Just you wait~ Lams AU

Chapter 13: Douchebaggery at its Finest

John's POV

I sighed deeply and scrunched up my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder, clamped slightly too hard to be considered friendly.

"John, care to explain?"

I turned and looked Jefferson straight in the eyes.

"Take your hands off me." I hissed at him, voice malicious. He was alone, which meant James was off doing his own work for once. Jefferson's eyes widened, then instantly narrowed as he caught Alex's stare.

"John, what are you doing hanging out with this pathetic freak?" Thomas asked with a sneer, causing Alex to redirect his gaze to the floor.

"I'm studying. You're interrupting." I snarled, turning away. I felt breath against my neck as Thomas leaned in close.

"You better tell me what the fuck is happening here Laurens, or so help me I'll-"

"You'll what?" I snapped. "You'll set James on me? You'll threaten me some more? You'll let a minion do your dirty work because you're too weak to do it yourself?"

"What the fuck did you just say?" Thomas pulled himself tall. I stood up and looked him straight in the eye.

"You heard me, prick."

Thomas smiled coldly and stepped around me. Alex's eyes scrunched shut as Thomas laced his fingers into his hair.

"This is your fault, isn't it faggot? You turned John queer!" Thomas clenched his fingers tighter into Alex's hair, pulling a small cry from the boy.

"Thomas, don't touch him." I growled.

"Fine," Thomas smiled, pushing Alex's head against the table with a loud thudding noise. Alex cried out, scratching Thomas's hand to try make him let go. "I'll leave the 'touching' to you, John."

He unlaced his fingers from Alex's hair and grinned. Alex stood up and stumbled backwards, grabbing his bag and wiping a few stubborn tears from his cheeks. His cheeks were red from anger and humiliation and I felt my heart break a little.

Without another word, he sprinted out of the library. I so badly wanted to chase after him; to hold him tight and kiss his pain away. Much to my chagrin, Jefferson was bent double, wheezing with laughter.

"Oh my god! Your face! I thought you were being genuine! Good plan though, get close to the freak and then break his wickle heart."

Anger rose within me, tumbling and burning hot. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex's half empty coffee cup sat on the table and in a split second it was all dumped over Jefferson's stupid face.

"Not everyone is Satan like you, Jefferson. If I want to be friends with Alex then I damn well will be. You're nothing. All you do is ruin people. Fuck you, Thomas. Fuck you."

I stood up with my books and left him there, shouting expletives at me whilst dripping with coffee in the middle of a public library.

When I got into the hallway, I sling my back pack off my shoulder and placed my books in it. The adrenaline ebbed away and the full weight of what I'd just done hit me.

Now I had no friends (aside from Alex) and a complete douchebag out to kill me. Fucking great.

I set off down the hall, passing a bathroom on my way out. On instinct, I pushed the door open.

"Alex?" I called softly. There was a small hiccup from the end stall. I dropped my bag by the sinks and walked over, knocking lightly against the door.

"It's me," I said. There was a scuffle of movement and the door opened very slightly. I saw a tear-filled, red-rimmed eye peek out from the gap.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked croakily. I laughed shortly and shrugged.

"I dumped your coffee on him. I'll buy you another." I smiled at him. He laughed sincerely and opened the door. Before I had chance to speak, he wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in my chest. He sighed into me as I put my arms around his shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, John. Now he'll be out for you too and it's my fault. You didn't have to do that."

I smiled against his hair and pulled us down so I was sat with my back against the sinks and he was sat next to me. I had a protective arm slung over his shoulder and he was pulled against my side. He gave me a small smile, making my heart stop as he looked up through his lashes at me.

"Who gave you those?" I asked monotonously, brushing my fingers over the hickeys on his skin. He breathed deeply.

"Aaron."

I scoffed. I'd already guessed it though. Jealousy rippled through me but I forced a smile and leaned my chin on his hair.

"Are you and him dating?" I asked. Alex gave me a look and I shrugged. "Just wondering!"

He nodded slightly. "...guess so."

I hummed against his hair.

"John?"

"Yeah."

"Never mind."

I squeezed his shoulder in protest. "Tell me," I whined.

"Are we friends?" He mumbled into my chest.

"I hope so." I laughed softly.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Alex. Anything."

"Have you ever felt completely helpless? Like you're stuck doing what someone else wants because you're too afraid to speak up?" He asked quietly, frowning.

"Yeah, lots." I muttered bitterly, the dull ache of a fading bruise on my side a perfect reminder.

"How do you stop them?"

My eyes widened slightly. "I guess, just tell them that you don't like what they are doing. Be honest?"

Alex nodded and smiled softly. "Honest." I heard him whisper against my chest.

We were silent for a while. I was watching Alex. He was wearing a dark green tshirt and black jeans with black vans. I smiled. Green suited him.

I was absent-mindedly drawing circles against his arm when my phone buzzed in my back pocket. I pulled it out lazily and unlocked it.

Kai (1 new message)

Dad wants you to come over for Taylor's birthday. Please come. We can't do it alone again.

"Alex?" I said softly. "What day is it?"

"Sunday, John." He laughed.

"What are you doing on Friday?"

"Studying, I guess. Why?"

"Can I stay in your dorm room that night?" I asked quietly.

"Sure. Why?"

"I'm going to my dads." I said, as if that explained everything.

"Of course you can. I room alone, number 34 in the same block as Herc and Laf. Fourth floor."

I breathed in relief and slumped against him.

"Thank you Alex. Really."

I felt him smile against my chest and my heart went still for a second.