All Time Slash - Fireworks. (Jalex FanFic)

Chapter 10

When Alex’s parents arrived home from work, they were surprised to see their son occupied by another male in the living room. Since when did Alex bring home friends? Other than that ungrateful Joshua, anyway.

“Alex, is everything alright?” His mother asked as she popped her head around the door. Alex (who was now dressed in a baggy t-shirt and jogging bottoms) was lying on his stomach on the floor, eyes fixed on the television screen, whilst Jack curled up against the sofa, a pillow held against his chest for comfort.

Alex roughly knew the time of which his parents would come back, he planned it carefully, eyes darting to the clock, and ten minutes before five pm, he slid out of Jack’s grasp to an uncomfortable position on the floor. It certainly felt strange without an arm around his shoulders, but Alex didn’t dare risk letting his parents see himself cuddled up against another boy. He had to take this one step at a time, and he was sure Jack would understand that, right?

“I’m fine, Mum...” He answered turning his head to look at the woman who seemed confused by his behaviour.

“Who’s your friend here? I haven’t seen him before.”

Jack didn’t want to look at Alex’s mum, he had never been too good with meeting parents, and he never knew what to say, so usually he stayed silent.

“He’s called Jack, he’s a new kid at school. I thought I told you about him?” Alex scrambled up into a seating position, facing his mum this time. He hugged his knees to his chest as the woman took a few steps into the room so she was able to smile at the boy on the couch who looked scared stiff.

“No, you’ve never mentioned a Jack before.” She replied in answer to Alex, before speaking to Jack, “Hello there, dear. It’s nice to meet you.”

Jack looked up, and he was surprised by how the woman looked. He expected something glamourous, or maybe a business woman with glasses, her hair in a bun, a blazer and a pencil skirt, but this woman was the opposite. She was smart, but it was casual. A pair of black trousers, and a typical plain white shirt, she was just, well, normal. He wasn’t even sure why he pictured her to be anything but.

Jack offered a shy smile, before mumbling a, “Hi, Mrs. Gaskarth.”

“Please, call me Isobel-“ Alex’s mum paused as Jack’s accent registered in her brain. “Are you American?”

Alex rolled his eyes; he didn’t want the poor boy to be interrogated by his embarrassing mother.

Jack nodded uncomfortably, “Yeah, I used to live in Baltimore.”

“Oh, how precious!” She beamed at the boy who was thankful he hadn’t set a bad first impression like normal.

“Hang on, let me find Peter, he’s always been fond of American accents-“

“Mum!”

Alex interrupted, “I’m sure Jack doesn’t want to be harassed by you two, he gets enough of it at school for his accent.”

“Oh, yes, you’re right. Sorry, sorry, I’ll get going.” Isobel laughed, “Would Jack like to stay for dinner?” She asked Alex, who looked towards Jack, tilting his head.

“Do you?”

“Oh thanks a lot, Alex, thanks for putting me on the spot like that.”

Jack began to fidget, playing with his hands, pulling at his fingers until the joint would crack. “I, uh...” What was the best thing to say in a moment like this?

He wanted to, of course he wanted to, especially as it mean he could spend more time with Alex and maybe he could learn a little about his past perhaps before Daniel’s passing.