(Jalex) The First Step Towards Repair

The best of us can find happiness in misery.

Chapter 10

I don't care what you think

'cause as long as it's about me

The best of us can find happiness in misery.

Jack

I stood outside the door waiting for Alex as he locked the front door before we walked to school together. It was pretty awkward since we didn't talk to each other. I noticed, however, that he seemed to be uncomfortable with something... His brows were creased with worry and a frown was imprinted on his face. It was upsetting to see such negative emotions on someone so... amazing.

"Hey, Alex?" I murmured and his head shot up.

"Yeah?"

"Are you... okay?"

He gave me a half-hearted smile and a slight nod. "I'm fine."

I frowned, I wasn't really convinced by his answer. He's probably hiding something... but what was it? "Are you sure?"

"Why do you care?" he snapped suddenly and I recoiled at his sudden outburst. Alex's expression morphed into guilt and he mumbled, "sorry..."

I smiled and shook my head. "It's my fault for meddling so much... sorry..." I shouldn't have asked so much... he was right, why do I care? It's not like it's my business anyway. Besides, we've just met. Could I be falling for him? What the fuck Jack, you're not even into dicks. I thought to myself.

He shrugged and we continued our way, soon making to the school building. I grumbled. "Perfect. Time for education," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Alex bit down on his lip and trembled slightly and I frowned. He was afraid of something. Something must've happened to him yesterday, considering how he broke down yesterday, and got me to stay with him last night... How do I distract him from that fear and worry? "Don't worry, okay? I won't let anyone hurt you," I whispered and he simply nodded before we went inside.

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Alex followed me to my locker since he only brought three items along with him today. I stuffed my gym attire into the locker before slamming it shut, causing Alex to flinch. "Oh shit. Sorry," I said and he smiled and shook his head. I took out my phone and went to the 'Notes' application for my schedule (why the fuck would you keep a piece of paper when you can just type it out?), scanning for today's lessons before I let out a groan. "Geography's my first period. You?"

Alex took out his notebook and looked through with a slight frown on his face. "Biology," he said.

Just then, the school bell rung. "Well... we better get going then. Stay safe, Alex," I said. Hopefully he doesn't run into any douchebags...

He nodded and gave me a small wave, causing my lips to curl up into a smile and return that wave back before we headed to our separate classes. As I walked towards the geography class, I couldn't help but worry about him. What if he runs into some sort of unwanted trouble? I brushed the uneasy feeling aside. He'll be fine, Jack. Why do you care?

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Alex


I hurriedly made my way to my class, focusing on the path straight ahead in case I bump into someone (even though the corridors were deserted) who's going to beat me up, when I noticed a burly figure standing in front of me. I came to a halt and looked up. Well, fuck. It was that guy yesterday. Along with two other of his friends. They had an all too familiar and unpleasant smirk on their faces.

"Well, you've actually learnt your lesson yesterday, huh?" The one at the front said. I gulped and looked down at my shoes nervously, not uttering a single word.

He started to walk again, purposely nudging me hard on the shoulder and I stumbled a few steps back. "Guess not!" He said with a smug grin before pushing me roughly, causing my back to slam on the cement wall and I let out a gasp of pain. The other two swung their fist at my face and I raised my arms in defence, causing them to punch my arms instead. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain and my body slid down the wall. I brought my knees to my chest and hugged them tightly, curling up into a ball as they continued to hurl insults and attacks at me. I was in such a pathetic state, my body covered in bruises and I was here, cowering without attempting to fight back. What's the point of fighting back anyway? You'll lose. Compared to them, I was only a pathetic wimp who is simply a waste of space. Their insults didn't sting, not much. After all, it was only the truth. I hardly made a sound when they kicked and punch me. In fact, I found those rather relieving, in a sense. A 'painkiller' for me, clouding my mental suffering with physical pain. 

"What do you think you're doing?" I heard a voice yell. The abuse came to a halt and they sprinted off, then another figure ran towards me and squatted down.

"Hey. Hey. Are you okay? Fuck." I glanced up. His brows were knitted and a concerned expression was imprinted on his face. Rian. "Shit. Jacob and his bunch of brainless fools..." he swore under his breath before helping me up. I winced slightly in pain as his hand pressed against the bruises on my arm. He must've noticed it though, because Rian's grip softened a bit.

"I'll bring you to the nurse's office," he said and I nodded, giving him a thankful smile. Slowly, I limped beside him as he walked me there.

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Once we got to the nurse's office, the nurse sat me down on a seat and tended to my bruises. Rian stood at the door awkwardly. "You should go for your lessons," she told him and he nodded, giving me a wave before he went off.

The nurse shook her head and sighed deeply. "My boy, did you get yourself into a fight? You should avoid those you know, they're not good," she said. I remained silent, not wanting to reveal to her about the earlier incident. 

Soon, she was done with my bruises and she sent me off. "Be careful, sweetie!" she called out as I left, heading towards Biology when the bell rung again, signalling for the end of the lesson. Huh. That was quick. I took out my notebook, flipping through the pages and scanning the contents. The word 'English' was circled with a blue pen. My stomach fluttered and I felt a smile creep up to my face. Jack's gonna be there. I stuffed the notebook back into my pocket again and looked around. Students were streaming into the corridors. Better run before I meet those guys again...

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A/N: Yay! Slightly more interesting, I suppose. Writer's block loves to kick me in the face. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. :D

I think some bits make no sense, so I'll have to look through this chapter again someday. :D