
The Light Behind His Eyes
Chapter Twenty Three
That Friday, I wasn't doing much. I was lying on the couch when I finally picked up the phone and dialed Alex's number.
"Hello?" His voice asked on the other side of the line.
"Hey, Alex, do you want to hang out?"
"Weird. I thought you'd be asking Frank this question. And anyway, don't you have a court date tomorrow?"
"He's kinda busy with his MMA stuff and so what? I'm not going to get drunk. So, what do you say?"
"Can Jack come?"
"Geesh, Alex, when are you going to ask him out?" I joked-kind of.
There was a long pause on his side, "Maybe tonight..."
"Whoa," I smiled, "Really? That's great! You totally should."
"I'm tired of waiting, hoping...if you come out with me than sure, why not?" I didn't know if he was serious but he sounded pretty dedicated on the other end. I grinned, "Why the hell not? I'll meet you at the club down the street of Cemetery Drive in 15."
He took in a deep breath, "Sure thing, man."
I kicked my shoes across the pavement, occasionally looking up to find no sign of Alex or Jack. I finally leaned my back against the brick wall and sighed. I was ready to walk away. I murmured, "Come on, Jalex." I sighed again until I found myself singing a bit. I chuckled at myself and quietly sang to myself, "Well, if you wanted the truth, that's all you had to say. I never wanted to let you go, and say it's better off this way..." As time passed, I began to tweak the lyrics a bit, "Well, if you wanted honesty, that's all you had to say. I never want to let you down and say it's better off this-" I stopped and said instead, "I never want to let you down or have you go it's better off this way-"
"Sorry about the wait."
I looked up to find Alex, Jack-and Lindsey. She stood there by Jack's side with her eyes locking into mine. I smiled, "Oh, what a surprise."
Lindsey frowned a bit as she read through my cover, "Um, Alex said you invited me."
I looked at Alex who mouthed, "please". I gave a half smile, "Uh, yeah I did." I added quickly, "Let's go in." Lindsey and Jack walked ahead of Alex and I. I whispered, "What the fuck, Alex?"
"Sorry man, I felt weird with the odd number of three people. I tried calling Frank, but he didn't answer and besides, aren't you and Lindsey cool?"
"Yeah, but I have a feeling she still likes me."
The four of us gathered in a small circle on the dance floor while a punk band played on stage. The sound of the music trailed up my legs, sending good vibes up my body. People around us threw fists in the air, shouting and cheering. Lindsey shouted at me with a smile, "Let's jam out, Gerard! I can tell you like the music!" She widely threw her dark hair every way and laughed as her hands trailed up her body sexually. I wasn't sure what to do. Do I act sexual too? Is that how people dance now? Instead, I began to follow the crowd's movements as I jumped up and down, throwing my fist in the air. As the heat in the club grew intense, I felt Lindsey cling onto me. I felt her tug me out of the dance floor as she laughed. When we were out of the dance floor, she giggled, "Whoa. Well, that was intense." She pushed back her jet black hair with a witty smile, "Oh shit, where did Jack and Alex go?"
I scanned around the club to find no sign of the two.
Lindsey's hand grabbed my shoulder, "Look! There they are!"
I turned to find Jalex on the far corner of the club, chatting. I watched as Alex brushed his hand through his hair as his face grew serious. He said something and Jack's smile faded quickly. The two begun to talk with no emotion.
Lindsey raised a brow, "I wonder what they're talking about...do you know?" She asked.
I shook my head, "No." I lied.
"Whatever it is, it doesn't look good."
She's right. If Alex did come out about his feelings toward Jack, than Jack didn't seem to feel the same way. I bit my lower lip, staring at the two who seem to be slowly going into an argument. I looked back at Lindsey who was staring at me, "Do you want a drink?" She asked.
"Water would be nice."
"Well, yeah, no one is going to sell alcohol to a minor." She chuckled, "Come on." She pulled onto my jacket and led me toward the bar. It didn't take long for a glass of water to be in the palm of my hand. I looked at Lindsey, "Hey, I need to tell you something."
Lindsey lifted a finger at me, "Hold on there, if this is about what happened at lunch, I just want to let you know it's okay. No hard feelings-"
"I'm seeing Frank."
"Oh." Her brows rose, "You're-"
"Bisexual but deeply in love with Frank. Patrick was going to add that detail and our love story in the newspaper after the suing news, and I didn't want you to find out that way. I like you, I do. But Frank and I have something special..." I looked down with a grin, "He can be a pain in the ass, but he keeps me going. And I decided not to let Patrick do our story because I plan on telling the whole school that I'm gay for him."
Lindsey didn't seem that happy but she asked, "How?"
"I don't know yet."
There was a pause between us until she softly said, "He's a lucky guy to have you..." Her brown eyes were watery but before I could comfort her, the front door of the club slammed shut, making me jump. Lindsey and I turned to find Jack running after, "Alex, wait!"
I ran after him and walk out the club. Alex turned to face Jack who was a couple of feet ahead of me. He said, "I knew I shouldn't have told you! I knew I should've kept my fucking mouth shut! Nothing's going to be the same anymore!" Is this how heart break looks like? Tainted red eyes, weak muscles, strong emotions? Alex threw his hands in the air, "I love Jack but he doesn't love me!" He sniffed, "I hate this so much..."
I started, "Alex, it's okay-"
"Shut up, Gerard!" He screamed. I should've kept my mouth shut because when a broken heart speaks, it speaks what's on it's mind, "This isn't your business! Not everyone can have a happy ending, not like you and Frank!" He added, "You're the one who persisted me to tell Jack, you're the one who can't appreciate what you already have!" He threw his hands up, "Who cares if you don't have your bookstore? You have the love of your fucking life!"
Jack said, "Alex, please, let's talk about this-"
"No, no, just-leave me alone." Alex stormed off, wiping his tears away.
Jack stood there. That's all he did.
Lindsey's small hand laid on my shoulder, "Let's go, Gerard. We should leave him to himself."
I hesitated but I realized she was right. I walked away, leaving a wretched scene of anger, sadness, and loss of hope.
So much pressure on Patrick
11/28/14