The Boy Behind a Mask

'How are things Alex?' Miss McDougall asks, watching as Alex picks at the side of his thumb nervously with his index finger,
'Um, okay? Yeah, okay.' The teenager says anxiously,
'I noticed you've become very close with Cassadee, Rian and Jack. Do you like being friends with them?' The counsellor asks and Alex nods,
'Cass and Rian both know.' He mumbles, biting his thumbnail as the woman in front of him smiles,
'That's fantastic Alex. And they're completely supportive?' Alex nods, 'That's brilliant! I'm so proud of you. What about Jack? You seem to be closest to him.' Miss McDougall says and Alex bites his lip,
'I can't tell him.' He mutters,
'Why?' She asks,
'We've been dating for like two months now... I just... I can't tell him.' Alex whimpers, running his hands through his hair,
'Okay, okay, calm down. Lets talk about this. So you're dating? That's wonderful Alex. I think that's good for the both of you actually. I've noticed Jack's happier. Are you aware he has appointments with me?' She asks and Alex nods,
'Okay. Jack used to sit in that chair saying or doing nothing, but now he talks to me. He actually seems happy, and I haven't seen that boy happy since he joined this college. He clearly really likes you Alex.' She says, a smile on her face,
'I know he does. That's why I can't tell him, I just... I like him a lot. And if he finds out I'm a girl, he probably won't like me anymore.' Alex whispers,
'I'll be honest. If you told him, I think he'd be shocked. But Jacks been through a lot, he's very understanding. I can't make you, but I think you should consider telling him.' Miss McDougall says, leaning over and putting her hand over Alex's, stopping him from picking at the skin of his thumb.

---

'Are you okay? Where have you been?' Jack whispers, resting a hand on Alex's lower back when he's sat down next to the younger boy,
'The calm room.' Alex whispers, leaning his head on Jack's shoulder,
'Lex, can you come with me a second?' Cassadee asks and Alex nods, standing up shakily and following her so they're out of earshot of everyone in the lunch hall
'What's up with you?' She whispers, pressing her palm to his forehead,
'My hormone blockers are finally stopping my periods but its making me feel like shit.' He whispers, leaning into her touch,
'Oh darling.' She sighs, 'You shouldn't be at school, you need to go home.' She adds,
'C-Can you get Jack to take me home?' He whispers and Cassadee nods,
'Wait here.' She says softly before she rushes off, Alex watches as she whispers to Jack, who nods, glancing over at his boyfriend before picking his stuff up and walking over to him,
'Why didn't you tell me you didn't feel well baby?' Jack whispers, kissing Alex's forehead before taking his hand,
'Didn't want you to worry or something.' The elder mumbles, trailing behind Jack slightly as they leave the lunch hall,
'Babe, tell me next time, okay? I would have taken you home earlier.' Jack sighs, squeezing his boyfriends hand.

'Is your mum in?' Jack asks,
'I don't think so.' Alex sighs,
'I'll stay with you. I don't want you to be lonely.' The younger says softly, taking the keys out of Alex's shaking hands so he can unlock the front door, he lets Alex in before stepping inside and shutting the door behind them, 'Babe, go on upstairs and get into bed. I'll bring you a drink and some medicine.' Jack says and Alex nods, doing as he's told.
Alex rushes to change into his pyjamas, taking his packer out of his boxers and stuffing it into the closest drawer, pulling his pyjamas bottoms on quickly, he then checks his chest binder is secure but not too tight before yanking a baggy tshirt over his head, the teenager gets a pair of pyjama bottoms and a tshirt out in case jack wants to stay the night (because he does not want the younger going through his drawers), before climbing into bed.
'Here you go babe.' Jack says softly, offering Alex a glass of water and two tablets,
'Thank you love.' The elder whispers, sitting up slightly and taking them from Jack,
'How are you feeling?' Jack asks, taking the glass from Alex when he hand sit back to him,
'Alright. I just need to sleep.' Alex sighs,
'Okay. You sleep. I'll be right here.' Jack whispers,
'You can stay the night if you'd like. I got some pyjamas out for you.' The elder mumbles, rolling over so he's facing Jack,
'You're sweet.' he chuckles, lying down on top of the duvet and draping an arm over Alex's waist, 'Get some sleep.' He whispers, softly kissing both of Alex's eyelids so he shuts them.

---

Alex wakes up slowly, looking up to find jack sat on his bed next to him, wearing the elders pyjamas and playing on his phone,
'Jay?' Alex asks and Jack looks down at him,
'Hey sweets, how do you feel?' He asks,
'Better. What time is it?' The elder mumbles, stretching whilst still in his lying position,
'Uh, half 1.' Jack says, putting his phone down on the bedside table,
'Has my mum come home?' Alex asks,
'Yeah, she came in when we were both asleep so she woke me up and asked how you were and stuff, she then invited me down for dinner. She's so lovely.' Jack smiles,
'I know she is.' Alex yawns,
'You're still tired. Go back to sleep babe.' Jack whispers,
'Sleep with me.' The elder boy whispers and Jack wiggles himself under the duvet so he can wrap his arms around Alex,
'Sleep well love.' He whispers.