Dear Mitch (Merome)

Chapter 6

At dinner later on, A.K.A takeaway Chipotle, I questioned Ben again. "Okay, so where does Mitch live?"

"Somewhere in Doylestown, PA. He doesn't really leave Pennsylvania much."

"Huh." I said. We were sitting on the lawn, chicken heaven in front of us. I was happily stuffing it in my mouth, but it was slowly turning to cardboard as I though about Dad and Mitch. I had Googled the Merome tag (I'd seen it scrawled aimlessly around pages) and the fanfictions, the drawings and the images were all so hopeful (and scary). Did they know where they'd go?

"Okay Ben, help me stop questioning myself. Please." I said, and Ben cocked his head, begging for an explaination. "Can I trust you?" I asked, and he scoffed. "Puh-lease Taylor, I've known you since you were a baby!"

"Uh... so?..."

"Of course you can trust me." He said, and raised his hand. "Pinky promise."

"This will probably shock you. Swear you won't tell anyone, not even my family?" He nodded, then paused for effect. "Wait, are you about to tell me you murdered someone?"

"No, but interrupt me again and I may..." I warned jokingly, and he rolled his eyes. "Okay Ben, so... my dad kept this diary which explained how he and Mitch stopped being friends, the letters being addressed to Mitch, and it's just... really heavy stuff." I said slowly, and he sighed. "Care to share?"

"Well, my dad was in love with him, and before you predictably interrupt, no, not like a brother. Like. A. Husband." I said, and Ben's eyes widened. "Woah..."

Yesh Ben, I do get you didn't expect that, but 'woah' is not the most helpful answer.

I sighed deeply, and Ben put an arm around me, making my heart speed up as I stiffened. "Woah... flirty there much..." I tried to joke, but my voice caught. Ben smiled at me pityingly. "Hey, I thought you could use some support somehow, seeing as this is obviously affecting you. Remember I'm here, okay?" I nodded thankfully, and just rested my head on his shoulder, and his hand lightly caressed my hair. I instantly tensed, and his hand froze.

This all felt so wrong... but right at the same time...

I stood abruptly and shook my head, hair flying. "Uh. Well. I want to go read. I'll be back soon!" I flew from the garden, shaking. Why did it feel so hard to let in one of my best friends? Was I scared by the idea he liked me?...

Yeah...

I was...

I scrambled into my room and grabbed the diary, before scratching open the pages.

You're fourteen Taylor. Live a little.

You're fourteen Taylor. It'll end before it starts. Do you want to lose your best friend?

Internal battles. Okay. Did Dad feel them too?

21st May 2023

Dear Mitch

I had the first insanely real argument today with Louise. The first one where one of us walked out.

Taylor is only one. She's already seeing her parents scream, tears flying down each other's faces.

This is the first time. We don't argue much any other times.

I met Lachlan's child a week back. Skyped Lachlan, and got to properly speak with Ben. Kinda. He's two. We got as far as you can. Lachlan always seems so happy with Amanda. He loves her. No surprise they got married.

So the truth is out. You're still single, and I'm still hurting. Let's get together, huh?

Who am I kidding? I walked out that door and knew I wasn't coming back. Keep it open for me?

Love, Jerome.

Well. Okay. Okay. I can deal with that.

I took light steps downstairs, and was met with Ben, eyes worried. "Did I do something wrong?" No, just me. I forced a smile. "We're fine. I just had something I wanted to read." I thought for a second. "Have you ever Googled Vikklan?" The most common ship involving his dad.

Ben stood there for a full three seconds before looking like he wanted to cry with shame. "Never before have I hated the internet so much. It's okay being a famous YouTuber's son, but after you see him Photoshopped naked with other guys, you tend to regret life."

"I can relate too much. Like. People draw Dad and Mitch sleeping together. Please, save me from this thing we call a fandom."

"You know, I made the regrettable decision to click on a fanfic. The writing was good enough... but it had no smut warnings." He cringed. "I have never wanted to burn my eyes so bad." I patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, at least there aren't fangirls who include you in the smut..." Ben glanced at me, and I hastily backtracked. "Not me either! It could be worse though..." He nodded. "Uh yeah. About Mitch though... I have his number if you want it."

"What would I do with it if I took it? 'Oh hi, I'm Taylor, your ex-best friend's daughter who is partially named after you.'"

"Wait, you are?"

"I forgot to tell you this, didn't I?" I asked, and he nodded. "Yep." I sighed, and he pulled me into a hug I didn't reject. "I just wish they were together. I want to see what life would be like with the dad I never had."

"He isn't your blood dad." Ben muttered into my hair, and I looked him in the eye. "Blood doesn't make family. Family makes blood." He accepted the line willingly. "So what would you do if you met him?" I blinked. "Tell my dad he could have never fallen out of love." I accepted the warm friendship Ben offered, and closed my eyes, head in his chest. "Dad... he knew that he'd lost what he loved, and it sounded like it almost killed him."

The whisper back was almost inaudible. "It's also killing me..."

So I get this doesn't sound too Merome... I'm quite happy with using Taylor's POV, with her not being Mitch and Jerome and the POV not changing. I don't think I could only focus on Merome though. It's just too difficult when people would have other things in their lives... so this seems a little more realistic :3

Amber