My Pen Pal: Jack Barakat

Chapter Eight - Stay Beautiful

Danni’s POV

I woke up in the morning, the sunlight streaming in through the windows and hitting my eyes. I looked down at my wrist, which had the fresh scars on them. “Shit.” I forgot about last night. A knock sounded on my bedroom door and I immediately covered up my wrist. “Come in.” It was my dad, carrying in a tray of breakfast. “I thought you could do with a bit of cheering up!” I instantly smiled. “Thank you!” I took the tray off him as I sat up in bed. “Oh, and you got this in the post. Think it might be Jack.” He walked out of the room as I instantly tore open the envelope to reveal a new letter from Jack. I grinned as I read it. I giggled at his Skype name ending in the number 69 and then realised… he wants to Skype with me? Jack Bassam Barakat from All Time Low wants to Skype with me! I put the tray of breakfast aside and grabbed my laptop from the other side of the room, instantly sending him a request. I put the laptop to the side for now, doubting that he would even be awake due to the different time zones and how busy his life would probably be right now. I picked up my tray again, eating the slices of toast and taking a sip of my orange juice. Suddenly a ping came from my laptop and I saw that Jack had accepted my request. Orange juice dribbled down my chin and I cupped my mouth with both of my hands, squealing.

‘Hey, this must be Danni right?’

Holy fucking shit. He’s talking to me. Okay, act normal.

‘Yeah that’s me! I didn’t think you’d accept the request that quick!’

‘It’s 6am here, but I was waiting for you to send me a request! Just wanted to make sure you were okay.’

Having to tell Jack I wasn’t exactly okay at the moment would be difficult but easy at the same time I guess.

‘Not exactly.’

‘Why what’s happened?’

‘You know that dude Benji I wrote to you about?’

‘Yeah I vaguely remember you talking about him.’

‘He lied to me about everything.’

‘That cunt! So he never loved you seriously?’

‘Nope…’

I began to get teary again but held it all back. You’re talking to Jack fucking Barakat, you’re a lucky girl!

‘If I knew him personally, he wouldn’t have working legs anymore.’

I giggled.

‘I wish.’

‘Oh by the way, can you make it to our UK tour?’

‘I don’t have the money.’

‘That’s okay. I discussed stuff with the guys the other day and they said we can hit you up with a special package so you can hang out with us all day, including sound-check and you watch the whole performance from side stage!’

My heart stopped. He was doing this for me? He was giving me the opportunity to hang out with him and the rest of the band for the entire day?! I didn’t reply to him for about 10 minutes. I just sat there, unable to say anything.

‘I’m guessing you’re a bit speechless right now?

You there?

Wow, I’ve really shook you up!’

I then realised Jack was continuously messaging me and waiting for a reply.

‘Yeah oh my god I’m sorry. I froze up! Of course, I’d love that, thank you so much!’