Therapy / Why Don't We

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Jack

"I don't think I can" Jack began to say before hyperventilating.

"You're okay, you're going to do fine." Zach said trying to comfort the older the boy and placed his hand on Jack's back.

"I- i can't. I'm already a frea-"

"Don't finish that. Jack, we waited two years for you. You can do this, the fans deserve some type of closure from what had happened." Zach said and placed his hands on the sides of Jack's face.

"I just have to ask you something, Z." Jack said nervously and played the black rings on his fingers. "If you find out anything- anything that you didn't know from this interview, don't be mad, okay? I'm trying to protect you from all the bad in this world and some things might-"

"Jack, I won't be mad. I promise, now let's go sit down in the chairs." Zach said as he guided Jack to the room where the interview would be taking place.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen" The interviewer said. "Today we're here with members Jack Avery and Zach Herron of the group, Why Don't We."

"Hello." Zach said and then muttered a "Thanks for having us" while Jack smiled and nodded.

"Well, lets start. Jack, how hard was it to get clean?" He asked and Jack sat there thinking for a moment.

"It was hard. There were uh many relapses." Jack truthfully said as he looked at Zach to see that Zach sat there in deep thought.

"How many relapses, to be exact?"

"Maybe about four" Jack said, his voice trailing off. Zach began to look upset.

After a couple more questions, it got to the point where Jack couldn't stand talking about the poor treatment he had there. It got to the question he didn't want to answer, but he promised himself he'd tell the truth if they did.

"What was the worst memory in there?" The interviewer asked marking off the questions.

"I- I uh" jack began but choked on air. "It happened a couple times. Maybe like ten times. I um- I was beat up actually." Jack then said causing Zach to look up at him.

"What do you mean, 'beat up'? Did anyone in the facility help?"

"I was jumped by three grown men, maybe around the age of forty-" Jack began but began to cry. "I'm sorry" he choked out and began to stand up but being pulled back down by Zach.

"It's okay, just breathe, baby" he whispered and Jack nodded staring into Zach's eyes, finding comfort with everything.

"They beat me up for being a pop singer in boy band who's g- g- gay" Jack stuttered and looked at the interviewer. "They would make me do gross, uncomfortable things, if I disagreed, they'd just all beat me up. I have a couple scars but other than that I'm okay" Jack said but in reality, he was still so far from being okay.

"I'm sorry, Jack. That must have been tough. How did you overcome that? Did you overcome that?" He asked.

"I didn't. I still have dreams and memories of it happening but as long as I'm with Zach, I feel okay." Jack said sounding more open about his relationship with Zach.

"I'm sorry I have to ask, are you guys officially together?" The interviewer asked pointing to the two boys.

Jack nodded and Zach smiled bigger than he ever has. "Yes" Jack responded confidential and smiled at Zach staring at his red cheeked face. "I'm proud of it too. My sexuality doesn't define who I am, I define who I am" Jack said.

"That is a very good message. Thank you guys for coming out today, I really appreciate it. I hope the best for the both of you." The interviewer said standing up shaking both of their hands.

-

Once the interview was done the boys went out to eat. Zach stared at Jack and watched as Jack slowly but surely finished his food, wondering how this boy could have so much pain and feel so hurt when truly, he was perfect in Zach's eyes.

Zach reached over the table, holding onto Jack's hand causing Jack to look up. "What's wrong?" Jack asked catching the attention of all the boys.

"Why haven't you told me yet about what happened to you? Did those men every force sex-" zach began but was cut off by a Corbyn.

"Zach, maybe we shouldn't talk about this now. It's a sensitive subject." Corbyn said looking at Jack.

"Wait- did- you guys knew about this?" Zach asked and turned his attention towards Jonah, Daniel, and Corbyn who all looked mortified.

"Yeah" Daniel said looking down.

"We couldn't tell you, Zach. We couldn't risk you feeling bad or hurting yourself over something you have no control over." Jonah then said and side smiled towards Zach. "We were only protecting you, bud"

"I- that's not your choice. Jack is my boyfriend. I deserve to know the things he's gone through in that place." Zach said slamming his fist down on the table.

"I was going to tell you- I just didn't know when" Corbyn said and looked at Zach.

Zach looked away angrily and finally said "I understand" before standing up and walking to their truck.

>| I rewrote this chapter five times lol