It Started With Counting Numbers....

Chapter Two

Jack was drawing a picture of a girl with her head in her knees in a tree. The tree was dead and falling apart with the leaves that said things like 'insecurities' and 'hopeless'.

I was self conscious today, so I was making a paper mask that I can wear over my face.

"Why are you doing that, Alex?"

I shrugged.

"Cause I have acne and I'm ugly." I said quickly as I colored the eyes in rainbow.

Jack took my face and made me look at him.

"Your acne doesn't make you ugly, and it'll go away. Give it a few days. And you're not ugly. I promise." Jack smiled and went back to his sketch.

I blushed but still colored in the eyes. Maybe Jack was right; Do people notice it as well as I do?

"Hey, Lex. Wanna hangout after school?"

I blushed and the nickname Lex. It was very cute.

I nodded and began to finish up my mask. We had one more class after this one. I held it up in front of my face and Jack chuckled.

"It's really cool, but I like your real face. Come on, your pretty. Let me see those eyes." Jack said.

I pulled the mask down and set it on the wooden table. Jack smiled and nodded.

"That's better."

I smiled at him and collected my black binder and red maths book from the table. Jack grabbed his five-subject notebook and his Collections book. Rucking it under his arm, we walked to the big oak door with the glass windows.

Jack got the door and walked me down the halls to class.

On the way, we saw cliches and the school couples.

Austin and Alan were holding hands and walking down the hall, with Tino and Phil close behind. They were all chuckling over something Alan said.

Kellin and Vic were intense. They were making out under the small corner under the stairs. You really had to look to notice though.

Mike was carrying Tony's guitar case and binder along with his book bag with the pot leaves and his drumsticks. Mike was a little less intense with Tony, for Tony wasn't big on making out and kissing.

There was Ben and Danny trading cigarets; James and Sam were smiling at each other shyly and slowly creeping closer to one another.

"There's a lot of couples." I blurted out a Jack nodded.

There were also strait ones. Like Jaime and Jessica and Chris and Sabrina.

Jack stopped and held the door for me again.

Stop being a faggot, Alex. He doesn't want you.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Don't sit there!

"Hey, Alex? You alright?" Jack asked as I jumped.

"Let's sit in the back."

Jack glanced at me and nodded reluctantly. For people who suffer the same metal illnesses I do, I'm sorry hipster assholes try to turn them into a fashion trend, and a way for attention.

-----

"You're gonna love my house! I have a lot of video games and food!"

I smiled at Jack as he hugged my legs tighter. He decided to give me a piggy back ride when I slid on some ice.

"Can I have water so I can take my pill?"

"Sure, Lexi." Jack smiled as he began running.

I was carrying both of our book bags while Jack was carrying me. He was really strong and nice. I just met him today and he's already my best friend. Jack is really nice, and offers me halves of his orange or sandwich.

Why was he being nice to me?

Nobody likes a freak like you.

Oh shut up, Maxx. You're stupid.

Alex is stupid

Why is he alive?

Faggot, faggot, faggot.

Look at that crooked mailbox!

Ugly, ugly, ugly.

Jack set me down and dragged me up the path to his door. There was no cars in the driveway, and he slipped the key in the door.

With a few turns, the door came open and we both walked inside. It smelt like cinnamon and sugar cookies. Jack smiled and signaled me to follow him.

He pulled out a package of Oreos and tossed me a bottle of water so I can take my meds. Grabbing them out of my bookbag, I took a few back and swallowed them with water.

Don't take those!

He's poisoning you!

Death, death, death...

"Your hair is messed up. C'mere." Jack mumbled as he pulled me close to him.

I noticed our lips were just centimeters away. All I had to do was lean up and push my lips to his.

I bet he tasted like Oreos, speaking he just ate a few.

Jack's fingers brushed through my hair and fixed it up nicely. Smiling, Jack pulled me into a hug.

"I don't think you're a freak for your mental issues, Alex." He said softly as he rubbed my back. I put my head against his chest and light inhaled. His cologne was not very strong but you can smell it when your face was pushed against the right spot.

Jack slowly let go and ruffled my hair.

"Let's go play Mortal Combat.

------

"Is that your boyfriend?" My mom asked as we ate together.

I shook my head.

"I wish." I sighed and put some green beans in my mouth.

My mom smiled and drank some water.

"I'm sure he'll come around."

I nodded and smiled.

Don't dwell on it, idiot.