Change My Mind, Change My Heart (Jalex)

My Friends Are Everything - Chapter 16

Jack’s P.O.V.

I called Alex the next morning, asking if he wanted to go for a coffee date at our Fraiche Café, and he had eagerly responded with a yes, practically squealing at the thought of going back there. Our drive over had been uneventful, yet perfect, because, well, Alex was there.

After arriving, ordering our usual drinks, and settling into a table, we chatted about nothing unparticular for a few moments before Alex trailed off, staring intently at one spot across the room.

Following the older boy’s gaze, my eyes alighted upon a boy of medium height with short, straight, dark brown hair. His ripped, tattoo-covered arms were threatening to tear through his tight black t-shirt, and he had large green eyes. Normally I would cower back into my seat at the sight of such a guy, but for some reason his soft expression made him seem harmless and sweet. Like a cuddly, adorable… hulk.

Although I’m pretty sure that’s an oxymoron, it seems like the best description of the boy, who also looked about our age.

After taking all this in, my mind turned to much more important matters: Why the hell was my boyfriend staring at some dude?

“Alex?” I questioned sharply, “are you checking that guy out?”

He looked at me for a second before bursting out laughing. After laughing for a solid minute, he calmed down enough to say, “Ah, Jack, you should have seen your face. Though I’ll admit, jealousy looks sexy on you. Anywho, you know I only have eyes for you, babe. It’s just that that guy reminds me of someone I used to know.”

Frowning, I replied with, “Who?”

Alex chuckled again, stating, “My, uh, best friend from first grade. I mean, he obviously looks way different, but still totally the same. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence though.”

“You should go talk to him!” I exclaimed.

 A looked of pure horror passed across Alex’s face, though it was quickly replaced with one that said, How fucking stupid can you be? The brunette said, “What? No. I’d look like such an idiot if it wasn’t him, which it almost certainly isn’t. Plus, even if it is the same guy, what the fuck would I say? ‘Hey, I’m Alex, remember when we used to throw mud at each other’? Yeah, no.”

Deciding to be the confident, outgoing one in our relationship for once, I gave into the urge to learn more about the strange boy, and stood up, pulling Alex with me.

After dragging him across the room, we stopped in front of the hulk-boy, who raised an eyebrow at us as he grabbed his freshly made coffee.

“Excuse me,” I said, “my boyfriend here thinks you look familiar, but he’s too much of a wimp to talk to you.”

With that, he turned his gaze to Alex, who was partially hiding behind me. I saw a look of recognition fleet through his green eyes, before he asked, “Alex?”

Alex’s eyes widened, as he responded, “Zack?”

Then Alex was being pulled out of my grip.

~

Alex’s P.O.V.

I was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug from my ex-best friend, who had certainly changed quite a bit since we last saw one another. Like, now he could easily snap me in two if he so desired.

Pulling back to examine my face, the boy exclaimed, “Holy shit Alex, I haven’t seen you in forever! I thought you were dead or something!”

Laughing nervously, I said, “Nope, I’m very much alive. And uh, maybe you could loosen your grip a bit before you crush my arms?”