Hidden In The Attic: An AJR Fanfiction

Chapter Five

↤↤↤↤↤ Ryan ↦↦↦↦↦

"Jack, you look like a rat drowning in a bucket of water."

"I sincerely hope you break your neck."

It's a nice sunny day today and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Well, maybe not Jack.

We swim for just a few hours, trying to release tension, when we all collectively decide we want to eat. Jay, Adam, Jack and Danny go inside to make everyone sandwiches leaving me, Julie, and Hanna behind sitting at the picnic table. Hanna and Julie are talking idly and I'm staring off over the lake. It puts me in such a calm state; I actually feel so at peace. I just kind of want to start writing some lyrics. Nothing specific comes to mind, though.

"Hey Ryan, are you okay?"

I turn to look at the girls, surprised to hear my name. "Yeah I just- it's really peaceful here, y'know? Like, I sort of wish we could stay here forever."

Hanna bites her lip and looks away from me, but Julie nods. "Yeah, it's much nicer, and spending time with you guys really makes me happy." She smiles at me. I instantly smile back.

The boys come back with a plate piled high with food. Thank God. I'm starving. Kib even comes out to join us at the table.

Jack is handing sandwiches around.

"Thanks for the sandwich, rat boy," says Kib.

Jack stops walking. "Can we please all collectively stop calling me a rat?" he begs.

"What else can we call you?" I ask jokingly.

Danny lifts his head. "My soulmate," he replies.

I hear Jack gulp.

"Hey, I think rat is one fine nickname. Anyone want chips?" he says quickly, dismissing Danny and walking to the other side of the table.

"Don't sit so close to me," Kib snaps as Jack joins them on the bench.

"I'm not even touching your leg."

"But you're breathing my air— scoot over."

I remove my glasses and rub my eyes, if I have to listen to Kib and Jack bickering for one more minute, I'm going to lose it.

"Kib, stop being so dramatic," Jay sighs.

"Shut it, you skinny white boy," they retaliate. "Anyway, how was the lake? Did someone almost die today?"

"No, that was just you being a baby and not knowing how to swim," says Jay, unfazed by Kib. They reach across the table and start hitting his arm.

As this is going on, Julie and Hanna just start giggling out of nowhere. I don't know why or how but they just burst out laughing.

We all just look at each other for a few minutes, wondering if we should call the authorities.

They're laughing so hard that everyone else begins to laugh. Soon we're all wheezing and slapping the table like drunk seals. Every time I make eye contact with someone I start laughing harder. Julie manages to laugh so hard that she falls back out of her seat.

I feel delirious from the lack of air reaching my lungs. I'm sure we're all lightheaded. Hanna crawls out of her seat and lays on the ground next to Julie, both of them crying.

"What's so funny?" asks Adam, chuckling lightly, but not to the extent of most of the rest of us.

The only coherent thing we hear is "sandwiches" and everyone starts roaring with laughter once more.