My Pen Pal: Jack Barakat

Chapter Six - Vaulted Ceilings

Jack’s POV

I’d fell asleep on my bed with Olivia in my lap and had just woken up. I stretched my arms out above my head and turned to look at the time. It had just got 10 at night. Alex and the others would probably be expecting me to turn up for drinks, but I still wasn’t bothering. I took my phone out of my pocket to see various texts and a few missed calls from Alex. “Fuck sake.” I unlocked my phone and began to scroll the texts. Most were from Alex asking if I was definitely not going tonight and the others were from Rian, Zack and the rest of the crew. I flung my phone down on the bed, letting out a long sigh. “What am I gonna do Liv?” She barked at me. Of course I couldn’t understand what that bark meant but I felt like it meant get off your ass and go and have the drinks with the others. “Fine, I’ll go Liv. I’ll see you later baby.” I got off my bed and slid my coat on before heading out of the house and down the street. I sent a text to Alex saying I was heading down and stuck both of my hands in my pockets, bracing the bitterly cold air. As I stepped up to the building called The Stag I took a deep breath and walked inside, already hearing the laughter coming from the guys. I walked towards them all huddled around the bar. “Jack my man!” Flyzik embraced me with a tight hug and patted my back before pulling away. “You’re late!”
“Yeah I’m sorry. I had other stuff to attend to first.”
“More like thinking about that girl!” Rian screeched whilst gurgling beer in his mouth. I shook my head and saw Alex walk over. “He’s a bit drunk. In fact they all are. I’m the only one who’s still sober enough to have a formal conversation.” He chuckled grabbing 2 beers from the bar and signaled me to follow him to the table in the corner. We both sat down and I knew what he was going to talk to me about. “So about this girl.”
“What about her?” I took my beer from Alex and sipped from it nervously. “She’s been playing on your mind right?” I almost spat out my beer. “You’re not seriously believing Rian are you?!” He shook his head. “I mean like, you’re pretty attached to her and you haven’t even met the girl yet.” I let out a long sigh, rolling my eyes. “Jack I’m serious.”
“Fine yeah, I guess I’m attached to her. I think about her every single night before I go to sleep now.” Alex gave me a warming smile. “That’s sweet dude. You’ve got to keep focused though, okay?” I just nodded, focusing back on my beer.

For the whole night I sat alone in the corner of The Stag whilst everyone else became drunk and danced around. Alex had joined the drunken bandwagon too. I was quite literally the only sober person there. I realised it would be best for me to go and I walked out without any of them noticing. I text Alex letting him know I went home early and saw the time on my phone which said quarter to midnight. As I reached my door I looked up into the night sky, looking at the stars. I wondered if Danni would be sleeping right now or if she’d be sat awake, worrying about things. I sighed and walked into my house, locking the door behind me. Olivia ran up to me, wagging her tail and crying. “Miss me girl?” I crouched down to her level and scratched her back, making her happier. I made my way to my bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, Liv joining me there yet again. I put my phone on the bedside table and began to stare up at the ceiling. I hoped a letter from Danni would arrive in the morning. I needed to speak to her and more importantly see her…

Danielle’s POV

I woke up in the morning bounding out of bed. For once I was more than happy to walk to college because Benji was meeting me. I hoped this would become a regular thing. As I was eating my breakfast I remembered the kiss me and him exchanged last night. I grinned to myself, eating my breakfast as fast as possible. “Whoa slow down darling! You’ll make yourself feel sick eating that fast.” I didn’t listen to my dad as he walked in and sat down on the chair opposite me. I could see him watching me. “You appear to be more happier than usual?” I just nodded whilst finishing the last of my cereal. “Is it something to do with your new friend?” I smiled even more. “Maybe.”
“What’s his name by the way?”
“Benji.” I grinned. “Benji Bryans.”
“I’ve heard of him! He’s the new kid. His dad works at the same place as me.” An awkward silence broke the conversation. “I best go and get ready. I’m meeting him in half an hour.” I got up and made my way out into the kitchen, taking a deep breath and putting my empty bowl into the sink.

I sat patently waiting for a knock at my door. I was nervous to be walking with Benji again. I wondered if any of the bullies would approach us after what happened yesterday when him and me first met. I hoped they wouldn’t. A loud thump sounded at the door and I grinned yet again. I stood up and checked myself over in the mirror before putting my backpack on over my shoulders and opening the door. A smiling Benji was stood in front of me and I immediately wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back tightly before I shut the door behind me and we started the walk to college together. “So how was your sleep?”
“It was good thanks. Better than usual.”