Touch My Heart...Chapter 3
(Will's POV)
Lunch time finally came around and it was time for me to meet up with Alex and Jackson. I left class and tossed my books in my locker and hurried to made my way outside before my friends noticed me so I wouldn't have to answer any questions. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything to hang around with the Kiriakis clan, don't get me wrong. I'm just honestly not ready to answer any questions they might have regarding the situation I'm in at the moment.
I look down at my watch and notice it's about noon and Alex still hasn't shown up yet, "Maybe they stood me up?", I said to myself when I noticed Joey heading towards me without Jackson.
"Hey Will. Alex asked me to meet you here", Joey explained and looked a little worried.
"Hey, man. Is everything alright? Where is Alex and Jack?", I asked feeling a little concerned.
"Yeah, everything okay, Will. Nothing to worry about. Jackson is just being stubborn and wont leave the art room, so Alex asked me to come and get you and bring you to them."
"Oh, okay. Thanks...", I said with a little hesitation in my voice, because I wasn't sure if I should meet up with them by myself, or if I should just stay here. I couldn't help but wonder if Jackson didn't wanna leave the art room because he didn't wanna see me after what happened last time.
"You alright?", Joey asked when he notice.
"Yeah. Joey? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go for it!"
"Why doesn't he wanna leave the art room? I'm sorry for asking this, but is it because of me?"
He chuckled softly, "No, man. Not everything revolves around you, you know?"
I took a deep breath and released it, "Thank God! For a minute, I thought it was because he didn't wanna meet with me."
"No, Will. Jackson can be a handful at times, but it doesn't have anything to do with you. Jackson loves to draw. When he goes to art class, we always have trouble getting him out of there. It's his safety zone", he pointed out, but I wasn't sure what he meant by that.
"Safety zone?"
"People with autism can find comfort in certain things. For Jackson, its art. When ever he feels scared, confused or even angry, he draws", he explained and continued, "When you get angry, what do you do to take the edge off?"
I paused a moment before I answered, "Well, when I get depressed or need some time to think, I usually go up to the falls to clear my head", I admitted.
"Well there you go! The falls is your safety zone! So you see, he's really just like all of us. I understand he can sometime be a pain in the ass, but really he's no different from us, Will. He's human after all."
I nodded my head, "So, anything else I should know before I meet up with him? Any pointers?", I asked, hoping Joey would be able to help me out a little more before I went to find Jack and Alex.
"Jackson doesn't laugh much. I can't even remember the last time I heard him laugh out loud. He used to be so happy before mom left. So if you can't get him to laugh, don't be offended by it."
"Anything else I should know?", I asked without bringing up the subject of his his mother. I head stories, but never really knew why she left in the first place. As much as I wanted to know, I didn't push it.
"Don't give up", he said and smiled and left to go back inside, "Are you coming, Horton?"
"Yeah, let's go", I said and we both left to find Alex and Jack.
(Alex's POV)
"Come on Jackson, Will's waiting outside for us", I tried so hard to get Jackson to come with me, but the boy is as stubborn as a mule, "Fine! I guess you're gonna have to stay in here alone. I have student council in five minutes."
I was getting frustrated with Jackson, because's not usually this unbending, but today of all days, he surely was pain, "Argh! Come on, Jackson. Please! I don't wanna be late again!", I explained to him when I noticed Joey and Will coming in the room.
"No luck?", Joey asked he walked in and sat next to Jackson.
"Nope! He's not budging!", I said in frustration and looked up at Will who was watching Jackson from afar, "Hey Horton."
"Hey", he answered shyly as he walked up to Jackson and sat next to him, "So, I see he's not co-operating today? Mind if I give it a try?", Will asked and turned over and looked at Jackson who was scribbling in his art book.
"Go for it! I tried everything already."
I sat back and watched as Will gave his first attempt at handling Jackson.
(Sonny's POV)
I was frantically drawing in my sketchbook because I had this image in my head that I had to get done, but if I was being honest with myself, I knew that I was actually avoiding Will. I don't know where the sudden nervousness came from, but I was so nervous on being around Will. All this emotion that I am feeling is completely baffling me. I don't understand it which is another reason I am staying here. So I am sitting here ignoring Alex, who is trying to get me to leave, but I refuse to leave.
After awhile of Alex begging me to leave I could tell he was getting really frustrated with me, "Argh! Come on, Jackson. Please! I don't wanna be late again!"
I was about ready to finally relent and leave the art room but then the door opened and I heard Joey's voice, "No luck?"
"Nope! He's not budging!", I could hear the disappointment and anger in his voice but I ignored that after I heard the next words out of his mouth, "Hey Horton."
I froze up for a second before I started to draw faster in my sketchbook, so that is why Joey suddenly left earlier. He went to get Will and now there is nowhere else to hide.
Even though I was drawing I still kept my ears open to hear the other conversation. I could hear Will's voice, "Hey", I could hear hesitation in his voice, "So, I see he's not co-operating today?"
I growled in my head, I am not being stubborn, I was just nervous. Why can't they understand that. I am still unsure about these emotions, but they won't go away so I just have to deal with it.
"Mind if I give it a try?"
Silently I asked Alex to say no, but it was a wasted effort, "Go for it! I tried everything already."
(Alex's POV)
"Hey there Jack! Do you remember me? I'm Will", he said to Jackson and Jackson pretended like he didn't hear him, "I waited for you outside for lunch, but you never showed up. I though we had a lunch date and you stood me up! Shame on you!", Will said and chuckled, "Can I tell you a secret?", he asked Jackson and waited for him to give him a sign of acknowledgment. And to my surprise, he did. Jackson nodded once, "I've never been stood up before in my entire life!"
"You're the first person to do that!", Will admitted and we all broke out laughing in the room. Jackson smiled.
"Oh, so you think being stood up is funny? Just wait until you see the lunch I brought for us. You're gonna wish you hadn't stood me up!", he said and looked over at Jackson who was still grinning from ear to ear.
(Sonny's POV)
Will sat down next to me and talked to me, "Hey there Jack! Do you remember me? I'm Will."
I did a mental eye roll, of course I remembered him, he has invaded my mind ever since I met him, "I waited for you outside for lunch, but you never showed up. I thought we had a lunch date and you stood me up! Shame on you!", Will said and chuckled, "Can I tell you a secret?"
Now I am intrigued, I loved secrets and since I never talk to anyone I can keep a secret so I nodded my head at him because I really wanted to know what it is, "I've never been stood up before in my entire life! You're the first person to do that!"
All of them started to laugh and I could help it but a smile formed on my lips.
Will pretended to be offended, "Oh, so you think being stood up is funny? Just wait until you see the lunch I brought for us. You're gonna wish you hadn't stood me up!"
The smile that I had seemed to get bigger and a bubble of laughter almost came to the surface but I pushed that down. I was ready for that just yet but apparently this one person could make to do and feel things that not even my family could make me do.
(Alex's POV)
I could help but smile myself as I watched Will trying to interact with Jackson. The poor guy was trying so hard and the funny things about it, is that he's actually doing a wonderful job at it. He doesn't talk to Jackson like he's a baby, he's very kind with him and for some insane reason that I still can't put my finger one at this moment, Jackson seems to like him. Alright, I'll say it! Will seem like a cool guy, but don't think we're gonna become best buds. Ain't gonna happen!
I got up from the chair and gestured Joey to follow me. I then picked up my bag and tapped Will on the shoulder so I could pull him aside for a second before I left, "So, you gonna be alright?", I asked as we walked towards the door.
"Yeah", he said as he looked over at Jackson who seems rather amused by Will's jokes. Even if they weren't very funny, "I think we're gonna be just fine, Alex."
"Okay, well...Here's my cell number. Text me if you have any questions or if Jackson has an episode, got it?"
"Awe, does this mean we're friends now?", he playfully said and started to giggle.
"Shut up, Horton", I hissed out and punched him slightly on the arm, "Don't push it, alright?"
He he gave me a grin and headed back to the table and sat next to Jackson.
"You see that Jack? I think Alex likes me!", I heard him whisper to Jackson as I exited the door, but stayed close by so I could weigh in on their conversation a few minutes before I left, "What do you think?", he asked Jackson and waited for his response.
Jackson Nodded briefly.
"Yeah, I think so too. Well, I guess I'm gonna eat my lunch", he said as he pulled out a bag that a few plastic containers inside and turned over to Jackson and teased him, "Guess I'm gonna have to eat this all alone now", he said as I pulled the lid off on of the containers and shoved it under Jackson's nose, "I bet you regret standing me up now!"
(Sonny's POV)
After Alex and Will got done talking Will came and sat back down next to me. He leans forward and whispers to me, "You see that Jack? I think Alex likes me! What do you think?"
I could help but agree after I remembered how he talked to him before so I nodded my agreement.
"Yeah, I think so too. Well, I guess I'm gonna eat my lunch now." Will pulled out a bag with a few plastic containers inside. Once all of it was out of the bag Will turned toward me, "Guess I'm gonna have to eat this all alone now." I looked over and watched as he took the lid off of a container and pushed it under my nose, "I bet you regret standing me up now!"
My first instinct was to shove the container away from me because I didn't like things shoved in my face but the smell of the food made me hungry. I didn't want to eat any of it because it was Will's food and it was rude to eat other people's food. So I just ignored it but I kept eyeing it hungrily.
(Alex's POV)
I busted out laughing and looked over at Joey, "So, do you think he's gonna be fine? I mean, leaving him with Will?", I asked Joey, looking for reassurance.
"He's gonna be fine. Will's doing a better job with him than we are. I think we have nothing to worry about, big brother."
"Right!", I said with hesitation.
"Oh come on! Stop worrying, Alex. I know it's gonna be hard for you to let go of Jack, but you also have to think about yourself for a change. You're not his father, Alex. You need to live a little."
"I'm sorry I can't help it!", I said to Joey as he reached out and patted my back. I know he means well, but sometimes it's hard to let go.
"I know, man. You've done so much for Jackson over the years, but it's time for you to take a step back and let him breathe a little, you know? Will seem like a good guy and by the looks of it, he's not gonna hurt Jackson, alright?"
"Yeah, I know. I'll do my best", I merely stated, because I was honestly gonna try to give him some space, even if it means leaving him with will.
"I know. Come on. You're gonna be late", Joey suggested and we both left towards our respected directions.
(Will's POV)
"Yummy! Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!", I said to him as I smelled the open container, "Them smell so good. You wanna try one?", I asked and handed him the container.
I waited a few minutes and pretended like I wasn't watching. I didn't wanna pressure him into eating if he didn't want to. This was only the first day of many days to come and all I wanted was to make an impression on him so he wouldn't be scared of me, because whether he liked it or not, I'm going to be around for a few months, so be both might as well make the most of it.
"Alright then, I guess you're not hungry. More for me!", I pointed out as I opened the other containers and scattered them over the table, hoping Jack would help himself to anything he wanted.
I took out two napkins and place one in front of Jack and the other one on the table before me. I pulled out two sandwiches from the container and placed on in front of Jackson and waited to see what he going to do with it. At first, he didn't move. He just sat there looking at it. So I decided to just start eating and pretend like it was nothing out of the ordinary. I reached inside my bag and pulled out two bottles of water and opened them both and handed one over to Jackson,"Here Jack. Just in case you get thirsty", and placed it next to his sandwich.
I could see him peeking at me from under his messy hair. I know he was hungry and that he wanted to eat. It was almost like he was afraid that I would say something if he took the sandwich and ate it. so I just continued on with my lunch and made nothing of it secretly hoping he would change his mind.
Once I was done eating my sandwich, I decided to give it another try, "Well, that was amazing! I love ham and turkey sandwiches. I'm sorry you didn't like it. I'll bring something else tomorrow for you", I said and went to pick up the sandwich to discard of it when I noticed him shaking his head from side to side, "Oh, I'm sorry Jack. I though you didn't like it. I was gonna throw it out for you. Did you wanna eat it?", I asked him.
He continued shaking his head and picked up the sandwich and began eating. I smiled and thought to myself, "Finally making some progress!"
(Sonny's POV)
As Will ate half of the lunch and ignored the other half that was sitting in front of I began to understand that he was giving this food to me, but before I could start eating Will started to finally talk, "Well, that was amazing! I love ham and turkey sandwiches. I'm sorry you didn't like it. I'll bring something else tomorrow for you."
He reached forward to grab the sandwich and I started shake my head frantically to let him know I didn't want him to take it.
He seemed to get the message, "Oh, I'm sorry Jack. I though you didn't like it. I was gonna throw it out for you. Did you wanna eat it?"
I nodded my head and grabbed to sandwich so that I could start eating it.
(Will's POV)
As I waited for Jackson to finish his lunch, I decided to get the dessert ready. I placed a few chocolate chip cookies on Jackson's napkin in front of him and pulled out my mp3 player and decided to listen to some music while I ate my Jack was done eating his sandwich, he immediately grabbed the cookies and ate them both before I even had the chance to finish up mine. I laughed when I noticed Jack eyeing my last cookie. I thought it was cute the way he pretend like he wasn't looking every time I turn over to look at him, but I knew he wanted it. I moved a few inches closer to him without taking too much of his personal space and leaned down towards him slightly, "I'm pretty full and I don't think I can finish this last cookie. Would you like to have it Jack?", I offered him and pushed it in front of him and smiled, because I knew he really wanted it and wasn't sure if he would take it or not. I waited...
(Sonny's POV)
When the cookies came out I was really excited, I loved chocolate chip cookies and I ate mine so fast that when I was done I regretted it. I didn't even get to really taste them so I stared at Will's last cookie, wishing that I could have it. As I was staring at it I was completely startled when Will pushed it toward me, "I'm pretty full and I don't think I can finish this last cookie. Would you like to have it Jack?"
This mental battle went on in my head, Why did he just offer me the cookie? No one has ever done that except my family and this guy wasn't my family. I don't understand what is going on. But no matter how confused I was feeling I started to feel warm inside and I did something that I never did with my family, I looked up into Will's blue eyes.
(Will's POV)
Jackson turned his eyes and met my gaze which caught me off guard, "Holy shit!", came rolling out of my mouth from out of nowhere when I noticed his eyes for the first time. His eyes were a rich shade of chocolate-brown with tones of amber the made them sparkle in the sunlight that beamed through the window. They were framed by long dark brown eye lashes giving them both the perfect shape and form They had a certain cast of sadness in them that was apparent when he looked away from me like he did something wrong, but they were beautiful nonetheless. These eyes were lovely and strong, the kind of eyes you would only see in an angel. They had the power to captivate me with attention, and I found myself gazing into them for longer than I probably should have. They held warmth and knowledge in them, but I also saw they held so many secrets that are hidden away from the us all for far too long. They sparked a curiosity in me to get to know him more to unlock these secrets and take away the sadness from those stunningly mesmerizing eyes...For some crazy reason, I wanted to be the one to unlock those secrets...Wait? What the hell am I thinking?
"Snap out of it Horton!", I mentally said to myself as I tried to calm Jack down. My reaction scared Jackson and he pulled away quickly and looked down towards the ground so I wouldn't see them any more. It kinda hurt me that he would react this way because I never meant to scare him. I was just surprised that's all, "Jack, fuck! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, buddy", I said as I looked over at him and prayed to god that I didn't screw up the progress we've already made today, "I hope you can forgive me. You kinda surprised me there with those eyes of yours there for minute", I admitted to him and continued, "You should warn me next time before you decide to creep up on me like that!"
(Sonny's POV)
Will suddenly shouted, "Holy shit!"
He sudden exclamation scared me and I pulled my eyes away and back down at the floor. Why did Alex and Will have to say stuff like that and scare me. What did I do wrong, did he not want me to look at him. Why did I do that? Now I am sure he wants to not help me out anymore and I didn't like that because I liked hanging out with him.
I was about ready to put the barriers back up but Will's voice stalled me, "Jack, fuck! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, buddy."
Just like when Alex did that he also apologized, maybe he still wanted to hang out with me.
"I hope you can forgive me. You kinda surprised me there with those eyes of yours there for minute" He paused a little before continuing, "You should warn me next time before you decide to creep up on me like that!"
The bubble of laughter that I had pushed down earlier came up without warning and I started to laugh. Will was extremely funny.
(Will's POV)
"Oh! So you think this is funny? Wait until you see me dance. Now that's funny! Maybe I'll show you some time", I offered when I noticed Jack was becoming more relaxed around me and actually seemed to be having fun. He laughed. Jack laughed out loud. He was shy and uncertain about it, but still, he laughed. I knew if we gave it some more time that Jack might start trusting me more that the simple act of laughing could become normal for him again and things between us would become much easier with time. This was only the first day after all and I think that it's going pretty great. Wonderful I should say! Now, if things can go this smoothly with my friends, I guess I would be all set, but maybe this was just wishful thinking on my behalf.
I watched as Jack helped pick up the empty containers and handed them over to me, "Thanks Jack. I guess we should probably get ready for class. Lunch is about over", I explained and waited to see if he would get up.
He didn't at first.
(Sonny's POV)
I picked up the containers and gave them to Will, "Thanks Jack. I guess we should probably get ready for class. Lunch is about over."
I watched Will pack up the supplies in his bag and stood up; he headed to the door, "You coming?"
He was patiently waiting for me to move. I hesitated because I didn't want to leave, we were having a great time here and I didn't want that to end. I felt like if this ended then we wouldn't have more moments, like he would realize that I was too much to handle and he didn't want to hang out with me anymore. All these thoughts popped into my head, but I knew that he needed to get to class; so I stood up and followed him, "Come on, buddy. Let me take you to your next class. Oh, and guess what? You get to hang out with me again after school! Aren't you lucky."
I was extremely happy about this; I get to hang out with him more and it made me excited. I smiled as I followed him out of the door.
(Will's POV)
I packed up my bag and lifted myself off the chair and headed towards the door, "You coming?", I asked and nodded my head towards the door signaling him to follow. It only took him about a minute and Jack followed right behind me, "Come on, buddy. Let me take you to your next class. Oh, and guess what? You get to hang out with me again after school! Aren't you lucky", I said and chuckled. Because I was feeling very happy today. I got Jack to laugh and it felt great. With that, I walked Jack to his next class...
To Be Continued...OXO