A Love Like War (Jack Barakat Fanfiction)

Chapter 2: Learning to Fall

Carter grinned as she mused, "I'm going to the only class I enjoy: art". She loved art, particularly oil paints. They were her absolute favorite medium. Art was Carter's escape. It took her away from all the shit wracking her mind and let her feel at peace, if only for a moment. Art was her therapy. "Where you headed?" she asked Jack. She found her fingers cross at the silent hope Jack was in her art class.

Jack sighed mentally at the realization that they would be spending second period apart. "I have music, the only class I enjoy," he replied, making sure to mimic her phrasing as he nudged her teasingly. "I'll walk you there though; it's on my way anyways," he said, shooting her a charming smile. Carter couldn't believe this guy. He was hot AND a musician? She was definitely sending Mr. S a nice thank you card.

"Okay, I'll walk with you, but you should understand what a great honor this is. I don't let people walk me anywhere," Carter said with a smirk. "Now, c'mon loser. We're gonna be late if we don't get a move on." She tugged on his jacket as she began to walk down the hallway.Jack chuckled at her and rushed to catch up

"Well, I'm honored to be walking with such a celebrity," he said, feigning reverence. Jack was beginning to like this girl. She was different, but in a good way. She was genuine, unlike most of the girls he saw every day.

Carter rolled her eyes playfully and said, "Bow to me, peasant!" Jack eyed her with a playful glare. "Kidding!" Carter joked. "So tell me, what instrument do you play, Music Man?"

Jack couldn't seem to get the smile off of his lips at her nickname as he replied, "I play guitar, actually," he said with a wink. "I figured I'd be cool if I played it."

Carter eyed him warily. "Yeah, sureee. That's what a guitar does for you." She shook her head, laughing at the skunk-haired boy.

Jack chuckled at her reaction and continued, "I'm only joking. I think it's a beautiful instrument. That's the real reason I play." He really did love music. Jack and a few of his buddies were starting up a band, hoping someday they'd get to play as a job.

Carter smiled genuinely at Jack. "That was deep as shit, but so true. Although I don't think it helped on the coolness factor. You still seem pretty dorky to me," she said, ruffling his hair.

"Hey! No touchy" Jack exclaimed playfully as he reached up to run a hand through his hair. "This shit took me hours!" Carter gave him a look as if to say 'Really?' Jack grinned at her and continued, "I take pride in my hair. Kidding! It took like two seconds." Carter had to admit, the look on Jack's face when he fixed his hair was seriously hot. She bit her lip, not realizing she was watching him.

Jack smirked as he teased, "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I making you flustered?" He make sure to shoot her a wink as he used her own line against her. Carter simply rolled her eyes at Jack playfully. "Yanno, we should work together on a song sometime. I sing," Carter said nonchalantly, hoping that Jack would take her up on her offer.

Jack spoke through his grin, saying, "Hmm and why is that Miss Mason?" He loved how flustered he managed to make her when he used her own lines against her. Carter raised an eyebrow at him.

"You want the truth?" she inquired honestly, her eyes wide. Jack nodded, and she continued, "My greatest dream is to start a band someday and make people's lives better with my music. I love getting lost in a song, especially with a guitar riff in the background. The music you can make with a guitar is sheer poetry." Carter wasn't sure what the hell made her want to open up to Jack, but she kind of liked it. He listened intently when she spoke, as though he was drinking in every word. It made her feel something; that was for sure. She just didn't know what quite yet.