Dude, I love you

Chapter Twenty One

Jack Johnson’s POV

Later that evening both Jack and his parents came by to visit along with Laura, which left me in a constant state of feeling anxious. What’s going to happen when he finds out? None of them know what happened at school today besides my family, but someone could easily text him what happened or post it on Facebook if he hasn’t found out yet.

I didn’t want to be alone with him so we stayed around our parents instead of heading into the basement or to my room. Jack seemed to hover around me and glanced at me every once in a while. Does he already know? Did he keep it from his parents? I was hyper aware of my body sitting there in the kitchen with Jack as my mom moved about cooking supper and everyone else sat in the living room. I constantly wondered what my fingers were doing, were they moving too much or being too still, where were my arms? Was I was sitting too straight to look casual. Even every breathe I took seemed too short or too long. I needed to escape.

I got up to go to my room and I heard Jack push back his chair. When I turned around he was following me, watching me intently. I didn’t want him to come with me but what could I do? I turned and continued down the hall and up the stairs to my room, still hyper aware of my body I wondered if I was walking too fast, too slow or if my arms swinging too much?

When we got to my room I didn’t know what to do, I hadn’t planned this far. I froze for a few moments when we entered my room and decided to sit in the office chair and hope to ignore him by checking out the computer.

I jumped when Jack spoke. “Jack do you mind?” He was holding the wireless controller for the Xbox when I turned around.

“Go ahead.” I reply turning back to the monitor.

We sat there for a while, him playing online and me blankly scrolling up and down the Facebook feed. No one posted anything really interesting, not that I have very many people on my account.  I was starting to believe Jack didn’t know what happened today since he hasn’t brought it up or at least he doesn’t want to.

Katherine came to the doorway and knocked, she waited before entering and announced that dinner was ready.  We got up and followed her to the kitchen and I felt thankful I wasn’t alone with Jack anymore.

When we entered the kitchen the atmosphere felt different. I noticed everyone seemed to be watching us or at least aware of our presence as we moved about grabbing our plates and serving ourselves.  Then it clicked, they knew.  I snapped my neck towards my mom and she seemed to understand that I knew she or my dad told Jack’s family what happened. I furrowed my eyebrows and raised my hands mouthing ‘what the heck’ at her while Jack was busy grabbing chicken from the oven with a pair of tongs.  She brought her hand to her mouth then moved it to mouth ‘I’m sorry’. I gestured to Jack and mouthed ‘does he know?’ and she shrugged her shoulders in response. So he hasn’t found out yet, from them at least. Everyone but Jacked was aware of our silent conversation. 

We all sat down to eat at the dining table and I noticed Laura’s face was beat red and was shooting daggers with her eyes at Jack. She noticed me watching her and her face softened. I shook my head at her and she returned to focusing on her food. I’m not even sure what I was shaking my head for but I didn’t want her to do anything. She knew more about what was going on than the rest of them because of that time I told her a while ago.

It was pretty silent while we ate and Jeff broke the silence first by asking where Molly was. David, Jack’s dad, explained that she stayed after school to attend the drama program she was involved in and that we were going to pick her up when we went for the show later tonight.

What? Why does he sound like we are all going to pick her up? What show?

“Um. Where are we going?” I interjected as he explained with Jeff.

“Oh right, we haven’t told you yet. I guess we didn’t get a chance to, what with everything going on.” My mom says putting her food back on her plate to speak to me.

But it was my dad who then spoke. “Kathy and David won free concert tickets to an orchestra at that social they went to for David’s brother’s wedding. They had more than enough tickets and gave a few away but saved enough for all of us to go. I hear that orchestra is amazing since they scored music for various big screen movies and games.” He sounds really excited for it.

“Oh. Cool.” I say not sure how to respond. After a moment I add “My head feels funny, I’m not sure I want to go. If that’s fine with you guys. Thank you for the ticket though but I really don’t feel all that great.” I say turning to Jack’s parents at the end. If they knew they would understand why I didn’t ‘feel good’.

Both of our parents looked at each other and seemed to wordlessly communicate with one another.

“Well honey, I could stay home with you.” My mom offers after their concerned looks to one another.

“No mom, its okay I think I just need to rest.” I say feeling guilty. She shouldn’t have to miss the performance because of me and my goal to avoid Jack.

But my mom looks intent on not leaving me alone. “Jack if you don’t feel good, you really shou—“

“I could stay with him. I don’t mind.” Jack interjects.

What the hell. I’m doing this to avoid him, why is he trying so hard to stick around?

After looks of concern from both our parents my dad turned to face me. ”Jack is that okay with you?”

“Uh, sure.” I really don’t know what to do or how to handle this situation now. I’m stuck between lying to avoid Jack and lying to make our parents believe we’re still friends.

“I actually wanted to ask you guys if it was alright to spend the night.” Jack states putting down his food to hear our parent’s response.

What the hell is he thinking? Why would he ask to sleep over if we aren’t even friends anymore? I’m so lost. Does he know that Justin beat me up? Is he going to take his side or not? Is that what this is about? He wants to talk about it? 

My mom interrupted my thoughts. “Jack could I talk to you for a second. In the basement.” Backing her chair up to stand.

“Uh sure.” I say clearing the crumbs off my pants to stand and follow her.

My mom closed the door behind us when she came down.

“Jack does he know what happened at school today? What’s going on?” My mom asks with urgency.

“I don’t know, I don’t think he knows. He hasn’t said anything.” I reply feeling uneasy.

“Are you going to tell him?” She pushes further.

“No and I don’t plan to, anytime soon.” I say sheepishly.

“Oh okay, so it’s just a regular sleep over then?” she seemed less tense.

“Yeah I guess.” This isn’t a regular sleepover but they don’t know that. What the hell is Jack thinking?

My mom relaxed and smiled then started up the stairs and I followed after her.

Re-entering the kitchen she announces “We went to see if we still had the spare pillows and covers for the sleepover.”

I realize I inadvertently agreed to the sleepover without thinking.

“Okay so it’s settled then. Fin and JJ will stay here while we go see the performance.” Katherine finalizes.

Everyone seemed to nod or agree silently which meant I was going to be alone with him until they got back. I could just go lie down in my room and pretend to actually be sick that could work. It would keep the communication to a minimum at best.

After we were finished eating they began getting ready to go pick up Molly and head to the concert.