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

Chapter 25

"Alright, I need a snack before we go to bed," Jack announced as the credits of the movie we had been watching rolled.

I shifted away from him as he reached out for the remote. "A snack?"

"Yep."

He turned the TV off and stood up, holding his hands out for me. As soon as I took hold of them, he pulled me up, making my joints pop ever so slightly. He dragged me all the way to the kitchen and started searching through the cabinets for something that tickled his fancy. I just watched him and giggled at his determination.

"Okay, we've got..." he rummaged around and started listing off, "Sour Patch Kids, some random chocolate bars, cereal, popcorn..."

"Sounds like you're looking for something sweet," I pointed out, noticing how he skipped over anything salty except for the popcorn.

"Aha! Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!" he exclaimed in triumph and pulled them out, slapping them on the counter.

"I haven't had those in years," I chuckled, taking a step closer so I could pick up and investigate the packaging. "My mom's deathly allergic to peanuts, but my dad would occasionally sneak some to me when it was just the two of us."

"Well, then, we'll eat them for nostalgia's sake."

And that was how Jack and I both had one before getting ready for bed. We brushed our teeth together, occasionally making eye contact in the mirror. It had become part of our routine by now. Officially living together for three weeks had somehow made us even closer. Although I had spent most nights there anyway before, we were actually sharing space now. Our lives were completely intertwined.

We got in bed and fell asleep relatively fast. It was warm and comforting, cocooned up underneath the sheets. The room was as dark as we could possibly get it to be, the black out curtains blocking out the outside world. It was just the two of us huddled up together in our own little bubble. Nothing could get us, not even our own thoughts.

I was in the midst of deep slumber when I jolted awake, gasping for air. Panic surged through me when I realised I couldn't draw in the air I so desperately needed. My lungs refused to cooperate. All I could manage was a weak, raspy wheeze. It felt like my body forgot how to inhale.

I shot upright and reached out for the body still sleeping next to me. I wanted to shout out his name to get his attention, but every breath was met with extreme resistance. My fingers grasped onto the sheets, trying to find something to ground myself to.

"What's happening?" Jack woke up as well, sitting up and turning to look at me.

I couldn't respond. I desperately tried to draw in air, but it felt as if an invisible hand was closing off my windpipe. All I could do was put a hand against my chest to gesture that I couldn't breathe. I continued to struggle, hoping Jack would understand what was happening.

"Jacie?" His eyes filled with distress. "Shit."

He sprang into action and fumbled for the bedside lamp switch. In an instant, the room flooded with light. It was blinding, but it was the least of my worries as I continued to fight to pull in breaths. I felt like a fish out of water.

Jack's fingers were already dialling 911, and the urgent call was made within seconds. He relayed our address to the operator, his eyes betraying the fear as he couldn't do anything else to help me. My heart was racing in my chest as it tightened more and more. Each gasp felt more desperate than the next.

I could see his lips moving as he spoke frantically into his phone, but I couldn't hear the words. All I knew was that he was trying to get help.

"You're going to be okay," he told me, putting a strong hand on my upper arm.