Somewhere In Neverland

Nineteen.

Arabella's P.O.V.

What happened? How long have I been sleeping? Where am I? "You know, Gaskarth, I have Olivia. Arie's my sister, not my love interest." I heard Jack say and then a car door close. I stirred a little bit in Alex's lap, and I heard him sigh. "What was that about?" I said softly and he jumped a little. "Arie! You're up!" He stuttered, and I giggled a little at his confusion. "That was, uh, nothing. Just me being a prick." He said quickly. "Alex, I love you. Not Jack. If anything, I love Jack like my brother, not as a boyfriend. Don't worry, he's your best friend. Now go fix it." I stated with a smile, a real, genuine smile. He smiled and nodded, "don't take too long, okay?" He said, and I nodded in return.

He jumped out of the car and I was there. Alone. Jeez Arabella. Look what you did. You're causing two best friends to have tension right before their very first big break, and you're making everyone late to lunch. I was lost in thought, forgetting that I still needed to go in and find the boys. I felt my phone vibrate, slipping me outta my thoughts.

Zack: Arieeeeeeeee c'mon now! Were all hungry and waiting onyou!

I laughed a little at the text message and replied that I was on my way inside. I walked in and I saw Jack and Alex sitting together at one side of the booth, and Zack and Rian at another, with a little space for me to sit. I smiled when I saw Jack and Alex messing around like they used to when I first met them all. I slipped into the seat next to Zack. "Finally! Girls take forever," Jack said, pouting. "I'm sorry, Jacky, I'll make sure to be quicker next time" I giggled and everyone laughed along with us. This was perfect, everything was falling into place.

It couldn't go back to being shit, could it? No, Arabella get that shit out of your head. These guys love you like family, except Alex, of course. I felt someone kick my shin under the table. "OW! YOU FUCK JACK BARAKAT!" I screamed and the people sitting around us turned their heads towards me, shooting looks of disapproval. Jack snickered and everyone else laughed. I sat down, blushing. Finally, our waitress came and we ate our food.

"What are the plans for the rest of the night?" I asked, not really expecting much since we all had to be at about 4:30 in the morning tomorrow. "Nothing, just gonna watch movies and hang out around the house." Rian said, looking tired as did everyone else. "I'll drop everyone off! I need to take Arie somewhere," Jack said quickly, practically jumping out of his seat. Everyone looked him quizzically, except for Alex, who sat next to him with a smirk on his face. "Jack, maybe we should just relax tonight, I mean we have a big day tomorrow and all." I said, and Jack whined. "But Arie it's special and I wanna show you!" He pouted and I couldn't resist saying no. "Fine, but not too late." I replied and he clapped his hands. We paid our bill and walked out to the car.

"Trust me, you'll love it." I heard Alex whisper into my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist. I swear this boy knew how to get me and keep me, without me even having to tell him.

Jack's P.O.V.

I dropped everyone off and just me and Arie remained in the car. It was a quiet silence for a minute or two, and I looked over at her to make sure she was okay. She was leaning her head back, getting lost in my music choice. Here In Your Arms was playing, and I could hear her softly singing the words. Casually, I turned the volume down until I could hear her singing. She sounded amazing, actually. I didn't know a little girl could produce notes like she was.

"Jack, stop! Turn it back up!" She yelled suddenly and I jumped a little. She cracked a smile, trying to stay serious. "You have an amazing voice, you know that?" I said and she blushed. "It's nothing, just music is what has kept me sane these years." She said, looking out the window. "Well, be prepared for us to drive you insane."

She smiled and giggled, "I'm looking forward to it, Jacky poo." I laughed and she turned back towards the window, not singing anymore.

Arabella's P.O.V.

I loved Jack, as a brother. I was glad he wanted to take me out to wherever it was that he were driving too. In all honesty though, I wanted to be alone and just clear my head. What if Alex finds someone on tour? He's too good for you, Arabella. You're holding them all back and you know it. I sighed as the little voice in my head decided to keep going on and on. "Hey, Arie?" I heard Jack cough out awkwardly, breaking me from my train of thought. "Mm?" I replied, but still not facing him. "You wouldn't ever, leave us? I mean, death wise. And just leaving too." He added in quickly. I froze, not knowing what to say.

"Jack...I-I won't." I stuttered, not sure if I believed those words. He frowned, obviously picking up that I wasn't being entirely truthful. "You know we all love you like family, Arabella. And Alex is friggen crazy about you. You've got him hooked, and I haven't seen him this happy since Tom died." He said, finishing with a sigh. I looked at him and noticed features I never saw before in my best friend. He desperately needed to shave his face a little, he looked like a homeless person. He was a little pale and there were bags under his eyes. "Jack, why haven't you been sleeping?" I asked, worrying.

"I have been, chill out." He snapped back. "Don't lie to me, Barakat." I said, sternly. He sighed and his shoulders slumped down. "I've just been thinking about this tour thing. Yeah, I'm stoked as all fucking hell about this. But then again, I didn't have a girlfriend a few months ago. I'm just worried we won't make it." He finished while pulling into a secluded parking lot and parking. What's this place? "Jack," I turned towards him and looked him directly in the eyes, "if you truly care about Olivia, you'll fight for it too work. If she truly cares about you, she will too." He nodded and smiled in agreement. "Thanks boo, needed my pep talk." He winked and rolled my eyes.

"Ready to see what I wanted to show you?" He asked, eagerly and I laughed, getting out of the car. "Walk up the hill, it's only about a five minute walk, not too bad. Race you!" He said, darting up the hill. "Not fair! You had a head start!" I said, racing behind him. Obviously, because Jack is the cheater he is, he was at the top first. "You fucker," I panted heavily, out of breath. He laughed and pulled up to the edge of a very high cliff. It was beautiful.

The sun was almost set, but the lake or pond or whatever it was looked amazing. Given it was almost summer, it was hot as all hell outside, but a nice breeze was blowing to. It cleared my head, giving me time to breathe and just relax. "This is where I used to take Alex, when he would have panic attacks." Jack murmured. "Jack...I know you loved him as much as the rest of them." I said, quietly. "I did. I really did. But I know he's happy now and I want to do all of this for him." He replied and I gave him a hug. He hugged back before saying we should return home before Alex started freaking out. I laughed and felt my phone vibrate. A text from Alex. "Well, speak of the devil," I giggled and Jack laughed, starting up the car and down to the street.

Alex: Youre beautiful bby, don't forget that. Tell jack to get your asses home rians going all dad on us.

I laughed and replied we'd be back in about ten minutes. In a short time, we had pulled into the driveway of the house. "Thank you, Jack. I needed this." I said, and he kissed me on the cheek. "What are brothers for?" He said, ruffling my hair. I stuck my tongue out at him and ran towards the house