Trivium (All Time Low Fic)

Turquoise-ish Might Not Be A Real Word But I Keep Saying It Anyways

JACK's POV

Ruby's eyes stay locked on my own and I stare back into them. I think about what I should do, but I'd never seen her have a panic attack until last night. Alex usually chases me out before they get too bad...

I don't know what to do!

Do I just let go of her hands and back up? Alex would know. Do I just go and get him from upstairs? Could I be lucky enough for him to come down right now? Or would he just blame me for her having an attack. Would he be right to blame me? Am I the reason she's having a panic attack?

I promised Alex I would be nicer to her! I was going to try getting along with her! Where did I mess it up?

I swore on our friendship that I wouldn't hurt Ruby anymore...

"I'm okay now," Ruby whispers. 

I let go of a breath I didn't realize I was holding. After a minute, or however long it is, I notice that I have yet to let go of her hands.

I release her and back up, giving her space. Alex has always made me leave... I don't know what to do. I really don't know if there's anything I'm supposed to do after one.

What do I do?

"I'm sorry," Ruby sighs quietly. I look up at her. Her face is full of fear.

Oh shit, don't cry. Don't cry. Dontcrydontcrydontcry

"Are you okay?", Ruby asks suddenly. My head snaps up to look at her. I hadn't realized I'd looked away... "You look like you're going to have an attack."

"I'm fine," I sigh. "I just. I was supposed to keep from upsetting you."

Ruby shifts in her seat on the bed. My hands tug at the back of my neck out of stress.

I swore.

"Why?", Ruby cocks her head to the side. The light from the window catches her frame and her hair shines brightly. 

Since when is there pink in her hair?

"Jack, why are you supposed to be nice to me?", Ruby presses, concern spread through her facial features.

"Alex... Alex made me swear on our friendship that I would stop hurting you like that," I explain. "He said he'd stop talking to me altogether if I made you have a panic attack or anything else again. I was trying to behave..."

"You did a really good job," Ruby says like it should be obvious. "I don't get what you're so worried about. I didn't have a full-on attack, and even that minor one wasn't your fault just now."

"It wasn't?", I ask.

"Of course not," Ruby chuckles before biting her lip. "I just. I'm not used to being that close to someone. If it were anyone except for Alex, I'd have reacted the same way. That wasn't your fault. I did trip, after all."

I nod slowly at her response.

"What is taking you two so long?", Alex's voice rises through the basement. I turn my heels so I'm facing him as he comes down the staircase. "You don't even get along, how can you spend so much time together?"

"Well I haven't killed him, so that may be considered a plus for you," Ruby taunts. "What's for breakfast?"

"Bacon. Waffles. Bacon," Alex answers simply. "I'm going to go make sure Helen doesn't eat it all... Ruby, don't kill Jack."

"I'll come with," I speak up as Alex turns and makes his way up the staircase. "I'll let you get dressed now," I say to Ruby. I don't wait for her reaction and walk upstairs.