The High Life (s/a)
Title: The High Life
Author: denyyourfate
Rating: G
Pairing: Jack Barakat/Alex Gaskarth
POV: 3rd
Summary:"I'd choose you over Princeton, you know?"
Disclaimer: This is not real. I don't own anything but the plot and writing.
A/N: This is for the luxury prompt. I finally realized I didn't have anonymous comments as an option..they are now, so if you don't have an account, you can now comment. Tumblr
“I’d give anything to not be here any longer.”
Jack tugged on his tie, trying to loosen it slightly without making it look sloppy. If he looked the least bit unkempt, his mom would have a fit. Alex was leaning on the wall next to the refreshments, watching his best friend in amusement.
“No point in complaining. Your mom and dad won’t allow you to leave. Just be glad I’m here keeping you company. “
“Oh what would I do without you? I’m having so much fun with you here.”
Alex pretended to glare at Jack. “Hey, I could just leave you here to amuse yourself with the waiters and go have fun with Zack on his new yacht.”
“Okay, okay! I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me here alone.” Jack gave his best pout and laughed when Alex smiled back.
“You know I wouldn’t do that to you. Now let’s try and sneak back to the pool while they aren’t looking.”
Both teenagers took a look around the room. All of the occupants were occupied with their conversations and not paying any attention to them. It was the perfect time to escape, and Jack grabbed two champagne flutes on the way out.
It was dark outside, but the yard had a lighted pathway to the large pool. They both walked down towards the edge of the glowing pool. Setting the champagne glasses that were in his hands down, Jack took off his socks and shoes. After that, he rolled up his pant legs then sat on the edge of the concrete surrounding the pool. He had many other suits, so if he messed up this one, it was no big deal. His feet dangled in the water, and he stared down at them.
He heard Alex join him, and he picked up both champagne flutes. Holding it out until Alex took one, he spoke, “A toast to graduating high school on the Honor Roll, getting into ivy leagues, and not pissing off our parents.”
Jack grinned and Alex smirked back, tapping his glass against Jack’s. They both took a drink of champagne after and there was silence. Jack looked at Alex out of the corner of his eye and saw his best friend was watching him with an odd look on his face.
Turning towards Alex, he spoke. “What? Do I have a bug on my face?”
“No,” Alex softly said and leaned in closely to Jack. His breath was hot and Jack instinctively close his eyes and leaned in to place his lips over Alex’s.
The kiss was just as mind-blowing as the last time. The only differences between the last time and now were the lack of a taste of hard liquor on each others’ tongues. In less than a minute the kiss got more harsh and passionate, with both trying to match each others’ pace.
“Jack!”
Startled from hearing his mother call his name, he broke the kiss suddenly and jumped up from his previous spot. His lips felt swollen and when he answered his mother, his voice sounded foreign.
Finally breaking his eye contact with Alex, whom was still sitting at the edge of the pool he muttered, “I have to go.”
Jack didn’t hear anything in response from Alex, but he could still see the slight frown and look of hurt in the other man’s eyes.
--
A week later, things were back to normal, or an illusion of normal.
Jack was relieved because it was time for them to be going Rehobeth beach, then heading off to college.This was the last outing before everyone went their separate ways and weren’t able to contact each other regularly.
Rian and Zack were busy in the front seats talking about some band that he wasn’t familiar with. Alex was sitting next to him, flicking through his iPod.
Jack got the feeling Alex was pretending like nothing had happened the week before and he was not sure if that bothered him or not.
Interrupted from his thoughts, he heard Rian calling his name. "Jack! Are you there? Are you ready to party in a beach-house for two weeks?"
"Oh yeah! Maybe pick up some fine ladies, too." Jack smirked back after speaking, still uneasy when he saw Alex stiffen at his comment.
Zack grabbed Rian's attention again a few minutes later and then Rian drove off, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts for the rest of the ride.
--
The sun wasn't too high in the sky, which made leaving the air conditioned Cadillac, much easier.
Looking up at the almost mansion-like house that bordered the beach, Jack remembered childhood memories of trips that him and his family had taken here. Back when his mother and dad were more concerned with their family and less with their business lives.
Dumping his items in the room that he had always stayed in, Jack headed out to the living room where the guys were stationed on the couch already.
"I'm going to nap. Wake me when it's two or three, maybe even five." Zack laid down on the couch, putting a pillow under his head.
Rian threw a pillow at Zack, hitting him square in the face. Alex snickered along with Rian and Jack, before catching Jack's eye and stopping.
"So, does anyone want some breakfast?" Jack wanted to make peace with Alex, and food was one of the ways to get back on his good side.
All the guys agreed, so Jack strolled towards the kitchen.
"French toast it is."
--
An hour later and all the breakfast was gone, and so were Rian and Zack. They had scampered off to go try and find a souvenir for their girlfriends, leaving Alex and Jack alone.
Jack felt like he was still getting the cold shoulder, though Alex had spoken to him a few times.
Tired of it, he decided to join Alex, who was sitting on the beach below the house. There was a slight breeze blowing and the spot on the sand was warm.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself. What's going on? You've barely spoken to me since last week." Jack paused. "I thought we were best friends."
"We were. Hell, we still are. You know that. But..." Alex trailed off.
"But what?"
Both men stared at the waves, until Alex finally spoke. "I don't want to be just best friends."
Turning towards his friend, Jack looked at him in silence before speaking.
"It can't happen." Jack paused. "I remember when you told me that five years ago, when I kissed you." Jack laughed slightly, and nearly winced when it came out sarcastic-sounding.
Alex swallowed and looked away. "I remember what I said. I remember the look on your face when I said it, too."
"I remember how I felt when you said it. Why bring it up after all the times we chose to ignore it?"
"I think..." Alex broke off. The silence magnified the sound of the seagulls and waves crashing to the shore.
"A part of me was holding on to you. I didn't want to see the fact that we just could not, can't happen." Alex picked up a handful of sand and let it stream through his fingers. "I'm tired of not doing things for myself. I want something solid, but I can't have it even though you're here."
"What about Lisa?"
Jack brought his knees up to his chest. Speaking about this made the things that he thought he had pushed deep down, float to the surface.
Hearing her name made Alex feel even worse. He hadn't thought about or seen her since a few weeks ago. She was the girl his parents approved of, in hopes they'd get married, and she'd become his trophy wife. Lisa was great, and as much as he didn't want to be a big cliche, there were no other words he could say.
"She's not you."
"Oh." Jack let go of his knees and brought his hand upward to run it through his hair.
Alex turned towards Jack. "I'd choose you over Princeton, you know?"
Jack nodded. "I know. I'd choose you over Harvard."
Alex turned his gaze towards the water before speaking. "I know."
--