Non-stop •Mute Alex•

John Laurens

Co-written by OwlWithAHat

John's POV
April is always the gloomiest month. It wasn't any better this year since I was headed off to London, leaving all of my friends behind.

The last day of school before I had to leave. I slightly chuckled, I never knew leaving the place I hated most would be so painful.

I've known this building and these people for years. I went to elementary and middle school with them. I've made memories, both good and bad.

Walking up the stairs to my first hour brought a decent memory. When I was in ninth grade and had no friends. Jefferson decided I was perfect to pick on. He kicked me down the stairs almost every day until Hercules and Lafayette came to stop him.

I chuckled and walked into my first hour. Everything went by in a haze. I turned in my paper as Mr. Seabury assigned the rest of the class an essay to write by next week. While he gave me nothing. "Have fun in London." He said.

Placing my books in my locker and habitually taking my water bottle out of my locker for the last time this year, I walked to second hour. This was probably the worst one.

Alex greeted me like he usually does and sat down in his seat. As class started Mr. Washington went over the homework and started notes. Something about the election of 1800 and what it was about. I paid no attention to it. When everyone was doing their classwork, Mr. Washington called me to his desk.

"Here's the information you need." He said, handing me a packet of papers. "It tells you your school, where you'll be staying, your source of money. Everything." He said and smiled. "Don't get into trouble."

"You got it, sir." I replied.

During lunch was quiet. I didn't have my ID, so I couldn't buy lunch. I hadn't eaten breakfast that morning either so I was starving. I didn't let them see that it was bothering me. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially Laf and Alex.

Now they can be happy together without me breathing down their necks. They make such a perfect couple, I envy them.

At the end of the day I take all of my personal belongings out of my locker and return the school books to the computer lab.

The first time I went to the computer lab was when we were turning in our sign up sheets for ecology club. We had to say what we were going to do for the school and why you wanted to be in it.

Walking outside the building I caught a glimpse at the school garden. It was small but well cared for. The flowers I planted were blooming, right on time too.

But of course it was pouring, and I didn't have a ride today. So I walked back in the building. The warm building that I thought I wouldn't need to see for the rest of the year.

I put my things in not-my-locker while I walk around, remembering more. My first day of school I walked these halls so scared of the kids I had known all my life. I asked myself, 'what happened?'

After a while of walking the storm got worse. If only I wasn't stuck at school. A sudden thunder crack caught me by surprise and I jumped, but that wasn't my point of focus. I heard a loud gasp.

I looked around to find where it came from. I couldn't really hear anything but the storm. Looking left and right, I walk into a classroom.

I turn around and see Alexander with his head ducked down under a desk. "Alex are you alright?" I asked.

His head popped up, "Yep! Totally fine I'm fine don't worry about-" he was interrupted by another crack of thunder, causing him to slam his head into his hands.

I looked at him concerned. "You can come out now. You don't have to be alone."

"No, this is how I've always dealt with it. By myself." He said in a small voice.

I cocked my head, "By yourself? You've always been by yourself.. all alone at home." I bent down to his level. "You never call us for help even though we're so close."

I sat down on the ground in front of him, "Relying only on yourself. Focussing all your energy on your studies and your problems instead of the happy things." I held my hand out , "you don't have to be alone anymore."

He looked at me teary eyed and hesitantly grabbed my hand. Another loud crack of thunder boomed and lightning lit up the school, causing him to jump and grip my shirt.

"You don't have to be alone anymore." I rubbed small circles into his back while his face was pressed against my chest. "I'm here for you."

"No you're not." He said suddenly. I looked at him, "You're leaving tomorrow, you're not here for me."

"Shhh, I'm always just a phone call away. I'll listen to you, I'll make you happy, I'll make you laugh when you feel like you can't. I know you're dating Lafayette but I'm here for you as well." I said sadly.

He looked at me, "Would you believe me if I said I wasn't? James was messing around with us when he slept over." Alex said. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as more thunder filled our ears. I've never seen Alexander so scared.

I hugged him tightly, "I hate to say that makes me feel a little bit better. Now I don't have to compete with all of that Frenchness." I said, earning a chuckle out of him.

"John please don't go." He said.

I frowned, "I have to go."

"Isn't this enough?" He questioned. I felt my heart break.

"These opportunities come once every ten years or so. I don't know what to say."

There was a pause. "Well then at least let me give you a parting gift." He said.

I looked at him questioningly, "a parting gift?" I asked.

Without hesitation, he pushed his lips to mine. I can't say I didn't kiss back.