Caught in the Web

Chapter 1

Jack walks into the common room and sits down, looking at his phone...The forms for the 35 girls and guys entered in the selection for him, his two brothers Nash and Tate, and his sister Addelyn and just been announced yesterday, so he has a lot of work to do. He sighs, skimming over each form with a mixture of pure boredom, dread, and sadness in his expression...He knows he'll only have three weeks before everything starts.

"Hey Jack, you alright?" A very familiar voice says, coming up to the couch he's in from behind... It's officer Morgan R. Blake, who happens to be the head guard (and Jack's boyfriend-in secret that is-of one and a half years..well actually they broke up, but only two weeks ago and it was because of the selection)

"Yeah... just not looking forward to the selection..." Jack sighs, making room for Morgan to sit down next to him

"Why not?"

"Because...I still like you" Jack smiles softly and kisses Morgan quickly

Morgan blushes slightly but then looks at Jack "And I still like you too, but you need to focus on the selection" he chuckles and rolls his eyes playfully before smiling softly "at least try okay? if you don't find someone, I'm still here for you..and I will be for at least another two years...more if you want" he says softly and kisses Jack's cheek...Morgan came to the palace two years ago in the draft, and is three years older than Jack...He is the only one who actually knows Jack isn't straight...well except for Addi...but whatever " I'll wait for you, I promise", he smiles softly and hugs Jack quickly before going back to work...They may not be dating anymore, but they still care about each other.

Jack smiles softly and falls asleep on the couch shortly after Morgan leaves the room...About three and a half hours later, he wakes up to see his sister Addelyn sitting across from him. He yawns and sits up, wrapping the blanket around his shoulders... He doesn't know how his blue blanket got to him from his room, but he just assumes it was either Morgan or one of the maids who saw he fell asleep. But either way, he doesn't care... Everyone at the palace is so ind to him, so hes extremely grateful, although he wishes he knew who brought the blanket for him so he could thank them..

"Morning sleepyhead" Addeyln chuckles,  looking at her brother "Let me guess...You were up late last night doing work...again"

"Oh...yeah...work...something like that" Jack blushes intensely...Yes he was up late last night, but it wasn't work....Let's just say him and Morgan are struggling with the whole 'breaking up' thing..."anyway, what about the selection... any guys catch your eye?" he winks, trying to change the subject

"Meh... a couple..." she says, obviously not wanting to answer...because there may or may not be someone else she has feelings for "You?"

"Same.....although a couple have caught my eye"

"Really? Who?"

"Ryan, Enzo, and Courtney.." Jack nods slightly...although he wasn't exactly sure...These were just the forms he had been able to look at for more than a minute or so and really read...Also Ryan reminded him of Morgan....

Addelyn frowns "You can't take one of my favorites on a date before I can...Also, you don't even know if Ryan is bisexual or not...He could be straight" she points out

Jack sighs "If so, it wouldn't be the first time I've had a crush on a straight guy, and it probably won't be the last" he shrugs and pulls his guitar out from under the couch as he begins to play the instrumental to 'Aftertaste' by Shawn Mendes

"That's probably true...You do that a lot" Addelyn chuckles and shrugs, walking out to go find Luke

"Whatever" Jack rolls his eyes and shakes his head with a smile, doubting the selection will ever work for him....But he'll still try to find out so he can make his father happy-and hopefully get rid of the one video per week limit-.

However, little did Jack know, that in just a matter of weeks, his opinion on the selection will likely change drastically... Perhaps maybe he'll even find the love of his life?