When The Going Gets Tough

Moving Forward

Jackson POV

AJ appears at the door he brought me through earlier, he beckons me over, I give a little wave to Tina and head toward AJ. He gestures for me to walk through in front of him.

"you need to get you car and park it right outside the door okay" I turn left the way we came.

"yeah sure of course, wheres Alex?" I say. We get to the door and I move aside so AJ can unlock the door.

"she will be along soon, just be ready, sometimes people collect outside the door" he says while opening the door. I head to my car, climb in and start the car, I drive as instructed to the door so as soon as its opened Alex can just jump in.

While I am waiting I notice a few people at the corner of the building, they start talking and pointing in my direction, obviously, they are trying to find out where Alex will exit from. The back door opens and AJ opens the car door, "you ready?" I nod, "good nice meeting you kid, be good to her or you will have me to answer to" he winks and then disappears from view. Alex jumps in the car, and AJ shuts her door for her, she buckles in and I notice the few people who were on the corner notice Alex's presence and they are running this way. I hear a loud double tap on the roof and that's my queue to get moving, I pull away and head for the exit, once I navigate my way out and on to the main road back to our town, I glance over to Alex she is wearing the same outfit she arrived in but her hair and makeup is still all done up, and she looks breathtaking. I suddenly realise I'm staring and need to focus on the road, I'm glad she didn't notice once the door was closed and her seat belt on she basically curled up in the most adorable ball and closed her eyes, and I really don't blame her. I pull into her drive, turn off the engine. There is no way I'm getting my answers this evening, I hope I can convince her to let me come over tomorrow after school.

"hey, Alex wakey wakey, your home b.." oh no, I nearly said baby out loud, no response, well that's one thing, if she wasn't leaning against the passenger door I could have done the classic cliche carry her in routine, but she would just end up on the floor as soon as I opened the door, and that would not be smooth. I put my hand on her arm and gently nudge her, "Alex" I say a little louder

"mmmmm" she lifts her head slightly and smiles when she sees me.

"you were amazing tonight, truly amazing, you are so talented" I tell her honestly. She smiles sweetly at me but says nothing. I get out and head to her side of the car, shes sat up and is no longer leaning on the door, so I open it gently and offer her my hand, she takes it and she gets out, it's then I notice the grace with which she does everything, after seeing her on stage it's so clear. She clearly actively acts as an introvert in school, I just want to unravel the mystery which is this beautiful lady.

"Do you want me to stay again?" I ask before I realise what I have done, I should get home and I'm pretty sure my aunt will kill me if I stay. I just hope she will understand, because if she says yes there's nothing that could convince me to leave.

"Are you sure? don't you need to get home?" I don't know whether she wants me to stay or not her face is giving nothing away, I don't want to push her into it, but I don't want her to think I don't want to either.

"While I'm sure I probably do need to go home, if you want me to stay I will. I would just run home and grab a change of clothes is all, don't worry if you don't want me too, I wouldn't be surprised if you are sick of the sight of me" I say.

"no" she says, I look at her and she has a little flush in her cheeks.

" that's fine, I will see you tomor.." I start to say but she cuts in,

"that's not what I meant, I doubt I will get sick of the sight of you. I would like you to stay" she says shyly. We have somehow in all of this walked to her door, and I smile, she wants me.

"okay, I will be back in 10 minutes okay?" I say.

"okay" she says opening her front door, she hands me the keys so when I get back I can just let myself in.

I turn on my heels and jog to my car. I have 10 minutes to get back home, explain to aunt Lizzy where the hell I have been considering there is school tomorrow, and why I intend to stay out tonight, grab an out fit and get back, yeah totally doable...

I get back in 12 minutes and it was simply because no one was awake, I left a note in the kitchen saying I will explain everything tomorrow, sorry if I let them down. grabbed some clothes and I am now stood at her door.

"what are you doing?" I hear a voice behind me, I turn and see her uncle again.

"Hi Sir, just going to see Alex, I hope that's okay, she gave me her key and I'm expected," I say jingling the keys in my hand. 

"hmm, don't bring any trouble to my door Jackson James McCaffrey" he says and wanders off.... how the hell does he know my full name, that was a threat of a man who pays more attention then he lets on.

I unlock the lock and head upstairs, I get to the door and look around, she is snuggled in bed.

"what took you so long" she jokes sleepily

"sorry," I say "do you mind if I use your bathroom?" I ask

"mmhmmm it's small but functional" she mumbles.

I head in quickly to get changed and brush my teeth, not that I expect anything obviously, but no one wants to sleep next to someone with bad breath. It is small but functional as she said, white walls corner shower and a toilet and basin. I quickly change into sweats and a goofy t-shirt, it literally has goofy on it, I think she will appreciate the silliness of it.

I brush my teeth and then head out of the bathroom and put my bag next to her dresser. I head to the bed, I think she is already asleep so I climb in and as soon as I'm lying on my back she snuggles up to me again."hey, now don't forget when you are waking up you are not actually alone okay" I giggle and she jabs me in the ribs and giggles too. I kiss her on the top of the head and fall asleep feeling completely content, it feels like she is slowly fixing the whole in my hear that was torn when my mother left us.

Sorry for the delay in updating. My son has been unwell. Don't worry I will be back soon and updating the story.