Rise Up And Take A Shot

Chapter 27: Dinner

Lafayette's PoV

I walked up the stairs. John had come home, carrying a sobbing Alex, and all he had said was that it was Jefferson's fault. But I know that there's something more to the story. And I need to find out what it is. I knock on Alex's door, then open it a few moments later. "Hey lil' bro. You doin' okay?"

"He's fine now." John said.

"Can you tell me what happened?" I walk in and sit on the edge of Alex's bed next to him.

"It was Jefferson." Alex starts trembling as he's talking.

"Do you want me to tell him?" John quickly steps in. Alex nods.

"Jefferson got Alex, for the 'process'. That's what I thought. And you know it only takes like, three minutes, but I had been waiting for over five minutes for Alex to come back. So I followed them into the bathroom and Jefferson was french kissing him and grinding on him. I pushed Jefferson off of Alex and got him home." He explained. Wow. I know Jefferson's an asshole, but that's a new level entirely. It's true. Jefferson is a dick and always has been, but he's never harassed anyone like that before. "Are you okay Alex?" I ask.

"I'm fine now. Just, that really scared me. I couldn't do anything to prevent it."

"You'll be fine. We'll protect you." I said, giving him a quick hug. "I'll leave you two alone now." I smirked slightly as I left.

Alex's PoV

Lafayette left. What did he think we were going to do in here? Something. But I wanted to start on my homework. I had wasted enough time on tears. "Let's start on our homework." I said, standing up and taking it out of my backpack. We work for a little while, but then John has to go back to Herc's house. "Hey, remember, you can text me. I'll show you how real fast." I completely forgot that he had given me a phone. So he gave me a five minute class on how to text, then gets his stuff together to leave. I don't want him to leave. I want him to stay for dinner. "Why can't you staaayyyyyyyy?" I whined. You know in some little kid books where one character is hanging on to the leg of another in an attempt to stop them from leaving? I was doing that. "I don't want you to leave me all alooooooooooone." I tugged at his pant leg from the floor. "Pleeeeeeeaaaase stay for dinner?"

"No, I have to go back to Herc's house."

"But whyyyyyyyyyyy?"

"Because I have to."

"Not good enough." I pouted. "Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaase?" I whined again, looking up at him.

"Alright alright. Lucky for you, you're too cute to resist."

"Yay!" I cheered, standing back up. Stop giving me that look! If you had been in the same situation I was in earlier, then your boyfriend tried to run off, you would act anyway necessary to stop him from leaving. Including acting like a baby!

"Calm down! It's not like I'm staying the night. Unless you want me to!" He adds hurriedly as I start to pout again. I nod really fast, smiling. I run out of my room. "Mom! John's staying for dinner!" I call down from the top of the stairs. I run back into my room, and out of the corner of my eye I see Ethan and Arthur shooting me a look. "John's staying for dinnerrrrrrrrrrrrr!" I sing, sticking my head into Lafayette's room.

"Really?" He looks up from his phone in surprise.

"Yep! He's finally staying!" I said, running back out. I run back into John's arms, laughing. He catches me, and I pull him down and give him a kiss. He laughs. "C'mooooooon it's dinner time!" I pull him out of my room and to the stairs. We descend at sit at the table. Laf and Ethan and Arthur come down a minute later. Mom brings out the food, spaghetti. "Thanks Mom!" I say.

"Thank you Mrs. Washington." John says.

"Of course John, it's always a pleasure to see you." He blushes a little. I pick up my fork and take a bite.

"Alex, you need to eat it." John says sternly.

"But I am." I say innocently.

"You know what I mean.

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine." I groan. I don't liiiiike eating. But under John's watch, I don't really have a choice. I slowly start eating, but I want to be done after only a few bites. I know that it's unhealthy for me not to under-eat, but I can't help it. I stop after a few more bites. I don't think my stomach will be able to handle it. I'm probably going to throw up later. So I ignore the remainder of my food and lean closer to John. He puts one of his arms around my shoulders, talking to Laf about something. I see Arthur roll his eyes at us. What's his deal? Whatever. I tilt my head so it's on John's shoulder and he squeezes me a little.

Dinner's over. John went back to Herc's house. I clean up the table and wash my bowl in the sink. I wince a little as the water covers my hands. I don't like to talk about my fear of water. I haven't even told John yet, and I tell him everything.