Look After You - Sequel - Jack Grealish

Fifty Seven.

"You don't seem your bubbly self" Ben mumbled as he threw himself on to the sofa in the chill room, Alexa quietly reading a book next to him, as she glanced briefly at Tyrone and Conor playing table tennis, both shouting and dancing around with their accents flowing through the room.

"I'm fine" Alexa forced a smile, but the truth was her texts between her and her brother had been playing on her mind for an hour or more, and it didn't help that she hasn't seen or heard of Jack since their encounter in the offices. "I might be single but I know that a female saying I'm fine is far from fine." Ben muttered, as he tried to show his cheesy grin at Alexa, but the dormant look on her face said a completely different story than Bens offer at being a comedian. "I just, Mase said something and I haven't been able to shake it since" Alexa mumbled, as she finally closed her book, and turned to look at the defender, his eyes showing concern, but his face was laced with worry.
Ben had seen the siblings fall out, more times than once, the same as Declan, however, Declan always chose Masons side without hearing Alexa's, but Ben, he was a mutual friend, he didn't have to choose sides, he always wanted peace, not love and war.

"He just wants the best for you Lex, you know that" Ben started, but he stopped himself, as he saw the sadness in Alexa's eyes, there was more to this than a text, and he knew he had to tread carefully. "It's about Jack isn't it?" Ben sighed, as Alexa nodded her head, her eyes casting around the room once more, seeing Harry, Harry and Jordan talking in the corner, Phil and John walking through to the gym, Mason and Declan playing basketball in the other room through the large glass windows and Tyrone and Conor still playing table tennis, but Jack was nowhere to be seen, not even a trace of his aftershave in the overpowering smell of males in the room.

"His seen you be heartbroken enough times to know how the story ends" Ben stated, as Alexa nodded her head slowly. Ben was right, as much as Mason always said that this was the last time he would pick her up, he always come back and did it again, no matter how many lectures it took, he was always there, he always would be.
"But what if there isn't a story? What if this is all it is" Alexa questioned back, as Ben nodded his head, a small smile tugging on his lips. "I know you Lex, I know you don't give up and you love too strong, you fall head over heels in seconds and you never learn from it" Ben smirked, as Alexa rolled her eyes at him. "But I've also seen the way he looks at you, and been in one too many conversations when he talks about you, his got it bad Lex, his just working through things himself" Ben smiled, and Alexa felt her heart grow warm, she knew deep down she loved Jack, love wasn't a word she threw around lightly, but it made her feel happier knowing that maybe he felt the same.

"I think maybe you need to take a step back, when you're both here it works and it's great, but it seems that the outside world has other plans for you, and Masons only watching out for you, his being a big brother, they're annoying but love you all the same, he just needs time to adjust to it all, the same as you do" Ben finished, as he clapped his hands on his knee, an indication that the words he had spoken was all that needed saying, and Alexa knew that, he was always able to take to sense into her, no matter how many times she pushed him away.

"Go and get a shower, relax, wash your hair and watch some shitty chick flick, look after yourself and spend less time worrying about what you think is happening and play attention to the things around you, you're loved by so many of us here, don't let your own thoughts consume the happiness you have found Lex" Ben stated, as he stood up from the sofa and offered his hand out for her to take.

"I think I might Yano Benjamin" Alexa smiled, as she hugged him briefly, before making the rounds of the room saying night to everyone, before she walked across the hallway and poked her head into the basketball court, smiling to herself as she watched Mason dance around, celebrating the goal he had just scored as Declan shook his own head laughing.

"I just wanted to say night" Alexa spoke softly, as Mason looked at her, nodding his head smiling at his sister. "Night" Mason smiled, as he shuffled his feet awkwardly, not sure what to do. "Come here you knob" Alexa chuckled, as she held her arms out, indicating she was offering her brother a hug, as Mason jogged over, hugging his sibling, before Declan jumped in on the hug making the three of them laugh. "Night boys" Alexa smiled, as she began walking down the hallway.

But as she opened her room, the smell of cookies and cakes hit her nostrils, dimly lit lights around the room, and a bouquet of flowers on the bed.
But what opened her face into a smile was Jack sat on the bed, DVDs scattered around him, as he tugged on his hoodie, a smile washing over his face.

"Ah, there's my girl" Jack smiled.