Title: Attention by We Are The In Crowd

"Hey guys," she says softly. All of us stand up and hug her- except Vic- for obvious reasons. She laughs as we pull away. 

"Why did your mom call?" I ask. I pull up a chair for her. She thanks me and sits down. 

"Well, I wanted to surprise you guys. I thought you'd be at the park, but you didn't show, so I was going home when I overheard a couple talking about a guy in the ice cream shop talking orgies, and there's only one person in the entire world that does that," she says and looks at Justin. 

"See? I saved the day! JUSTIN STD!" He shouts. Everyone looks at him again. "Oh, yeah- that sounds wrong."

"How are you?" I ask. 

"Well, it's weird seeing sunlight and you guys." She shrugs. "But, I like it here better than in there. Psych hospitals are terrifying." 

I nod. "Understandable."

"Tay, I'm throwing a sleepover party over the weekend. Do you wanna come with?" Lisa asks. Tay nods. "GOOD. I have so many ideas."

"Do any of them involve alcohol?" Justin asks. "Because I can provide."

"Oi, we're in high school." Kellin snaps. 

"I won't tell if you won't," Justin shrugs. 

"Should we try to stay angel children?" I ask slowly. 

"Are we being serious right now? All of us have had a drink or two. Stop the innocent child game," Justin groans. "Vic is either already like this or will be soon."

"I found the perfect group," Vic says softly. He pulls Kellin closer. "You've gotten drunk?"

"Buzzed, but sure," Kellin shrugs. It's obvious he isn't functioning because of how close Vic is. 

"All of us managed to get drinks at some point in time, now, shall I provide?" Justin asks. "Unless the whole underaged thing scares you too much."

"This could go badly... Just bring a little bit." Lisa says slowly. "And as long as everyone's responsible... It should be fine." 

Justin nods. "Wine coolers, it is!"

The lady brings the ice cream, but then she notices Tay. "Oh, I'm sorry what would you-"

"Vanilla ice cream, please? Plain?" Tay asks nicely. The lady sighs and passes around the ice cream before leaving. 

"How was the first day?" Tay asks. 

"Sad. I'm friendless in science, and as if that isn't bad enough, I also have Trace."

Tay winces. "Hopefully I have science with you then. I get my schedule tomorrow."

"Wow," Vic says. "This is actually pretty good." 

"See!" Kellin throws his arms up in the air. "You silly Mexican bean."

Vic blinks in confusion.

"Oh right! Tay, this is Vic, he's new to the school. Vic, this is Tay," Kellin says, realizing they haven't introduced themselves to each other. 

They awkwardly shake hands. 

"Let's play a little game!" Justin suggests. "Would you rather?" Everyone nods in agreement, seeing as though it suddenly got awkward, and being the people we are, awkward is weird. 

"I'll go first," Kellin offers. He clears his throat. "Would you rather kiss Trace, or date Jack for two weeks?"

All of us groan. "I hate you," Rian grumbles. 

"I guess date Jack," Vic says softly. "Maybe it's because I'm new, but he doesn't seem too bad- compared to Trace, I mean."

Even though Jack is a total shit bag... I agree. "I guess so... I'd date Jack, I guess." I run my hand through my hair. Lisa and Rian give me a look. 

"Agreed," Justin nods. Everyone agrees. Trace is a literal nightmare. As bad as Jack is... He wouldn't be a total dick about it.

"Would you rather kiss Kellin or kiss Justin?" I ask. Kellin and Justin share a look. 

"Can I kiss myself?" Kellin asks. Justin snorts, but then he realizes what Kellin implied and now has the most offended face ever. 

"Sure," I shrug. "Hand kissing, I guess."

"Kellin," Vic says. His cheeks go red and he looks away. "I mean... Out of the two- since I have to- you know- yeah."

I wink at Kellin who just rolls his eyes. 

"Would you rather date Alex or date Lisa?" Tay asks. 

Everyone winces. "Oi, they're both very hot and probably very good partners. Perhaps they should date each other," Justin says. 

Lisa and I look at each other and laugh. "Justin," I start softly. "I'm gay, remember?"

Justin shrugs. "That's true, but I'm just saying." He shrugs again. 

"I would date Alex," Rian says. I turn to him. "I dunno, I just would."

Lisa tries to suppress a smile but miserably fails. She nudges my shoulder and wiggles her eyebrows. 

"Would date Lisa. Alex seems like the guy who acts all nice and shit... But then wants some seriously kinky stuff done to him, and I don't really wanna do that," Justin says. Everyone groans. 

"Why are we even friends with you again?" Kellin grumbles. Justin grins and shrugs. 

"You loooove me," he singsongs and leans toward Kellin. 

Finally, the waitress lady brings Tay her ice cream. "Sorry, we were starting to run low, so we had to make more," she explains.

"It's alright, thanks," Tay answers. All of us grin and clink our bowls together.

"To a new school year!" Kellin says. 

"To Tay coming back!" I add. 

Most of us were already half-done with our ice cream when Tay's came, so we slowed down for her to catch up.

"Would you rather tell us who your crush is, or kiss the person to your left?" Vic says slowly. "And... You have to do it."

"FUCK NO," Rian shouts. The people around us glare at us. "Sorry-" Rian clears his throat. 

Vic shrugs. 

"I don't have a crush," I say softly. 

"Well, kiss Tay then," he answers. I turn to Tay and shrug. I lean forward and kiss her cheek. She laughs and hooks an arm over my neck.

"I have a crush," Tay speaks up. Everyone goes quiet to listen to her. "Her name is Jenna. I met her at the psych hospital. She was my roommate."

"Oh my god, they were roommates," Justin, Lisa, and I say at the same time. 

Vic sighs. He leans over and kisses Kellin's cheek.

Kellin goes red and looks down, his hair falling over his face, covering his bright red cheeks. "I- uh-" He moves up, pecks Justin's cheek, and looks away. 

"Feelin' the love there, buddy," Justin jokes. He turns, grabs Rian's face and presses a firm kiss on his lips. 

Rian groans as they pull away. "Everyone else did cheek kisses- why-?" Rian groans again. Justin just winks and sits normally. Rian leans over and kisses Lisa on the cheek. 

"You guys are all buffoons. I have a crush on Andy Biersack, he's super cute and nice," she shrugs. 

"Literally every straight girl in the school is in love with Andy," I comment. "Maybe even some, quote-unquote, 'straight' guys."

"Do you?" Lisa asks. I shake my head. "Oh right. This idiot somehow doesn't have a crush."

"Hey, neither do I!" Justin whines.

"No one asked." Lisa sticks her tongue out at Justin before turning to me. "But our school is filled with hot guys."

"Maybe I'm not into the whole fuck-boy title," I shoot back.

"Oi, Andy isn't a fuckboy," Justin says quickly. "He just looks like one. I'd bet he's still a virgin."

"No... He has a girlfriend of two years," Kellin says. 

"HE DOES?" Justin gasps. 

"Juliet Simms," I answer him. "Yeah, like everyone knows about it."

"Even I know about it," Vic adds. I gesture towards Vic as the perfect example. 

"Aw shut up," Justin grumbles. "I just don't hear things."

"We talk about this all the time." Lisa smacks her forehead. "How do you not remember us talking about it?"

He shrugs. "Maybe nothing is real- maybe we live in the Matrix-"

"SHUT UP."

~~~

"So, what have I missed?" Tay asks as we walk home. Rian, Tay, and I live in the same neighborhood. Of course, so does Jack.

"Well, Vic showed up," Rian offers. "And everyone knows Kellin and Vic like each other, but they keep denying it, and don't know the other likes them back."

"Basically, our friends are idiots," I summarize. "Nothing different. Since you were gone in the summer, everyone was away- so anything new is on the group chat."

Tay nods. "Sorry, I was supposed to be with you over the summer," she sighs. "I just-"

"It's fine, Tay. Don't worry about it." I move closer to her and wrap an arm over her shoulders. She leans against me.

"Anyway, this is my stop, I'll see you two tomorrow," Rian says. We wave to him as he rushes to his house.

"I'm sorry about the letter," Tay says softly, once Rian is in his house. "I never meant for you to be the one who found it."

"It's okay... I'm glad I found it when I did."

"Tay? Tayyyy?" I call. I walk in and see a note on her bed titled "I'm Sorry..." I pick it up and unfold it.

'Family, friends... I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore. Mom, Dad, I never meant for it to be this way. Alex, Lisa, Rian, Kellin, and Justin, please never lose each other. I'm sorry I'll be gone."

I gasp and run to the bathroom. "Tay? Are you in here?" I knock on the door. I try to open it, but it's locked. "I really hope you just have earbuds in or something," I grumble. I throw myself against the door. I groan and do it again. This time I shout and step away. I run against it and the door breaks open.

I ignore the pain that presses on my side as I rush to Tay.

"Tay, Tay!" I look down at her wrists. I pull out my phone and hold her in my arm. I dial 911. "Tay, it'll be okay, just hold on."

"Still," she shrugs. "You shouldn't have had to deal with it." She stops walking. "My place," she points.

"Alright, text me if you need anything, I can give you a whole run-down on the teachers," I say as I walk away. I make it to my house and see someone standing at the door. I hurry over and stop dead in my tracks when I see who's standing there.

"What are you doing here?" I snap. Jack turns and gives me a look. He rolls his eyes and turns away from me. "Hey," I raise my voice. "What are you doing here?"

Jack doesn't say or do anything. He just stands there. I march over to him and grab his shoulder to turn him away.

He shoves me away and I stumble backward. "Don't touch me."

"Why the fuck are you at my house?" I shout. Jack looks away from me, staying silent. "Answer me, or leave."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," he says blankly. "Now will you just leave me alone?"

The door opens and my mom smiles at Jack. "Your mom- oh-" she says when she sees me. "Well... This is quite awkward."

"Yeah," I scoff and push passed Jack. I walk into the house and turn to them. "You wanna explain, or should I take a wild guess?"

Jack stands outside, my mom sighs and gestures for him to come in. He gives her a quick nod and walks in.

"Alex, Jack's parents left for two weeks as of three days ago. They wanted me to check up on him, so I go over, but since school started, I assumed you'd be out longer, so I thought Jack could be here for a little bit before going to an empty house."

I glance at Jack before looking back at my mom. "You're worried about him being alone?" I scoff. "Fine, whatever," I rush upstairs and into my room. I shut the door and sit on my bed.

I stay quiet and listen.

"Alex-" My mom shouts.

"Let him go. Give him five minutes. Then go up. Trust me," Jack says softly. "I should go, it's better if you calm him down and he doesn't see me."

I take a deep breath and walk out. I see Jack about to leave. "Wait," I speak up. He looks up and his expression softens. "We need to talk." I gesture for him to come upstairs.

He cautiously follows me and I walk to my room again. I sigh and cross my arms. He looks around slowly.

"What?"

"I'm looking for something you'd use to hurt me," he answers. "You have a right to, so I'd be okay with it, I'd just like to know."

"What, you feel guilty or something?" I scoff and roll my eyes. "I'd think you gave up completely. Wouldn't be surprised."

He winces slightly. "I deserved that."

"Say something other than blaming yourself. If you're trying to make me feel bad-"

"Alex, say what you want to say. Let it out. You can hit me or say terrible things to me. I don't care what you do," he says. "Once you're done, we can talk. Or, I can leave. It's up to you."

I take a breath. "Jack, I'm not going to hit you." I step closer to him. "As much as I fucking hate you. I won't hit you."

He stares at me. "Why not?"

"Jack, don't act like I don't know," I mumble. He turns his head away from me. "Also, I would never physically hurt someone unless I had to for some reason."

"You're a good person, Alex. But I still want you to take your anger out on me. You can't keep it in forever," he says softly.

"Fine. I hate that you left me like I was nothing. No explanation, you just packed up and left. I hate that you act like I don't exist. And I hate that you let your little friends bully me and my friends." I stop. "And-" I sigh and turn away from him. "I can't do this."

"It's okay, Alex, I-"

"Get out," I snap. I turn quickly. "Get out. Now," I say and look away. He nods and starts walking away.

I groan and sit down. I bury my face in my hands and let the tears I was holding back go.

"Alex, you need to get over this."

I look up and see my mom with her arms crossed and an angry expression on her face.

"I get it, he hurt you. It wasn't like you two were dating. It happens. Now, he's going through something with his parents being out. I need you to try and be nice. Just stop treating him like he killed someone."

I nod and wait for her to go before grabbing my phone.

Alex: Can you help me?

I wait until he answers.

Rian: What?

Alex: I can't be alone right now.

Rian: I'll be there in 5... Window?

Alex: Roof.

I close my bedroom down and walk to the window. I climb out and see Rian sneaking into the back door with the spare house key. We found out he can climb up to the roof by going through the downstairs bathroom window.

"Are you okay?" He asks the second he gets onto the roof. "Did someone hurt you? Did-"

"I'm okay. Just... Jack."

Rian frowns. "Did he do something to you?" As soon as he says it, his face goes to guilt. "I mean-"

"No, it's fine. He was here. Something about his parents being somewhere. I tried to talk to him but I just- I can't," I feel my body start shaking and I can't stop it.

Rian sighs and scoots closer. "Can I hug you?"

I nod and he wraps his arms around me tightly. "I can't do this anymore, Rian. I can't stand seeing him every day. I can't do it."

"Shh, Alex. You'll get through this. Just give it some time, and you'll make it," he says softly, gently rubbing my back.

"Thank you for being here," I mumble.

He lets out a soft chuckle. "Always."