A Modern Love Story

Chapter 13 - Constant

Criticism spot! :)

Crutchie's POV

I woke up terrified, having my own screams playing through my head over and over while I slept. We were both laying down still, making it easier for Jack to pull me in against him. He ran his fingers through my hair, patiently waiting for me to calm down. It became clear to him I wasn't improving quickly, and he backed up a little bit so he could see my face.

"What's going on?" He asked, moving my hair from my eyes. 

"I just keep hearing myself," I mumble, my voice scratching. He understood what I meant, smiling sympathetically.

"I'm so sorry that happened," he said, pulling me back against him.

"I had never heard the call before," I added, my heart pounding.

"They should've fucking told you what was going to happen before the assembly," Jack spoke quietly, helping me begin to calm down. "I'm so sorry you heard that." 

"It's not your fault, I should be the one apologizing," I said, staying close to him. 

"What? Why should you apologize?" He asked, backing away again to see me.

"Because I know I'll be super frustrating for the next few days," I explained, my throat hurting.

"You won't be frustrating, you're so hard on yourself." Jack assured me, smiling again.

"Jack, nearly everything that could make me panic will, how is that not frustrating?" I asked, looking down.

"It's not frustrating because I love you." I immediately blushed, smiling the tiniest bit. "I'll be here the entire way, I promise." He kissed me on the top of the head, making me smile even more. "I'm going to make us some dinner, okay?"

"We were asleep for that long?" I asked, confused.

"Mhm," Jack said as he got up, stretching. "I won't be long," he added before leaving the room, smiling at me one more time.

When he came back to the room, I flinched a little at the door opening, thinking of my Dad right away. Jack smiled kindly at me and closed it softly, walking to the bed.

"Sorry," I mumbled, my throat burning.

"It's alright, but you should probably stop talking for now," he suggested, hearing the pain in my voice. I nodded and smiled, looking down.

We watched some TV as we ate, and once we finished I took a quick shower before getting back in bed, cuddling up beside him. He smiled at me and started messing with my wet hair, causing me to blush.

"Just like today, let's just take tomorrow one step at a time, alright?" He said, and I nodded. "Try your best to get some sleep, okay?" I settled down and closed my eyes, falling asleep just minutes later.

Jack's alarm scared me horribly the next morning, my brain thinking it was a siren. He sat up with me and turned it off, putting his arm around me so I could lay against him.

"Sorry- I thought it was a siren for a second," I explained, wishing I hadn't spoken at all.

"It's okay, I promise." He spoke softly, helping to calm me. "I'll change it for tomorrow, alright?" I nodded, sitting up. "I'll go get your medicine and we'll head to school, mmk?" I nodded again, rubbing my eyes.

Jack once again gave me one of his sweatshirts, and thankfully I had no trouble getting in the car today. When I was getting my stuff from my locker, though, another student slammed theirs, making me jump, my breathing immediately picking up.