Ecstasy

Gilinsky

I lead Jack into the room, to find Jeff sitting on the armchair. He turns around and gestures to the bed.
"Sit, sit. I want to talk to you guys."
I nod then look at Jack, who looks anxious and pale. I wonder what Jeff could want.
I sit on the edge of the bed, Jack sitting next to me. He sits close enough to where our legs are touching, but it doesn't look like we're together. I look over at Jeff expectantly, waiting for him to say something.
He sighs, then looks at Jack and smiles softly. "You guys really love each other, don't you?"
I stare at him, at a loss for words. Then I start nodding, slowly at first, then rapidly. "Yes, I do. I love him very much." I look over at Jack, who is smiling and blushing slightly. I smile too, then slide my arm around his shoulders. He leans into me, then plants a kiss on my jawline. I shiver with pleasure, almost forgetting that Jeff is in here also.
"Yeah, Jeff. I love him, and if Mom and Dad can't accept that, then I guess I am not their son anymore." Jack tears his beautiful blue eyes from mine, then stares at Jeff.
Jeff smiles, then nods. "I always knew this was gonna happen. You guys had too much chemistry. I'm really glad you guys are together, though. And Jacks? Feel free to come visit me in the future," he stands up, then heads to the door. "Have fun in LA, lil' bro."

The next day, Jack, Nash, Sam, and I are all standing in the aeroport waiting to board the plane. Jack's hand is tightly wound with mine, his fingers grasping mine so tightly that his knuckles are turning white. I rub circles into the back of his hand with my thumb to try and calm him down.
"Hey everyone, let's get Naked!" Sam holds up a bunch of Naked juice bottles.
I start laughing, then I grab a bottle from Sam. "Okay, give me your money so I can pay."
Sam and Nash hand me five dollar bills, then Jack and I go over to the cash register and pay for them. After that, we all go sit in our assigned gate. Jack sighs nervously and rubs his hands against his thighs.
"Hey, what's wrong, babe?" I ask him.
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Just..." He shakes his head, tears pooling in his eyes.
"Jack? What's happened?" I put my arm around his shoulders and pull him into a sort of side hug, and he wraps his arms around me.
"It's just my mother. She told me that she never wanted to see me again... how could she say that? She always told me that she'd be here for me no matter what." Jack sniffles, rubbing the palm of his hand upwards against his nose.
I run my thumb under his eyes, wiping away his tears. "Shh, shh. It's okay, Jack. She didn't meant it. She's just having a hard time accepting it." I kiss the top of his head, smoothing away his hair from his forehead.
"She shouldn't have a hard time accepting it! She is my mother!"
I nod. "I know. I know."
"No, you don't! You don't have a mother!" Jack sits up, pulling himself away from me.
I stare at him, opening and closing my mouth. I don't know what to say. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I feel rage burning up inside me. My throat starts closing up, and I feel tears threaten to flood from my eyes.
"Yeah, sorry." I stand up, my vision clouding. "Please excuse me, sir. Sorry, ma'am." I start walking away, not really sure where I'm going.
"No, wait, I'm sorry! Come back, Jack!" Johnson shouts at me, worry clear in his frantic voice. I keep walking.
"Please! I didn't mean it!"
I turn around. "Then why the hell did you say it?!" I notice a few people staring at us, and through my cloudy vision I see Sam and Nash walk over to Jack, both clearly confused. Jack starts waving his arms around and says something that I can't hear, then Sam straightens up and looks over at me, making his way to me. I turn around again then keep walking.
"Hey, you okay? Well, I mean, you're obviously not okay... but where are you going?" Sam says, panting next to me.
"I don't know."
"Well, you gotta stay close. The flight leaves in an hour."
"Then maybe I won't go."
"What?! You can't just not go! You have the album to work on and the tour!"
I stop walking, then turn to face Sam. "Yeah, I will, but not now."
"When, then?"
I pause. "I'm gonna go sleep."
"That doesn't answer my question."
I nod.
"Wake me up when September ends."