Echoing J.A.C.I.E. (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 16

I stood at the baggage belt, watching different kinds of luggage passing me by. My head was pounding and my body had no strength. I had decided to go home early so that I could get some rest. My dad was already waiting for me on the other side of the sliding doors that cut the public off from the rest of the airport.

I slowly walked closer to the belt when I saw my black duffle bag approach. My hand curled around the handle and I struggled to pull it over the ledge. What usually would have been a reasonable ask, was now much too heavy. I just didn't have the energy or willpower to push past my limits.

"Would you like some help?" A voice said next to me.

I turned to see a man just a tad younger than my dad offering his hand.

I nodded and took a step to the side. "Thank you."

He effortlessly picked the bag up and put it on the ground next to me. I thanked him again and started trying to figure out how I could possibly carry the bag out with me. It wasn't far until I'd see my dad, but that distance seemed like miles away now.

"Are you okay?" The man asked, concern etched across his face.

"Yeah... just recovering from an accident," I bent the truth and gave him a smile to act like I was doing just fine.

"Do you need more help? Where are you going?"

"Oh, no, that's okay. My dad's just on the other side."

"Well, then, I'll help you until there."

Usually, letting a strange man follow me and carry my belongings wasn't something I was comfortable with. But in the state I was in, I would take any help I could. So, I accepted his offer and let him pick up my luggage. Together, we left the baggage hall as I tried my best to make some small talk to be polite. Usually, small talk wasn't hard for me, but now it felt like such a chore.

As soon as the sliding doors opened, I spotted my dad anxiously waiting for me to come out. I ran up to him and threw my arms around him as soon as I got close enough. Although Jack had been there for me, there was nothing as comforting as a hug from my dad. It was like I was a little girl again, finding safety in my dad's arms.

The tears almost threatened to spill over in the arrivals hall, but I really didn't want to cry in public. It was only once we were back at my dad's place that I let myself feel all the emotions again. Unfortunately, he had to leave as soon as we arrived to pick up Ben from school. I just retreated to my bedroom and laid on my bed, trying to get some rest.

The room felt strangely foreign, worse than it usually did. The familiar walls echoed with the silence of my chaotic thoughts. I tried to find some solace in the mundane drawings I had made as a child that were plastered on the wall. But the weight of the past few days clung too tightly to me, pulling me into a pit of exhaustion and despair. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks, absorbing into the pillow beneath my head.

I didn't hear my dad and Ben coming back, but eventually my door creaked open. I wiped my cheeks as I turned around to look who was coming in. Ben was standing in the doorway, a mixture of curiosity etched across his face. His eyes filled with concern as he took in the sight of me as he padded over to the bed, clutching a teddy bear in his hands.

"Jacie, why are you in bed?" he asked innocently, his voice carrying a tinge of worry.

I mustered a weak smile, attempting to mask the pain that was lingering so close to the surface. "Just tired. Long flight."

Ben climbed onto the bed, his small frame settling beside me. "You look sad."

His words were an unintentional arrow straight to my heart. Yes, I was sad. But how could a ten-year-old understand the pain and grief I was going through? I reached out and ruffled his hair, attempting to hide my vulnerability.

"Just a bad week, everybody has them," I replied, but my voice betrayed me.

"Don't be sad, Jacie," he told me.

The lump in my throat returned, making it difficult to form words. I nodded to acknowledge his advice and looked away before he broke me. In that moment, he reached over and hugged me, his small arms wrapping around me in a gesture of comforting innocence.

I tried so hard not to cry in front of him, but I couldn't hold it back any longer. My shoulders shook with silent sobs. Ben continued to hold me, unaware of the depth of the emotions raging within me. The teddy bear he had brought with him pressed against my side, a small but profound comfort.

"Mr. Snuggles always makes me happy," he whispered, pulling back slightly and putting the bear in my arms. "Maybe he can help you feel better."

I hugged the teddy bear tightly, feeling its softness against my tear-stained cheeks. It was such a simple gesture radiating with love from my little brother. Maybe Mr. Snuggles wasn't a magical cure, but it meant the world to me.

"Thank you, Ben," I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper.

"Tell me what happened," he urged, his gaze searching mine for an explanation as he sat up.

I hesitated, torn between wanting to shield him from the harsh realities in life and not wanting to exclude him. There was no way I could possibly explain this in a way that would make it understandable for him. He hadn't experienced heartbreak yet.

"It's just grown-up stuff," I replied, my fingers absentmindedly playing with the bear's fur. "Sometimes, life throws things at us, and it's hard to understand why."

He frowned, seemingly unsatisfied with my answer. "But you're sad. And when I'm sad, Dad says it helps to talk about it, and I feel better."

The simplicity of his logic struck me. I really wished life was that straightforward. But I was still processing everything. I couldn't talk about it just yet. I took a deep breath, deciding to share a small fraction of the truth, hoping to tailor to his fragile understanding.

"I lost something very precious to me," I admitted, choosing my words carefully. "And it made me really, really sad."

His expression shifted from confusion to concern. "Like a favourite toy?"

"Yeah, kind of like that," I nodded, chuckling through the lingering tears.

"Maybe we can find it," he suggested, his eyes filled with determination. "Like a treasure hunt!"

In his world, a lost toy could be replaced, and the sadness that accompanied it could be mended. The simplicity of his solution was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I wished life's challenges could be whisked away with the innocence of a treasure hunt.

"I appreciate that, Ben," I said, a softness in my voice. "But sometimes, some things can't be found again."

His innocent eyes searched mine, trying to comprehend what I meant. He blinked, processing what I had tried to explain to him.

"But why?" he asked, genuine curiosity etched across his face.

"Sometimes we lose things that we can't touch or see. As much as we want to find them again, they're not something that can be replaced."

"But why does it have to be like that? Can't you just be happy again?"

I shook my head, unsure how else to satisfy his curiosity. "It's going to take some time."

He shifted on the bed, his small hand reaching out to touch my cheek gently. "But you're strong, Jacie. Dad says you're the strongest person he knows."

I smiled at him, grateful for the simple yet profound wisdom he unknowingly shared. "Thank you, Ben. You're right, I'll be okay."

He beamed at me, convinced that his comforting words had worked their magic. The little hero in him believed that everything could be fixed with strength and determination. It wasn't that easy, but having him trying to cheer me up made me feel less alone.

"Dad said I had to do my homework after saying hi to you," he pouted, concern in his eyes.

I gave him a soft smile. "You go do that okay? I'll be fine."

He nodded and hopped off the bed, leaving Mr. Snuggles with me as if the teddy bear could magically heal me while he was away.