Don't You Ever Let Me Go. (Jalex)

I'll Make It Up To You- Chapter 16

[Jack's pov]

It's been a week since I wrote that letter, and if you guessed that I got a letter back, you were wrong. I got nothing so far. I'm starting to lose hope, maybe he actually didn't want me. But then again, maybe the post office messed up or something. Maybe he ran out of working pens? Who knows. 

I walked down the school hallway all alone. Astrid and Zack's class went on a trip to D.C, Rian was home sick, and Alex was no where to be found. I sighed, ignoring all the glares and insulting comments I got from others. I would occasionally be pushed up against a locker and got the usual "Fucking faggot" words spat in my face. I was slowly getting used to them. Slowly. 

I was almost to my class room when an all too familiar figure stepped in front of me. I groaned, "Hi Ronnie." I mumbled. I can never catch a break. 

"Jack, why don't you come with me?" She said in a sickly sweet voice. 

"Uhm, why?" My voice came out small. Ronnie being nice is something I'm not used to. 

"Because, Alex is in trouble, he needs your help." Her eyes held this certain emotion I couldn't read. So, like any other sane person -Or who I think is sane- followed her to see what was wrong with Alex. 

She led me down the hallway, gently holding my wrist. I couldn't help but feel a little sick to my stomach when she pulled me up the stairs that led to the school's roof. Why would Alex be up here? But then again, I couldn't find him this morning. 

She pushed the door open and shut it behind us. I looked around on the roof, Alex stood there, perfectly fine. I furrowed my eyebrows, "What's going on?" I asked, generally confused. 

Alex hung his head low and shook his head. He whispered something, but I couldn't hear him too well over the sound of the wind. Ronnie's grip on my wrist tightened, and that's when I got frightened. 

[Alex's pov]

I held back my tears, when Ronnie said she would ruin what I loved, I knew I didn't love anything. I still don't love anything or anyone, but Jack was my best friend and he was the closest thing I got. 

So here I was, standing on the roof of the school, hating myself and my life once again. Ronnie said she would have her whole group beat the hell out of Jack unless I didn't do what she said. I looked at Jack, he stood there confused. 

"I'm so sorry." I whispered. Ronnie nodded her head. I walked up to Jack, and did what the old Alex would do. I drew my fist back and punched him in the face. "I fucking hate you." I mumbled and walked away. Before I left, I looked back at Jack. He had blood running from his mouth and nose. I saw the tears that were building up in his eyes. I felt bad, but I had to do it. I had to keep him safe. 

I wasn't in the mood for anything anymore. So I just decided to ditch school. 

"Hey, where are you going?" I heard a teacher call from behind me. I groaned and turned around. "I'm fucking leaving this dump." I mumbled. 

"Oh no, you can't just punch one of the students and then ditch. Office now!" The teacher's face turned red with anger. Jack had told a teacher I punched him. He thinks I hate him. I'm officially done with myself. 

"Just fucking watch me." My voice cracked from tears. I turned back around and walked out of the school. No doubt they'll call my mom, but with what's going on I couldn't really give a fuck. 

[Jack's pov]

I held the tissue to my nose and wiped the blood from my mouth. I can't believe that just happened. I really thought he had changed. I guess my first instinct was right, maybe it is good to be away from Alex. At least for a little while. I don't even know what I did to deserve this. All I know is he hates me, and I'm all alone. 

"Oh my lord, Jack!" My mom ran into the office and hugged me tightly. 

"Who did this to you?" She wailed. I thought for a minute, I couldn't really tell her could I? That would ruin her friendship with Isobel and Peter, and I don't want that. 

"No one mom, I'm fine. Can we just go home?" I mumbled. She shook her head as I picked my back pack up. We soon left the school. I saw Ronnie giving me a death glare. No doubt she'd be behind all of this. I sighed and got into the car. 

"Your dad's letter came today." My mom whispered, not taking her eyes off the road ahead. 

"Really? That's cool." Usually I would be excited, but not right now. Right now I'm just hurt and confused. 

I didn't want to think about anything but Alex. Why did Alex hate me? Was he just hating me from the start? Why did I have to like someone who is such a dick?

Alex is like a time bomb, he and his temper could blow at any second. Destroying everything and anything in it's path. 

Alex is the time bomb. And that time bomb just so happens to be attached to my heart. 

[Alex's pov]

I walked in the house, no one was home. Lucky me. I ran up the stairs and turned into my bedroom. I shut and locked my door and threw my back pack down. I sat on my window sill seat, I couldn't help but stare at Jack's house. I saw his mom's car pull up into the drive way. Jack got out with tons of bloody tissues in his hands. My heart felt like it was going to stop at any second, I hate seeing him in pain. 

Jack held his head low, staring at the ground as he walked. I saw an envelope in his hand. His dad must've written him back, I know how much he's been looking forward to hearing from his dad. I just wish I could be there when he opens the letter. I want to hug him and tell him everything is alright, that I'm sorry and just want him to be safe. 

"Alex! Get your ass down here!" I heard my mom holler. The school must've called her. 

I groaned and walked down the stairs slowly. How does one really prepare for being screamed at for punching a kid in the face? You can't. Not to mention, this kid was my best friend and his mom was friends with my parents.

"Why did you punch Jack Barakat in the face? Do you know what that kid has been through?" My mom narrowed her eyes at me. 

"No, I don't." I lied, pretending not to care about hurting him. 

"Sit." My mom pointed to the chair in front of her. I sat down and stared at her as she glared at me. 

"When Jack was younger he used to be very close with his grandfather. His grandfather passed away, he never really gotten over it. But he started to hide his emotions, Jack was also very close to his father. When Jack was 10 years old, Jack's dad got drafted into the military, Bassam and Joyce never told him why or where his dad left to, they thought it would be better to not tell him. Jack, he also, he copes with things differently, unlike how we would. He's been through hell Alex." My mom spoke softly now. 

"How do you know this?" I asked. I realized Jack never opened up to anyone besides Zack. 

"Zack and Astrid are pretty close you know. Zack had to tell someone without someone telling everyone. So he told Astrid and I." 

"How does he cope differently?" I looked into her now sad eyes. 

"I'm not going to tell you. Just trust me, he's not okay. I want you to apologize and make it up to him. Throw him a surprise party, get him some gifts, anything. Just make it up to him, Alex." It sounded like my mom was pleading. 

I agreed and went back up to my room. I'll make it up to him. I sat back down on my windowsill seat and looked through the window. I saw Jack sitting in his bedroom. 

"I'll make it up to you, Jack. I promise." And I know exactly how I'm going to do it.