Ephemeral

Track Blues Part 2

I stared at Jack-

I wanted him to be right-

I wanted to believe that it could be that simple. That if we were to somehow get a gun that we would overthrow the two men that were threatening us. The silver plated armor that adorned their bodies looked reinforced – as though the bullets would reflect right off them.

He took my silence as hesitation, which...it was. It was a mixture of hesitation and fear. I didn't want to lose any of my classmates – I didn't want Jack or Chris to get hurt in the process...

I didn't want my two of my best friends to die.

There was also Bella, my sister, was still trapped in this chaos. She could be anywhere in this school, she could be at gunpoint the same as us. She could have gotten hurt and I couldn't do anything about it – not that I was sure I would be able to do anything if I were with her.

Jack looked at me intently, staring into my eyes. I could feel him staring into my soul – his gaze was intense, not leaving even a second for them to waver.

His next words were stern: "Do you want to do nothing and die?"

Those words caused my heart to stop pounding quickly in my chest. It skipped a few beats, almost resetting itself. I could feel myself start to come back to reality. Stressing about the situation wasn't going to help.

I needed to do something – I had to do something.

He went to take a step, but I pulled him back by his arm harshly. He turned his head to look at me in confusion. It took a second for the words to leave my mouth. I was surprised I hadn't stuttered out my weak demand. "Let me help."

"No, it's too-!"

"Don't you-!" I whispered angrily. I narrowed my eyes at him while his eyes softened as his eyes never left my face. We stared at each other, there was a tense silence building between the two of us. I could see Chris awkwardly shift his weight from one foot to the next.

Jack and I didn't fight – we just didn't. We never had a disagreement in the past. We weren't like other couples in that aspect, but it wasn't too out of the ordinary. We were best friends since I was young and had moved in with my father.

Our chemistry was unshakeable.

I swallowed, not backing down even as Jack's cold gaze that was being directed at me. He didn't want me to help – that much was apparent. I wouldn't let him do this on his own...not when this all might end up badly.

Not when I knew I could have changed the outcome by actually doing something.

"This is all dangerous."

Jack continued to look at me, still not sure if he wanted to get me involved. I wouldn't take no for an answer as I let out a small breath to calm down my nerves. He had been silent for a while. I decided to press him into allowing him to accept my assistance.

"What can I do to help?"

Jack let out a dissatisfied breath.

He was not happy.

"Okay..." He said finally, shaking his head, as though in disbelief that he were agreeing with me. "Okay, fine. You can help," he leaned in close to me. I could smell the scent from his deodorant. It was familiar and somehow even comforting with all the madness that was going around us. Jack leaned down, his hot breath lingering on my neck.

He gave me a small peck on the cheek, but his head lingered in the area.

We weren't very affectionate with each other, but when we were, that's when it actually meant something.