The Four Seasons

Nine

Pic of Jay ------->

A

I flicked through channels on t.v. and leaned back into the couch. Honestly, I was still trying to process the fact that I had gone to the first day of school for the first time. If it wasn't for Jack, I probably never would have. It was strange to think about.

"Alex?"

I didn't even have to look to know that it was Jack and that something was wrong. When I looked up, she had a terrified look on her face and I could tell she was holding back tears.

"What happened?" I asked, getting up off the couch.

"A-are Zeke or E-eli around?" she choked out.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "no, why?"

Her shoulders fell and she brought her hands up to her face, "because I really don't want them to see me do this."

With that, she broke down into tears.

* * *

J

"Domonic" Alex growled.

"What?" I questioned dazedly.

"I bet you that the spy is that Domonic guy" Alex grumbled.

I shook my head, "no... no. I think I do know who it is though."

Right after the phone call, I'd immediately gone to Alex without even thinking. The whole thing had caused reality to come crashing back in for me. Jay had my dad. The Quertos were after me. Someone at my school worked for them; possibly someone I'd talked to today.

"Who?" Alex's eyebrows furrowed.

"Brock" I deadpanned.

Alex frowned, "damn it, you're right. That bloody-"

I let out a sigh, "but we don't know if it is actually him for sure. We just don't know."

I felt the couch move beneath me as Alex sat down beside me.

"Hey" he said softly, "it's going to be okay."

"How? How can it be? Nothing is okay and it's not going to be. How can we fix this? How are we supposed to win?" I whispered miserably.

Alex pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me, "it will be. It has to be. We'll figure something out we just need... time. I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

"What about my dad?" I whispered into his chest.

"As long as you're okay, your dad will be okay" Alex assured me.

"I just feel like I'm being a terrible daughter. What right do I have to go school, and make friends and be happy while my dad is being held and probably tortured?" I cried, snuggling deeper into his shirt.

"Stop Jack. Please stop. After everything he's done for you, obviously he cares about you. He wouldn't want you to be upset. Plus, if it makes any difference, I hate to see you like this; it kills me to see you cry" Alex mumbled into my hair.

I paused and lifted my head from his chest to meet his eyes, "Alex, why do you care? Why did you even save me in the first place?"

"Because you make me care" he whispered, "that first time I met you, I was completely fine with letting Jay... and then, I looked into your eyes and everything changed. The idea of anyone hurting you now... it sickens me. I want to rip Jay's eyes out for having even looked at youthe wrong way. I care because it's you. How could I not care about you?"