Chapter 4: Rough Life

Jay took a deep breath as he took off his shirt and stood on the bridge, staring into the water. Jay stood on the ledge and dove into the water. He let out a breath as he swam, trying to forget everything that was going on. He hated the fact his life was totally different now. He was no longer a normal sixteen-year-old boy with a girlfriend. Jay came to a stop and sat on the shore, watching as the sun started to set. "How could this happen to me? Why can't I just go out with my girlfriend and be a pain in my mom's ass like every other teenager?" He asked.

"Who is this hot, sexy tough guy on the beach?" A voice asked.

Jay smiled when he saw Alice. "Hey, babe," he answered. Alice sat next to him with a smile.

"You look cute wet," she commented.

"Oh yeah?"

Alice shrieked when Jay picked her up. "Jay…don't…" she told him. She shrieked when Jay ran out into the water and dove under with her still in his arms. Alice resurfaced gasping for air. "You're a jerk!" She exclaimed. Jay grinned.

"You look cute wet," he answered.

"This was a fifty dollar dress!"

"Since when did you care about material stuff Alice?"

"Since I have to go home and explain to my mother that my boyfriend threw me into the lake."

She swam over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "So, what are you doing next week?" She asked. Jay sighed and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Why do you ask?" He answered.

"Because my parents are having this dinner party…" She started.

"Aw come on!"

He pulled back from her. "What?" She asked.

"Your parents hate me," he replied.

"Didn't stop us from going to their parties together before."

She grabbed onto him. "Come on, babe, we've always had fun making my parents mad about you and me still being together," she commented. She kissed him gently. "Besides you look so cute in your tuxedo," she added. Jay sighed and ran his hands along her side.

"Does it have to be that ugly tux I wore to your coming out party?" He asked.

"The one with the tails?"

"Yes that one."

"I think you looked really cute in that one."

Jay sighed. "You're so damn lucky that I love you," he answered. Alice ran her fingers through his wet hair.

"I know and I love you too," she told him.

Jay kissed her gently before pulling back and looking at his watch. "Aw damn," he muttered.

"What?" She asked.

"I have to go," he replied.

"No…"

"Yeah, Roger's going to kill me if I don't get to work."

Alice sighed as they went back to shore. Jay pulled on his shirt and kissed Alice quickly before heading back to his house to change so he could go to work.

(The Garage)

Jay sighed as he worked under a car and cursed when a fuel line broke. "Son of a bitch!" He cursed. He quickly rolled out from underneath the car. "Roger, we have a broken fuel line in here," He called out.

"Put a bucket under it," Roger called out.

Jay put a bucket under it and looked down at the front of his uniform to see that he was covered in the gas. "Great, mom's going to love this," he muttered. He walked over and cleaned whatever he could off himself, even though he still smelt like fuel. He looked up when the bell to the door went off, indicating that someone was there. "Be out in a minute," he answered. He went out to the front and saw Fiona there. "Oh, hey Fi," he greeted.

"What happened to you?" She asked.

"Fuel line," He replied.

"Oh…here, mom wanted you to pick this stuff up after work."

"What?"

Jay took a list and looked at it. "You have got to be kidding! I have a huge exam tomorrow," he commented.

"You know mom," she answered.

Jay nodded and stuck the list into his pocket. "I have to get back to work," He informed. He went to the back and got back to work.

(After Work)

Jay got whatever his mom wanted. Once he got home, he threw his uniform in the hamper and got into the shower. The hot water hit his aching muscles relaxing as he stood under the showerhead. He pressed his forehead against the tile and closed his eyes.

That night, Jay was laying in bed looking over his history notes when he started feeling tired. He fell asleep with his history book on his stomach.

(Dream)

Jay found himself in a dark tunnel. "JAY!" He heard Alice shout. Jay looked around.

"Alice?" He called.

"JAY HELP ME!" Alice shouted.

Jay ran down the hall and ran as fast as he could through the tunnels, trying to find his girlfriend. "You can't save her," a voice whispered. Jay stopped and looked around.

"Who's there?" He called out.

"You can't save her," the voice repeated.

Jay looked around and saw Alice there. "ALICE!" He shouted. He ran towards her but she disappeared. "ALICE!" He shouted.

"JAY HELP ME!" Alice called out.

(End Dream)

"Alice!" Jay gasped. Jay sat up and rubbed his aching forehead. "Alice…" he whispered. He got up and went down to Fiona's room.

He cracked the door open and saw his sister sleeping peacefully. He smiled slightly and closed the door. Jay walked downstairs and saw his mom sitting in the living room. "Mom? What are you doing up?" He asked. Kira glanced at him.

"I've been up like this for the past sixteen years, Jay, you just haven't noticed," She replied.

Jay walked over and sat next to her. "I keep dreaming about your father's death. That's all I dream about anymore," she murmured. She played with the ring around her neck. "I wonder what our lives would be like if he lived," she added. Jay hugged her close. "Was it my fault, Jay?" She asked. A lump formed in her throat. "Was it my fault that he died?" She asked. Jay shook his head and kissed the top of her head.

"It could never be your fault," he replied.

Kira lowered her head and she let out a sob. "I miss him so much," she sobbed. Jay held onto his sobbing mother.

"I know," he answered.

He pressed his forehead against the top of her head. "I know," He repeated.