Original Love

Jack's POV:

They knew. They all knew. There was no question about it anymore. First it had only been Alex giving him the worried looks. Then Rian a little while later. And then finally Zack. Though the fact that the bassist was the last to figure things out wasn't that big of a shock since he was in the middle of his own thing with a girl he had met back in California before he had left. He really hadn't said much to any of them though so none of them really knew what was going on, but there was defiantly a girl. And Jack had thought that maybe if Zack was being sort of secretive, maybe they would lay off Jack. But that wasn't the case there. Of course, after one little character change, something as simple as growing up a little bit and not being as crazy, everyone goes bat shit and thinks something horrible is going on. Which was why he needed to get his ass going and get back to the dressing room. He had been so lost in his own little world again that when he had grabbed his things to get a shower after the show that night he had forgotten his phone. And he wouldn't put it past any of his friends to figure out his password. It was a little too easy and they would probably be able to figure it out in one go.

Grabbing his things once he was done, he rushed out of the showers and down the hall to the dressing room. The door was closed but he could hear voices coming from the other side as he twisted the knob and pushed it open. The first thing he saw when he walked in was Ben, Alex, Rian, and Zack all huddled together looking at something. Then the second thing that he saw was that the object of their attention was in fact his phone like he had been worried about.

“What are you guys doing?”

All four of them froze as they looked up and saw him standing there. Any other time he would find it amusing that all four of them had the same deer in the headlights look while looking as guilty as ever, but this time he was just pissed. Somehow he knew that they would do this and that they would snoop, but maybe he just didn’t want to believe it.

“Oh, uh, hi Jack,” Alex said, setting the phone down and rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not what it looks like, I swear,” he continued as Zack just rolled his eyes at him. Everyone knew that Alex wasn’t a good liar.

“Sure you aren’t, you know something told me you guys would be doing things. I happen to forget my phone one time and then you guys are all over it. How did you even figure out my password? Was it that easy?”

Zack sighed, “Actually, Ben did, and we had no clue. But can you really blame us for going through it? We’re worried about you”

“Who’s Erica?”

Leave it to Alex to be blunt. Jack bit his lip as he debated on whether or not to tell them. They already went through his phone so they knew something, just not everything. But they would keep bugging him and trying to find out some other way if he didn’t just tell them. He could see them trying to go through his computer and calling his parents. And that was the last thing he wanted to happen. His mom blew things way out of proportion and didn’t need her involved at all. Yes he loved her, but he got his crazy obnoxious ways from her.

Finally he gave up the internal debate with a sigh and looked up, “She’s this girl I’m sort of seeing.”

“Sort of seeing?” Rian asked with a raised brow. “Dude, when have you never not told us about a girl you’ve been seeing?”

Jack shrugged, “this one’s different. I really like her.”

Alex awed as Zack just rolled his eyes, “Why couldn’t you just tell us then? You’ve had us worried for days. This isn’t like you. We thought something was legit wrong with you like you had brain cancer or something.”

“Really? I can see Alex or Ben coming up with something dramatic like that, but you Zack? Really?” Jack just shook his head as he grabbed his phone from them, pressing a button to see if he had any new messages but was disappointed when he saw he didn’t. “No, I don’t have brain cancer or anything, it’s just different with her. I actually really like her and I only met her a few days before we left. We’ve been texting nonstop since we’ve left.”

“So why didn’t you just tell us?”

“I don’t know, maybe because I didn’t want to jump to conclusions yet. We’re not even official, just talking and everything. We want to take things slow.”

He took a breath trying to calm himself down since he really wasn’t in the mood to have this conversation. And thankfully Flyzik came to his rescue by bursting through the doors in a dramatic manner and started yelling about how they needed to get their asses going and get outside to sign before they left.

The conversation dropped making Jack sigh in relief as the others grabbed their stuff to head to the showers also. The only one who stayed behind was Ben and he took a seat next to Jack on the couch as he began to go through his phone again. They both were shockingly quiet for a while and Jack just checked his texts and sent one to her mentioning the show since she had wanted to know how it had gone since it had been one Jack had been waiting for for a while now.

After he finished, he locked his phone and turned to Ben, “so you really were the one to figure out my passcode?”

“Yeah,” Ben replied with a laugh. “They were being such girls whispering and trying to figure it out. So I decided to save them since they only had one try left and unlocked it for them.”

“And I thought they knew me so well,”

“Yeah, it’s pretty pathetic. But you know you could have just told them. Especially Zack, he’s sort of going through the same thing as you are right now. Him and Em.”

Jack nodded, “I thought about it, but I really didn’t want to say anything until it was official and all. She’s really awesome and mentioned that she wanted to take things slow so I respected that. It’s weird this time. I can actually see myself being with her for a really long time. Not like the others where it was a live in the moment and not care if we’re together in the future. She’s really different.”

“Aw, that’s so cute, I hope everything works out.” Ben replied as Jack blushed and looked away. They were silent for a few moments before Ben sighed and stood up and faced him. “C’mon Jacko, let’s go terrorize the boys in the shower. We’ve been acting like girls long enough tonight; it’s time to become men again!"

When they were all back on the bus later that night, Jack couldn't help but give a sigh of relief. After having the others find out about Erica, they had decided to spread to around to the rest of the guys and Jack had gotten shit about it all night. Now he could just go and change into a pair of shorts and hide in his bunk to avoid further joking. But just as he was pulling the curtain to his bunk closed, someone grabbed it and pulled it open again.

Jack sighed, "what do you want Alex?"

"Oh c'mon Jack, don't act all pissy just because we were messing with you a little bit." Alex replied as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall next to the bunk.

"Yeah well maybe I'm a little sick of all the teasing."

Alex rolled his eyes, "and you wouldn't be doing the same thing if the situation was reversed?"

Jack had nothing to say at that. Because both of them knew it was true. And he was too proud to admit that out loud. But it looked like that wasn't what Alex was there for. The mention of having some 'bro time' was what it seemed he was going for as he managed to get Jack out of his bunk at the mention of Home Alone. The back lounge was empty thankfully and Alex closed the door as Jack popped his favorite movie in the player and flopped down on the couch with the remote in hand. Alex took the space next to them, shoulder touching, as the start menu showed and Jack pressed play. It was silent for the first five minutes of the movie and Jack knew as soon as Alex mentioned some down time meant that his best friend wanted to talk to him about something and used his favorite movie to get him to do so. And anyone who knew Jack knew that even though the whole movie was his favorite, that his favorite part didn't come until the robbers actually broke in and the wild goose chase happened as the robbers tried to get rid of Kevin. So whatever Alex had to say he could do in plenty of time before all hell would break loose if anyone talked during the end.

"If you have something to say just say it," Jack said as they got further into the movie and Alex still hadn't said anything.

Alex sighed as he sat up slightly and turned to face Jack as he turned the volume down slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Jack could tell by the look in Alex's eyes that he was upset about that. The boy probably had a hundred other questions but Jack knew that that was the most important one to the older boy. And he could understand why. Ever since they were kids, they had instantly been best friends. Sure Jack was really close to Zack and Rian and the rest of the crew, but there was just something about Alex, something that he didn't really have with any of the others. For some reason with just one look they could read each other and know what was going on. Which was why they couldn't keep anything from each other and never even tried to and just told each other everything. It was just easier that way. He knew that Alex was hurt that he didn't say anything but Jack really didn't want to. Not just because of Erica, but because of his own past, which Alex knew. And now that he was beginning to form a new relationship with someone new, he needed to make sure it didn't end up like the last one. Jack honestly didn't know if he would be able to handle it if it did.

"Because I'm scared." Jack replied finally, in a small voice.

He honestly didn't think Alex heard him until a half a minute later when he finally replied. "Because of Natalie?"

All he could do was nod and avoid eye contact. It had been a nasty breakup after Jack had been head over heels for the girl. Alex had been there to pick up the pieces after she suddenly broke up with with him so he didn't need to say any more.

"Jack," Alex sighed, touching his arm and bringing him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see his best friend with a sad smile on his face. Not one out of pity, but one out of understanding. He knew what had just been going through Jack's mind and was trying to make him feel better. "Just because of one bad break up doesn't mean all of them will turn out like that one."

He sighed and pulled away, running his hand down his face trying to keep the tears at bay. "How do I know that Lex? How the hell do I know that if I do make a move and finally ask Erica out that five months later I fall for her even harder for her to blame me for cheating on her with no proof and slapping and hitting me before storming out the door like Nat did?"

There was another long pause, allowing all the memories to flood in once again. He could still hear and feel the first slap to his cheek as she cried and screamed at him, accusing him of cheating. Even though Jack wasn't even the cheating type. Not once had he ever cheated on someone he had been dating. It was trashy and horrible and had seen the results from some of his friends, none in the band thankfully, when that had happened. Both parties ended with broken hearts and many tears. He never wanted to put someone through that. But yet he had been accused of doing so.

"Did you tell Erica about this? Does she know why you want to take things slow?"

Jack shrugged and shook his head, "no. Neither of us has said anything about our pasts. She doesn't know about Nat and I don't know why she up and left Texas and about her family or anything else."

He risked a glance at his best friend and caught the raise brown in silent question as to why he was in such a secretive semi-relationship and sighed. "I know what you're thinking. But we're slowly breaking down each others walls. We're just friends right now. Though maybe it'll turn into something more when we get back. We talk at least every day, she's a really great girl. You'd love her."

"Well if you like her so much you should just go for it Jay," Alex said, making Jack look away to hide his scared and worried look. But of course Alex caught on and nudged him with his foot to make him look up again. "Don't freak out and over think this. Just from what you've told me I can already tell that this will be different that Nat. Just take a risk Jay, I have a feeling that everything will be ok."

"How do you know?"

Alex shrugged, "I don't. But you'll never know until you take that risk."

Jack just nodded, knowing that Alex was right, and that the older boy knew that too. Not that he was cocky about it, just that he was glad that he helped Jack seen through his inner turmoil and happy that he was able to see the old Jack back. He knew that he was acting different and hated that he was but after all this time he hadn't been able to get through half of his doubts that Alex was able to help him through in a matter of minutes.

"Thanks Lex," Jack mumbled as he glanced up at the tv. Alex smiled and nodded but Jack continued before his best friend could say anything more. "Now shut up, my favorite part is coming up."

They shared a small smile, Jack's standing in for a silent thank you that Alex instantly picked up on and gave a nod in return before they turned back to the tv without another word said between them.