Endless

Summary: After dealing with the unhealthy relationship he had with his teacher, Jack Manning runs into Shane Morasco again.

Author's Note: I didn't watch OLTL while it was online, however, I read on wiki about his relationship with his teacher so that's why it's mentioned. This will be a few chapters

Part One

Jack Manning stepped inside the diner, pulling his coat tighter around him. It was getting colder out, sure sign of winter being on it's way and soon after that, Christmas.

He smiled as his waitress led him to a seat and took his drink and meal order. Once she was gone, he took out his laptop and turned it on, beginning to write out his essay for Professor Higgin's psychology class. That's when the bell on the door rang and he heard a squeal of delight and caught sight of Noelle hugging someone tightly.

"Well, I'll be! You're back! You're mother wrote me and said ya'll had arrived back in Llanview. I was just thinkin' of stoppin' by for a visit. How are your mom and dad?" She asked warmly.

Jack stopped paying attention then, turning his eyes toward his computer screen. Until he heard a familiar life that made him turn his attention back to Noelle sharply. Infront of her stood Shane Morasco, looking healthier and happier than Jack could every remember seeing. The boy's hair was softly ruffled and his blue eyes were bright. He'd seemed to have gained a bit of muscle as well.

"They're visiting Vicki right now. She wanted to see mom and hear about my little sister." Shane answered, smile curving his lips, making him look absolutely adorable.

The dark haired boy shook that thought from his head and ran a hand through his wavy hair awkwardly. Really, it was none of his business what Shane and Noelle were talking about and he certainly shouldn't be gushing over how attractive the boy was when he'd treated him like shit just a few years earlier.

"I heard about that! Listen, I'm going to visit once I'm done my shift. Why don't you go ahead and take a seat? Anything you want is on the house." Noelle told him, leading him to the table just in front of Jack before she hurried back to the front.

Jack lowered his gaze to his screen, biting his lip nervously, not wanting Shane to notice him. The last thing the other guy needed was for his good mood to be ruined by seeing his old tormenter.

"What's got you so down?" His waitress, Sara asked, refilling his glass of iced tea and placing his meal in front of him.

He didn't answer at first, not sure if he should tell her until her warm, reassuring hazel eyes convinced him that it wouldn't be a bad thing. Slowly, he gestured her down to his level so he could whisper, "See that guy there? I'm trying not to draw his attention. I don't want to upset him"

Sara glanced over her shoulder to look at Shane before turning back to face Jack, eyes wide. "Is that Shane? The guy you told me about that you regret hurting?"

At Jack's nod, she smiled sympathetically, squeezing his shoulder.

"How about you talk to him?" She asked. "I mean, from what you've told me, you regret what you did. And you've grown a lot since...well, since Kate. It would be good for you to get this off your chest if all you do is just apologize to him." With that, she smiled and went into the back.

Steeling himself, Jack took in a deep breath, trying to gain some courage before he walked the few steps to Shane's table and took a seat in front of him. "Um...hi." He said, swallowing hard. "Could I please talk to you, Shane?"

Shane raised an eyebrow and answered coolly, "I don't know, can you?"

The brunette winced at that. Of course, he couldn't blame Shane for not wanting to be around him, but Sara was right. This was important. "Listen, I just...I wanted to tell you that I am sorry for how I used to treat you. I don't even know what made me act that way. You didn't deserve it. You were always such a nice guy and I bullied you just because you were a little bit different. I was a dick."

"You're right. You were. You were cruel as hell to me because of things I couldn't help like my asthma and the fact that I didn't like the things you and your friends liked. There were days I wanted to kill myself because at least it would be better than dealing with that hurt you caused me. And what if your last "joke" had worked? My parents would've had to bury my body. You'd have been responsible for my death. Do you get that?" Shane's voice his harsh and angry, gaze fierce and his lips set in a thin line as he got out everything he'd been holding in for all of these years.

Jack looked down at his lap in shame, feeling tears sting his eyes as he heard Shane admit to how he'd been suicidal. He felt like shit. His heartless behavior had almost ruined a lot of people's lives. "I know. And believe me Shane, I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I just...I wanted you to know that I regret what I did and I have for awhile. I've learnt what it's like to have people take advantage of me and hurt me and it doesn't feel good. And I realized how I must've made you feel. Anyway, congratulations on your new sibling on the way. And I hope you and your family have a nice Thanksgiving." He smiled and walked back to his table, throwing down enough money to pay for his pad and give Sara a tip before he hurried out the door, stuffing his hands into his pocket and smiling a bit at the weight that had been lifted off of his shoulders.

Back inside, Shane sat in disbelief at what had just happened. He'd never expected he'd get such an apology from Jack and one so sincere at that. Maybe people really could change. In any case, he felt better now that he got everything off his chest and told Jack how he'd made him feel. If nothing else came out of the conversation, at least there was that.

to be continued