SIX FEET UNDER THE STARS

13 - They don't need to understand

Chapter 13 - Jack

Past few months have been great! My dad was finally making some progress, mom was under less stress and my life has slowly gotten back in order. Rian, myself, Alex and Zack were spending a lot of time together, doing all kinds of fun stuff, summer was practically here and we were planning a trip before going off to college. Alex was a bit more nervous than before but it didn't worry me. He was always well organized and I never had any doubts about him getting everything done.

''Jack, can you please help me with something?'' Alex asked. I was in the bathroom fixing my hair and he was boxing some clothes.
''Shoot, what do you need?'' I asked and threw myself on the bed.
''Can you help me put these in the closet, please...'' He pointed on some boxes in the corner.
''Sure.'' I grabbed one and put it in the closet. I was folding them carefully when Alex took a seat on the floor and started crying.
''Hey hey... what is it?'' I kneeled down and cupped his sad little face with my palms.
''I'm so scared, Jack...'' he said, with a tear dripping down his cheek.
''Of what?''
''Of everything... college, adult life, big decisions,... what if I end up alone in the end?'' He started crying even more.
''Alex, you'll never end up alone, not as long as you have me. I'll never leave you, okay?'' He looked and me and nodded like a sad puppy.

''I mean it! All these adult life big decision things, we'll deal with it together, okay?''

''You promise Jack?''
''I promise you. You know you can trust me.'' I could see a little smile forming on his face, soaked with tears.
''Now come on, I'll get you some tea and finish with the boxes, then we're meeting Zack and Rian. We have a roadtrip to plan.''
''Thank you Jack, I'm thankful for you everyday, don't know what I'd do without you.'' He said and took a seat on the bed.
''I know, you'd be a damsel in distress without me and you know it.'' I said and winked at him. I got a little smile in return... that's all I wanted.

So me and the boys decided we are roadtripping to Cleveland for the Vans Warped Tour. There are some good bands playing and it wouldn't cost us a lot of money. Plus Rian's dad can lend us his suv for a week so we'd have enough space. It was perfect! I was so excited, I just hope that Alex will be alright, lately he has been stressing over that college life but I know he's upset that we couldn't get into the same dorm. I know how badly he wanted us to room together. I told him it doesn't matter to me that much because it could be much worse. We could be in two different cities, hours away.

I'll make it work, Alex deserves it. He's been nothing but kind to me. I always thought high school couldn't get any better for me, but he sure surprised me. He totally turned things over and I found something in him, something I've been hearing stories about and searching for quite a while.

[ credit for the title goes to: Andy Black ]