Title: Nightmares by All Time Low

Today, when we walk over, Awsten is the first one we see. He looks nervous, almost scared. I quicken my pace slightly. 

"Are you okay? You look really pale," I say first. Jack nods. "Awsten?" He looks around slowly before meeting my eyes. 

"Alex... Check your email," he says softly. I pull out my phone and check. Jack, Rian, and Tay do the same. 

"Oh god, Alex, don't look," Rian says and grabs my phone. I give him a look. Jack's eyes harden when he sees. He puts his phone and bag down before turning around. Tay slams her phone against the table and clenches her fist. 

"Alex, oh god, are you okay?" Lisa says, running to me. She grabs my shoulders. "Are you hurt? Did he touch you?" She asks, staring me in the eyes. 

"What? I don't get it-" I look at them.

"Alex, what happened?" Kellin asks, Vic following behind. They run over. "We saw the email, and I swear to god if he did something... I'll fucking kill him. He's gone too far."

"I'll personally shove a fork up his ass if he touched you," Vic says, his voice is rough like he was screaming. "Justin is at the office trying to get someone to do something."

"You." Jack points. His entire body is shaking. He walks over- right to Trace. "You son of a bitch," he growls and punches Trace in the jaw. "You fucking asshole. How dare you?" Jack kneels down and punches Trace more. 

"Jack- what's going on?" I shout. Everyone shares a look. 

"Didn't realize you were so small," a voice shouts from across the court. 

Oh no. Oh, fuck no. 

I feel my entire life crumble in pieces. I fall to my knees. Lisa gasps and kneels down next to me. Rian grips my shoulder. I faintly hear Trace screaming as Jack punches him again. 

"Alex, it'll be okay," Tay whispers. "Don't worry, you'll get through this," she says softly. 

"No... No-" I mumble. "I-"

"ALEX."

I gasp and sit up. Tears cascading down my face. Jack wraps his arms around me, gently rubbing my back. "Shhh, it's okay Lex, I'm here."

"I- c-check your email," I hiccup. He gives me a look. "J-just do it, please," I say softly. He nods and grabs his phone. He clicks on the lamp before going to his email. 

"There's nothing," he says, showing me his empty inbox. "What happened?"

I shake my head and lean against him. He holds me as I cry into his shoulder. "It's okay, let it out," he whispers comfortingly. 

I gasp for air and pull away from him. "Jack, I can't do this," I say softly, my voice cracking. His eyes go wide.

"Alex, what are you talking about?"

"H-he threatened me. He said I would regret getting him in trouble. I'm scared- I- I don't know w-what he's planning to d-do." I close my eyes and try to breathe. "Jack, I'm scared."

"He can't do anything. He's suspended for two weeks, Alex. He can't hurt you. And if he tried, you know I'd drop everything for you." He brushes hair out of my face. 

I nod. "I know. I'm just worried about what he m- might do without getting near me." I bury my face into Jack's neck. Jack sighs and moves away. He lays me down. 

"You need to sleep," he whispers. He clicks off the lamp and lays next to me. He reaches over and grabs my hand. He moves it to his chest, over his head. "I'm right here," he says. 

"You're heart's beating really fast, Jacky," I mumble, moving closer to him. He lets out a breath. "Jacky?"

"Nothing. My heart just moves fast," he whispers. I nod. His arm goes around me. I press my face against his side, and his heart pounds slightly faster. I smile and close my eyes.

~~~

I wake up without Jack. I look around and stare at the empty space. "Jacky?" I shout. I get out of bed and walk downstairs. That's where I see him in the kitchen. 

"Good morning, Lex," he says without turning. He grabs a plate. He puts whatever he's making on the plate and turns around. "I made breakfast," he says and sets it down. 

"You didn't have to do that," I mumble and sit down. He walks over and puts another plate down. 

"I felt like it, and you didn't eat much yesterday," he says. I smile and take a bite of the pancake. "Pancakes are pretty much the only thing I can make well at this point," he says softly. "I may or may not have forgotten a lot of what you taught me about cooking."

I roll my eyes. "It'll come back to you. I can reteach you if you want." 

"Sure," he says. We finish in silence. "So... I need to go home and get ready." He stands up and grabs his bag. "I'll see you soon, Lex." He smiles at me before leaving. 

I get ready before walking out. Rian stands in front of my house and waves to me. He walks over. "Alex, I know it's early, but we need to talk."

I press my lips together. "What?" His face is grim, like whatever he needs to say is bad. I grab his arm and pull him into the house. 

"Alex, I don't want this to ruin anything between us," he starts. "But I think I like you."

My heart skips a beat. "Rian, I-"

"I know you don't feel the same, but I can't keep lying to you and- fuck, I just-" He sighs and covers his face with his hands. 

I step forward and hug him. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "But it doesn't need to ruin anything."

"Are you sure?" He asks. 

"Of course, I'll always feel this way towards you." I smile. 

He nods. "I was so scared I would lose you."

"Never." I pat his back. "Come on, we should go get Jack and Tay." I open the door and see a figure walking away. Huh. 

(Jack's POV)

I walk up to the door when I hear two people talking... Alex and Rian. 

"Alex, I don't want this to ruin anything between us," Rian says. "But I think I like you." I stop in my tracks and feel my heart stop. 

I hear Alex inhale softly. "Rian, I-" He says softly.

"I know you don't feel the same, but I can't keep lying to you and- fuck, I just-" Rian must have stopped because there's a pause. Oh god- what if-

"Are you sure?" Rian asks after the long pause. I thought there might have been whispering, but I could hear anything. Maybe that's me being desperate. Oh god no.

"Of course, I'll always feel this way towards you," Alex says. 

I bite my lower lip to keep from making any noise. I should've known. Alex likes Rian back. It's so obvious. 

And I'm so stupid. 

I don't even know how I feel. I was going to say something yesterday, but I couldn't. I can't. 

And now I never will. 

I turn around and take a shallow breath before walking away.