Change My Mind, Change My Heart (Jalex)

Got a Dream, Got a Spark - Chatper 33

Jack’s P.O.V.

“Alex, it’s been almost a month. You have to get outside at some point,” I said, attempting to persuade my boyfriend to leave the confines of his cluttered home, venture back out into the sunlight and real world.

He had point-blank refused any suggestions of outings since returning from the hospital, instead locking himself inside, behind closed doors with lost keys, supposedly safe. I hadn’t had the heart to tell him that life couldn’t be lived within the eternal four walls of his room, until now. Now, it was getting ridiculous.

Alex shook his head stubbornly, childish pout equipped, bare arms crossed. His stained Blink shirt was crumpled with use, yellow boxers clothing his legs, my boy unmotivated to get dressed properly.

“Come one, babe, I already told Zack and Rian we’d go. You’re supposed to be in a band, remember?” I pleaded, desperation lacing my voice, tactics worn and used. I was grasping at straws, trying to find something that would convince Alex that the world wasn’t all terrible, that going out would benefit him. Music was my last resort.

The brunette’s head twitched towards me, a barely recognizable movement, slight angling of his body, almost undistinguishable twinge of the lips. But I knew him well enough to realize that the idea was getting to him, taking a stab at his defenses.

Taking advantage of his apparent liking to the words, I continued, “That would be fun, right? You don’t sing much anymore, and I know you love to. Please, Lexy?”

Alex groaned, arms flopping to his sides, hand held out to be taken in mine, pulled up and whisked away. Nodding thoughtfully, he unsurely conceded, “…Fine. But if we go, then just don’t… leave me.”

I grinned foolishly, shaking my head to myself as I tugged on his hand, the shorter boy jolting to his feet.

I knew what he meant, that I was his protection, and if I left him alone in public, he’d probably have a panic attack. But I’d never do that.

“Lex, you know I’ll always be there for you.”

~

“Hi, Mrs. Dawson. Nice to see you,” I greeted the petite, energetic woman before me, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Oh! I haven’t seen you boys in forever, please, come in! Do you want a snack, something to drink?” she ushered us inside, Alex clinging to my waist, shuffling along quietly. I rubbed his back soothingly, attempting to calm him, assure him that Kathi Dawson wouldn’t hurt a fly. Wasn’t capable of it, either.

I smiled warmly at her, fingers desperately attempting to keep their grip on the handle of my guitar case, one handed hold failing as I politely declined, “I think we’re fine. Is it ok if we just go down?”

She nodded happily, skipping off to some other part of the house, to go bake a blueberry pie. Or something, it seemed likely.

I gently pushed Alex’s back, whispering reassuring words in his ear, head tilting down. We somehow managed to stumble down the basement stairs, guitars and bones intact, along with, hopefully, Alex’s sanity.

“Hey, look who’s alive!” Rian called out from his spot on the modern couch next to Zack.

Rolling my eyes, I tugged Alex towards the drum set on the across the large room, aiming to put down our instruments before they were ruined. Calling over my shoulder, I retorted, “Haha, very funny. Zack, why aren’t you wearing a shirt?”

The muscular boy shook his head in disappointment, tattoo painted muscles involuntarily rippling as he confidently replied, “You’ve got it backwards, Barakat. Why would I be wearing a shirt?”