Under a Paper Moon (Jalex)

Chapter 1

Alex's POV

I barely remember Baltimore, it seemed like another world. Moving back here since we lost my brother was going to be hard. I boxed and taped up all of my CD's, posters, clothes and shoes before piling them onto the truck. I think by now the whole of Toronto knew me as that gay emo guy who's brother killed himself. In a way I wanted atleast one person to remember me, it'd be a nice way to start the school year off.

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I stumbled to my feet and found at least some balance from somewhere before I placed myself on the floor to do my hair. I sat in the mirror and straightened each strand of hair carefully. I was one of the perfectionist kind of people and I never saw it in myself which is why I became unstable and in this mess in the first place. Mom dropped me off down the road from school. "Chin up handsome." She smiled before throwing her arms around me. She had to be nice to me, she was my mum. I bumped into a guy who looked like he could knock me out with one touch. "I'm so sorry I was just checking my hair and I didn't see you I'm sorry are you hurt?" I rambled on, the guy just laughed. "Zack." He smiled, "Zack Merrick." I nodded slowly thinking he was the only friend I'd have from now on.

Jack's POV

Just as I took my earphones out, I heard Zack laughing. What on earth was so funny? I tapped him on the shoulder and as I turned I noticed he was with another guy who wasn't Rian. "Jack you fag! this is Alex." Zack introduced us but he didn't need to. The name 'Alex' shot back a few memories, a few too many for me to take in for that fact. I remember exactly how he used to look, the boy who never came back. "I know. He used to live next door to me. Gaskarth?" I smiled as soon as he nodded. "It's funny because he reminds me of you. The clothes, the music, the way he acts." Zack whispered into my ear. Music? Alex liked good music now too? Oh lord. I walked with him to our first lesson and pulled out the seat next to me. "Can I sit here?" He moved his hair out of his eyes, "That's why I pulled it out for you." I sat down after he did.

Everyone wouldn't stop looking at him, I felt as if I should protect him so I did.

We spoke more as the lesson progressed. "So um why did Zack call you a fag?" He didn't take his eyes off of his paper, I had no clue what he was drawing but it looked amazing. "Because I'm gay. But what are you drawing?" I picked it up, probably scaring him. "Well..it's on paper which makes it a paper moon. The moon symbolises two people's relationship. If they argue, the moon rips, if they forgive one another it doesn't fix, the rips still there. It shows that not everything can go back to being the exact same once the damage is done. Also the two people under the moon don't have anything that singles out their gender so you can just see it how you like." I didn't know what to say. This kid was so deep and creative I could barely remember his as much as I'd of liked to though which sucked. I was just speechless, I could barely take it all in at once.

Alex's POV

After my whole paper moon speech Jack just sat there and stared at it. He probably though it was stupid and shit but I didn't care. How he said "Because I'm gay" replayed in my head, he just seemed so proud and happy about it, I guess I should be about myself too. "You still like video games, right?" Jack asked, I knitted my eyebrows. "Who doesn't?" I smiled wondering why on earth he'd asked. Maybe he was interested in me? Maybe I could go out with him sometime?

Maybe he just wanted to know more about the new kid so he could run and tell everyone. How damaged and messed up me and my family are, how I'm a gay emo who no one likes? Yeah probably that last one.

"Alex?" He clicked his fingers around my face until I snapped out of it.

"Would you wanna come round and play video games later then?" He closed his books and put his bag on his back. "Of course." I beamed a smile his way before the bell went.

So maybe I found him attractive just a little but I was puzzled as what the hell I was meant to later. How was I going to control myself around him? He had these dark brown gravy coloured eyes, a blonde streak or two in his jet black hair and he was above average height and lanky. But those were just a few small reasons why I found myself not being able to look away from him each time I was in his view.

He was leant on the wall outside my last lesson, smiling at me. Did he know I was gay? I didn't plan on telling him and defiantly not tonight. The bell rang and everyone flooded out, I couldn't go back now. I felt Jack grab my hand and pull me out of it all, he let go after he realised he was still holding on a little longer than I'd expected. Don't get me wrong I liked it. but it just felt..right?

(Okay so this is my second Jalex fic I have now. I have so many ideas and I thought I should probably publish this now. I'm fairly new to this so just vote if you like it or comment what I can change or improve on. Thank you. Also my twitter is @_LucyGaskarth if you want to tweet me or follow me on there)