Believe Me? (Jalex, boyxboy)

8 - The Party

The past week had felt like a picture from my imagination. Me and Jack were closer than ever. Our friendship circles had somehow overlapped as we spent more time in eachother's company and I found myself greeting Taylor and Zack with a hug each morning as I had become quite fond of them. We even all sat together on the bus. I don't think I'd ever been so content with school life, I faced each day with positivity knowing that I'd get to spend at least one lesson in Jack's company, and more often than not we'd go back to one of our houses after school and play video games. It felt too good to be true, 

The fact that he was avoiding the subject of our kiss settled my nerves. I didn't wan't to talk about it and neither did he, for some beautiful reason. Maybe we were both steering away from that area because he was straight? I mean, it wouldn't surprise me, but at the same time I didn't give a shit. I refused to turn my life into a cliche 'I love you, but you love girls' mission. I was perfectly happy in the bubble of ignorance, enjoying life by turning a blind eye to his moment of gay. 

But by the time Saturday rolled around, I was on the Barakat's porch with my parents, keeping my calm as I was about to break their trust and sneak out to Josh's party with Jack by my side. It was one that I couldn't miss as there would be so many people of different ages and from different schools. I guessed that all these parties were kind of dumb for people who weren't even of the legal drinking age, but the reckless teen within me couldn't resist the bitter taste of beer and the burn of whisky trailing down my throat. It was satisfactory to get totally shit faced and I couldn't put my finger on why. Perhaps it was the same reason that divorced, middle aged men were alcoholics, or the reason that french poets/artists are stereotypically depressed. Because there are different ways to escape what you feel, maybe a creative outlet is the best, but alcohol was definitely the most effective given the side effects. 
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed, you know that. It's just becoming so intoxicated to the point where knock knock jokes are genuinely funny is possibly the best experience. You feel happy, happier than you would be if you were sober. It's just the hangover that kills the mood. Well, and the potential liver failure. 

But Joyce Barakat opened the door beaming, unaware that her son would be pulled under the ocean of my influence before the night was through. "Don't just stand there like a group of wet lettuces, get in here!" she enthused, clearly eager to show off the new kitchen renovations. However before I could compliment her on her beautiful choice of linoleum flooring tiles, I was cut off with a phrase that made my heart race and me bite down on the inside of my lip to keep back a smile. "Jack's just in the other room, it's a miracle he's out of bed, honestly" Joyce chuckled. I don't know why I was so enticed by the fact the Jack was out of his room and in the living room, assumingly waiting for me so we could play on a games console of some form (his parents didn't let him keep them in his room). I guessed it was kind of flattering to have someone wanting to do things with me. So I smiled at Joyce, a silent thank you as I walked past her and into the living room which was strongly scented apple and cinnamon. So much that it lined my eyes with water and caused me to stop for a second. 

I was laughed at by a familiar figure. "You'll get used to it" Jack said kindly. We made small talk until our parents decided that the subject of the new kitchen was overdone and they were too hungry to wait any longer for their dinner reservations. It turned out that the strong smell could be traced to the large bottle of artificial air freshener in the corner of the room. But the fumes were making me light headed so as soon as our parents were gone I got straight to the point, or tried to, because Jack spoke first. 
"You look different" He stated bluntly. I wasn't surprised by the comment, I'd tried my best to find a shirt that was without stains and to style my hair in the best way. Yet I was still flattered. 
"Good or bad different?" I asked. 
"Definitely good... Like you tried" 
"That's because I did"
"But why?, nothing's going on, we're just playing video games" He gestured to the loading screen of a random game. 
"Because we're going to a party" I said with confidence, hoping that he'd take my statement as it was and just go with me without questions. 
"No" Jack frowned "I can't go to a party"
"Why?" I extended the word so it became a whine "It'll be no fun without you" His frown was only set deeper into his face and no matter how cute that stubbly pout was, I had to add "I can't force you to come, but I can honestly say that my night would be better with you there"