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Chapter Eight – Being Obsessed Sucks

"If that kid doesn't shut up, I'm going to chuck that guitar out the window and then send him out after it." Bobby groaned as Jack cranked up his amp. Evelyn laughed softly and sipped her tea.

"Remember you when I got you those drums? Oh, you were terrible. At least Jack has talent."

Bobby's jaw dropped. "I did have talent Ma."

Angel snorted and Bobby cuffed him around the head.

"Jack's going on a date tonight and I don't want you boys annoying him. He's not going to have much of a chance to meet a lot of people being home schooled, so this will be good for him."

"Is it with that Michael guy!" Angel gasped, leaning forward on the table. Bobby gave him look.

"No, you idiot, it's with a girl."

"Well, how was I to know? Young guy like Jack. He's gonna' go through some sexuality difficulties."

"Speaking from personal experience Angel?" Bobby smirked.

"No! I'm straight. Damn straight. Straight as….as giggled into her cup and excused herself from the table.

"Rulers bend Angel."

"Look, Bobby I got a girl."

"Sure you do."

"Do so."

"Uh huh."

Angel frowned and then with a glare stormed away from the table, muttering under his breath. Bobby laughed and leaned back on his chair, stretching his arms above his head.

"He's too easy."

"You're such a wind up, Bobby."

"Hey, that's what big brothers are for."

"Dinner's ready!" Evelyn called.

As Evelyn dished out dinner, Jack sauntered into the kitchen. Bobby wolf whistled.

"You look so hott, Jackie. Give this Sugar Daddy a kiss." Bobby mocked and batted his eyelids. When Evelyn turned to pick up the bowl of mashed potatoes, Jack gave him the finger. He wore dark jeans ripped at one knee, trainers and a red shirt. His hair was a little darker than normal, spiked with gel and he smelled of cinnamon.

"You excited about tonight?" Evelyn asked as she spooned out vegetables. Jack looked up at her in disgust.

"If you eat them, maybe you'll grow into all that hair you got on that head." Bobby teased, cutting up his chicken. Jack rolled his eyes.

"I guess. It's not like I haven't been on dates before."

"Ohhh." Angel sang. "Who's the man?" He laughed.

"Boys, what did I say?" Evelyn warned. Jack smiled appreciatively knowing his brothers would back off. He ate quietly. Truth was he was nervous. He never really had time to go on dates. When he finished he grabbed his napkin and wiped his mouth.

"I better go or else I'm going to be late."

"You want me to drop you off?" Bobby asked, drying dishes.

Jack snorted. "I don't want to scare her off on the first date. I'll take the bus." Jack grinned and dashed out the door as Bobby tossed the towel at him. He turned to Angel and his Ma.

"That kid's just getting cocky now."

Jack stepped off the bus feeling happy for one of the first times in his life. Here he was going on a date with a really pretty girl. He folded the hem of his shirt, nervous as he stood outside the cinema. Then from round corner, a waterfall of brown hair cascaded down slim shoulders and an infectious beautiful smile appeared on a face. Heather's face. Jack let out a sigh and walked a few feet to meet her.

"Hey." She greeted happily. She grabbed his hand. "How you doing?"

"I'm good. Did you pick a film?"

"Sure did. You'll love it. It's about a girl and a guy and…"

"Hate it already." He groaned playfully. She punched him on his arm and they giggled strolling into the cinema.

"Bitch!" Michael spat on to the grass. This was his Jack. He had seen him first. Jack was his. Mine. He's mine. The boy clenched his nails into his palms until they turned white. He was visibly shaking in rage. Then he leaped to his feet off the bench and followed the pair into the cinema.

"Sweet or salted?"

"Salted." Heather replied.

"Good choice." Jack smiled, a slow, sexy smile and Heather blushed. God, he was gorgeous. Why didn't he stay at school? Come to think of it….

"Hey, you'll never guess what? Someone beat up our head teacher!" She squealed. Jack swallowed and handed over money for the tickets and food.

"He's been off school and the teachers all made up some stupid story about stress, but Rebecca, she's like my second best friend, lives across the street from him and she saw his face when he was out one morning getting a paper! How crazy is that?"

Jack popped some popcorn into his mouth. "Crazy."

Speaking of crazy. Michael watched them order their tickets. He hated the way they could chat so naturally to each other. They went so well. He growled. Just before they went into the specific screen, Michael pounced.

"Remember me Jack?" He drawled, blocking their path.

Heather squealed a little in surprise. Jack just glared.

"What the hell do you want?" He said hotly.

"If only you knew the answer to that." He might be short, but this boy had a dangerous and unpredictable aura surrounding him.

"Do you not remember me?"

"Yeah, dude. You were in music with me." Jack tried to make a move past him, holding his date's hand, but Michael stepped in his way again.

"Look…" He started, feeling his temper rise.

"No, not at school, Jack. Before."

The sixteen year old frowned, trying to recall if he really did know this kid. He took in the pale skin, the black hair, the psychotic, clownish grin. Then a memory clicked into place. He did know this boy. Years and years ago. He must have been nine. Oh god, he did know him. How could he not have recognised this teenager? Jack's eyes widened and Michael laughed menacingly. Heather rubbed her arms.

"Jack?" She tugged on his sleeve.

"I do know you." He whispered. He remembered him now. He was the one who shot that dog. The memory was pretty vague, but he remembered watching him shoot a dog with an air rifle he had stolen from his garage. Then, when the dog was whimpering in pain, he had hit it over and over. Jack remembered the laugh, remembered him ignoring Jack who was screaming to stop. Jack remembered when Michael had turned the rifle on him and flashed him that dangerous look his eyes held. If hadn't been for a passing stranger who knows what would have happened.

"Let's go." Jack said and grabbed Heather close. He spun out the cinema.

"Hey, wait. We're leaving?"

"How long have you known that guy?" Jack prodded.

"He just moved to our school two weeks before you did."

"Listen, Michael, he's not right. He's dangerous."

Heather laughed. "I admit he's a little strange, but he hasn't hurt anyone at school In fact everyone pretty much ignores him. How do you know him anyway?"

"It doesn't matter. Let's just get away from him." He checked over his shoulder and saw that Michael was following them.

"Hey, we can go back to my house. My parents are out tonight and my sister is at her boyfriends."

"Cool. Come on."

They made it to the house and Heather ruffled through her bag looking for her house key. It was dark already and Jack looked around uneasily. He had a bad feeling and it was making his stomach squirm.

"Ok, come on in."

He walked into the house and immediately took in all the family photos that covered the walls. Everything looked so warm, friendly and….normal.

"Nice house."

"Thanks. You want a drink?"

Half an hour later and Heather was giving Jack a tour of her house.

"And, here is my room." She smiled coyly and sat on the bed. Jack hovered in the door frame and eyed the lilac carpet and the Care Bear teddies. He picked one up and raised an eye-brow.

"I love them. Don't mock." Heather pouted. Jack laughed and put it back.

"I confess. I used to watch them when I was a kid."

"You did?"

"Yeah, but don't tell anyone."

"Aren't they a bit, well, girly?"

Jack halted. If one more person implied he was gay, effeminate or just 'plain confused about which way he swung' he was going to get nasty. Heather giggled.

"I suppose you played Barbies too?"

Jack frowned, but then broke out in a grin and grabbed a pillow off the bed, whacking the girl across her back. She giggled and grabbed another pillow, jumping on the bed.

"Come on!" She yelled. He jumped on the bed too and soon they were battling it out.

Jack smacked Heather with his already crumpled pillow and she lost her balance falling on to her back, but not before she grabbed Jack's wrist and he toppled down on top of her. The laughter stopped almost instantly as they looked into each others' eyes. Time seemed to stop and Jack found himself inching his lips closer to the girl's. Heather's eyes fluttered closed and she looked like a sleeping angel, her hair spilled out on the pillow. A hot flush made its way up to Jack's cheeks and turned a hot flame red when his lips touched hers. Like a spark of electricity, the chemistry reached an intense point and then an explosion of pounding hearts and racing hormones had the kiss growing deeper and more passionate. As the two sixteen year olds kissed sweetly on the bed, they were oblivious to the nightmare about to unfold before them.

Michael crept into the house, blood pounding in his ears. He watched through the crack in the bedroom door as Jack kissed that girl. She had her hands in his hair and touching his neck. This had to stop….now! He ground his teeth together and went downstairs. Grabbing bottle after bottle of alcohol, he drenched the stairs and top landing. Then he slipped back into the kitchen and after long minutes of searching pulled out a packet of matches. He grinned manically. There was no remorse. No conscience. If he couldn't have Jack, then no one could. He remembered back in the home. Back when Jack was all his. He had followed Jack around like a puppy. He had admired and obsessed over him from the moment his dark eyes saw him. It wasn't just coincidence that he had arrived in the same town as Jack. He had been following him for ages now. Surreptitiously checking the boy's file to find his new address. Yes, he wanted Jack so much, but he wasn't used to sharing. When he didn't get what he want, Michael raised hell and that was just what he was about to do. Let chaos ensue. He licked his lips, striking the match. Then, with one more glance upstairs he dropped the stick, kissed with a flame. As soon as the flame hit the alcohol soaked carpet the fire spread. A surge of unexpected heat had Michael stepping backwards. The fire danced in his eyes and he watched in delight as it licked at the stairs and devoured them quickly. Bye Jack.