Latter Days

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

          Nate and I stood frozen to the spot, staring at the source of the voice. Jack had arrived, and he looked pissed. I hadn’t known him long, only a few months, but seeing him with this expression on his face was super unnerving to me. He was the happiest, most relaxed guy I knew, and right now, he looked anything but happy. He looked like he wanted to hurt Nate, even though Nate and I weren’t doing anything. We were simply talking, and I was about to get away from him anyway.

          “Ah, there he is. How you doin,’ bud?” Nate smirked at him.

          “Get away from her,” came Jack’s icy response.

          Woah.

          “Hey now, chill out. We were just talking. Annalie here and I are best friends, you know.”

          “Yeah, well, you’re not anymore.”

          “Says who? You? No offense, pal, but you don’t get final say over that.” Nate was walking slowly towards Jack, and other people in the hallway were starting to notice the confrontation. A few people had stopped what they were doing to watch, hoping Jack would lose it. Nothing scared me more than the thought that he actually might. I couldn’t tell why Jack was so angry about me talking to Nate, but I decided to step in before it got worse.

          “Nate, hey, just leave, okay? I’m gonna stay and talk to Jack.” I looked up at him desperately, hoping he would get the message and go away. Between the two of them, Jack was not the one I wanted to lose. I would give Nate up over him any day—in fact, I kind of already had.

          With one final look towards Jack, he let out a “Whatever, Tucker,” and left. He made sure to shove into Jack’s shoulder as he passed him, though. Jack didn’t look at him or even move. Once Nate was gone for good, I rushed up to him.

          “Jack, what’s the matter with you?” I reached up and cupped his face with both my hands. “Are you okay? Did something happen?” He seemed to visibly relax at my touch, and looked back down at me.

          “I don’t want you talking to him anymore, Annalie.”

          “You got it. Any particular reason why?”

          He closed his eyes and put his hands on mine, still on his face. He held them there as he said, “It’s nothing. Just… promise me you’ll stay away from him, okay?”

          I couldn’t’ think of anything else to say. Something inside me told me that I should tell Jack yes.

          So I did.

          “Thank you, Annalie. I’ll explain it at some point, but right now it’s not that important. I swear to you if you were in any danger, I would handle it, okay? You don’t have to worry about anything.” Wait, what?

          “Danger? Jack—what are you talking about? Nate’s not gonna put me in any danger. Neither one of us have anything to worry about here. I’ve been friends with him since I was little.”

          Jack only sighed. “No, I know, Annalie. Listen, I heard him say something earlier, before gym. I tried to get to you before he could, but—“ He was talking really fast again, so I put my hands on his upper arms, rubbing them up and down soothingly.

          “Jack,” I told him. “Look at me.” He did. “I’m okay, alright? And you’re okay. And Nate didn’t do anything to me. He didn’t threaten me, or hurt me, and if he ever did, I would be able to handle it myself, okay? And if I couldn’t, I promise you I will call you.”