Chapter Twenty Six: (Fuck A) Silver Lining by Panic! At The Disco
A/N: I'm just going to do a few COVID chapters, only because I think it would be interesting. I might move on from it, even though I know that the issue of the coronavirus hasn't ended in most places. Enjoy!
It was a few months later. A pandemic had begun to spread throughout the world, and there was talk of quarantine and closing school.
This afternoon was a happy day. Rose was finally getting her cast taken off. "You must be so excited," said Jack.
Rose nodded. "I can't remember what it feels like to have two functional feet." Jack smiled and kissed the top of her head. They took the cast off. "Oh, I missed you," said Rose.
Finally, they were done. They left, and Jack took Rose for a celebratory coffee. Jack was waiting for the coffees while Rose was saving the table.
"Jack," said Rose, running over to him. "It's official."
Rose showed Jack her phone. "And that's why we have made the difficult decision to close school until further notice. We ask that our students socially distance, and stay safe during this difficult time."
"So what now?" Jack asked, looking at her.
Rose shrugged. "We should probably go back to the home."
They walked at a brisk pace. Finally, Jack stopped. He turned and faced Rose. "What if they isolate the two homes from each other?"
"Then we'll stand on opposite sides of the roof and scream at each other," said Rose.
"I'm serious."
"We're not going to be isolated from each other," said Rose. "And if we are… when have we ever followed the rules anyway?"
Jack kissed Rose's cheek, and they went into the home. Molly and Thomas were already standing in front of everyone, speaking. She told everyone that they were quarantined. Rose raised her hand.
"Rose," said Molly.
"Are we quarantined from each other? Are the girls allowed to see the boys?" Rose asked.
Molly sighed. "We haven't figured that out yet. Our thought is we're quarantining the homes from each other for a few weeks, to make sure everyone's safe. Once those two weeks are up, we'll allow the houses to see each other again."
Jack looked at Rose and knew she was upset. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a light squeeze.
"And on that note, it's time to say goodbye," said Thomas. "Boys, we'll be taking attendance in five minutes."
Jack took Rose's hand, and they went outside. Rose looked up at him tearfully. "Maybe we do follow this? Just because… it's the safest option?"
"We've kissed every day since we started dating, we hold hands, we hug," said Jack. "If one of us has it, the other does."
"So… what's the solution?" Rose asked.
"We be more careful," said Jack. "We won't be able to sneak into each other's rooms anymore. We'll text, FaceTime, and we can meet on the roof."
"I took everything for granted," said Rose. "The fact that we could spend every moment together, we could sleep together every night."
"So did I," said Jack.
Molly poked her head out. "Time to go, Jack."
"Okay," said Jack. Rose put her hands on his biceps, and he put his hands on her waist. "I love you."
"I love you," said Rose. She wrapped her arms around him and they hugged. They finally separated, and Jack waved as he walked away. "Wait!"
Jack turned around and looked at her. She ran towards him and kissed him passionately. "What if this isn't two weeks? What if it becomes two months or two years?"
"Then we say 'screw it' and we find each other again," said Jack. He smiled and stroked Rose's cheek. "A pandemic isn't going to tear us apart. People go long distance all the time."
"And people in long distance relationships break up all the time," said Rose.
"We're not those people," said Jack.
"Who says?" Rose asked. She took Jack's hands in hers. "I don't want to do this," she cried. "I don't want to not see you, or be able to touch you or kiss you."
Jack had nothing to say. He didn't know what to say. He just wrapped his arms tightly around her while she cried. "I promise you, this will end."
Rose kissed him one more time, and Helga came out. "Rose, we have to go back in."
"Okay," said Rose. She let go of Jack and wiped her eyes.
"Take care of her," said Jack.
"Of course," said Helga. "Take care of Fabri."
Jack nodded, and they both went their separate ways.
•••
Helga went back into her room. Rose was sitting on the window sill, looking outside. "Hey," Helga said.
"Hey," Rose said quietly.
"I got the mail from downstairs."
"Great," said Rose sarcastically.
"Jack left you something."
"Gimme gimme gimme," Rose exclaimed, jumping up. She took the note and opened it.
Hey Princess,
I miss you so much.
I miss waking up next to you.
I miss the way you wrap your arms around my neck and kiss me.
I miss watching movies with you and having you wrap your arms around me and put your head on my chest.
I miss everything about you.
I never knew it was possible to miss someone like this, but then again, you're not just anyone.
I love you more than words can say.
~ Jackass
P.S.: I know we've only been apart for a week, but it feels like a million years
Rose read the note and smiled. She picked up her phone and FaceTimed him. "Hey," he said.
Rose smiled. "Hi," she said. "I loved your note."
"I love you," said Jack. He looked at the phone. "Don't cry."
"I miss you so much," she cried. "I hate this."
"I know, baby, I know," said Jack.
"I don't know how much longer I can do this," said Rose.
"Can you come up to the roof?" He asked.
Rose shook her head. "Molly's watching us like a hawk. She also put a security camera up there."
"That sucks," said Jack. "Listen, Rose, we'll see each other again."
"How do you know?" Rose asked.
"Because this cannot last forever," said Jack. "It won't."
"I hope you're right," said Rose.