Painting Flowers (A Jack Barakat fanfic)

Chapter 9

*Alex's POV*

The guys and I get off at Rian's place. Kathryn follows and Jack walks beside her. Rian leads us inside and we all follow our basic routine - we head downstairs while Rian grabs us some drinks and snacks. We dump our bags on the pool table in the corner of the room and pick up the spare set of instruments we leave at Rian's place for practice. Kat sits on the pool table and Jack stands beside Kathryn, checking his guitar is in tune as they make goo-goo eyes at each other.

"What's with that look, man?" Zack asks me from behind. I look at him, stepping away from the mic stand. "What look?" I respond, acting as if I'm unaware that I'm glaring at the two. Zack scoffs and rolls his eyes, obviously signalling he hasn't bought my response at all. "C'mon dude. You've been a real dick to your cousin all day. At least tell me what's going on between you guys. Did you have a fight or something?" He asks, obviously concerned. I shake my head and wave him off carelessly.

"Nothing happened, Zack. Okay?"

"Well why are you ignoring Kat? You basically shoved her over this morning and Jack and I were left to help her up." He informs me, leaving me even more furious. 

"Look, it's nothing, okay?" I sigh angrily. Zack steps back and stands where he usually stands, not looking back at me. "Alright. Whatever." He mumbles as he plugs his bass into the amp. Jack walks over, still smiling at Kathryn. I grit my teeth and adjust my mic stand properly. Jack doesn't take any notice of me, as he and Kathryn continue to have a conversation from opposite sides of the room. 

Rian returns with cans of soda and bowls of chips, like always. He takes a seat at his drum kit and we all turn to each other. "What should we start with?" he asks. I look at Zack, who shrugs. Then I look at Jack who is still staring at Kathryn. At this rate, I'm ready to burst, louder than a balloon. 

"C-Could you guys maybe do First Date, by Blink-182? Maybe? If you know it. Please?" Kathryn's shy voice echoes across the room to us. Jack looks back at Rian, who gives him a nod and Zack does the same. Jack turns to me. "Alex?" he says. "You up for it?" I take a glance at Kathryn, who is staring back with hopeful eyes. I sigh heavily and look away from her. "Fine." I agree. 

Rian gives us a beat to start to before coming in with the intro with Jack. Before I start singing, Zack is in with his bass. I begin to sing the lyrics, avoiding looking at Kathryn. However, Jack can't seem to get his eyes off her. 

When we finish playing, Kathryn applauds us cheerfully. Jack's face lights up with pride. "That was amazing guys. I loved it." She beams enthusiastically. I clear my throat loudly, grabbing the attention of the rest of the guys. "Should we move on?" I suggest. Zack shrugs in response before nodding.

We get down to our proper practice. I hoped it would be as if Kat wasn't even here but of course Jack couldn't stop talking to her, infuriating me more. When I snapped, I assumed they knew they had it coming.

"Kathryn! You come sing a song!" Jack calls out to her. She blushes and shakes her head.

"Yeah, c'mon Kat!" Rian shouts.

"Come on, Kathryn! Sing for us!" Zack joins.

I stand there, getting angrier and angrier by the second. 

Kathryn shakes her head and Jack pouts. "Please Kat? Not even for your best friends?" 

That was the last straw.

"No. Kathryn will not be singing. Not even for her 'best friends' okay? Do you know why? Because Kathryn doesn't have any best friends here in Baltimore! All her best friends are back in Glastonbury, where she should be!" I snap, shouting at everyone.