The Exchange Student - DNF (Gream / DreamNotFound)

Chapter 12

George POV

It was the next day, Dream and I were sitting in the bus on our way back home. It was friday so that meant the weekend was right around the corner. I was extremely excited to have two days off and use them to talk to Dream and what not.

Looking over to where Dream was sitting he didn't look as excited as I did. In fact he looked drained with bags under both of his eyes. It almost looked like he hadn't slept for months. Thinking back to the prior morning he did seem a little off, like something was bothering him. I didn't wanna intrude in any problems he wouldn't be comfortable telling me so I decided not to ask him what was up.

Through the entirety of the bus ride he was quiet. It wasn't because he was sleeping or on his phone, he was just staring into nothingness. I figured I might have to ask him what was going on when we got home.

When we reached the school we decided to walk home instead of driving. We almost always drove everywhere we went but I guess he wanted a bit of fresh air for a change.

Walking on the sidewalk, he was a bit ahead of me, only by a couple of steps, seeming to be lost in his own thoughts. I really hoped nothing had happened to him and that he was ok. He has never been this distant to me, ever so I felt incredibly confused on what to do in a situation like this. I've never been the best at comforting people, feeling a little out of place when I tried to.

Looking away from Dream, I realized how peaceful today was. The cloudless blue sky, but also how silent the streets actually were. There were no cars and no people at all. It was calming and overall just soothing after these troubled past days. Don't get me wrong, I liked the excitement, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't stressful having to be this careful especially now when Melissa already knows.

I hope I wasn't the reason for his quietness. Maybe he'd regretted choosing me and would blame any future problems on me. He hadn't said anything to me though so I could be wrong but the thought wouldn't disappear.

Finally I started to recognize our location and knew we'd arrived at our house. Opening the front door we were met with the comfort of our house. What we didn't expect was to be met with two other people. His parents were sitting on their long grey couch in the living room.

They seemed to be full into a rather serious conversation but as they saw us their faces lightened up.

"Oh, Hi! So good to finally see you again Dream, you as well George" Mrs Williams cheerfully said before jumping up from the couch to embrace him into a tight hug.

"Ok mom, ahah, what are you doing home already?" Dream looked slightly embarrassed by his mom's actions but tried playing it off.

Now Mr Williams decided to join the conversation, "Your mom and I just wanting to see our son again, is that really such a crime"

His parents actually gave the impression of being decent people. Of course I haven't forgotten about Melissa and his dad, but maybe his mom was better.

"We'd actually invited Melissa over for dinner today" Mrs Williams explained, "you two are litteraly soulmates and I've missed seeing you guys together."

Yikes, I knew this was gonna be awkward. Having to eat dinner with Dream, Melissa and his parents. I'm gonna be 5th wheeling if that's even a thing, how great..

Dream had already figured trying to protest wouldn't do anything good and so he just went to his room with me in his heels. As I was about to go to my own room, Dream stopped me by saying.

"Where are you going? Come with me"

Immediately I accompanied him into his room instead. Sitting on the edge of his bed and hinted for me to do the same by patting the free space beside him.

"So" He started "I'm sorry if I've been a little distant all day"

I was glad he apologized and that I wasn't just paranoid for no reason. Knowing he cared enough to say sorry meant a lot to me, way more than what he'd probably thought.

"I'd just been thinking about everything. You, Melissa, my parents, you name it. I don't want you to worry about me. I'm perfectly fine. It's just knowing Melissa could through such a bomb at my mom at any second now, it's scary"

Naturally I understood where he'd come from.

"Dream, listen. Melissa's sure you and I broke up, isn't that right?"

"Yeah, pretty much"

Maybe I would regret saying the next sentence but If I had to sacrifice a tiny bit of my happiness for Dream's, I would.

"I can just act as though I despise you from now on, if you would like me too. Then Melissa a hundred percent will think you broke up with me"

He took a minute to really comprehend what I'd just offered to do for him.

"But Geroge, I don't want you to be mad at me"

He really didn't understand, did he?

"That's the whole point though. I'm not actually annoyed with you, it's just what we want her to think. But if we're doing it you have to be a little angry at me as well, otherwise it may not work as well"

Already now I knew it would be extremely hard to act like I didn't like Dream. It was already hard enough not having to throw myself at him by every possibility I was given but having to hate him.

"I guess you're right. But we have to make sure to do it lowkey. We don't want to overdo it to the point that it's unbelievable, just enough to convince Melissa I broke it off"

I've honestly never been the best actor but today my skills were gonna be put to the test and I've promised myself to fulfill this, no matter how hard it may be.

DING

I felt my heart drop as the sound of the doorbell rang. Dream looked as though his heart dropped as well but despite being scared he got up.

"Come, let's get this over with"

Words: 1068