Ot3: Jack, Brook & Harper.

HARPER POV
I hate exams' season and why on heart did I decide to choose an art faculty at uni?!
I'm probably on the edge of a breakdown and the fun part is that I haven't even started a project or opened a single book to study.
I have 3 art projects which will define 75% of my final mark and on top of that I have to do a stupid exam, just the thought of it makes me cry.

The kitchen table was a mess, papers with random sketches everywhere, books and art supplies scattered across the table.
I wanted to crawl in bed and cry non stop, no I don't have tears left to do that, I'll just lay numb in there hoping that my boyfriends would fix something.
They always do, I'm genuinely convinced that Jack and Brook are angels sent from heaven but I don't have any proof about that so the world has to trust my word.
I mean I met Jack on the first week of lectures when I was late and also lost, he helped me find the right class and you can't tell me that's not what angels do...guardian angels help people right? so he has to be one.
Brook on the other hand has been by my side for my whole life and things started to click when I moved in with his family after my parents kicked me out cuz they couldn't live with a gay son...
He has been there for me when I needed it the most so again...he's an angel!

But back to us, I procrastinated all morning and now I have to actually do something so I decided to go to the atelier, maybe I'll get some inspiration there.
I left a not for Brook who was about to come home any minute, grabbed my art bag and my sketchbook and left.
While walking, a thousand ideas roamed in my head and I was so distracted that I bumped into someone, I don't have time to be in some rom-com movie.
"Hey..." Jack said catching me as I was about to fall.
"Sorry, didn't see you"
"Yeah, noticed that" he laughed picking up some papers that fell.
"Aren't you supposed to be at practice?" I asked putting the papers back in my sketchbook.
"I forgot my bandages at home so..."
"Does your wrist still hurt?" I asked, worried.
Jack hurt his wrist during his last match and even tho he says is nothing, I know it hurts.
I just hope it's nothing serious cuz tennis is Jack's life and I don't want this to be the reason for the end of his career.
"It's not that bad, I'm ok" Jack replied.
"I'm serious Jack. If it gets bad you have to tell us or your coach, we are worried about you" I said softly taking his hand.
"I know and that's why I love you guys" he kissed my cheek then left towards home while I continued towards the atelier.

Once there I started to work hoping to finish at least one project.
I tried my best and after 3 hours I came up with something decent, I was kinda proud but I wasn't even halfway done and I still had 2 projects left.
When I decided to take a break, I noticed that it was already dark outside and I had at least 10 missed calls from Brook.
I cursed under my breath and called him while putting away all my stuff.
"Harp?" Brook was clearly worried.
"Yeah, sorry. I was working on something and turned off my phone, I'll be back now" I said struggling to put away everything with one hand.
"Jesus, I thought you were gone missing or something and was about to send Jack to look for you" he said through the phone.
I laughed at how dramatic Brook is then said bye and I ran out of the atelier towards home.
Lately, I'm always running or rushing so I definitely have a problem with time management.

Once home, I dropped all my stuff at the entrance and breathed in, I was exhausted.
"Thank god you're ok..." Brook hugged me and I melted in his arms, I didn't realize how tired I was.
"Sorry..."
"It's ok babe, now you have to eat then right to bed" he said kissing my cheek then dragged me to the kitchen table.
Jack cooked as always and everything tasted amazing as always.
"Tomorrow I'm working at the radio station but I have the night shift so don't wait for me" Brook said while eating.
"I have a late-night practice cuz I have a match soon" Jack added.
"Ok, well I'll be here all the time since I have to study like crazy..." I said yawning.
"I'm sure you'll do great baby" Brook reassured me and Jack rested his hand on top of mine to show me comfort.

The next day, everything was a rush and I went back and forth from the atelier to finish my projects, I felt so tired that I just wanted to hibernate forever but I drank too much coffee so I think it's impossible for me to even sit down and stop for a second.
I decided to not sleep at night so I could finish my project and then move on to the next one.
It's probably not a good idea but I don't have any option so...

Brook POV
When I came back home it was about 6 am so I tried to be as quiet as possible but it wasn't necessary since the lights were on.
I thought that it could be Jack cuz he always wakes up early for practice but he was coming downstairs just as I was about to walk into the kitchen.
"I thought you were the only one awake..." I whispered for some reason.
"No...I just woke up" Jack said rubbing his eyes.
"Then..." I trailed off and walked into the kitchen.
Harper was sat at the kitchen table asleep with his head on a book.
Books and art supplies were everywhere and even tho Harper looks extremely cute when he sleeps, he also looked exhausted.
I looked at Jack worried and I'm sure he was too.
"What do we do now?" I asked Jack.
"I'll carry him to bed and once he wakes up we'll talk to him" Jack suggested and I agreed.

Once Harper was resting in bed, me and Jack sat to have breakfast together.
"I didn't think it could be that bad. I knew he was stressed and everything but not till this point..." I started.
"I know exams' season is difficult for him but he's ruining himself this way. We have to keep an eye on him" Jack said while sipping his coffee.
We continued eating then Jack had to leave to practice so I kissed him goodbye.
After, I tidied the table a bit and joined Harper in bed cuz I was exhausted.

When I woke up a few hours later, there was no sight of Harper in the house so I decided to call him even tho I knew where he was.
"Sorry, I didn't leave you a note but I'm at the atelier. -No, I don't have Mrs. Pilsbury's lesson notes-. Sorry, here everyone is going insane" Harper replied.
"When you'll be back, we have to talk ok?"
"Ok...should I be worried?"
"We'll talk later" I said a bit cold and ended the phone call.

As soon as Harper came back, I texted Jack to tell him and mentally prepared myself to confront Harper.
"Ok, so what did you want to talk about? Cuz Jenny needs my help and I promised her to do so only if she helped me back-"
"Harp, stop"
I took his hand in mine.
He looked at me and I started.
"You'll burn yourself out if you keep on going with this rhythm and both me and Jack are worried..."
Harper didn't say anything so I continued.
"I know you're stressed for everything but we barely see you, you're always in a rush, you don't even sleep and your body is 70% coffee at this point. It's not healthy Harp..."
After a moment of silence, Harper finally spoke.
"I know...but you have to understand, I can't fail. I'm exhausted but I can't give up now and I need both you and Jack by my side"
I looked at him and his face was pale with dark eye bags under his blue eyes that lost their usual sparkle, I engulfed him and he hugged me tightly.
"I know that you're trying your best but you have to promise me to at least eat a decent amount of food and once everything is over we'll take care of you...ok?"
He hummed as a reply and the front door opened.
"I missed everything, right?" Jack asked putting down his tennis bag.
He joined our hug and it felt right, we haven't had a moment like this since the exams' season started.
"I love you guys..." Jack broke the silence.

Harper POV -after exams' season-
Thank god the nightmare ended and now I'm kinda back on track.
Without Brook and Jack, I would probably be dead so I'm super lucky to have them to take care of me and now I'm feeling better.
Later we'll go to Jack's tennis match and I feel like we're back to our usual routine.

___________________________________

Note*
I'm posting this really late, I know. Here it's like 5 am and I can't sleep so why not edit this horrible story and post it? (I'm probably burning myself out too ahaha)
I promise I'm working on the request, just need a bit of time.
Good people are like candles, they hint themselves out to light up others' path...💡