Touch My Heart Chapter 4
Hey Guys! Sorry for the hold up on the chapter. I know it's a few days later and that's my fault. I've been very busy and I hope this longer chapter will make up for it. Amber and I would like to thank everyone who reads this story for the wonderful comments and reviews. They really mean the world to us both. Thank you for being patient and we promise we will try to get back on track with our posting day on Monday and Thursdays. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, because honestly it was my favorite so far. Please remember to follow story if you wanna get the email updates in your inbox! - Thanks RoxyGirl24 and Valorie818
(Will's POV)
I lay here in bed thinking about how the last few weeks have gone so great - so far. I've flown safely under the radar when it came to avoiding my friends when it came time to meet up with Jack for lunch and after school. I really didn't wanna deal with them when it came to explaining myself for my absence. As for Chad's, well...he's been great! He's been covering for me with the gang and told them I had some personal shit to take care of and that I needed some space to get them sorted out. Funny thing here is that Chad's not far off from the truth. He might think he's lying to the gang, when actually he's not. If he only knew...
And there's Jack's. He's been amazing. He's not being as stubborn as he used to. Well, at least that's what Alex says when he comes to get him after school. Sometimes, Alex seems a little jealous of the relationship that Jack and I have formed over the last few weeks. It's not a usual bromance you see when two guys are hanging out and showing off in front of others, it's something that only Jack and I can understand. It's special. It's something in the way he looks at me, the way he smiles at me when I look into his eyes. I just know he understands me. It's so much more...
We've gotten pretty close in the last few weeks and I can understand the effect that could have on Alex. Until just a few weeks ago, I was a complete stranger to Jack and in the matter of no time at all, I've become his best friend. And the strangest part of all this and I can't believe I'm about to say this. Well, he's also become mine.
Kinda crazy, right? Yeah, that's what I tell myself everyday when I wake up and get ready for school and can't wait to see him. Jack...
With that thought, I jump out of bed and headed towards the shower, because today is going to be a great day! I was picking up Jack up in less than thirty minutes, Alex too...
(Alex's POV)
"Jackson, what are you doing in there?", I screamed out for the fourth time in the last thirty minutes, "You need to open this door right Now!"
"What's he doing in there?", Joey asked as he headed down stairs.
"God only knows", I answered Joey as I started pounding on the door again, "Jackson Kiriakis! Will's going to be here any minute and we don't wanna be late for class" I pointed out as the door opened up and there stood Jack. Dressed in my blue button up shirt and dark blue jeans, "What the fuck is this? When did you start wearing my cloths?" I asked.
Jackson turned his eyes towards the ground looking ashamed.
(Sonny's POV)
I woke up this morning feeling really nervous because Will was picking me and Alex up before school. When I finally stood up from my bed I went into my closet and looked at my clothes but nothing was good enough for me. So I sneaked into Alex's room and looked through his clothes because he has better clothes than me. I finally find a blue button up shirt but that is not enough so I look around some more until I finally come upon a pair of dark blue jeans. Once I have everything, I go into the bathroom and start getting dressed.
Thirty minutes later, I am seriously frustrated because my hair doesn't look right and Alex has banged on the door many times, yelling at me to get done. I look at myself in the mirror one last time before I open the door to a very angry Alex, but his face doesn't stay angry for long, "What the fuck is this? When did you start wearing my clothes?"
I am shocked and a little embarrassed by what Alex said and I looked down. I made Alex mad by wearing his clothes and I probably don't even look good in them anyway. Why did I even try this morning? It was no use, because Will is only going to see me as a person with autism and not a regular human. I try to walk by Alex so that I could go change, but he stops me, "I'm sorry Jackson. I didn't mean to over react like that. It's just...You look great!"
Alex sounded so enthusiastic, "You can keep them. They look much better on you anyways. Come on, let's go down stairs and wait for Will."
I smile at him and head down stairs to wait for Will.
(Alex's POV)
"I'm sorry Jackson. I didn't mean to over react like that. It's just...You look great!", I said, trying to encourage him, "You can keep them. They look much better on you anyways. Come on, let's go down stairs and wait for Will."
Jackson smiled shyly and headed down stairs.
Once we arrived in the kitchen, dad already had breakfast waiting on the table, "Morning boys", he said as he lifted his head and looked up at Jackson who sat down across the table from him, "Wow! Someone is looking mighty fine this morning", he pointed out and looked over at me and whispered, "What's gotten into him lately?"
"Will Horton!", I bluntly answered and continued eating my breakfast.
"Oh!", he said and chuckled.
"What?", I asked, wanting to know what was behind the "oh" my dad used.
"You seem a bit, how could I say this, unhappy about this."
"If you're thinking that I'm jealous of Will Horton, then you're wrong. He's great with Jackson, but I still don't trust the guy. What if he hurts Jackson?"
"Alex, you need to give him a chance. He's been keeping his end of the bargain for how long now, three weeks? Joey even said you guys get along at school. And from what I hear, Will's changed and he even seems to enjoy spending time with Jack."
"He does...", I said and took a deep breath.
"So, what's the problem then?", dad asked and waited for my answer.
"That's just the thing, dad. Will's being amazing. He's on time every day and he keeps a close eye on Jackson. He's doing a great job and...", I paused, "He's even picking us up this morning."
Dad smiled, "Let me try this again, Alex. What's the problem then?"
"Nevermind...", I whispered from under my breath, clearly frustrated with the fact that everyone likes Will.
"Oh, Okay. Well, Jackson seems to like him. Don't you Jackson?", dad asked him and Jackson nodded, "If I didn't know better myself, I think you kinda like him too and don't wanna admit it."
"I do not like him! Well, he's okay I guess, but I swear if he does anything to hurt him, I'm gonna kick his ass."
"You do that", dad said and laughed, "I gotta head out. I have a busy day ahead working on this case, so I might not be home for dinner."
"Okay, dad. I'll take care of dinner. Have a great day."
"Alright, so I guess I'll see you boys tonight. Have a great day at school", he said and walked out the front door, "Bye."
Just as dad left, Jackson look at me with daggers in his eyes, "What?", I asked. Even if Jackson preferred not to speak, he sure knew how to give you a good death stare.
Jackson got up from the table and picked up his jacket and bag and waited next to the door.
"Oh come on! Are you angry because of what I said?"
Jackson nodded.
"I'm sorry if I'm being a little over protective. I just don't wanna see you get hurt because of him, Jackson."
Jackson frowned.
"You really like him don't you?"
When I asked him that question, Jackson smiled and turned a deep shade of red. He nodded once. That's when it hit me, "Oh hell no!", came flying out of my mouth before I even had the chance to process this new-found information.
Jackson liked Will. As in he really liked Will. Not as just a friend. As more? Could this actually be happening to me right now?
Jackson's sexuality has never been an issue before and come to think of it, the subject we never really brought up. As much as I hated to admit it, I think I might need to have a talk about this with my father. Even worst, I'm also going to have to have a talk with Will about this.
Just as I was about to ask Jackson if he was ready, Will pulled up the drive way and honked his horn a few times, "You ready, Buddy?", I asked him and looked over at a beaming Jackson who hurried out the door before I had the chance to even put my Jacket on, "I guess that's a yes!", I mumbled from under my breath as I picked up my bag and headed out the door locking it behind me, "He better not break the poor kids heart, or I swear..."
(Will's POV)
I pulled up to the Kiriakis drive way and honked my horn signaling my arrival and decided to get out of the car a few minutes to stretch out my legs. Just as I turned over, I saw Jackson coming out of the house, "Holy shit!", I thought to myself. I was speechless...
Jackson looked amazing.
"Hey, Jack. Ready to go?", I asked as Alex followed closely behind Jack, "What's up, man."
"Nothing", Alex answered and looked angry as he got in the front seat of my car without saying another word.
I looked over at Jack, "Guess someone pissed in his Cheerios this morning!", I said causing Jack to laughed out loud, "Wait a second!", I advised him and as I walked around the car and opened the door for him, "There you go, Jack."
Just as I was about to close the door these word flew out of my mouth, "By the way, you look very handsome today Jack."
Why did I say that, why did I suddenly get the urge to add a little compliment before we headed out? Why? I still have no idea. That's what I'm trying to figure out, but something inside me made me feel like this was the right thing to say. It seems to happen more and more lately when he's around.
Jack lifted his beautiful dark eyes towards mine and smiled at the gesture. My heart raced...God those eyes...
It only took a second for me to snap out of it when I realized Alex was waiting in the front seat, so walked back over to the other side and got in. I knew something was up with Alex because of his attitude towards me, but what? I really haven't done anything to him. And that's when it hit me. Could Alex feel resentment towards me because of my relationship with Jack?
I decided not to discuss this subject with Alex in front of Jack, because Jack doesn't deserve being put in a position where he might feel uncomfortable after all the progress he's made in the last few weeks. If Jack was happy, then I was happy. It's really the only thing that really mattered to me anymore, and Jack deserves nothing but happiness. I turned my head over and looked over at Jack who was sitting in the back seat looking so content that there was no possible way that I was gonna let Alex ruin what we have together. Even if I really didn't know what that actually was at the moment. When our eyes met, he smiled shyly once more. I smiled back at him and pulled out of the drive way and headed towards School and decided that it was time to have a chat with Alex after school, because I wasn't gonna let anything or anyone come between us. Not even his own brother...
Once we got to school, I pulled up to my usual parking and stopped the engine. I got out of the car as did Alex and Jack. I wasn't sure how people would react once the saw me coming in with half of the Kiriakis clan. I hesitated before taking a step forward when Alex noticed my dilemma.
"You coming?", he asked in a not so kindly way, "You afraid to be seen with us?"
"No, It's just...", I paused and thought second before answering him, "It's just..."
"Yeah, yeah I know. Your friends might see us, or might see Jack. I get it!", he said coldly and turned towards Jack, "Come on buddy. Will doesn't wanna come in with us", Alex said and the both left to go inside the school.
As they both walked away, I could help but notice Jack's frown. He was sad. I made him sad, "Wait, I never said that I didn't wanna hang out with you guys!", I screamed out at Alex and hurried to catch up to them, "It's just...I don't know how my friends are going to react to seeing me with you guys", I explained and Alex completely stopped in his tracks.
"So? Since when do you care what others think about you? It never seems to be a problem before, am I right?", Alex asked making his point very clear, which by the way was actually the truth. When did I actually start caring what other thought of me anyways?
"No, it's not a problem. Let's just go inside", I said and followed behind them and though to myself, "It's now or never Horton. Just get this over with!"
All three of us walked inside, together.
Just as I suspected, the gang was already sitting at the far end of the study hall where we usually sat. I lowered my head down hoping they wouldn't notice me walking in, but luckily for me, he spotted me right on. T. that is. The school's Mr. Know it all.
"Horton", I head a voice call from the back, "Where the hell have you been?"
Yup. It was T.
"Will, you don't have to do this right now. We can pretend to keep on walking and meet you later at lunch", Alex pointed out as he and Jack both stopped and both looked up at me.
It took a second for me to answer him, because I had one of two option to choose from and I had to think fast, because when I looked up, it was the guys walking towards us, "Or I can face them head on and get this over once and for all", I said as I took a deep breath and opted for option two, "Hey T. What's up?"
"Guess I could ask you the same thing", T. retaliated back at me and looked over at the Kiriakis boys and laughed, "I see you've made new friends?"
"Yeah, so what? You have a problem with that T.?"
"Why would I have the problem with that?", and gave me a smug look, "It's just I never pictured you hanging around people like them", he said and looked over in disgust at Jack.
Jackson looked scared and confused. I knew he understood clearly what T. called him. He might have autism, but that doesn't make him stupid. He has feelings and heart. A heart that I'm gonna do everything in my power to protect.
"People like them? Compared to what? People like you?", I asked and turned the conversation over to Alex, "Lets go guys."
We started walking away when T. started up again.
T. was fuming after hearing my comment, "Running away again, Horton? You seem to have a habit of that these days" said T. and then added, "That's it! Go run off to play with your little freak. People have been talking about you, you know?"
As soon as I hear those words come out of his mouth, I was ready to explode and turn around and go beat the shit out of him, "Alex, get Jack out of here. Now!"
Jack stood there looking like he was about to have an episode.
"Will, please...", Alex begged, "Don't do it. He's scared to lose you. Think about what this could do to Jackson. If you get into a fight, you're gonna get expelled and I'm sorry if this might sound selfish, but Jackson needs you, Will. We all need you."
As much as it would have been my pleasure to punch in T.'s face, something kept me from doing just that when I look up and saw those beautiful eyes looking right at me, "You're right. I'm not going to do anything to mess this up."
I took step closer Jack and whispered to him, "Don't be scared, Jack. You're not going to lose me, okay?"
Jackson nodded and took a step back. I turned over and face T. straight on, "Look, first of all, Jack is not freak. He's human. Just like you and me. So I would appreciate it if you stopped calling him that. Second, I'm not ashamed to be seen with people like "Them" as you might say. They are my friends! It makes me wonder why I ever hung out with people like you in the first place!", I smiled and looked over at a relieved Alex and a somewhat calmer Jack, "Ready to go to class?"
"You're gonna regret this, Horton", T. loudly said as he watched us walked away, all three of us together. As friends...
(Sonny's POV)
We step out of Will's car and I was just waiting patiently to follow them in the school when suddenly Alex starts a fight with Will, "You coming?"
He wasn't being nice, "You afraid to be seen with us?"
"No, It's just...", he paused, not knowing what to say, "It's just..."
I stood off to the side trying to understand what is going on, was Will embarrassed to be around me?
Alex's face was extremely cold, "Yeah, yeah I know. Your friends might see us, or might see Jack. I get it!"
He turned towards me, "Come on buddy. Will doesn't wanna come in with us."
We headed toward the doors and I was extremely upset. Was the last few weeks nothing to him because I felt like they were great and not just on my end. I looked back at Will with all my sadness and heartbreak in my eyes. The reaction I got wasn't want I expected, "Wait, I never said that I didn't wanna hang out with you guys!"
He screamed out at us before he ran up to catch up with us, "It's just...I don't know how my friends are going to react to seeing me with you guys."
"So? Since when do you care what others think about you? It never seems to be a problem before, am I right?"
Will took a moment to decide before he followed us inside, "No, it's not a problem. Let's just go inside."
I was so happy that it turned out he wasn't embarrassed by me and I was momentarily happy until we walked into the school.
Once we entered into the school I new voice scared me because it didn't sound friendly at all, "Horton."
I turned toward the voice and took a brief look at who talked through the fringe of my bangs, "Where the hell have you been?"
Alex must have either sensed the possible threat or he could tell that I was scared, "Will, you don't have to do this right now. We can pretend to keep on walking and meet you later at lunch."
I looked up at Will and I could see the internal struggle in him and I wanted to help him out but I was too afraid to talk with the guy approaching. When it seemed like Will made his decision he looked at us, "Or I can face them head on and get this over once and for all", He took a deep breath, "Hey T. What's up?"
"Guess we could ask you the same thing."
Whoever this guy was, he wasn't a true friend of Will's if he talked like that to him. He also didn't seem nice at all when he looked at me and laughed, "I see you've made new friends?"
Will shrugged it off, "Yeah, so what? You have a problem with that T.?"
"Why would I have the problem with that?"
He sneered, "It's just I never pictured you hanging around people like them."
The second look he gave me was one of disgust and the reason I knew this was because I have seen that look before in some of my favorite movies. I knew that he was looking at me like that because I have autism.
Will looked at me and he must have seen something in my eyes because it looked like his resolve hardened up and addressed T, "People like them? Compared to what? People like you?"
He turned to Alex, "Let's go guys."
Now T seemed really mad, "Running away again, Horton? You seem to have a habit of that these days."
He paused for a moment but he wasn't done, "That's it! Go run off to play with your little freak. People have been talking about you, you know?"
I heard that horrible word but I couldn't think about it too much because I could see Will's body tighten up, "Alex, get Jack out of here. Now!" No, no, no, this can't be happening. I knew that the reason he started to hang out with me in the first place was because he got into fights and I knew that if he was going to fight them than I could possibly lose him.
I was standing there, breathing heavily, about to have one of my panic attacks. No one touched me but the stress was too much and I was frightened to lose him.
Alex must have figured out what was happening to me because he begged with Will, "Will, please... Don't it. He's scared to lose you. Think about what this could do to Jackson. If you get into a fight, you're gonna get expelled and I'm sorry if this might sound selfish, but Jackson needs you, Will. We all need you."
Will stared into my eyes for a while and I could tell that he really wanted to hit T but then he blinked and agreed with Alex, "You're right. I'm not going to do anything to mess this up."
He stepped closer to me and whispered, "Don't be scared, Jack. You're not going to lose me, okay?"
I was rejoicing on the inside as I nodded and stepped back from him, he was standing too close and I wasn't comfortable with that just yet. Will turned back to T, "Look, first of all, Jack is not freak. He's human. Just like you and me. So I would appreciate it if you stopped calling him that. Second, I'm not ashamed to be seen with people like "Them" as you might say. They are my friends! It make me wonder why I ever hung out with people like you in the first place."
Will smiled at us, "Ready to go to class?"
But T needed the last word apparently, "You're gonna regret this, Horton." We ignored him as we headed further into school.
(Alex's POV)
"Hey Joey! What's up?", I asked Joey as he walked in the student council's office with a huge smile plastered across his face.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing, big brother. So, it seems, the young Mr. Horton had it out with T. this morning? Come on! Spill!"
"There's nothing to say about it really. So, what have you been up to...", I tried to ask, avoiding my brothers favorite subject of interest, but Joey cut me off before the words even left my mouth.
"Oh no you don't! Details! Now!"
I got frustrated and decided to give in. What else was I suppose to do? Because he clearly wasn't gonna let this go anytime soon, "Fine!", I angrily replied, "Will walked in with us and got harassed by this T. guy."
"And?"
"And? what?"
"What happened?"
"Will told him off because he called Jackson a freak and almost got into a fight with him", I explained to Joey.
"What? He can't get into any trouble. Jackson needs him. He's the best thing that's ever happened to him."
My face frowned, because I usual was the one Jackson needed. Now, not so much.
"Shit! I'm sorry, Alex. I didn't mean it that way", Joey apologized.
"It's okay, Joey. I get that Jackson doesn't need me anymore, now that he has Will. I kinda figured that out this morning on my own."
"What do you mean by that?", he asked in confusion.
I took a deep breath and decided to come clean to Joey about my theory, "I think Jackson has a crush on Will."
Joey started laughing, "You think?"
"This isn't funny Joey."
"Well, if you think about it, it kinda is. Jackson never really had a crush before. It was bound to happen one day", Joey pointed out and grabbed his backpack and pulled out his tablet, "I just didn't expect it to be on a guy, that's all."
"So you're okay with this? I mean, if Jackson is...You know? Gay?"
"Why not? It's his life. If he chooses to like men, well that's his choice. It's not for us to decide for him. I think Jackson is smarter than you give him credit for."
"I know, Joey. But Horton?", I asked and waited for his response.
"Alex, I know you don't like Will very much, but what if he for some crazy reason Will also has feelings for Jackson. Maybe this could all work out in the end. And to be honest, I like Will. He's a great guy and he seems to care a lot about Jackson. Damn, if I wasn't a guy, I would probably have a crush on him myself. That dude is hot!"
"Whatever man, lets just get this over with so we can go check up on Jackson before our next class", I said to Joey who has a huge grin splashed across his face. I knew deep down Joey was right. Will wasn't such a bad guy. He was actually kinda nice and caring, but for how long? I couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen to him when the school year ends and he leaves Salem. What's going to happen to Jackson when all this is over?
Joey noticed my mood, "Alex, don't over think things. We still have a few months left before we have to worry about this. Why not make the most of it, ya know?"
"Yeah, I guess you're probably right."
(Will's POV)
The bell just rang signaling it was time for us to head out for lunch. I hurried and grabbed my bag and headed towards the art room to meet up with Jack. Once I got there, I leaned against the door frame and smiled. Jack was drawing...
He didn't even notice me walking in when I pulled up a chair near the window and started un packing our lunch, because Jackson loves to look out at the sky while we he eats. It keeps him calm and happy. I looked over at him and saw he was really into his drawing, smiling even while his hands moved gracefully over the white sheet of paper. So I decided not to bother him until I got everything set up properly and ready to eat, but I couldn't help but wonder what Jack was drawing that made him smile so much. What could possibly be making him smile like that?
"Jack, you gonna join me over here? I brought your favorites today", I pointed out, hoping to get his attention, but that didn't work out like I hoped it would, "Jack? You coming or am I gonna have to eat this entire lunch all by myself?"
Still nothing. Stubborn.
I decided to take another approach and go see what he was doing and try to persuade him into coming to join me. I walked over slowly, not wanting to startle him and watched him closely as he drew. He looked so calm...
I pulled out a chair and into a seat next to him, keeping a safe distance between us because I didn't want to over-step his boundaries, "Hey, Jack. What you drawing?", I asked and waited for him to respond. Jack turned his eyes towards mine and quickly closed his sketch book and stared directly at me.
"It's okay. You don't have to show me unless you really want to Jack", I tried reassure him that it was fine if he didn't want to let me in his safety zone just yet.
Jack frowned.
"Jack, are you scared that I'm not going to like what you drew?"
Jack nodded twice.
"Well, that's not going to happen. I'm your friend, Jack. I'll never not like what you draw, never."
Jack peeked from under his hair at me and slowly handed over his most prized possession over to me and looked away like he was terrified of what my reaction would be.
This was the first time Jack's ever shown me his drawings and he was probably nervous about showing them to me, so I wasn't surprised by the way he was reacting towards me.
I smiled at his gesture, "It's okay, Jack. Don't be nervous", I said to him as I opened the sketch book and saw the first picture inside.
I was breathless. The drawing was of me...
"Oh My God!", I whispered softly as I looked over each and every detail of his work of art. I knew Jack could draw, but this...this was just amazing, "Jack, this is beautiful. I don't know what to say...I wish I could draw like that", said to him as I handed over the sketch book back to him.
Just as those words left my mouth, I looked over at Jack as he reached inside his back pack and pulled out a second sketch book and handed over to me.
"More drawings?", I asked as I picked it up and laid it on the table in front of me. Jack shook his head in disagreement and handed me a pencil, "Oh, I see. You want me to draw with you? I not so sure that's a good idea, buddy", I said to him and watched him as he started drawing in his own book. I watched as his hands flowed gracefully over the blank page like there was nothing to it. He looked so peaceful, so calm...
I took the pencil and tried to copy his movements, each stroke without success.
I looked over at him, "I kinda suck at it actually. I could never be as good as you", I said to him and placed the pencil across the sketch book feeling defeated, but what happened next was something I never expected...
Jack immediately froze, his hands hovering over his sketch. He didn't look up at me, but he didn't continue drawing either. The first thing that came to mind was that Jack was frustrated with me because I didn't really try to draw. I basically gave up before even giving it a chance. So I picked up the pencil and tried again by tracing a circle across the blank page. Jack smiled as he watched my every move. To be honest, I was kinda nervous to be watched so closely by such an outstanding artist as Jack. Because that's what he was...Outstanding to say the least, "See? I told you I wasn't good", I admitted because I was really awful at it.
(Sonny's POV)
I am sitting there watching Will draw and it's very bad; I mean really, really bad. Like he is a 5-year-old who is drawing for the first time, "See? I told you I wasn't good."
Suddenly I was hit with the urge to help him out, so I clench my hand into a fist and then stretch it back. I hesitantly lifted my hand, bring it over and lay it down on top of his. The momentary panic was quickly swept away by the thrill of having my hand on Will's.
Will's hand had slightly jerked, probably out of shock, before his hand and arm relaxed. It was relaxed enough that I was able to help him with the drawing. I quickly worked at making the monstrosity of a picture look so much better. My hand was tingling where it was touching Will's skin and the tingle had nothing to do with my usual freak out. I really liked this feeling and I was sure that I would be touching Will more often after today.
(Will's POV)
I kept on drawing until I got the shock of my life when I pair of hands caught my own and stopped me from going any further.
Jack touched me...
My hand jerked slightly out of shock of feeling his touch upon my skin, but relaxed almost immediately what I realized whose hand was holding mine. It was Jack's.
I looked up at Jack, but the young man didn't return the stare. I watched him closely as he placed his hand over mine while holding the pencil steady and guided my hand over the sketch. I wasn't sure how I should react to this. I hesitated at first, because I knew that Jack hasn't touched anyone willingly for years. Not even his own brothers. So I remained calm and let Jack take the lead, and go at it at his own pace. As I watched him, I couldn't help but ask myself, "Jack's, own siblings couldn't even touch him without him screaming and panicking, so why did he touch me? Me of all people?"
It took me a few seconds to realize what was happening, when he suddenly pulled his hand off of mine and placed them over his lap as if he did something wrong, "It's okay, Jack. You didn't have to stop", I pointed out as I tried to explain to him that it was alright to have touched me, "You didn't do anything wrong, buddy. I kinda liked having your hand on mine, I mean to show me how to draw that is", and chuckled when I realized what I actually said in the first place.
Jack blushed and his cheeks turned a light shade of pink before he placed his hand over mine again.
Eventually, I started grinning from ear to ear when Jack withdrew his hand away from mine and placed his pencil on the table, signaling the drawing was done. I didn't even realize how long it took Jack to finish up the drawing, because I wasn't paying attention to it. I was only paying attention to him. Finally, I looked down at the drawing and saw it was a picture of me and Jack sitting together holding hands. My heart swelled...
I looked over at Jack who was twirling his fingers and staring down at them, as if he was waiting for me to say or do something. And so I did. As much as I felt the need to reach over and wrap my arms tightly around him, I decided to go with something more appropriate for the time being.
"Jack...", I said gently to him, before hesitantly reaching over, placing my hand on top of his, praying to God at the same time that this wasn't going to be too much for him to take in all at once. I just couldn't help myself. I had to touch him, "Thank you..."
It took him a few moment's to respond. I watched Jack as he intensely stared at my hand that laid on top of his before gasping loudly. I was sure he was going to panic, but he didn't. Instead, he lifted his beautiful amber eyes and looked right at me and slowly turned his hand over and laced our fingers together. To my surprise, they fit together perfectly.
(Sonny's POV)
I was looking at my hands, feeling nervous when Will was examining the drawing. It wasn't as good of a drawing that I can do by myself but it was very good for me having to use his hand instead of mine. I started to shake my leg in anticipation when Will didn't say anything right away but then he started to talk, "Jack..."
I could see him carefully lift up his hand and place it on mine, "Thank you..."
Having Will be the one to initiate the contact this time was a totally different experience than when I touched him, because now my stomach was doing flips. This was all new to me and I didn't know how to react. The pressure was getting to me and I gasped before I calmed down. I looked up into Will's eyes and I wanted to do what I have seen a million times in movies. So i slowly turned my hand around and laced our fingers together. The feeling of Will's finger laced with mine was an amazing feeling. My heart was beating and I felt my face heat up.
We were enjoying the moment when a gasp from behind us broke the moment...
(Will's POV)
This was twice...
A gasp came from the door that broke the silence in the room, breaking the shield that we had formed around us causing Jack to back away, shaking his head in a panic.
"Shit!", I growled as I looked over and saw Alex and Joey standing there in total shock about what they have just witnessed. I hurried over to the frightened boy to try to calm him down, "Shush...It's just me, Jack. Please look at me?", I asked and reached my hand out to him as a gesture of trust. Jack reached over and took my hand into his and took a few steps close to me, "You see, Jack? It's just Alex and Joey. No one is gonna hurt you, Jack. You have nothing to be afraid of. They were just surprised to see you holding my hand, that's all", I said and looked over at a Alex who had tears rolling down each side of his face watching us both from afar.
"Jackson, I'm so sorry", Joey said as he approached Jack warily, "It's just me, Joey. We didn't mean to scare you", he said as I slowly released my hold on Jack's hand and picked up my bag and headed towards the door to give them some privacy.
Just as I was about to walk out of the room, Alex finally broke the silence, "Will", he whispered, "He touched you...Jack touched you...", Alex asked as he wiped the tears away from his eyes.
I pretended not to notice and turned my attention over to Jack who was, paying complete attention to Alex as he wiped his tears away. Jack took a few steps towards us and just stood there, curiously looking at his brother and studying him closely. It was pretty clear what he was wondering. Jack suddenly frowned.
"Oh, Jack. I'm not hurt or sad, buddy. I'm just very happy. You let Will touch you? Does Will make you feel safe?"
Jackson nodded once and Alex looked over at me, "Will, this is amazing. For Jackson to initiate contact..it's...I just can't believe it. Is this? Was this the first time?"
I simply moved my head from side to side and informed him, "That wasn't the first time either. Earlier, he placed his hand over mine and tried to teach me how to draw."
"Will, this is...I don't know what to say...Thank you"
"No need to thank me", I said as I looked over at Jack who was staring right up at me, "I should be the one to thank you for letting me be part of his life."
"Well, we need to get home and call dad to tell him about this"
"We?", I asked, trying to understand what Alex actually meant by "we".
"Yes, we! I mean, you're coming over for dinner tonight to celebrate with us, and we're not take no for and answer. Isn't that right, Jackson?", Alex made it very clearly to me that there was no way out of this and looked over at Jackson.
Jackson smiled at me and nodded his head in agreement.
"How could you ever say no to that now?", Alex said, knowing I could never say no to Jack.
"Guess I don't have any other choice now do I?", I said as I grabbed a hold of Jack's hand, "You coming?"
Jack didn't even jolt when I placed his hand into mine. He agreed by nodding his head twice like he usually does as we walked out of the class room together. Alex and Joey followed right behind.
To Be Continued...OXO