Title: Glitter Times by Waterparks

"Where's Jack?" Tay asks once she gets to us. I had walked to his door, but it was like he'd already left. I shrug. 

"Maybe it slipped his mind? It's only been a few days of him tagging along," Rian suggests. "Don't worry about it, Alex. I'm sure he's at school."

"Yeah... There's no way he got kidnapped or is dead or-"

"Alex," Tay says softly. 

"I know, I know. It's ridiculous," I sigh. "Let's just go," I mumble. I glance back at his house, hoping he'd walk out.

But he doesn't. 

We get to the school where I see Kellin, Vic, Justin, and Awsten. Lisa is walking from the other side of the court. 

"G'morning," Awsten says. "Is it just me, or are your dreams being super horrible?" He asks. "Kellin, Vic, and Justin say they're fine, but it was real bad."

"Mine was kind of shitty," I offer. "But why was yours bad?"

"I dreamed that I had to choose between you guys and my old friends. We've literally been friends for like two days, but- I dunno. Maybe 'cause we got in a fight. Feels so connecting."

Tay shudders. "Once in a dream, I had to choose between Alex and Rian. I love my boys so much, I can't fucking choose."

"It's like choosing between two children that you birthed," Awsten nods. 

"So, which group did you choose?" Justin asks. Awsten shrugs. 

"I woke up before I had to."

I look around. No sign of Jack. I feel my phone buzz. I pull it out and sigh. "Jack's sick," I say aloud.

"Aw. I wanted to show him my unnecessary amount forks," Justin says. He reaches into his bag and pulls out a handful of forks. Then he reaches in again and pulls out another handful. 

Alex: Are you okay? You seemed fine

Jack: Eh, I'll probably get over it in a bit. I guess it was never huge anyways. I just can't go to school right now. Feel dizzy and like I might throw up. 

Alex: Ouch, okay. I'll see you after school

Jack: Lex, you might get sick too

Alex: No I won't

Jack: That's not how sickness works

Alex: Well then I get sick. No one's there to help you, Jacky, and you can't exactly keep me out. Now go rest. I'll see ya soon

"We should go to class," Kellin says. "The bell rings in like two minutes," he says and grabs Justin by the arm, dragging him in. 

I glance at Vic. He just knits his eyebrows together. "He seemed determined to leave," he mutters. 

~~~

Trace shoots me a glare when I walk into science. I sit down and take a breath. It's going to be fine. 

"Hey, Gayscarf," Trace says. He walks over to the table. Mrs. Wick eyes us but doesn't do anything. "I noticed your little soldier man isn't here."

"What are you even talking about?" I snap. He smiles.

"Barakat," he says. "What, did he get sick of you? I know I would. Maybe he's found a nice girl, someone who won't drag him down," his eyes scan me. 

"No. He's just sick," I mumble. 

"Of you, probably," Trace scoffs. "I can't believe you think he'd ever like you back."

"What?" I glare at him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Trace rolls his eyes. "You're trying to turn him gay. It won't work. He'll come running back to me, telling me he's sorry. And when that happens, I'll make his life a living hell. But he'll be too scared to leave."

I clench my fist. "Shut up."

"Don't use that language in my classroom," Mrs. Wick snaps. I look at her. That's the part she heard? 

Trace smirks at me. "Jack will come back to me. I promise you that," he whispers before walking away. 

"Mrs. Wick?" I raise my hand. She glares at me. "Can I go to the bathroom?"

She rolls her eyes. "Fine, whatever. Be quick."

I stand up and rush to the bathroom. I lock myself in a stall and take a deep breath. Don't freak out. Don't freak out. 

I dry my face before walking out. 

"Hey, Gayscarf," someone mutters. Before I can react, they punch me in the face.

"What the fu- hey!" Someone else shouts. I hear footsteps running out of the bathroom. "Are you alright?" 

I look up and the person gasps. 

"Alex? Holy shit," he mumbles. He stands up and grabs a paper towel. He puts it under water before pressing against my split lip. Awsten sighs. "Sorry, I should have done something more than just yell at him."

"No, he probably would have beat me more," I mutter. "Thanks though. Now, get to class," I say and gently push him away. I stand up, dizziness hitting me. I groan and lean against the wall. 

"You're not okay. Should I get the nurse?" He asks. 

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." I walk to the sink and splash cold water on my face. "Awsten?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. I've only known you for a few days, but I already know you've got a big heart and you're perfect for the group."

He smiles and hugs me from behind. "You're so nice. Even after getting punched in the boy's bathroom. You don't have to be nice." 

I shrug and take a deep breath. "Come on, let's go," I mumble. He pulls away and helps me out. He leads me to the door before waving and walking away. 

I walk in and Mrs. Wick stops me at the door. "I'd be careful if I were you," she grumbles in my ear before sending me to my seat. 

~~~

"Hey, Alex," Mr. Harris whispers in my ear. He sits next to me. "Where's Jack?" He asks, looking around. 

"Sick."

He nods and reaches over, grabbing my shoulder. I find my lungs empty when I try to breathe. "So, now that he isn't here to interrupt, we need to talk about something, but not right now... How about after school tomorrow?"

"Wh-what about?" I take a short breath because it's all I can manage. 

"Ya know, just class," he says. He grips my shoulder. "I'll remind you, but show up, alright?" He says, his voice going soft. 

"Y-yeah," I mumble. 

"Good," he says and pulls away. He stands up and walks to his desk, still eyeing me. I look away from him, but no matter what, I still feel his hand on my shoulder. 

Once the bell rings, I rush out of the room and find Rian and Tay. "Oh damn," Tay says and gently touches my face. "It's really dark now."

"Oh," I mumble. "It'll heal."

Rian shoots me a look. "Are you okay?" I nod. "Okay... Uh, for the weekend thing, we're sleeping over, right?"

"Yeah. That was implied the whole time, and everyone got that," Tay says. I nod. "Anyway, goodbye losers." Tay walks away. 

"Alex, about this morning-"

"It's fine, don't worry about it," I cut him off. I hug him. "I mean... I'm sorry I don't feel the same... But you're not going to lose me because you told me."

"You like Jack, don't you?" He asks. I give him a look. "Think about it. Once Jack came back, you've been so happy. And today, without him, you've been acting like someone broke your heart. I think you like him." 

"Noooo, no way. Besides, he's straight, he could never like me back."

"No, he said he's undecided. The day we were introducing ourselves. He said undecided, not straight."

"I like him. But not like that. Just as a friend, okay?" I say softly. 

"Uh-huh. Sure." He grins and walks to his house. "Suuure!" He shouts before walking in. 

I go to Jack's house and find his spare key from under the house lamp. I open the door and walk in. Quietly, I walk upstairs and find his room door closed. 

I knock it softly. "Jacky? Are you awake?"

I hear a sniffle. "Lex? I told you not to come h-here," he says softly. Something doesn't sound right. 

I open the door and close my eyes. "Are you like... Naked?" I say softly, my cheeks going hot. 

He lets out a soft laugh. "No."

I open my eyes and see him laying down in bed. He stares at me as I walk over. "Don't tell me to leave, because we both know I won't," I say and press the back of my hand against his forehead. 

He grabs my arm and stares at me. "Lex, did someone hurt you?" He asks, his voice going angry. He reaches up and his fingertips touch the area around my eye where the bruise is. 

"No, I just-"

"Alex, tell me the truth," he whispers, tears filling his eyes as he stares. I nod slowly. He sighs and sits up, wrapping his arms around me. "I'm sorry," he mumbles against my ear. 

"You couldn't have done anything. It was in the bathroom before 4th bell."

"Science?" Jack asks. I nod. "Did Mrs. Wick do anything?"

"She told me to be careful."

He scoffs and pulls away. "Who did this to you? I'll fucking kill them."

"I don't know. He just punched me and ran. The only other person there was Awsten, and he was only able to scare the guy off." 

Jack sighs. "I'll find this guy. And I swear-"

"Yeah, yeah, you'll kill him. Now, I'm going to make you some soup, and you can't say no." I stand up and walk away.

 I get to the kitchen and start cooking when Jack comes up and wraps his arms around me from behind. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I just- I suddenly couldn't even stand."

"Aw," I turn and hug him back. "As long as you don't die."

He rolls his eyes. "Sure, I'll try to avoid death."

I smile. "See, now you get it!" I pull away and cut the vegetables. "Do you still hate celery?"

"Whhhhat? I never did that."

"Uh-huh," I mumble. I cut the celery and put it in the soup. 

"It was like one time. And I threw up because I was sick."

"No, as I recall you said, and I quote, 'celery should only be used in weird green juice and sex' and to that, I still have a terrible image of that." 

He pouts. "You're so mean to me."

I smile at him. "But you love me anyway," I say jokingly. His expression fades slightly. "Jack?"

He shakes his head. "Huh? Oh, yeah," he says and grabs two bowls. I dish out the soup. We walk to the table and start eating- or well technically, drinking-

"Alex, why did you come here though? I don't want you to uh- get sick because of me."

I shrug. "I'm fine with being sick. It's better than a lot of other things that could happen."