck he is too him.” I said and Rowe sighed.
“Yeah I found him, but he’s fucking out of it Lex. I mean he thought I was some slag who would spread my legs for him.” Rowe said and I frowned at her.
“Dude his family are fucking druggies.” Nala said and I looked at her.
“Bitch fuck off, anyway this doesn’t concern.” I said as I walked out my room and went outside.
I walked to the park and I saw a boy which looked like Jack.
“You the shit which hurt Jack?” The boy asked and I frowned.
“Okay hold up, I’m not the shit who hurt Jack if anything I’m the shit who brought him into my home and gave him a roof over his head when you and his mother both fucking failed him. And for the record your shit of a brother broke up with me.” I said and the boy frowned at me.
“Your brother is in my house, in my bed, after coming into school today and telling me he needs help. I am willing to help him but I need to know what I have to look for to help Jack.” I said seriously and the boy looked down.
“He been on the streets?” The boy asked.
“Yes, he has needle marks in his arm.” I said and the boy looked at me.
“You need to look after him for me.” The boy said and I was confused.
“I will but I need to know what triggers him or what he’s like when he’s in withdrawal.” I said and the boy smiled.
“Jack will tell you and you seem to know what you are doing.” The boy said and went to walk off but I grabbed hold of his arm.
“Don’t you even care about him? He’s your brother and you don’t give a shit about him?” I said confused.
“I do care which is why Jack is best to be kept away from me and our mother. I can see you care about him and that you will look after him for me. Please never contact me again and make sure Jack never finds me or our mother again.” The boy said and I frowned at him.
“You can’t just abandon him.” I said seriously.
“It’s either this, the system or Jack goes down the same road as me and our mother. Jack is a bright kid and he shouldn’t waste his life away on drugs and selling himself. Now you look after my brother for me and make sure he doesn’t come looking.” The boy said and he walked off which made me sigh and I looked up and saw Nala watching our every move.
I walked over to her and looked at her.
“Well?” Nala asked.
