(Jalex) The First Step Towards Repair

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Alex

The doorbell sounded, echoing throughout the whole house. "Maybe it's your friend, Rian," I suggested and he nodded. "I'll go get it," he exclaimed before dashing downstairs. I laughed at turned to look at Jack. There was something about him that was different from what I remembered... There's something about him that was... dead. I don't exactly know the word to describe it - but he seemed so off. So unhappy. Or was it guilt? I stared at his blank expression, noticing how his eyes were fixated on his arms as he fiddled with his sleeves. I frowned, scooting slightly towards him and I wrapped my arms around his.

"Hey, Jack," I whispered as he glanced up. Jack gave me a small smile and I grinned, snuggling into the crook of his neck. He let out a light chuckle and kissed my head forehead lightly, I gazed up at him, my grin fading into a smile. "Are you alright?"

"Mmhm... I'm fine," he said. It wasn't very convincing, though... but...

I moved my hand and slipped into his, our fingers interlocking. "Just know that I love you, so very much, okay?" I said, my voice filled with sincerity. It was the truth - I loved him. As cheesy as this may sound, he was my everything. I watched as his smile grew, and mine did as well.

"I love you too, 'Lex."

I heard the door open again and Rian stepped in, along with someone behind him. When Rian saw Jack and I, he backed away with his hands up in the air. "Woah woah woah. No public displays of affection allowed here!" he exclaimed and I let out a laugh.

"But this is my house," I protested, cuddling Jack again while he laughed. I don't care if that other kid was going to judge the two of us.

Rian scoffed jokingly, "Fine, I'll leave you lovebirds be. Well, this is Zack," he said and stepped to one side, revealing his friend that stood beside him. He was a tall, slender guy with curly brown hair, with his bass in his hands. He didn't seem too bad, but who knows? You can't really judge based on appearance.

Zack smiled shyly and waved at us. "Hey guys," he mumbled.

I grinned and gave a friendly wave back with my left hand and Jack with his right. I released my embrace from Jack and sat up straight. "Hey! I'm Alex," I said. "And I'm Jack."

He nodded and Rian motioned him to sit on the floor beside him.

"So... like... show us what you've got?" I mumbled, hoping that I didn't sound like an asshole or anything. With a nod, Zack started to play his bass.

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After he finished, all three of us applauded and Zack let out a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Well, I guess so far Zack wasn't that bad. He wasn't like any of those judgemental pricks in school and that was really cool, in my books. I think I like him already. I could tell Jack feels the same, and that was great.

Jack, Rian, Zack and I discussed about our training and all that before Rian and Zack decided to head home. Jack and I exchanged numbers with Zack before he left, so that we could all keep in touch.

Soon, Jack and I were alone in my bedroom. The atmosphere around us was unsettlingly silent... I didn't like it. I don't know, it felt like there was some unhappy aura lingering in the air. I watched Jack, who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts as he fixed his gaze on my simple bedroom wall. Biting down on my lip, I muttered out, "Jack?"

The guitarist snapped out of his daydream and looked at me. "Yeah?"

"...are you okay?" I asked. The answer was obvious and in plain sight - no. He wasn't okay. At least, not at this moment. But he mustered a smile and a nod.

"I'm fine."

I furrowed my brows. "Well... care to talk about it?"

A look of irritation appeared on his face but it was quickly replaced with a slight laugh. "I told you I was okay."

I nodded before mumbling, "If you need anything... I'll be here for you, okay?" I paused slightly, not sure if I should tell him this or not, and continued hesitantly, "You... helped me go through my difficult times and well... just know that I'll be here too." I bit down on my lip nervously, hoping that he wouldn't snap at me or anything because it felt like I was being such a clingy fuck, but all I saw was a genuine grin appear on his face. I couldn't help but grin along as well.

"Yeah... Thanks, 'Lex," Jack said before adding, "I love you."

I laughed, throwing my arms around him and we hugged, my body pressed against his. It felt so comforting. I pulled back and gave him a small peck on the lips before I got up. Jack stuck his bottom lip out, and god damn he was so fucking cute. I wanted to pull him into a huge hug and never let go, but that's so gay.

Oh wait. Ha-ha.

I am gay.

I giggled. "I have to eat, ya know," I said and he folded his arms.

"Fine, you meanie."

I snickered at his childish responses. "Aren't you hungry too?"

He nodded slowly and got up, reaching out to my hand. I grinned and grabbed it before we both headed downstairs together.

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A/N: Slightly shorter than targeted chapter. It's 932 words aha

Well! There we have (finally) chapter 24. Zack's in, yay! I've always wanted a way to include all the members of All Time Low in this fanfiction so :D

(Zack is still scrawny back then so I'm basing it off that)

And yeah.

I hope you enjoyed it!

P.S ALMOST 1.8k reads?? oh my goD thank you guys so much I was not expecting that at within like 2 chapters or something because I realised in chapter 22 my author's note wrote that there was only 800+ reads and now there's like 1k more? holy frick guys thank you