The next day, as they stood on the platform waiting for the train, Jade began to cry.
She couldn't help it. As much as she had grown to love Sheffield, Newcastle was her home. She was sad to leave her brothers, her mum, Rose, and yes, a part of her was even sad to leave her dad behind. A small part, mind you.
However, Alex, Matt, and Andy were very understanding. They tried to cheer her up to the best of their abilities, and it worked to some extent. Their elation contrasted the sterile bright lights in the individual cars that rattled and rumbled with every turn and twist on the track. A majority of the train ride they had spent trying to play a game of War with Andy's playing card. Emphasis on trying, as Matt and Alex got super competitive to the point they started making loser bets.
Eventually, Andy had to use the loo and dragged Matt with him, much to the curly-haired boy's dismay.
"I don't wanna go alone! There's a 'ole in the bottom of the toilet," he had said.
"That's wha' 'appens when we book coach, Andy," Matt argued, "Where yeh expect yehr waste to go?"
"Would yeh just come wif me?!"
"Yeh're such a fookin' girl,"
Jade glowered at them both as they stood up, "I resent that," she said.
"No offence, Jade. But at least yeh've got more balls than Andy does," Matt replied.
Alex snorted as they left, their bickers continued to be heard down the hall. Jade sighed, partly from exhaustion and partly from agitation and slumped against his shoulder.
"Did you ever see that movie? Grumpy Old Men?" she asked him.
"Sounds familiar," he replied.
"Well, I think we're watching the prequel," she giggled merrily.
Alex twisted his head to look down at her with apprehension rising in his gut. Despite the day that had passed, the imprint of Jade's lips on his felt fresh like wet ink on paper, and he hadn't told either of his mates yet. Simply because he wasn't sure how Jade wanted to go about... this.
"Do we need to talk about anyfing?" he said suddenly. The smile disappeared from Jade's face and she looked up at him, slowly pulling herself away to sit upright. She had a fair idea of what he wanted to talk about.
"Right," she exhaled softly, "Well... erm -- how do you feel?" she asked.
"I'm okay," he said, "How are you?"
"... I'm okay," she said, "Did you talk to --"
"No. Did you --"
"No!" Jade exclaimed a little too suddenly for her own liking, to which Alex gave her a sideways glance, "I mean -- sorry," she took a deep breath and started again, "How should we play this, do you think?"
Alex shrugged with a grimace, "I mean -- it's yehr call. I don't wanna disrespect yeh or anyfing..." he tried to put on a little smile for her.
Jade swallowed nervously, her hands became clammy and she started to shiver. No doubt it was just that darn head cold that wouldn't leave her alone. She liked Alex, she really did, but she was unsure if she liked him that much. After all, was it worth putting her friendship on the line for? The friendships she had with Matt and Andy?
"Maybe... just maybe... it would be better if we go back to normal," she said tentatively, "Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah!" Alex said just a tad too quickly, "I mean -- I think it's prolly' fer the best fer now,"
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Suck It And See | A. Turner
Fanfiction(Arctic Monkeys AU) Her parents were separated, her mum was sick, her brother was in juvie, and her dad had just shacked up with his new girlfriend. Jade had to get away from it all before she found herself circling the drain. So, when she was give...
