Title from Somewhere in Neverland by All Time Low

(Alex's POV).

School.

Ew. I already hate it, and it's the first day. Getting up at 6 in the morning sucks. I trudge downstairs and see my mom making coffee.

"Coffee?" She turns around.

"I drink coffee?" I raise an eyebrow. I sure as hell don't remember liking coffee.

"Oh, right. Well, it's your choice either way," she shrugs and grabs her keys. "I have to go, have a good day," she plants a kiss on the top of my head before leaving.

Jack: YOOO FIRST DAY

Rian: Kill me

Zack: I'm tired

Jack: I had five bottles of Monster. I'm HYPED.

Rian: Kill me

I smile at my friends' texts.

Alex: Coffee, yes or no?

Jack: well you like coffee- as of Freshman year- so yes? But in one of those to-go cups. I wanna meet at the end of the street like we used to.

Zack: I'll be there

Rian: you all realize I'm in the neighbor across from y'all? I have to cross that busy-ass street. If I die, it's on you

Jack: you've been doing it for two years, get over it

Rian: ...

Rian: Kill me

I giggle and eat a quick breakfast. I rush upstairs to finish getting ready.

Jack: Alex. Get your face over here

Zack: Seriously, hurry up. Jack is going crazy. You're his only filter.

Alex: GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES FOR GOD'S SAKE

Jack: Damn. You really aren't a morning person ;)

Alex: ...

Rian: I think I speak for Alex when I say this...

Rian: Kill me

I grab my bag and rush out the door, locking it behind me. I walk over to the end of the street and see the three of them chatting.

"ALEX!" Jack rushes over and tackles me into a hug.

"Dude, you saw him yesterday," Rian points out. 

"I don't wanna go to school," Zack drags out 'school'. 

"Neither do I. And yet... here we are," Jack sighs and looks up at the dark sky. "6:30 in the morning is a dark time for high schoolers around the world."

"Tell me about it," Zack groans as we walk to the school together, talking and laughing. 

"Is that kid new?" Jack points to a small boy with black hair and pale skin.

"How would I know?" I give him a look.

"I think he's new," Zack says, ignoring my comment.

"That sucks. Should we talk to him?" Rian asks.

"It looks like Fuentes has that covered," Jack points to Vic.

Soon enough, the bell rings and we go to our first bells.

Luckily, Zack is in my class, so I'm not completely alone.

"Hello class, I'm Mr. Ross. Welcome to English. I know the first day is really sucky. But I'm going to try and make it a bit better. But first, attendance," he sighs and pulls out a list. He goes through the list and I raise my hand when he calls me. However, one name stands out to me.

"Ronnie Radke?"

I know him from somewhere. But where?

"Alright, I hope you paid attention to English last year. If you did, you'll do just fine," Mr. Ross smiles. Then he glances at me. "Alex, due to the issue, I'll give you a packet of everything that you need to know," he offers me a soft smile. I nod, feeling embarrassed. Zack smiles at me too.

I turn and see Ronnie eying me oddly.

"Shall we start?" Mr. Ross asks, a peculiar glint in his eyes.

Apparently "starting" meant fourth-five minutes of getting to know everyone. It was fine until people started asking why I needed a packet. I explain how I lost my memory, but I have no clue how many times I can do that before combusting.

After fourth period, I decided to go to my locker.

"Alex," a voice says. I turn and see Ronnie walking towards me. Something in me wants me to run, but I don't.

"Hi, Ronnie. I'm sorry... I don't remember-"

He smirks and crosses his arms. "You really don't remember, huh?" 

"Alex?" 

I turn and see Jack, staring at us in shock. He rushes over and shoves Ronnie away. 

"Get away from him, you asshole," Jack grumbles threatening. He steps in front of me.

"Get out of the way Barakat," Ronnie narrows his eyes.

"You aren't going to hurt Alex."

"As if you can stop me," Ronnie shrugs before throwing a punch. I cringe at the sound as he slams Jack against the lockers. He steps toward me threateningly, making me feel small.

"I wanted to hurt you more than this, but it seems like Barafag wants to play Superman." He laughs before punching me square in the jaw, the shear force throws me against the lockers. He snickers. "Have fun with that," he waves and leaves us.

The bell rings, signaling that we should be at lunch now.

"Alex?" Jack groans and kneels by me. He touches my face gently. "It'll bruise, but nothing broken," he says softly. He helps me up, and I stumble. He wraps his arm around my waist to shifting some of my weight to him. We walk to the nurse's office together.

Jack explains to the nurse and she hands me an icebag. 

We walk outside and meet Zack and Rian.

"Hey, what happened?" Zack asks under his breath, staring at the ice that I'm holding to my face. 

"Radke," Jack mutters, sitting down. I take the seat next to him. 

"I swear to god- I'll beat his ass-" Rian mumbles angrily. 

"Hey look, it's four fags under a tree!" Someone shouts. Ronnie.

I feel anger boil up in my blood. I know for a fact that Jack got hurt, but he refuses to say so.

No one hurts my friends. Even if I don't remember them.

"Alex. Don't."

My thoughts stop as I look at Jack. His eyes pleading for me to stop. I look down at his hand, gripping my forearm. "Please."

My anger disappears into worry. For the past few weeks, I've never seen Jack so distraught.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, ashamed.

"It's okay," he answers gently, loosening his grip on me, but still holding me.

"Mr. Way is awesome," Zack suddenly speaks up. "He's the new art teacher."

"Oh yeah, I heard about him. Isn't he a comic book artist?" Rian speaks up. Zack nods.

"He's funny and really loose about stuff. Hayley Williams came in late and he just shrugged it off."

"Wow. I have him seventh bell," I smile.

"I don't. I didn't take art. I have digital design," Rian sighs. "Who's Mr. Iero?" He says, reading off his times table. 

"The digital design teacher," Jack deadpans.

Rian shoves his shoulder and groans.

"Who do you have for music?" Jack asks.

"Mr. Urie," I look at my time table.

"Same! Sixth bell," Zack says.

"We have the same class!" Rian cheers and they high five.

"I have him fifth bell, so right after this," Jack says. I smile.

"Me too," I say softly. Jack grins.

Just then, the bell rings. We say our goodbyes and Jack and I walk to music.

"Alright, class! I'm Mr. Urie. I'm your music teacher for the year. So if you hate me. Suck it up, cause I don't care! Anyway! How about attendance?" He says in an animated voice.

After attendance, he grins. "I'm going to let everyone play whatever you want with whoever you want. I want to hear what you've got by the end of the week. Go!" He claps.

Jack immediately scoots next to me.

"Let's do something by Blink-182," we say at the same time. He laughs and we high five.

After music, I walk over to science with Ms. Black. I pretty much ignore everyone because I don't know any of them.

That is, until Lisa wheels over. She spots me and smiles politely before coming up next to me.

"Hello. I don't know anyone else in this class," she says shyly.

"Neither do I."

"Okay... Maybe this was the universe telling us to be friends again," she smiles as the teacher walks in.

"Welcome to science class!"

~~~

"You're right, Mr. Way is awesome!" I tell Zack. Jack's in my class so he just nods. Jack pats my shoulder just as Rian walks over.

He takes one look at us before speaking. "I hate digital art design," he groans. "I mean, the teacher is fine, but the damn class is so confusing."

We laugh and start out of the school.

"Hey, fag! Your brother said that he's glad he's dead! He's thankful he doesn't have to deal with you!" A voice shouts. I freeze up. Jack gasps and turns around angrily, but doesn't see anyone. That coward ran.

Zack pulls his arm around me. 

"Hey, they are just trying to get under your skin, don't let them hurt you. It's going to be okay," Rian whispers to me.

This pain is fresh. For me, I only just found out about Tom. And it hurts like hell.

Jack grabs my hand. Not in a "we're dating" way. More like an "I'm here for you" way.

We walk back. Rian leaves for his neighborhood across the street. Then Zack goes home. Jack and I live right next to each other. Which is mainly why were we such good friends apparently. But he doesn't go home. Instead, he follows me back and helps me inside.

My parents come home at 6, and it's only 2:40. We go upstairs and I sit down, remaining completely silent.

"Alex..?"

That's when I break down. He rushes over and holds me.

"They don't know what they're talking about," Jack says bitterly, toward those jerks. He rubs circles into my back with his palm. "It's okay," he says softly.

I shake my head. "Jack- it's the first day- and I'm already breaking down- I'm weak- I let a bunch of guys g-get under my skin-" I gasp.

"It gets better. But you can't let it get to you. I mean, this is high school. What do you expect from hungry... horny... moody teenagers?"

I feel myself shaking as he runs his hands up and down my arms. I lay my head on his lap. I turn and look up at him.

"But when does it end?" I ask slowly, trying to normalize my breathing.

"It doesn't. But you get stronger. And one day... You'll be able to let it go."

I nod and he pulls a blanket over me. He really does know me. Ever since seventh grade, I've gotten panic attacks, and I always feel cold. He picks me up and shifts me on his lap. He brushes away strands of hair from my face. I feel tired. And I think he knows that.

"Do you want to take a nap?" He asks softly.

I shake my head. "Can you just- hold me?" I ask, feeling slightly embarrassed. He nods and holds me in his arms.

Eventually, I start to feel tired. I glance at the watch on his wrist. It's now 3:30. I look up at him.

He leans down and plants a soft kiss on my forehead. He picks me up and moves me to the bed.

"I'm sorry for being so weak."

"You're not weak, Lexy. You're the strongest person I know," he whispers softly.