I woke up the next morning to someone jumping on my bed. I groaned and tried to ignore it, until I realized that someone jumping on my bed meant there was a stranger in my room. I flailed around at this realization and screamed, until a flash of skunk hair caught my eyes. Oh thank God, it was only Jack.

"How the fuck did you get in here, Barakat" I hissed, pushing him off of the bed.

He caught himself, and plopped down next to me on the bed.

"You're lover boy Zack sent me to keep you company today."

"Shouldn't I be back with Alex, trying to do my job?" Jack put his hand over my mouth then.

"Less talky, more getting ready, we're going out today." I rolled my eyes as Jack pushed me to the bathroom.

After a long shower, I put on a black hoodie and some black leggings before I threw on a purple scarf and heading out to get my boots. Jack was eating room service, and I stole a few pieces of bacon off of his plate before grabbing my own. He stuck his tongue out at me, but didn't protest. Home Alone had occupied his mind. As I ate, I answered some emails and did my hair and makeup. My long red hair was hidden in a beanie after I straightened it, and I put on more makeup than usual. My dress affected my mood, and I wasn't in the best of them today. Jack saw my attire and laughed at me for being "emo". I smacked him and pulled him up.

"Entertain me," I laughed.

"First stop, an old favorite." I groaned at that, thinking of all the places we went as kids and teenagers.

Of course, I wasn't disappointed as Jack pulled into the parking lot of our favorite old skating rink. The building was old and the paint was peeling off of it, but there were so many memories here that I couldn't help but be excited to go in. Jack looped his arm around mine and we skipped together into the rink. Nothing had changed at all, and I was excited to lace up my skates. Jack was already doing circles around me, and singing loudly to the Blink 182 that blasted through the speakers. We went around and around in circles for what felt hours, just enjoying hanging out and making fools of ourselves. I knew I was going to be covered in bruises from falling, but I was having the best time just hanging out with such an old friend. Every now and then Jack would be asked to sign an autograph or take a picture, and it made me so happy to see how successful All Time Low had become. I knew each and every guy in the band worked their asses off, and it made me proud to see them succeed.

Soon Jack was pulling me to the bench our shoes where on, despite my protest, and told me it was time for lunch. I realized then how hungry I was and took the skates off as quickly as possible. We got back in the car then, and Jack made me close my eyes before driving us to the secret lunch location he had picked out. We pulled up to the sandwich stand and I almost screamed in excitement. I had missed out on the famous "Raven" which was a huge meat sandwich in Baltimore. "Jack Barakat, you are my hero" I smiled and hugged him after we got out of the car. The smells was enticing and soon I had a sandwich and a half eaten. Jack and I talked about Alex the whole time we ate, which sort of put a damper on my mood, but I knew that he was really concerned for his friend. I told him about seeing Lisa the night before, and he seemed to age 10 years during that conversation.

"We're all still friends with her, Rae," He spoke softly, "but Alex thinks she's the devil right now. Obviously she broke his heart, but he's not blameless and you know that."

"I do, trust me. Lisa said there was someone else too, though, besides me?" Jack frowned and I could tell that he wanted to change the subject, but this was stuff I needed to know to help Alex out of his funk, so I pressed on with questioning.

"A girl from another band on tour, Tay, and Alex had a little fling. Word got back to Lis and she totally, rightfully, flipped."

I nodded, knowing this was all the detail that Jack wanted to go into. We left that conversation behind and got back in the car to go meet Rian and Zack for drinks at a bar by the harbor. The bar was very posh, and we had our own VIP table to sit in. I got unlimited beers (which I took advantage of) and talked with my boys about their lives. I found out that Rian had a new sweetie named Cassadee and that she would be coming to town shortly. That made me so excited; I needed new girlfriends. Jack told me about his brother and sister and that they were doing well, and Zack only wanted to know more about me and my life. I showed them pictures of my cute little kittens and of my house in Georgia, and told them about all of my adventures as a college student. They all seemed so interested, and it was nice to share my stories with them. After a while, Zack drove me back to my hotel and asked if he could come up. I said yes, but told him that I had some work to do to prepare for my first hour long session with Alex. He just shrugged and pulled me upstairs. He poured some wine for me, and drew me a hot bath as I got out my notebook and jotted down some notes for tomorrow.

"Enough, Rachel," Zack said sternly, "bath time then bed. I'm sure Jack wore you out today."

"You're not wrong," I laughed.

Before I could protest he was pulling off my hoodie and scarf, and I blushed at feeling his hands lingering over my skin. I was very self-conscious about my weight, but Zack didn't seem to mind or even see my belly or the cellulite in my legs, he just undressed me, and then began to kiss me slowly and softly. The kiss was warm and comforting; a welcome change to all of the drunken make out sessions that naturally occur in college town bars. My hands lingered to his shirt and I tugged it up and over his head before resting my hands on his waist. Soon, the bath was forgotten, and the only thing that mattered in the world was Zack and I.