Chapter 7 – Jack
After seeing Alex sob his heart out, I took him to the café for some coffee. He told me about his little brother that died at the age of 5. He had leukemia and they couldn't help him anymore. Alex was 7 when it happened and was very hurt. He told me he saw this kid in the hospital and it broke him in half. I was upset because I've never seen anyone cry like this. This must've been very traumatic for him and his family. I could see how he felt a bit better when he told me about it though. He still insisted on us seeing my dad, so we did. He was sleeping at the time, so we just stayed for a few minutes. Nothing special was going on, he was alright, so I decided to take Alex out for a pizza. He almost had a nervous breakdown and getting his mind off things sounded like a good idea.
''Are you alright?'' I asked him when we were eating.
''I'm okay, thank you Jack. What you did was very nice. Let's not tell anyone about this incident, okay?''
''Yeah, of course. I'm sorry for dragging you with me. If I went alone this wouldn't have happened.'' I felt guilty.
''Please don't apologize for this. I think I kinda needed it. I needed to let it out of my system. I can finally breathe now, I'm clean. So, thanks.''
''Are you sure?''
''Absolutely, thank you for listening.''
''That's the least I could do.''
He smiled at me. I had mixed feelings, but I smiled back, because everything was back to normal. I think...
I gave him a ride home later and went to pick up mom from work. I told her all about it. She was understanding as always and even suggested I spend some more time with Alex, that it would be beneficial for both of us. I was thinking about that anyways because I think that what happened today kinda brought us closer. Me and Alex got together the next day, he tutored me Algebra and was freaking good at it. Best tutor I've ever had. I felt so good with him.
So weeks passed and it was already December. Me and Alex were hanging out more and more, went shopping together, worked out together, studied together, we became very good friends. I was thinking about taking him to see Blink 182 for Christmas. Well, technically they were playing 24th but it would still count as a Xmas gift.
''Close your eyes.'' I said. We went to that Chinese place we were dying to go to since it has opened.
''Okay.'' He said and put his palms over his eyes.
I pulled out the concert tickets.
''Ok, open!''
''Oh my god! What is this?'' He was surprised, still guessing what I was holding in my hands.
''Are these what I think they are?'' I gave the tickets to him and he carefully held them.
''Holy shit, Blink?! Is this a joke?'' He said with the widest smile I've seen so far.
''Nope, these are the tickets to their show on 24th. You wanna go with me?''
''Do I want to? OH MY GOD JACK! I'd love to, this is like the best gift ever!'' He was so happy, he practically jumped on me and started hugging me like it's the last time. It made me happy. He liked it. No, loved!
''I can't believe it, no one has ever given me a gift like this, thank you so much.'' He said.
''No problem, I mean you told me you haven't seen them, so I thought, what a great idea, I can take you.''I was glad he was this excited.
''Awh, so sweet. But it's not over yet.''
''What do you mean?'' I asked.
''I've got a gift for you at home. When you drop me off, you'll get it.''
''Are you kidding? Alex...''
''No, no, you helped me a lot, do you remember that day at the hospital?''
''Yes.'' I replied. I did remember him sobbing like a baby, I just held him, but he didn't stop.
''I know it was horrible, but since then, I've become this person I've always wanted to be. I became free again. I had to let it out of my system. And you handled my breakout in the best way Jack. And I want to thank you.''
''Wow, that's beautiful. You're like my best friend Alex, you know there's nothing now, that I wouldn't do for you.
''I know.'' He said and put his palm over my hand.
I gave him a drive home, I was happy and was definitely looking forward to see what he got me. Now that he mentioned it. But I'd be happy even if he didn't buy me anything. Alex is really great. It feels really weird when you know someone, but you never really hang out with him. And when you start being his friend, you wonder, how come you never noticed what hides behind that person you just said Hello to. And I was really glad I asked Alex for Algebra tutoring. Rian is still my best friend, but now, so is Alex.
''Come upstairs.'' He said and grabbed my hand. We ran upstairs and he told me to sit down on his bed and close my eyes. I did it and just a few seconds later he pulled his gift from the closet.
''Ta-da!'' He said and I opened my eyes.
What I saw blew me away. He was holding a Fender CD-60 CE, an acoustic guitar in a vintage black color. I literally had to pick up my jaw.
''Alex, what's this?'' I was soooo taken aback, I did not expect that, at all.
''I know how much you like to play, so I thought you might need a new guitar.''
''Oh, my... what, are you serious??'' I said and approached him.
''Yes, I am dead serious, it's a Fender...'' He was going to tell me, but I knew what it was.
''CD-60 CE in vintage black.'' I finished his sentence.
''Yep, your favorite if I'm not mistaken.''
''No, you are definitely right.'' I still could not believe he bought me a freakin guitar!
''Well, touch it, hold it! Do you like it??''
''Oh my god Alex. I adore you, of course I love it. I just did not expect it.'' I was really in shock. No one has ever gotten me anything remotely close to this kind of awesome.
''That's the point of a surprise, right? Come on.'' He said and pulled me to the floor, where we sat next to his bed. I picked up the guitar, it was absolutely beautiful.
''Oh, here. Almost forgot.'' He handed me 2 guitar picks. One was black, it was Fender's and the other one was purple and had my name written on one side and Happy B-day! Love, Alex on the other side. My eyes started to get teary. I was so happy, this was the best surprise ever and I don't even like surprises.
''Hey hey, don't cry.'' He said and touched my face gently with his fingers.
''I'd rather you play me something.'' I looked up and nodded. I knew just what I was going to play. I started and it was I miss you by Blink 182.
I was humming the lyrics to myself, but then I heard Alex, he started singing.
We can live like Jack and Sally if we want
Where you can always find me
We'll have Halloween on Christmas
And in the night we'll wish this never ends
It was the most perfect moment ever. His voice was beautiful and I saw another side of him.
''Seems like the guitar fits your fingers perfectly.'' He said when we finished.
''It does, thank you Alex, this is really a great gift, kicks my ticket's little butt.''
''Oh no, Jack. I loved your gift and I'm really looking forward to the concert. I've never been at one and it'll be a pleasure going with you.'' He stood up and got me the guitar case.
''Here, for safe keeping.''
''Oh my god Alex. Thank you.'' I said and he opened it. I put the guitar in there, slowly and shut it.
We laid there on the floor of his room, talking about all kinds of stuff. He was enthusiastically explaining something and I was listening and watching how his eyes were shining and his mouth was widening into a smile. I would trade many moments just to relive that one again. Then we moved up to the bed and I must've dozed off. But what I felt, I didn't know, was it real, or just vivid dreaming...
Alex covered me with his blanket and stroked my head, removing my hair from my face.
''Good night Jacky.'' he whispered and leaned over and gently pressed a kiss on my lips. My heart started racing and I felt heat in my head. But it felt so right. The thought itself scared me to be honest, but it felt right.
[ credit for the title goes to: Tokio Hotel ]
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SIX FEET UNDER THE STARS
FanficCOMPLETED • After one of the biggest changes in his life so far, Alex starts senior year. On the first day of school he unintentionally draws attention to himself which makes Jack wonder what's hiding behind it. Little does he know that Alex has ha...
