J.A.C.I.E.'s World (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 10

One late afternoon, I found myself rummaging through Jack's closet. The apartment still felt eerily quiet without him around. And I still felt like I was trespassing without his permission, as often as he said that it was 'our' apartment now. But, I had another party to attend that night, and I was looking for something specific to wear – something I couldn't find in my own closet.

My fingers brushed against one of Jack's shirts that he had left behind. It was hanging from a hanger, waiting to be loved again. The fabric felt soft and worn. With its distressed black look and the large graphic on the front, it was exactly what I had been looking for. It was already large on Jack, and on me, it was like being engulfed by his presence. Perfect for the look I was going for.

I slipped the shirt on and it hung loosely over my frame. The wide sleeves came up to my elbows. I tucked it into my blue high-waisted shorts and cinched it all with a flannel around my waist. My black boots added an extra edge to the ensemble, completing the outfit I had envisioned for the night.

With all my clothes on, I pulled out my phone and initiated a video call with Jack. It rang for a moment before he answered, his happy handsome face appearing on the screen.

"Guess where I am?" I began with a bright smile, holding the phone at arm's length to capture some of the background.

He grinned back, his eyes twinkling with amusement, as he himself walked around somewhere. "Our bedroom?"

I nodded excitedly. "I was just here stealing some of your clothes."

"Stealing my clothes?" He raised an eyebrow as if judging me, but his grin told me he didn't mind one bit. He settled down onto a couch, ready to continue our chat.

I flipped around the camera and angled it towards the full length mirror on the closet door, showing off my outfit. "What do you think? Do I look hot or what?"

"Shit. How about you come over here and I'll show you what I think?" he threatened with a smirk. "Where are you going anyway?"

"The band I'm working with invited me out to some party. I'm sure I'll be hearing some of your songs. Figured you had the better closet for this."

"You're going out again tonight?" His voice held a note of concern.

"Well, I can hardly say no."

"Jacie... you've been going out a lot recently." His frown deepened, casting a shadow on what was initially a cheerful conversation.

I shrugged as I flipped the camera back to my face. "Yeah, I know."

"Are you sure you should be going out?" He practically repeated the question again.

I rolled my eyes playfully, dismissing him. "We can consider it networking."

His lips were in a straight line as he stared at me through the phone. He didn't exactly look happy anymore.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea." He shook his head disapprovingly. "Every time you come back, you're completely wasted."

I felt a twinge of irritation, wondering why he felt the need to intervene. "It's not like you aren't out partying every night."

"Not like that."

"Oh, come on. It's just a bit of fun. It's not like I'm doing anything dangerous."

"You know it's not about that," he stressed, his eyes not leaving the phone for a second. "I've had my fair share of nights with you going a bit too far, and it's always been fun. But this is getting out of hand. You're out almost every night."

"Yes, and?"

"It's not good for you. Trust me, I know." He tried to keep his tone honest and sincere, but there was some aggression behind it.

My patience was starting to wear thin. "I can handle myself, Jack. I don't need you babysitting me."

"Jacie, of course I'm not 'babysitting' you," he argued back, looking genuinely offended by my wording. "We are literallymarried. It's my job to care about you."

"Like I said, I'm doing just fine."

"I'm just worried about you, that's all." But his voice didn't sound calm and caring.

"Oh, please," I scoffed as I finally left the bedroom, "it's not like I'm spiralling out of control. I'm just enjoying life."

"I understand, but it's the way you're going about it that worries me. It's like you're running from something."

I wasn't running from anything. His assumption really infuriated me. "I just need some space to have fun and be myself. You can't expect me to be tied to you 24/7."

"I don't expect that–"

My frustration reached its peak as I snapped, "so, what? You want me to stay home and play the perfect little wife, wasting my time waiting for you to come back?"

Jack's eyes hardened, his voice turning cold. "Maybe staying married was a mistake."

His words hit me like a sledgehammer, and my heart ached with pain. It was as if the ground had been ripped from beneath me. Before I said something I would forever regret, I ended the call.