Stay With Me

“How are you?” Jack asked in an attempt to start a conversation. Jack had never had to think when he waas around Alex. The conversation always just flowed easily with no hesitation but now things we different. A lot has happened and neither knew how to fix it.

“Shit, you?” There was no point in Alex lying and saying he was great because he wasn’t. He heart had just been torn in two.

Jack laughed. He found it ironic both boys feeling exactly the same way over the same girl. For a second he questioned if all this was worth it but for some reason it was. For some reason Jess was worth losing a friendship over. She was special.

“Yeah Same.” A silence once again fell over the boys, suffocating there once blossoming friendship. Finally Jack broke it.

“So I’ve been thinking”

“Oh no Jack thinking is never a good thing”

“Hey! I think you are going to want to hear” Jack said matter-of-factly.

“Alright. I’m sorry go on man” Alex laughed, things were gradually getting less awkward and more back to what it used to be. Maybe the remains of their friendship could be salvaged and put back together again.

“Well I’ve been thinking that we should probably talk” A smile spread across Alex’s face. He had been waiting so long for Jack to say those words.

“Well it’s about time.”

“Haha yeah I know. I’m sorry about that I just needed time.” Jack said trying to justify his actions. It didn’t matter though, Alex already sort of understood where he was coming from. He needed time and space to think. Thankfully Kara had explained that to him. The boys decided that talking in person would probably be better than over the phone. So Jack said he would start walking to Alex’s from the park before hanging up the phone.

He arrived 15 minutes later knocking on the Gaskarth’s front door. Alex’s mum opened the door and immediately pulled Jack into a tight hug. Isobel was like a second mother to Jack. She loved him just as much as she loved Alex, and thought of him as a son. He had spent so much time at her house it was hard not to.

“Jack! I haven’t seen you in so long sweetheart” She said releasing him from the hug and holding him ar arms length.

“I thought I’d give you a break from my antics for a bit Mrs G.”

“Oh Jack!" She said laughing. "Alex is right up stairs sweetie” Jack thanked Isobel and walked the familiar path up to Alex’s room. Usually he would just walk right in but this time he knocked waiting for Alex to respond.

“Come in!” He heard Alex call. Jack opened the door and walked into the room, it had felt like so long since he’d been here. Memories of the two of us playing video games and watching movies flashed threw his mind as Jack awkwardly stood in the middle of the room. Alex stayed sitting on his bed, neither saying a word.

Jack let out a soft chuckle at the awkwardness in the room. He couldn't help but laugh at how odd it was for the pair to be in this situation. Soon Alex began to laugh as well and in no time both boys had erupted into a fit of laughter. As their chuckles died down so did the tension.

Jack opened his arms wide and Alex immediately got up from his seat and jumped into Jacks arms screaming “Hug me brotha” Something they had previously stolen from Drake and Josh.

And just like that their friendship was back to normal. Everything was forgotten, being boys they didn’t find it necessary to sit down and talk about their feelings. Both were in the wrong and both were sorry. That’s all that mattered to them. Jack couldn't even believe he ever doubted their friendship.

Jack and Alex spent the rest of the afternoon siting and playing mario kart, Mrs Gaskarth had brought them up some food halfway through their gaming. She smiled at the pair liking the fact that they were friends once again.

At 5pm Jack reluctantly made his way home promising Alex he’d be at band practice the following day. When Jack got home he informed his mother and sister of his newly mended friendship which they were both joyous about. No one liked it when Jack moped about the house, it was depressing.

A little while later Jack decided to call Rian and tell him of the good news, but someone had beaten him to it. Apparently Alex had called him almost immediately after Jack had left the house. To say Rian was happy would be an understatement, he was ecstatic that the best friends were finally talking again.

As Jack laid in his bed waiting for sleep to overtake his body he couldn’t help but realise Alex and himself hadn’t discussed the events that lead up to their fight nor the ones that occurred after. Jack was never one to talk about feelings but he couldn’t help but think it was something they needed to talk about. He knew if they didn’t it would come back to haunt them later.

He decided they would be able to talk at band practice tomorrow. That way Rian and Zack were there to stop any fighting that may or may not occur.

______________________________________________

Jess sat wide awake in her bed, Kara was lying next to her sound asleep for almost an hour. After recounting the events of the past 24 hours to her, the two decided it would be nice to have a classic girls night.

Kara was slightly disappointed in Jess for sleeping with Alex, but she was her friends and couldn't/would never judge her for it. Kara felt bad for Jess, if she was in this situation she would have no idea what she’d do, or who she would chose.

Let’s face Jess had no idea who she’d chose. She had Alex someone who she trusted with her darkest secret. The two had always shared a special connection since day one. They just clicked. When they were together it was like nothing else mattered. They trusted one another.

But then there was Jack. He could make her forget any problems and was always able to put a smile on her face no matter what. He made her feel safe and secure even when he was doing something ridiculous. He always made her feel beautiful and treated her like a princess. He loved her.

Jess noticed her phone light up on her desk. She slowly got out of bed careful not to wake Kara and looked to find two new messages.

To: Jess
From: Jack<3
Night beautiful. I sorted everything out with Alex and we’re friends again. I guess it’s just up to you to make you choice. No pressure or anything haha. Come to band practice tomorrow at 4? Maybe the three of us can talk :) xxxxxxxxx

To: Jess
From: Lex
Hey, Sorry about today. I was a dick and I shouldn’t have said those things. Jack and I sorted things out but I didn’t tell him about the other night, it kind of slipped my mind to be honest but don’t worry I’ll tell him tomorrow, if you want me to. Maybe you should come to band practice? you know all of us could talk things through xx

Jess replied to both messages with the same thing.

I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then x

She didn’t know what it would be like. If their would be screaming and fighting or they would be mature and actually talk it out. She did know there would be tears but mainly from her. What she did know was both boys would be expecting an answer.

Jess made her way back to bed and got in, wrapping the blankets tightly around her small frame, attempting to get some sleep tonight.

To say Jess was conflicted would be an understatement. She had what most girls dreamed of. Two perfect boys fighting for her but she hated it, because in the end she was going to have to break someones heart.

But as her head finally hit the pillow and her eyes slowly closed she decided who that someone would be.