Chapter 19 (Alleys)

(Back to Jack's POV and we are picking up where we left off from chapter 15)

My footsteps were light as I walked back home with Jessy in my arms. After our conversation, we had decided to head home. Half-way there, she had said she was cold and I picked her up. She fell asleep instantly in my arms. I didn't mind, I like holding her. It made me feel protective of her and I honestly didn't like that while she was walking, someone could take her right under my nose. Now, there's less of a chance at that.

It also gave me time to think. A lot of the towns-people had gone home but a few had decided that they would stay and camp out, promising to tell the other's if Edward or any of the other royal family members had shown up. I knew that it was damn near impossible to have them come all the way into town but what do I know? I live in the middle of no-where.

I turned and headed down a path in the woods and was soon close enough to spot the porch lights of our home. I walked my way inside and noticed that my parents were asleep as I heard my father's deep snore from above. I quickly put Jessy to bed and made my way to my room. I was barely able to strip down to my boxers before I collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.

***

"We're heading into town today." My father spoke from his place at the kitchen table as he read the newspaper. "Did you know that Brenda Meyer's is having another child?" He then said, directing it towards my mother.

"Why are we going into town?" I asked at the same time my mother said: "No, really? Boy or girl?"

"Boy," he confirmed, taking a sip of his drink before looking at me. "Why else would we go into town other than it being important? Alexios is back! We have to wait down there for a little while to make sure that everything's fine." He took another drink before folding up the paper.

"What if they don't come today?" I asked, walking over to the door to put on some boots to go out onto the farm. He cleared his throat as he stood up and went to change into more suitable clothes to work in.

"Then we go back tomorrow."

***

"I should've listened to your mother and took the car." My father grumbled as he shoved his way through a bush and stumbled onto the road to stand next to the rest of his family. We all snickered as we watched him brush off his outfit with a grimace. He was wearing a button down with a jacket and jeans. This was one of his 'good' outfits.

"'Mother's always right'," my mother sang twirling on spot and dancing her way towards town with Jessy at her side. Jessy was in a long black skirt and a white tank top while my mom was in long brown skirt with a brown shirt that had loose sleeves. I was in a lot of trouble for showing up in blue jeans and black t-shirt, but if Edward showed today, I didn't want to seem like I was trying hard. To be honest, I felt like being here was just going to be embarrassing, but what could I say? 'Hey, ma, I don't want to go to town because I like the Prince and it would be awkward to see him.' Yeah, no.

"Come on, Jack." My father said, clapping me on the back and guiding me after my family. We caught up to the girls and my father grabbed my mother's hand as they walked. We agreed to grab some lunch before heading out to the park where we would wait for more news. We all went to a small diner, (where dad got a little bit of a discount for the manger being his relative). It had been an hour since we had been there before we decided to head to the park to wait there. Jessy immediately went off to go play with her friends as I stayed behind with my parents, like a loser.

"Aren't you going to go play with your friends?" I heard my mother ask, who was cuddled up with my father on the bench. I turned to her with a raised eyebrow as she pointed to a group of kids my age. I felt my cheek flush as it dawned on me that she didn't know.

"I haven't been in school in almost three years, mom." I spoke softly, putting my hands in my pockets and slowly creeping away from them. I suddenly felt awkward. Like they wanted me gone for some reason and that's why she made the comment about it. "It's not like I have friends."

"Jacan–" She spoke softly, an apology in her voice but I didn't want to hear it so I started to make my way into the main part of town; my cheeks a bright flush in embarrassment.

I wasn't wrong though. About three years ago, Jessy started to get ready for school and my parents couldn't afford the both of us to get an education. I decided that Jessy should get the chance at it and dropped out. I figured that it would be best to have a little bit of schooling on my own and to give Jessy the chance at it as well. Ever since, I had been helping my dad on the farm and then Jessy with her homework when she got home, since my parents only know what they read from books.

I never particularly liked going to school anyway. I do remember what school was like and let's just say, even if I was still there, I wouldn't really have friends. I was always being teased for not having a lot of money and not the right pairs of clothes and such. I didn't really want Jessy to go through that so during her school days, I usually work on any outside job where I could help bring in money. We don't have a lot of money, but it has helped us a little; enough to get her decent clothes. Sometimes, I wish I was a Prince, who didn't have to go to school because they had a tutor of their own and could end their session whenever they thought they didn't need an education anymore. Is Edward still going to school?

I made my way through crowds of people as I felt myself getting smaller and smaller. Crowds were always a terrible thing to me. When I first started going to school, I was happy to get new friends and to explore the world. It had always been an interest of mine to learn new things and to explore. I was a pretty friendly child and was good at meeting new people. So, imagine my surprise when I was alienated and shoved back to the point where I wasn't able to learn anything else. Don't get me wrong, I still get amazing grades and outstanding achievements but I wasn't able to learn things that I wanted to be interested in because people were rude and oppressing to the point where I didn't even care what happened to them nor me. That is mostly why I dropped out. I was still sometimes whispered about whenever I walked down the street, which is why I flinch whenever I catch someone look at me or laughing if I'm near them.

My parents don't understand why I'm so fearful towards the people around me and I don't think they ever will. The chose to hide out in the country because back then, it was 'normal' and they never really caught up on the new century that was beginning. None of us had phones, except for the house ones, and we had a pretty old television. Did it bother me? To an extent, yes. I didn't like that we were all the way out there and I didn't like the fact that people made fun of me for it. But, I know that, that is my home and I love it there.

I made my way around a corner and flinched as a particular crowd whistled and laughed as a brown haired guy from behind me runs up to them and all the guys pile into a group hug. I swallowed and started to head towards the bookstore where I was interested in going when I heard something from the alleyway speak.

"Psst!" It was sharp and quiet, but loud enough for me to hear. I froze and someone bump into me from behind, shouting curses as they almost dropped their phone. I apologized greatly then groaned as they passed. I turned to look down the alley again and shook my head. I went to take another step, when it spoke again; "Psst! Jack!" This time, I knew someone was trying to reach me.

"Hello?" I called out quietly, ignoring the odd looks as I made my way into the dark alley. I was scared of what was going on but obviously this person had to be a friend if they were trying to talk to me, right? "Hello?" I called out again, a little skeptical. Just as I was about to leave, thinking that I was delusional; a figure stepped out. They quickly grabbed my wrist and tugged me to behind a building, out of complete sight of the pedestrians. Of course I went with him because, you know, I am just terrible and stupid like that but I know I would have put up more of a fight if I didn't recognize who it was. The person stopped and turned to me, smiling as I stood there stupidly trying to comprehend what was happening.

"Edward?" I asked.

Hello my lovelies! I'm really sorry for the short chapter but I've had a rough week and I wasn't able to completely give this my all. I like it but I wish it were a bit different. Thank you all for reading and please don't hesitate to leave a comment down bellow or to vote for me, thank you! (1661)