Painting Flowers

Chapter 13

okay so a few things

first- this chapter has a few mentions of rape, so if you're sensitive to that issue then i'd probably not advise you to read it, cause it made me feel weird just typing it out (the things youve got to do when youre a writer, right?).

second- for one time only (i think??) this chapter is in alex's point of view. this is super important to the story, so dont go thinking that theres suddenly two guys called jack in the fic now or something. youll probably understand why i did it after reading this chapter.

thank you anyway now carry on!!

(Alex's POV (if you didnt read my note thingy))

  Jack and I arrived at Danny's house, the music inside already thumping our ears. I raised an eyebrow, since I'd never been to a high school party before, especially one as rowdy as this. 

  "’Lex, come on," Jack said, grabbing my wrist (I was grateful for the darkness, because I felt the blood rush to my cheeks) and dragging me up the patio. The door burst open just as we were a few feet from it, and Jack swung his hand out, knocking me in the chest and pushing me backwards, a kissing couple tumbling backwards on to the grass in front of us. This didn't off put them, however; they continued to make out, and for a second, I imagined the two interlocked bodies as Jack and myself. 

  "Alex," I heard a voice say, and I shook my head, blinking up at Jack's concerned face. "You alright?"

  "Yeah, just..." I said, my jaw slack. "Uh, yeah."

  Jack smirked at me, turning to enter the buzzing house. I followed him, and as soon as I did, my eyes widened. It was basically people grinding against each other and making out, the music blaring loudly for nothing. 

  "Woah," I said, and Jack grinned from beside me, nodding and looking round. He saw someone, perhaps one of his friends, and grabbed my wrist again, dragging me behind him through the mass of people. 

  "Hey, Frank!" Jack called, and a small guy with some girl grinding on him broke away to look up at us. 

  "You fucking cockblock, Barakat," this dude apparently called Frank grinned, and the girl moved aside cautiously, glaring at Jack, and stalked off. "I was gonna get laid, you ass!"

  "Frank, let's be honest, you're never gonna get laid," Jack laughed, and the boy stood up, punching Jack weakly in the arm. "Ow, Fwankie, that hurt!"

  "Oh, shut up," Frank smirked, and turned to me. I looked down at him nervously as he studied my face. 

  "Who's this?" he asked Jack.

  "Oh, 'Lex, this is Frank Iero. He was in my middle school. Frank, this is Alex Gaskarth," Jack explained to both of us. 

  "Oh," Frank nodded in understanding. "Your boyfriend."

  Wait.

  His what?

  My eyes widened and I felt my stomach do a backflip as I turned to Jack, who had his jaw squared. 

  "Alex is my best friend," he said forcefully. "Not my boyfriend."

  "But you said-" Frank started, but immediately raised his eyebrows and shut up with a gesture from Jack. "Right. Sorry. Uh, nice to meet you, Alex."

  "Hi, Frank," I said quietly, my heart thumping loudly and my mind racing. Had Jack told Frank I was his boyfriend? Did Jack like me like that?

  'No, obviously,' my mind yelled suddenly. 'Jack's only your friend! He'll never be more than that! He likes girls, not boys, and especially not you!'