Future Favorite Regret (Jalex)

1: We Fall Right Back

Title: Sleeping In by All Time Low

I sigh as Jack Barakat walks pass me in the hallway. He glances at me but doesn't say anything. He just walks faster. As if I'd try to talk to that fucker.

"Alex!" Lisa rushes over and hugs me. I hug her back and grin. "Fuck's sake, I haven't seen you all summer," she laughs and nudges my shoulder. "Where's Rian?" She asks, wiggling her eyebrows. She's convinced Rian likes me and has been trying to get me to feel the same.

"Um... He hasn't shown up yet." I look around. That's when I see two people bouncing off the walls. "Hey, look," I tap Lisa's shoulder.

She laughs as Kellin and Justin rush over to us. Justin hugs Lisa first and Kellin fist-bumps me. "Hey dude," Kellin says. "How was your summer?"

"Boring. Y'all left me." I pout. Kellin just laughs and hugs Lisa.

Justin pecks my cheek and I groan in disgust. "Sorry, Kells and I had summer camp. Lisa's too cool for us, being in Japan. Rian-"

"Yes, I get it, y'all have lives sorry!" I throw my arms into the air. Justin grins.

"You learn quickly." He pats my head and nods. "You're kind of like... Memory foam." Kellin gives Justin a look. "Ya know, you take the form of- ooh, yeah that sounds dirty." Justin scrunches up his nose. "Fuck me," he groans in disgust.

"Would rather not," Kellin mutters. Justin laughs. Lisa gasps and turns me around.

"RI GUY!" She shouts, gathering the attention of practically everyone in the hallway. Rian goes red as he walks over to us.

He hugs me quickly before moving on to everyone else. Lisa wiggles her eyebrows again. I roll my eyes and lean against the locker.

"So how was everyone's summer?" Rian asks once the hugging is done. Justin hops on Kellin's back.

"KELLIN AND I HAVE PLACES TO GO. NOW GO!" Justin shouts. The rest of us blink in confusion. Kellin stands up straight and lets Justin fall down onto his ass.

"I'm just gonna walk like a normal human being, thanks," Kellin says and walks off. Justin leans into my ear.

"He met a guy and Kellin is totally heads over heels f-"

"JUSTIN," Kellin shouts. Justin winks and dashes off. We watch as Justin keeps poking Kellin in the arm until Kellin gets frustrated and pokes him back.

"So... Where'd Taylor go?" Rian asks. Lisa and I share a look.

"She's still in the hospital, Ri," Lisa says softly. "I know we said she should be out by now, but she hasn't been getting any better."

"Oh," Rian purses his lips. "Sorry, I just thought-"

"It's fine." Lisa smiles weakly. I bite my lower lip and stare at my feet. "Anyway, Alex, have you talked to Tay's mom?"

"She's been going to the hospital to visit as often as she can," I offer. "Other than that... No."

"I wish I lived in your neighborhood. You have Tay and Rian. All I have is Zack." Lisa pouts. "And I'm 90% sure he's a dick."

I roll my eyes. "He's friends with Jack so," I shrug. Lisa winces. "Sorry, that was bitter, huh?" I nervously run my hand through my hair. She nods.

She and Rian were the only people there when the whole thing happened. It's a long story, but basically, I think Jack's a dumbass, and he ignores me.

Rian pats my shoulder comfortingly, and I see Lisa's eyes widen in excitement. I roll my eyes, but out of nowhere, Lisa's shoved into my arms. I hold her up as she catches her balance and I look up.