Dormant Senses

'Think Alexander is going to be okay?' Jack asked as he bit his bottom lip, a concerned look on his face. Rian nudged him on the side and gave him a reassuring smile.
'Dude, Alexander is a tough kid. He'll handle it.' Jack half smiled and glanced into the nurses office where he saw Alexander getting his cuts cleaned up. Alexander looked up to find Jack staring at him. He half smiled and winced as the nurse put some hydrogen peroxide on his face.
'Yeah, you're right.'

~~~

The boys went out the front after practice, completely bone tired and bummed that they couldn't stay until the meetup actually began. Jack saw Alexander turn in a different direction and he almost instantly ran his way.
'Hey Alexander. Need a ride?' Alexander stopped and turned to face Jack.
'Jack, it's no problem. I have to get to work anyways. I'll be bothering you. Plus, you need to go eat.'
'No worries, I'll buy something to eat at Five Guys. Come on, I'm not letting you walk to work after what happened.' Jack hooked his arm around Alexander's torso and steered him in the direction of his Range Rover.
'This is your car?' Alexander said a little stunned and wide eyed, twirling a golden-brown strand of hair.
'I'm a little appalled by your tone Gaskarth.' Jack frowned and opened the passengers side.
'N-no, it's not that I doubted you would have this car...' Alexander started and was cut off by Jack laughing at him.
'I'm kidding. If it makes you feel less confused, I actually bought myself this car. Been saving up for any car since I was like eight.' Alexander's mouth dropped as he got inside the car. Jack quickly made his way to the drivers side and started up his baby.
'That's awesome! Your parents didn't help you?' Jack shook his head no and drove out onto the main road.
'Didn't need them too. I had enough to buy the car. Although she needs some fixing up now.' Jack patted the wheel and glanced at Alexander who was snugged all the way into the seat, with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
'You may be the only person who enjoys my car more than I do.' Jack said softly. Alexander suddenly sat up and twirled with his fingers.
'It's a good thing Alexander. You don't have to feel uncomfortable with me.' Alexander smiled and looked out the window.
'I just never get to ride in cars often.. I guess that's why I'm enjoying the moment.' Alexander said barely above a whisper. Jack had to lean in his seat to hear him well.
'Huh? Why's that?' Jack arched his eyebrow and fully looked at Alexander since they were at a red light.
'Don't wanna talk about it...' Alexander sniffled and bit his bottom lip.
'Alexander... You can tell me anything.' Jack reached over and took one of Alexander's hand, a gesture of him showing that he was actually going to listen. Jack pulled up into Five Guys and continued to hold Alexander's hand. He drew circles on the top of his hand and looked at Alexander who was silently crying.
'Alexander... Come on, tell me.' Alexander wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.
'It's about my family, my house, me.' Alexander looked at Jack who had his head tilted and begged with his eyes for Alexander to elaborate.
'Well...' Alexander started his undeniable sad story.
___

Jack sat back, disbelief evident on his face. Someone like Alexander didn't deserve the Hell he was getting at home. The fact that his father, his blood, would do such horrible things to him. The fact that his own father beats him for being who he is and his brother calling him names and not defending him bothers the living hell out of Jack. But the topping on the cake of how messed up his whole family is that his father prostitutes his own wife, his supposed 'loved' one, whenever he gambles because he can't afford all his losses. Jack couldn't help but let a few tears drop.
'Jack, don't cry. I honestly don't need unwanted and not real sympathy.'
'Alex-Alexander, I would never, ever, fake sympathy for such Hell you've been through and are going through But I assure you, as long as you're with me, nothing bad will happen to you ever again.'
'Jack... You can't make me these big promises... Even I know you won't be able to fulfill them.'
'Yeah? Watch me.' Jack said as he walked out and opened Alexander's door so he can get ready for work.

___

Jack raced inside the school to get to the locker room.
'Barakat! You're late!' Coach Frank yelled after Jack as he whizzed by.
'I know Coach! I just need to change!'
'You have two minutes! Hurry!' Jack undressed and quickly put on his speedo and water cap. He ran outside to be met up with confused looks by Zack and Rian. Jack just shrugged and climbed up to get to the diving board. What sounded like a fire gun was set off and in jumped Jack along with other swimmers from different schools.
After the meetup was done, Jack came out to celebrate his win with his family and team.
'Joe here betted you would lose. I earned a very well deserved twenty bucks.' May said as she held up a crisp twenty bucks.
'The fact that you betted against me annoys me Joe.' Joe shrugged and patted his brother on his shoulder.
'Oh congrats sweetheart!' His mom draped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug.
'Good job boy. Knew you had it in you.'
'Thanks dad.' Jack smiled and excused himself from his family to meetup with Rian and Zack.
'Yeah, I had a feeling Alexander wouldn't make it.' Rian said, oblivious that Jack was standing right behind him. Zack made a slice for his neck with his hand to tell Rian to quit it.
'It's okay Zack. I told Alexander not to come Rian.' Rian blushed and nodded.
'But why? I thought you wanted him to come.' Zack asked as he sat down on a bench.
'He was working today. I wasn't going to take him away from his job guys.' They both nodded smiled at Jack.
'There's a party tonight at John's place. Wanna go?'
'Can't guys. Daddy time this weekend.'
'Oh right. I forgot your dad was babysitting you this weekend.' Zack said as he dodged a blow from Jack.
'Shut up. I'll see you guys on Monday.' They both nodded and Jack walked back to his family, his duffel bag draped over his shoulder. He found both of his parents idly talking and his sister and brother draped over their boyfriend and girlfriend who Jack hadn't spotted before.
'What are you two talking about?' Jack said as he approached his parents. They were both laughing and it bothered Jack because they rarely were like this.
'Your father here was telling me how he accidentally spilled coffee on the CEO of his company which actually led him to get a raise and a better position in his job, isn't that right dear?' Did his mom just call his dad 'dear'? Jack eyed his mom suspiciously before looking at his dad.
'Yes sweetheart. Well, are you ready to go Jack?' Jack physically shuttered and nodded. As they were walking away, Jack's dad began to talk about what happened back there before Jack interrupted by saying, 'Oh God dad. I don't want to know if you're having an affair with my mom. That's weird and confusing at the same time. But mostly weird dad.' Jack said as he walked over to his car, his dad chuckling at what Jack just said.

____

'You couldn't defend your fucking self? How pathetic piece of shit son do I have? You're so worthless. I'm ashamed to be your father. Fucking ashamed.' Alexander's father said as he kicked his son for the fifth time in the rips.
'I hope they didn't beat you well enough because I'm going to fucking take the living shit out of you so you know what's coming next time you don't fight back.' Alexander's father got down to one knee and pounded his son to a pulp. After five minutes of brutal beating, his father got up and left Alexander unconscious on the floor. A single tear strolled down Alexander's cheek indicating someone, anyone, to come save him.